Dr. Lakisa Mercy Faith

I have been officially sworn in as Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, a profound honor to serve our Nation🇺🇬 My deepest gratitude to H.E. President @KagutaMuseveni for this trust. I pledge to champion the future with absolute dedication. For God and My Country.🙏🏾

The youth leaders from Nakaseke District recently paid a courtesy call to my office. Our engagement offered a valuable platform to address critical issues facing young people, examine local community challenges, and exchange practical strategies for strengthening youth participation and service delivery. I was particularly impressed by their innovative ideas, constructive contributions, and genuine commitment to being part of the solution. Their fresh ideas and readiness to lead from the front truly stood out. The future of Nakaseke is in good hands

Today, I met the UNICEF Country Representative to Uganda for a high-level bilateral engagement centered on advancing our shared strategic vision for the protection, development, and empowerment of all Ugandan children. Our discussions reaffirmed the enduring partnership between the Government of Uganda and @UNICEFUganda, highlighting our mutual commitment to strengthening child protection systems, broadening access to quality education and healthcare, and ensuring a safe, nurturing environment for every child. As we pursue our national development objectives, sustained collaboration with international development partners remains vital to addressing systemic challenges, safeguarding vulnerable households, and guaranteeing that no child is left behind. Investing in the holistic well-being of our children remains the cornerstone of Uganda’s long-term prosperity and sustainable future.

Today, I had the honor of gracing the official launch of the 2026 National and Regional Girl Summits, as stakeholders unite under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to reclaim and protect the rights of our young girls. Child marriage is not merely a social challenge; it is a profound violation of human rights that robs our young girls of their education, health, and limitless potential. Ending child marriage 'once and for all' demands that we move beyond rhetoric to actionable, well-resourced commitments. By investing in girls' right to a childhood, we are building a foundation of economic empowerment, equality, and dignity for our entire nation. Together with our valuable partners, we remain resolute in enforcing protective laws, transforming community mindsets, and ensuring that every girl in Uganda has the opportunity to dream, lead, and thrive.

Yesterday, I had the honor of joining the people of Lango to celebrate the 2nd Coronation Anniversary of His Highness Won Nyaci Me Lango. The vibrant celebration was a powerful testament to the enduring strength of our cultural heritage, identity, and shared values. Our traditions remain the very bedrock of our unity, social cohesion, and collective responsibility. As we honor our heritage, let us continue to embrace our diversity, reinforce the bonds that bind us, and safeguard our cultural institutions as strong pillars for generations to come.A united Lango is a stronger Lango.

Yesterday, We celebrated Uganda's boldest youth-led green economy innovations at the Uganda Climate Innovation Challenge (UCIC) 2026! For our young people, climate action and youth employment are not two separate conversations, they are the exact same conversation. A massive congratulations to our 6 winners who shared a 37 million UGX grant pool, and to all 12 incredible finalists across Circular Economy, Clean Energy Innovation, Circular Regenerative Agriculture, and Climate Art and Storytelling. We also proudly witnessed the official launch of the National Waste Pickers Association. You have been doing critical circular economy work long before the rest of us learned the term, and your efforts keep our cities clean. You deserve occupational health and safety, full recognition, and a rightful seat at the table with Government, KCCA, NEMA, and recyclers. Achieving Uganda's Tenfold Growth Strategy target and lowering youth unemployment means actively backing our young innovators and frontline workers. To our banks and development partners, please design financial products that fit them without demanding land titles, and to the private sector, let your company be their first big customer. Our youth aren't just waiting for the jobs of tomorrow, they are creating them today!

Today, at the 5th Annual Governance and Security Programme Review, I highlighted the critical congestion in Uganda’s juvenile justice facilities, most notably at Kampiringisa National Rehabilitation Centre, where 1,233 children occupy space intended for 780. Urgent ministerial action is imperative to ensure our state care system protects the basic rights and human dignity of these young people. To resolve this crisis, we are prioritizing faster case processing, expanded diversion mechanisms, facility upgrades, and root-cause reintegration. I also sincerely thank our development partners for supporting the construction of the Moroto Remand Home, vital for expanding access to justice in Karamoja. I call on Programme leadership and security to immediately convert these resolutions into fully resourced work plans with strict performance metrics. State custody must not be a dead end; our mandate is to protect rights, restore dignity, and ensure every child receives a meaningful second chance.

