KCCA youth day run focuses on promotion of urban refugee human rights agenda

By Elijah Khisa 

A host of refugee organizations in the country have challenged the government to ensure that the human rights of their subjects are protected as enshrined under the United Nations legal instruments.

The development came to light over the weekend during a KCCA youth council-led  marathon in celebration for the international youth Day which was held at the Old Kampala secondary school playgrounds.

The marathon under the theme ‘Skills development for enhancement of youth opportunities’  climaxed in activities including music, dance and drama, showcasing technology, innovation, micro-business and value addition as well as visual arts among other thrilling friendly   engagements by the refugee community.

It was meant to promote awareness of the urban refugee youth issues as well as show solidarity in building an inclusive  smart city by bringing  forward and recognizing the key roles refugees play within the urban communities where they live and work.

The central division mayor Salim Uhuru as chief guest commended all the refugee  organizations working within the city suburbs saying KCCA highly recognizes and appreciates all their services among them.

The organizations in the lead sponsorship included  UNHCR, The International rescue committee [IRC], Young African refugees for integral development [YARID], Refugee led organization Network [RELON], Royal Milk and  Youth sport Uganda [YSU] among others for spearheading the momentum to create more opportunities for refugee youth tailored to ensure that all are supported for a brighter tomorrow.

Uhuru exclusively thanked YARID for effectively working with KCCA  and other government ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs] in ensuring that the  hundreds of urban refugees largely staying within his division and greater Metropolitan Kampala city suburbs are offered various professional hands on skills which have enabled many to set  up  own businesses and effectively fighting poverty.  

The YARID youth engagement lead officer Wisdom Karungu told the mayor and KCCA youth council officials present that they are they’re working with several government agencies such as office of the prime minister [OPM] among others at their field operations bases in Nakivale refugee settlement in Isingiro district, Kyaka 11 in Kyegegwa district and Palebek in Northern Uganda were they are handling large scale refugee logistics operations.