The Secretary General of Afro-Arab Youth stressing a point while addressing Journalist at Media Centre
Although Afro-Arab Youth Council(AAYC) is yet to celebrate its 20th anniversary early next months, member countries are still reluctant to contribute towards the development of the Headquarters which is planned to be established in Uganda.
The Council under the leadership of President Museveni as her Patron, has earmarked to collect US Dollars 150 million which member states are yet to pay to help in the construction of the Headquarters’ office premises, a University of Science and Technology, a three-star hotel, a 20,000 seater sports stadium and a heritage cultural centre.
While addressing reporters at Uganda Media Centre in Kampala the Secretary General of AAYC Dr. Abbas Agaba revealed that president Museveni donated 50 acres of land in Nakawuka , Wakiso District and it’s the unavailability of funds that is delaying the development of the projects to kick start.
He also said that Morocco which is also a member state has already pledged to fund and construct the 20,000 seater stadium and this will be one of the key issues whose modernity will be discussed among others.
The Twentieth Anniversary celebrations will this time attract 120 youth participants were half of this according Dr. Agaba will be coming from all over the world and the other portion from the various youth councils of member states.
This editions Anniversary will be under the Theme: ` Youth, Culture, Peace and Wellbeing’, which the General Secretary say is in line with organization’s objective of promoting peaceful co-existence among younger people world over.
A series of activities are planned to occur in the 10day long festival is slated to commence on 1st March, 2024 with an inter-generational dialogue on the future of Young People in Africa and Arab Space at Makerere University it will attract key figures such as Dr. Maggie Kigozi, Dr. David Wasajja patron of Buganda Youth and this will be preceded with the plight of persons with mental health challenges among the Arab and Africa Youth at Kampala International University on 2nd March.
A dialogue on Youth Employment, Skilling and Participation in trade in social media era will take place at Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU)-Kabojja branch Campus. The delegates will be ushered to a nature walk through Mabira Forest for touring purposes, will also visit Itanda and Busowooko falls in Jinja.
A cultural gala is also organized at Jinja SS with several groups from Arab and Africa performing, in partnership with Gabula Royal Foundation, plus a marathon that will draw participants from the community and student youth and the chief runner will the minister of state for sports accompanied with his counter parts from Morocco and Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile as a benefit to the Ugandan youth, scholarships have been secured to study in the member counties and the projects earmarked will also provide employment opportunities and Dr. Agaba revealed that 40% of these opportunities will be for Uganda as a host country.
By George Bukenya.