Caught between unemployment, exclusion, and fading hope
The youth of Kween District carry burdens that no generation should have to bear. From Binyiny, Ngenge, Kiriki, Sundet, Chepsukunya, Kwanyiy, Moyok, Kaproron, Kaptoyoy, Tuikat, Kapkwata, Kitawoi, Benet, Kaseko, and across Soi County, young people face challenges that affect their education, health, safety, and dreams. For too long, their voices have been ignored, and their suffering has remained invisible.
Growing Up Amidst Conflict
Life for the youth in Kween has been shaped by repeated violence. In sub-counties such as Kapkwata, Kwanyiy, Moyok, Kaproron, Tuikat, Kitawoi, Benet, and Kaseko, confrontations with Uganda Wildlife Authority officials have left families traumatized. Parents and young people have been injured, crops destroyed, and homes disrupted due to heavy-handed enforcement. These events leave youth without guidance, education support, or the safety needed to grow and thrive.
At the same time, communities in Binyiny, Ngenge, Kiriki, Sundet, Chepsukunya, Kwanyiy, Moyok, Kaproron, and Kaptoyoy continue to face raids by Karamojong cattle raiders and Bokot attackers. Families lose property, livestock, and homes, and children often witness violence firsthand. Many young people are forced to drop out of school to work and support their families or to escape unsafe living conditions.
A youth from Kwanyiy shared, “When raiders attacked, our livestock and homes were taken, and my parents were hurt. School ended for me that day. I have lived in fear ever since, and no one has come to help.”
Poor Infrastructure and Isolation
Even for youth who remain safe, life is made harder by poor road networks. Off the main roads, many paths are completely impassable, especially during the rainy season. Children cannot reach school, farmers cannot bring their goods to markets, and young people cannot access health centers. The combination of conflict, raiders, and poor roads traps communities in poverty and limits every opportunity for growth.
A young woman from Tuikat sub county explained, “Even if we had schools and health services, we cannot reach them. The roads are impossible to use. It feels like we are cut off from the rest of the world.”
Unemployment and Limited Opportunities
Beyond violence and poor infrastructure, the youth of Kween face scarce employment opportunities. Many young people leave school with few practical skills and no support to start businesses or find work. Without vocational training centers or youth programs, a generation is trapped in poverty and idleness. Many are vulnerable to harmful habits or forced to migrate to distant towns in search of work.
The Call for Support
Despite these challenges, the youth of Kween remain resilient. They are asking for protection from raids and unfair enforcement practices, education support for children affected by violence, rehabilitation and compensation for families impacted by UWA conflicts and raiders, reliable roads connecting all sub-counties, and vocational training and employment opportunities for youth.
The youth are ready to lead community projects, organize themselves, and work for positive change, but they need guidance, access, and support from local and national authorities.
A Future That Belongs to Us
The youth of Kween District refuse to be invisible. They are not asking for handouts. They are asking for justice, dignity, and opportunities. From Binyiny to Soi, from Kapkwata to Kaptoyoy, they are determined to rise. They want to rebuild their communities, access education, and create livelihoods despite the challenges imposed by conflicts, raiders, and poor infrastructure.
Sebei National Youth Movement stands with the youth of Kween. We will continue to amplify their voices until the concerns of young people are addressed, their talents nurtured, and their futures secured.
