Government Launches Talent Search among Ghetto Youths

Government has launched a talent search and Health Awareness Campaign aimed at identifying priority gaps and capacity needs among the different slum communities.

Dubbed the Ghetto Got Talent Search, the campaign is inspired by a needs assessment exercise in various slums of the country.

The search will focus on promoting Musical talent, Dance, Art and design, Comedy, Poetry, Magic, Fashion and Acrobatics that advance values of cultural development, national pride, educational and entertainment purposes to the community and country at large.

Launching the campaign at the Uganda Media Center, Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke the Minister Of State For Youth And Children Affairs said Ghetto Got Talent Search and Health awareness campaign presents an opportunity for the Gender ministry to explore a different framework for doing research that connects more explicitly with the ministry’s objective of supporting marginalized communities.

“The campaign is designed to identify, nurture and promote Uganda’s fresh talent in all the Ghettos around Uganda and also promote health awareness for sustainable livelihoods,” .Mateke said.

Mateke noted that the campaign will give the upcoming talented Ghetto youth an opportunity to show case and develop talent on a national platform.

The minister said one of her ministry’s mandate is to mobilize and empower communities to harness their potential while, protecting the rights of vulnerable population groups.

“It is in this spirit that Ghetto Got Talent Search projects to stimulate the consciousness of ghetto youth to the socio-economic challenges inhibiting meaningful development to occur,” she said.

She explained that Health Consciousness and Talent Development are the main objectives that have birthed the Ghetto Got Talent Search and Health Awareness outreaches in the major Kampala Slums.

The minster said the talent search will focus on the talent and skills development, Health Camps on Reproductive Health, mitigating effects of Mental Health caused by Covid19 & Drug Abuse, Advocacy on environmental measures, Nature based solutions, and nature based solutions and promotion of Green Jobs in the Ghetto Slums.

The search will also focus on economic empowerment and financial management boot camps. Social Etiquette and Confidence Building, Backyard Gardening/Small Scale Farming nature-based solutions and green jobs.

Whereas the campaign will be extended to various ghettos across the country, the maiden edition will be kick started in nine of the major ghettos in Kampala, including Katanga, Makerere Kavule, Bwaise – Kimombosa, Kisenyi, Kamwokya, Kosovo, Namuwongo, and Kivulu.