The Archbishop of Uganda, His Grace Stephen Kazimba, has urged young people to avoid being used as instruments of instability during elections.
He made the call on Tuesday during the official opening of the 9th Provincial Annual Youths and Students Convention (PAYSCO) in Mbarara City.
“Dear young people, as young people engage in the political space, rise above violent, corrupt and divisive politics. Stop being used as instruments of chaos, tribalism and misinformation,” Archbishop Kazimba said, addressing over 800 youth from across the country at Mbarara High School.
He emphasised that the young generation should be the vanguard of truth, justice, and peace. “You have a life to live and you should be a generation to transition politics to service and principle, but not power, to build and heal the country, but not break,” he added.
The Archbishop also encouraged the youth to be innovators, using their God-given talents to create enterprises and community projects that can transform them. “Stop believing in false promises of modern slavery of unemployment, human trafficking, being lured into sex slavery, but use the talents God gave you and available opportunities to be innovative, as the church we are ready to work in spaces on need to see in you a transformative young generation,” he said.
Bishop Sheldon Mwesigwa, the Dean of the Anglican Province and Bishop of Ankole Diocese, highlighted the importance of spirituality in the lives of young people. “The challenge the young generation is facing is missing out on spirituality… If you see the challenges of the young generation of immorality, drug abuse, hopelessness, and diversion towards sinful acts, it is because they are missing out on spirituality,” he said.
Bishop Mwesigwa noted that the youth are also acquiring other life skills that can help them navigate and succeed in the world. “We always bring successful people across all walks of life to talk to our youth on how best they can navigate through the world to be successful. They acquire principles of resilience, patience, hard work, tolerance, and being responsible among others,” he said.
The Bishop of South Ankole, Rt Rev Nathan Ahimbisibwe, told the youth that giving their lives to God is the only way to succeed in this generation. “The world is full of evil, saboteurs, and therefore life not anchored in the Lord will be a mess because you will always be diverted from being good and that will be the end of your life,” he said.
Mr. Melvin Kananura, the Chief Executive Officer of Blue City Investments Ltd, shared his life experiences and encouraged the youth to trust in God and be responsible. “It is trust in God, self-discipline, responsible living, hard work, living within your means, being yourself, a healthy lifestyle, being trustworthy that I believe will make your future successful,” he said.
The four-day conference has attracted over 800 participants who are having their retreats at Mbarara High School and Bishop Stuart University. The Provincial Annual Youths and Students Convention (PAYSCO) started in 2014 with the mission of equipping and training the youth in holistic transformation in their churches, schools, and communities.