Where Wealth is Grown, but Youth are Forgotten
Western Uganda—famed for its hills, cattle, tea plantations, crater lakes, and tourism—looks like a paradise on the surface. But beneath the scenic views lies a generation of young people grappling with betrayal, exclusion, and rising frustration.
With high literacy rates, agricultural potential, and a strategic location, Western Uganda should be a model of youth empowerment. Instead, youth here face landlessness, corruption, poverty, exploitation, and political neglect—despite producing some of the country’s top leaders.
Major Challenges Facing Youth in Western Uganda
Landlessness and Inheritance Barriers
In areas like Ankole and Kigezi, many youth are born on land they will never own. Land inheritance is sidelined young people.
“I work my father’s land, but when he dies, it goes to my uncle. I’m just a visitor here.”
— Edwin, 33, Ntungamo
“My family told me to get married and leave the land to my brothers. So I started with nothing.”
— Janet, 27, Rukungiri
Exploited in Agriculture
From tea plantations in Kyenjojo to cattle farms in Kiruhura, youth provide most of the labor—but earn the least. They sell milk, coffee, and bananas, but profits go to middlemen or corrupt cooperatives.
“I milk 20 cows a day. My boss drives a range rover, I sleep on a mat.”
— Amos, 29, Kiruhura
“We grow the food, but go to bed hungry. How is that fair?”
— Irene, 24, Bushenyi
Unemployment & Broken Education Dreams
Graduates from Kabale, Fort Portal, Hoima, Mbarara, and Kasese are stranded with degrees and diplomas but no jobs. Vocational centers are underfunded or inaccessible, and most jobs require “connections.”
“I studied law in Kampala. Now I’m in Mbarara selling second-hand clothes.”
— Davis, 25, Mbarara
“Every vacancy says ‘experience.’ Where will we get it from?”
— Sandra, 23, Fort Portal
Mental Health, Depression & Silent Struggles
Pressure to succeed, lack of support, and high expectations from families have led to rising depression, alcoholism, and suicide, especially among young men.
“In our culture, men don’t cry. But we’re dying inside every day.”
— Gilbert, 26, Kabale
“After I failed my S.6, my father stopped speaking to me. I felt useless.”
— Monica, 22, Ibanda
Political Exclusion & Selective Development
Although many top government leaders hail from Western Uganda, their policies benefit the elite, not the grassroots youth. Youth without political ties are ignored, excluded, or silenced.
“They come with big cars and big words, but leave us with nothing.”
— Kenneth, 22, Kasese
“Being from the west doesn’t mean I’m eating. We suffer just like the rest.”
— Jackie, 34, Kyenjojo
Environmental Disasters & Neglect
Regions like Bundibugyo and Kasese face frequent floods and landslides, displacing families. The youth lose homes, farms, and futures—but are rarely helped in recovery efforts.
“Our home was washed away. No one came to help. Only promises by the government.”
— Joseph, 28, Bundibugyo
Regional Breakdown of Youth Struggles
Ankole (Mbarara, Kiruhura, Ibanda, Bushenyi)
- Cattle-rich but youth-poor
- Nepotism in job placements
- Land conflicts and elite dominance
Kigezi (Kabale, Kisoro, Rukungiri, Kanungu)
- Hilly terrain limits farming and development
- High levels of youth migration and suicide
- Gender inequality and domestic violence
Bunyoro (Hoima, Masindi, Kiryandongo, Buliisa)
- Oil discovery has created more displacement than opportunity
- Youth pushed out of land for foreign companies
- Rising cost of living with no compensation
“They talk about oil. We just see a pipe, soldiers and fences.”
— Rashid, 33, Hoima
Tooro (Fort Portal, Kyenjojo, Bundibugyo, Ntoroko)
- Tourism benefits few; jobs go to outsiders
- Youth lack capital to start businesses
- Environmental disasters ignored by government
More Youth Voices from Western Uganda
“They only remember us during campaigns. After that, we become a statistic.”
— Joan, 25, Masindi
“They say we’re from the president’s region, but even our health facilities have no medicine.”
— Mark, 22, Bushenyi
“I carried bricks to pay for school, but the system still fails me.”
— Doreen, 22, Fort Portal
“We hear about oil and wealth, but in Buliisa we’re still very poor.”
— Enock, 24, Buliisa
“I lost my job because I refused to sleep with the boss. That’s the real cost of being a young woman here.”
— Rita, 23, Kasese
“We’ve been patient. Now, I am happy that we have The National youth movement is here.”
— Brian, 27, Ntungamo
Western Youth: From Patience to Power
Youth in the west are not blind to what’s happening. They see the lies behind political slogans, the money flowing to the rich, and the fake peace that hides inequality.
We are not “privileged” because of where we were born—we are marginalized in our own homeland. But now, we are rising together, not as tribes, not as political tools—but as one youth movement for justice and opportunity.
“Western Uganda has given enough to Uganda. It’s time Uganda gave back to its youth.”
— National Youth Movement – Uganda