It was a distinct honour to officiate at the 2nd Annual Real Fathers Learning Convening, held under the noble theme, “Scaling and Sustaining Outcomes of the Real Fathers Programme in Uganda.” This high-level convening served as a pivotal platform to deliberate on our progress, harness shared insights, and reinforce strategic partnerships dedicated to advancing responsible fatherhood, positive parenting, gender equality, and holistic child and family wellbeing across the nation. Sustaining the transformative impact of the Real Fathers Programme requires our unwavering commitment, institutional alignment, and collective action. Together, we remain steadfast in ensuring that fathers across Uganda are fully empowered to play an active, meaningful role in nurturing resilient children and building stronger, healthier families.

I was delighted to preside over the closing ceremony of the 2nd Schools’ Electric Cooking Competition at #REC2026, where I presented awards to outstanding students and schools following three days of exciting competition showcasing creativity, teamwork and innovation in modern cooking. Congratulations to all the winners and participants for demonstrating how young people can be powerful drivers of Uganda’s clean cooking transition. I commend the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the National Renewable Energy Platform (NREP), with support from the UK Government through the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) programme, for championing this remarkable initiative. By using electric pressure cookers to prepare familiar family meals efficiently and sustainably, our students demonstrated the potential of innovation in advancing clean cooking. I call upon schools, parents and partners to sustain this momentum by nurturing young innovators, promoting practical learning and empowering students to champion clean cooking in their communities. #CleanCooking #YouthEmpowerment #REC2026

I was pleased to join the National Planning Authority and the African Peer Review Mechanism National and Continental Secretariats for a high-level institutional consultation in preparation for the Africa Governance Report 2027. Centered on the theme “Youth Leadership in Entrepreneurship, Industry, and the Public Sector,” this engagement highlighted the vital role of key stakeholders in refining policy frameworks and expanding strategic opportunities for young people across the continent. My sincere gratitude goes to the leadership of the NPA and APRM Secretariats for championing this vital cause; empowering youth through meaningful participation, robust public-private partnerships, and institutionalized leadership remains a cornerstone of our commitment to achieving inclusive, sustainable governance and long-term socio-economic prosperity.

Today, as we mark the International Day of the Girl Child 2026 under the theme Change Her Forecast, we reaffirm our government's unyielding commitment to advancing the safety, rights, and empowerment of every girl. Transforming a girl’s future requires more than awareness. It demands decisive policy action, targeted investment, and the elimination of systemic barriers that threaten her dignity and potential. Let us be clear: girls’ rights are fundamental human rights. To change her forecast, we must move beyond fragmented efforts. Real, measurable progress requires strong, multi-sector partnerships. Governments, development partners, civil society, and communities must stand united to enforce protective laws and build an environment where every girl can thrive. We also call upon our media institutions to act as champions of accountability, exposing injustices, challenging harmful social norms, and safeguarding the privacy and dignity of survivors. Together, let us dismantle these structural barriers, hold ourselves accountable, and secure an equitable future for every girl.

Today, in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development partnered with Plan International Uganda for a symbolic Girls Takeover. In demonstration of our commitment to youth empowerment, I had the privilege of stepping aside for an exceptional young leader, who temporarily assumed the duties of Minister for Youth and Children Affairs. This initiative transcends symbolism; it serves as an institutional affirmation that girls are active decision-makers and leaders of today and tomorrow. Opening high-level governance spaces to young women amplifies their voices, builds transformative confidence, and safeguards their right to participate in national development. Every girl in Uganda deserves to be heard, empowered, and positioned to lead. By investing in their potential today, the Government of Uganda remains dedicated to building an inclusive, equitable, and prosperous nation for generations to come.

