Janet Museveni appreciates UNDP’s role in UniPod youth initiative
The Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni has lauded the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for to fostering youth entrepreneurship and innovation.
She made the remarks during a meeting with key UNDP representatives and members of Makerere University Council on the impact of the UniPod initiative.
The UniPod initiative, a joint venture between UNDP and Makerere University is designed to nurture idea development and entrepreneurship among young people.
UniPod, envisioned as a hub for innovation, is open to both university students and the general public. It aims to provide a nurturing environment for business ideas, especially those emerging from the informal sector. This initiative is seen as a vital link in fostering business ideas and encouraging entrepreneurship among Uganda’s youth.
Janet Museveni highlighted the enthusiasm among the youth for innovation but pointed out a tendency to replicate existing ideas rather than create solutions for societal issues.
“Meaningful innovation should not just be about replicating what is already out there. It should be about addressing fundamental societal challenges and generating sustainable income,” she observed.
She also noted a significant gap in young Africans’ engagement with grassroots issues. She emphasized the importance of university students understanding and addressing the challenges within their communities, using resources provided by initiatives like UniPod.
Her remarks underscore the importance of the UniPod initiative in guiding Ugandan youth to focus on solving local problems.
Experts say this approach is vital for ensuring their efforts are both relevant and impactful.
The meeting was attended by Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Secretary-General at UNDP, Elsie Attafuah, UNDP’s outgoing Resident Representative in Uganda, and Lorna Magara, the chairperson of Makerere University Council.
