CREATE YOUR OWN JOB OR CONTINUE COMPLAINING AND GIVING EXCUSES.

I have decided to pen down this precise write-up, seeing how the young people are getting wasted into gambling, drugs and alcohol, because they are idle and frustrated after failing to get formal employment. Young people are getting old and even looking older than 60 years old. As young people, we are failing to understand that every day comes with 100 percent opportunities around us, but it takes humility, determination, focus, flexibility and "growth mindset" to be able to see..

Considering statistics which indicate that over 700,000 youth reach working age every year, but only 75,000 are absorbed in different available jobs, given the Acholi fertile land, Commercial agriculture would be a relief to the rest who fail to get formal employment, but it is very unfortunate that we are failing to make good use of what God gave us, and definitely grateful and wise people from other parts of the country are hiring and buying our fertile land, plant and sell their food to us, get more money to expound their farms and later employ us together with our children and grandchildren to work on their fields. It is very obvious that God is not happy with Acholi for being ungrateful. We can not appreciate what God has given us and put them to good use.

Pundits argue that it is really unbelievable that the young people in Acholi land remain unemployed, languishing in poverty for years with fertile land at their disposal.

The most important thing is; as young people, we should start by accepting that we failed to receive education or we studied old courses designed by our colonial masters to serve their needs. Do not blame yourself for getting trained a job seeker, not a creator, but we can still change the status quo. Let us accept that we do not have anything, humble ourselves and start from a scratch, collecting the little resources and putting them together to create our own employment. Waiting for government to create more jobs and you get one is indeed laughable.

Experts say Agricultural value chain is too broad that can employ all Ugandans and still yearn for more workers. Starting from selling farm inputs, producing and selling seedlings, preparing gardens, planting, harvesting, value addition including sorting, packaging and branding, transporting, middle men roles, and also hundreds opportunities in animal rearing ventures. Just take two, study them well and specialize. 

Don't mind of what people will say, humble yourself and start doing something today. 

People have for many years complained about market for the farm products and at the same time crying about food security. The fact that foodstuffs are still very expensive, means there is market everywhere, the problem is poor planning, desire for quick money and inability to prioritize our needs and wants.

Let's make a deference now. It's okay to look for jobs, but let's remain humble, wise and create something with the resources God has given us. It is not a mistake that you are born in Acholi land. The land that God gave us is not a mistake. It's not for swag. It neither for sale nor for boasting.

Unemployment in Acholi land is a pretence. Stop the drama and start doing serious research today on what can keep you busy (employed) while you look for the white collar jobs. Even if you do no want to go to the garden, look around, you can still employ yourself somewhere along agricultural value chain.

Do not despise work(job)! Money is the Motto!

Okello Peter Oneka Lucoromoi

peterokello7@gmail.com

+256779944442