ISSUP Uganda, hosted by the Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL), in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Kampala Office, convened a Youth Consultation on Crime Prevention, Community Safety and Resilience Building in Iganga District under the CPCJ Programme.
The consultation brought together 30 young people (15 male and 15 female participants) to discuss the challenges affecting the safety, wellbeing and development of children and youth within their communities.
The event provided a safe and inclusive platform for young people to openly share their experiences and perspectives on issues including gang violence, bullying, substance use, cybercrime, human trafficking, domestic violence, robbery, sexual offences, and online exploitation. Participants reflected on how these challenges impact their daily lives and highlighted the importance of involving young people in the design and implementation of crime prevention initiatives.
During the discussions, participants identified several environments where children and young people are particularly vulnerable, including schools, homes, streets, entertainment centres, online platforms, public transport hubs, and peer networks. The consultation also explored practical and community-driven solutions to address these risks.
Among the recommendations proposed by participants were:
- Expanding youth empowerment programmes and life-skills initiatives;
- Increasing access to counselling and mental health support services;
- Strengthening parenting and family support programmes;
- Promoting digital literacy and online safety awareness;
- Enhancing skills development and employment opportunities for young people; and
- Fostering stronger collaboration between communities, schools, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders.
The consultation reinforced the importance of youth participation in building safer and more resilient communities. By providing a platform for young people to voice their concerns and contribute solutions, the event recognised youth not only as beneficiaries of crime prevention efforts but also as active partners in promoting community safety and social cohesion.
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