Contribution of Youth Livelihood Program towards employment creation among the youths in Uganda

Abstract

Despite the government’s efforts to increase people’s incomes through various programs, youth in Uganda are still faced with unemployment. This prompted a study into examining contribution of youth livelihood program towards employment creation among the youth. The specific objectives were to: investigate how youth livelihood program (YLP) has helped the youth in setting up income generating activities, determine how YLP trainings have impacted on management of youth enterprises, and examine the effect of YLP financial support on assets acquisition among the youths. The study used a mixed method study design of qualitative and quantitative approaches. A total of 218 respondents; including community development officers, local leaders, youth group leaders and other selected officials of the YLP were interviewed. Further, one FGD having 10 participants was conducted. The study findings revealed that YLP financial support enables youth in establishing income generating activities (r =0.600, p=0.000). 36% variance in income generating activities among the youth is attributed to YLP Financial Support (Adjusted R Square = 0.35.6). Youth Livelihood Program trainings have impacted on management of youth enterprises (r =0.758, p=0.000). It was revealed that 57.4% variance in management of youth enterprises is attributed to YLP Trainings (Adjusted R Square = 0.572). YLP financial support affects assets acquisition among the youths (r =0.808, p= 0.000). Sixty five point three (65.3%) variance in assets acquisition among the youths is attributed to YLP Financial Support (Adjusted R Square = 0.651). It is established that YLP contributes towards employment creation among the youths in Uganda. The YLP has empowered youth to harness their socio-economic potential and increase self-employment opportunities and income levels which has provided them with demand driven principles, increased youth participation and ownership, promotion of gender responsiveness and equity. The study recommends the government to empower the youth with creative problem-solving skills through training of individuals who can function effectively in the society for the betterment of self and the society because this leads to development of sound human capital required for national development.