Youth as Key Players in the Fight Against Corruption

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Youth as Key Players in the Fight Against Corruption
Anti-corruption protesters have peeled off layers from own clothing today | Courtesy

Corruption remains a deep-seated issue that cuts across the fabric of society, affecting the economy, political systems, and the daily lives of citizens.

It undermines governance, weakens public trust, and obstructs service delivery. To confront this systemic problem, the role of youth is indispensable.

As future leaders, youth not only have a stake in ensuring corruption is eliminated but also bring renewed energy and a fresh outlook to the fight.

Gerald Twebaze, Chairperson of the Rwenzori Anti-Corruption Coalition (RAC), highlights several pathways through which young people can take the lead in combating corruption.

According to Twebaze, young people must recognize that patriotism goes beyond superficial sentiments.

It is about actively participating in building a society free of corruption through a sense of duty and responsibility.

He urges youth to express their love for the country in practical ways by holding themselves and others accountable.

"Young people need to understand the concept of love for their country beyond what they think. It’s a practical expression of duty and responsibility," Twebaze explains.

Education plays a critical role in shaping a corruption-free society. Raising awareness about the effects of corruption and what it takes to eliminate it is a necessary first step.

Social media platforms, community outreach programs, and awareness campaigns offer young people the tools to disseminate information on how corruption harms societies and what benefits come with transparency.

"They can use social media, carry out community outreach, and disseminate information about the impact of corruption and what it means to have a corrupt-free society," Twebaze suggests.

Twebaze also stresses the importance of advocacy and activism. Youth are encouraged to use their voice and collective strength to demand accountability from leaders.

Chairperson Rwenzori Anti-corruption Coalition Gerald Twebaze

Through peaceful protests, policy advocacy, and awareness-building efforts, young people have the potential to influence meaningful change.

"The youth should communicate their position, build support, and influence decision-making processes," says Twebaze.

In the digital age, technological tools are powerful assets in the fight against corruption.

Twebaze explains how smartphones, cameras, and voice recorders can be utilized to document evidence of corrupt acts, such as capturing officials engaging in bribery. This evidence can then be used to hold culprits accountable.

"Smartphones can be used to capture audio-visual evidence of corruption. For instance, capturing a traffic officer asking for a bribe is enough to pin them," he elaborates.

Corruption in Uganda is perpetuated by a variety of factors. According to a 2023 National Service Delivery survey by UBOS, bribery, and embezzlement are the most common forms of corruption.

The main drivers of corruption include greed (50%), poor supervision (9%), low salaries (8%), and the lack of stringent punishments (8%).

Alarmingly, 80% of Ugandans are not involved in fighting corruption, and 54% believe there is nothing they can do to change the situation.

To reverse this trend, youth must act as catalysts for change by challenging the status quo and holding government officials and institutions accountable.

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