THE SURGE IN YOUTH CRIME CAN BE SOLVED THROUGH FINANCIAL LITERACY

 In the New Vision of 30th June 2025 there was a report on how youths in gangs stole property and injured innocent people . This is a signal of what happens when the youths have no access to decent jobs. It should be noted that a similar incident happened a few years back when a group of youths on Jinja road roughed up people and stole their phones and valuable property. We need to dissect what causes these anomalies. 

Times have changed to the extent that one is concerned when their relative is not at home by 7:00PM. Society is so insecure to the extent that one may have to avoid some routes to ensure their safety. If some of  the youths reach an extent that stealing valuables such as phones is a means of survival then there is a need to worry. The youths form the majority of the country's population. Over 70%of Ugandans are below the age of 30years . The youths can be a blessing or a curse depending on how they are nurtured.

I have been in the space of youth mentorship for over 5 years and I should attest that Uganda's youths have a lot of potential. It is no wonder that Uganda is credited as one of the most entrepreneurial countries in the world. The question is their potential utilized to the maximum?  If this is the case why do we have so many frustrated graduates who have lost hope in their degrees?  Uganda's universities produce over 400,000 graduates every year and it is estimated that only about 90,000 jobs are created in the formal sector. The question is who absorbs the rest? 

One of the solutions to Uganda's unemployment dilemma is providing free financial literacy training to the masses. For a long time the youths have been products of hand outs. It is not surprising that a certain report pointed out that the beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model funds had diverted the funds to unplanned expenses. This means that money that is meant to revolve and benefit many other youths is only used by a select few. The narrative should change if we are to reduce youth unemployment and income inequalities among the youths in various regions.

A number of youths up to university level lack the adequate skills to handle resources. It is no wonder that a report that appeared in the Daily Monitor of 24th May 2025 that many of Uganda's youths were addicted to gambling. This is a signal that there is a desire for the youths to seek instant riches that are not sustainable. There is a need for intentional mindset programs at all levels to redeem the youths from making financial blunders at a young age. The report shows that some youths up to university level gamble their tuition.

All hope is not lost since I know of a group of university students who formed an investment club and today it is a successful company that is worth in billions and invests in real estate It means such efforts should be replicated in order to transform the lives of the youths .


For individual and Corporate financial literacy training contact :

Coach Phillip Kiryowa

Personal Finance Coach (CMA)

Certified Master Trainer, Bank of Uganda 

Founder, Advanced Empowerment Link

0752615916

For Financial Freedom and Sustainable Enterprises

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