Yesterday, I joined my fellow Members of Parliament, mental health experts, and key stakeholders at the 1st African Regional Summit on Suicide Prevention 2026. Under the theme "From Silence to Action: Advancing Suicide Prevention Across Africa," we gathered to address one of the most critical yet under-discussed public health challenges facing our continent today.  Breaking the stigma surrounding mental health starts with leadership. As policymakers and leaders, we must move beyond awareness toward actionable policy, stronger healthcare infrastructure, community-based support systems, and legislative frameworks that protect and uplift our most vulnerable.  I encouraged all stakeholders, from government bodies and civil society to religious and community leaders, to work collaboratively to destigmatize mental health and prioritize suicide prevention across all sectors.

Today, I had the privilege of officiating the launch of the Uganda Hotspot Program, a targeted and vital initiative aimed at bringing a definitive end to child and forced marriages in the Karamoja sub-region. This program marks a decisive milestone in our national journey to champion the rights of children, empower young girls, and strengthen community-led solutions to tackle deep-rooted socio-cultural challenges. Overcoming these harmful practices requires more than policy; it demands a shared commitment across every level of society. It is only through the active engagement of our traditional leaders, local communities, government bodies, and international partners that we can build sustainable protection networks that safeguard our children’s futures. Our mandate is clear: to ensure every child, regardless of their background, has the safety, freedom, and support needed to remain in school and pursue their aspirations. Together, we are laying the foundation for a Karamoja where every young girl is valued, protected, and empowered to reach her full potential.

Congratulations, Nakate! 🥳🥂 Keep shining, making history, and making Uganda proud. The sky is the limit! 👏🏽✨

Today, I led a team for an inspection and monitoring assessment of the Jua Kali Programme in Lira, implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD). The programme seeks to transform Uganda’s informal sector by equipping artisans with practical skills, tools and equipment to strengthen their enterprises, improve productivity and support business formalisation. With the informal sector accounting for approximately 92% of employment in Uganda, initiatives such as Jua Kali and SENTE are critical to expanding economic opportunities, safeguarding livelihoods and creating sustainable jobs. The assessment focused on implementation progress, beneficiary performance, utilisation of tools and equipment, and operational challenges affecting enterprise growth across sectors including tailoring, carpentry, welding, agro-processing, ICT, transport, cosmetology and catering. I have directed the technical teams to strengthen beneficiary verification, enforce accountability and ensure transparent and equitable delivery of programme resources. Our focus must go beyond distributing tools to delivering measurable impact through sustainable businesses, increased household incomes and job creation. Empowering Uganda’s informal workforce is essential to inclusive growth and our broader socio-economic transformation agenda.

Today, I continued my field monitoring exercise in Nakasongola District to evaluate the performance of government programs especially the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP). The assessment revealed critical bottlenecks, including low revolving fund recovery rates, climate-related agricultural disruptions, market access constraints, and gaps in financial literacy among beneficiary groups. I have directed the technical team to immediately enforce stricter supervision, rigorous follow-up, and robust recovery plans. Public funds must be managed with absolute accountability, and any negligence by officers in executing their mandates will be met with firm administrative action. Our commitment is resolute: government programmes must deliver tangible results. We will continue safeguarding public resources, strengthening youth enterprises, and ensuring that these interventions drive real socio-economic transformation.

Today was a profound privilege to engage with the National Women’s Council during their orientation session as they kick-start their leadership tenure. True leadership is a mandate for structural transformation, and we must walk this path together. I charged our council leaders to take the helm and lead a united national movement for women’s economic empowerment. My challenge to them is clear: stand at the forefront of advocating for women’s financial autonomy and collaborate across all levels to ensure the 30% affirmative parish funding reaches every woman. Having ascended to the pinnacle of governance, I urge them to reflect on how they will convert the insights acquired today into systemic change, catalyzing progress within their communities and driving the broader transformation of our country.

Yesterday, I engaged with my fellow Youth Members of Parliament to align our collective efforts in driving youth development across the country.🤝 From legislative synergies on the floor of Parliament to practical community outreach, we agreed on clear strategies to ensure young people are informed, empowered, and able to benefit directly from government initiatives. Unified leadership and deliberate coordination are vital to ensuring no young person is left behind. Moving forward together! @Parliament_Ug

Thank you, my brother Afande Jackson, for the courtesy visit to my office today and for the fruitful discussion on child protection and positive parenting in the digital era. Through your valuable book, we shall continue to nurture, protect, and empower our children for a brighter future. Asante!