Parents of Jailed March2Parliament Protestors Appeal for Pardon from Minister Balaam
| MUKONO | KYAGGWE TV | The Minister for Youth and Children, Balaama Barugahara Ateenyi has revealed that the parents for the youth who were remanded to Luzira for taking part in the March2Parliament protests in Kampala are making endless phone calls to him.
Balaama said that the parents are first of all sorry for what their children did and request him to intervene so that their children can be released.
Balaam posing for a photo with the students leaders of Mpoma Royal College School.
He made the revelation while representing the First Lady and the Minister for Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni as the chief guest when the Mukono based youth mentorship and rehabilitation organization, Incredible Youth International was celebrating 17 years of operation.
Incredible Youth International is an organization which deals in skilling, sensitizing and mentoring the young children and the youth into reasonable adults.
The celebrations held at Kabembe village, in Kyampisi sub-county, Mukono district at the organisation’s headquarters were attended by a number of dignitaries, secondary schools and university students.
The Minister expressed his dismay saying that however much he tried to engage the youth to avoid taking part in the demonstrations of March2Parliament, offering his time to engage the youth on a number of platforms, his efforts went in vain.
Stuednts leaders from different schools cutting a cake, as Minister Balaam (right) looks on.
He said that he also offered to lead these youths to the President Yoweri Museveni to whom they would present their grievances in a formal petition but they did not listen to him, hence ending up in jail.
“It’s unfortunate that I labored to engage these youths first through social media on my X handle and also moving around different media houses before they engaged in the protest. Instead they just abused me, fortunately their abuses did not change anything from me, I am still Balaam and the Minister for youth and children,” he said, adding;
Students entertaining the guests with a dance.
“After them not heeding to my advice and ending up in courts of law that remanded close to 150 to Luzira prison, I am now receiving endless calls from their parents asking me to help and intervene so that they can be pardoned. Imagine, the over two hours I have been here, I have received at least eight parents’ calls which I have answered, pleading before me. Other countless calls I have not been able to answer.”
Balaam said that he advised the parents to lodge in their pleas in writing so that he can present them before President Museveni who will decide either to pardon them or not.
He however said that their cause for demonstration was right and needs urgent attention though they used a wrong forum and procedure.
“I am also personally perturbed by the leaders who are corrupt. Indeed, the government needs to do something before the situation worsens. I am happy that President Museveni has decided to act on the culprits, let’s just give him support,” he urged.
He asked the voters to take note of all the corrupt leaders including those from local government and members of parliament to ensure that during the 2026 general elections, they vote them out of office.
Minister Balaam listening as a student asked him a question.
The First Lady Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni who doubles as the Minister for Education and Sports urged the Ugandan children and the youth to always keep themselves away from sexual immorality, corruption, substance abuse and homosexuality.
The First Lady’s message was read by Minister Balaam, saying that those vices arise from among other things, the negative impact of globalization on the young population, which is further promoted through this era of digitalization.
She urged the youth to take full advantage of the opportunities the government has put in place for their personal growth so that they can continue to strive for excellence and never underestimate the power of realizing their dreams.
“Please remember that the future is in your hands and each one of you has the power to determine that future, through the choices you make today!” she noted in her speech.
To the education sector stakeholders’ gathered at the function, the First Lady asked them to continue working together to create a positive environment, where every young person can be equipped with the tools to build a prosperous future for themselves, communities and the nation at large.
She applauded the youth who attended the function for having chosen to intentionally work on their personal development, by associating with and actively participating in the activities of the Incredible Youth International.
“I urge you to take on the responsibility of mentoring and nurturing the younger generation in your communities, who are vulnerable and unable to access the knowledge, skills and opportunities, which you have been accorded here. I believe that once we all take on the commitment to reach out and be “our Brothers Keeper”, we will all ultimately contribute to a better nation,” read part of the First Lady’s speech.
She added; “Uganda being a nation with one of the youngest populations in the world, has the remarkable opportunity of leveraging the energy, creativity, and potential of young people in this population strata, to navigate the transformation, that will drive us to realizing the hopes and aspirations, that are set in the nation’s Vision 2040.”
The First Lady also noted that she had been informed that for a number of years, the Incredible Youth International has been a significant partner in the education sector’s undertaking to uplift and empower the youth of Uganda.
“Your programs, initiatives and unwavering support have accorded countless young people the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed. Your dedication to youth empowerment is commendable! Indeed, it is through NGO Sector partners such as this, that the youth remain focused, achieve significant progress and contribute meaningfully to their communities,” she said.
She added: “I am therefore confident that as you attain yet another year of fulfilling your mandate, together, we will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of many more young Ugandans.”
Brian Ntwatwa, the founder of Incredible Youth International revealed that in the 17 years of the organization, they have reached over six million students in 1700 schools in Uganda and beyond.
Ntwatwa said that they skill the youth from 13 years of age, do mentorship programs with them and also do career guidance to enable them choose the rightful careers that can make them impactful citizens.
Minister Balaam also spent over a full hour as the secondary and university students engaged him, firing him with instant questions which he answered there and then.
Among their questions, the youth were dissatisfied by the way they are perceived as hooligans, something which prompts the leaders to always abandon them even when they have genuine requests that need attention.
Brian Ntwatwa, founder Incredible Youth International speaking.
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