The contribution of youth livelihood programme towards addressing youth unemployment in Uganda: A study of Katenga sub county, Mitooma district

Abstract

This study investigated the contribution of the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) towards addressing youth unemployment in Uganda. The purpose of this study was to find out the contribution of the YLP towards addressing youth unemployment in Katenga Sub County. The objectives were to investigate the nature of livelihood projects that youth beneficiaries of YLP engaged in, the benefits that youths have realized through engaging in youth livelihood program projects, the factors that contributed to the performance of youth projects under YLP, challenges faced by the youth livelihood groups and projects, and finding out youth beneficiaries of the youth livelihood projects respectively. In this study, participation in the youth livelihood program is an independent variable while youth unemployment is a dependent variable respectively. The researcher used a descriptive cross-sectional design utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methodology in data collection and analysis. The study sample size consisted of 70 youth respondents who participated in the YLP, 5 youths who did not participate in the YLP, 4 Parish Chiefs and the CDO. The researcher used the questionnaire as the main data collection tool but also the interview guide was used in face-to-face interviews respectively. The researcher employed the statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) to analyse quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Study findings indicate that males participated more than females in the YLP and this program had three components; services, trade and agriculture respectively. Youths have been able to create their own jobs, they have gained income from their projects, they acquired skills through training and have expanded their projects as a result. Training and capacity building, effective monitoring of YLP by the CDO, legislation around YLP, appropriate allocation of funds to the enterprises selected, transparency and accountability in management of funds at group level and passion for projects of youth engagement have contributed to the performance of YLP. In implementing the YLP program activities youths have faced financial, social, economic and political challenges. The researcher recommends that future studies consider gender mainstreaming in group formation, leadership and resource allocation to enhance equity in participation and benefits from Government programs.