Definition of Youth
The national youth policy defines youth as all young persons, female and male, aged 12 to 30 years. In YouthMap: A cross-sectional situational analysis on Youth in Uganda (2011), it notes the draft national youth policy (2011-2016), referring to youth as 15-29.
Marriageable Age
- Opposite Sex
- Same Sex
- Without parental consent
- with parental consent
- Male
- 18
- 18
- XX
Candidacy Age
- Lower House
- 18 Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union Partially indirectly elected or other means.
- Upper House
- --
Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union
Unicameral.
Situation of Young People
Literacy Rates
- 90.50% Male (15-24) %
- 90.95% Female (15-24) %
- Year: 2015
- Source: UNESCO
Net Enrolment Rate
Secondary School- 16.24%Male %
- 14.53% Female %
- Year: 2004
- Source: UNESCO
Situation of Young People
Tobacco Use
Consumed any smokeless or smoking tobacco product at least once 30 days prior to the survey.- 17.30% Male (13-15) %
- 15.30% Female (13-15) %
- Year: 2010
- Source: WHO
Policy & Legislation
The Children Act 1997 consolidated the law relating to children, their rights, protections and provisions. The National Employment Policy for Uganda (2011) lists youth employment as a policy priority action area. The Peace, Recovery and Development Plan for Northern Uganda (2007-2010) details plans for post-conflict harmonization with specific actions on youth unemployment (through the Northern Ugandan Social Action Fund) and the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS. Regionally, the Commonwealth Youth Programme has been active in Northern Uganda and the African Youth Forum was hosted in Uganda in 2010 in partnership with UNICEF and the African Union Commission. The national development plan (2010/11 – 2014/15) details a number of initiatives relating to youth.
Public Institutions
(ministry, department or office) that is primarily responsible for youth?
Youth and Representation
Budget & Spending
- % of GDP
- % of gov. expenditure
Source: World Bank
Additional Background
Uganda has the world’s youngest population with over 78 percent of its population below the age of 30. With just under eight million youth aged 15-30, the country also has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although Uganda is making strides economically, it faces significant challenges in meeting its young people’s needs today and their challenges tomorrow as its population continues to grow at a rate of 3.2 percent annually.
The report found that poverty, gender-based inequities and location-based disparities were recurring themes from their mapping exercise. Despite this, attitudes of youth remained positive:...many youth spoke of their high energy, resilience, and a strong desire to receive education, find work, and contribute to peace and development in their communities. Development efforts should acknowledge their significant potential and seek to create substantive roles for youth to engage in peace- building and civic activities, allowing them to build confidence, leadership skills, and empowerment.