PROMISES AND PROTESTS: How the Afro-Arab Youth Congress Ended in Allegations of Unpaid Dues

The just-concluded Afro-Arab Youth Congress at Speke Resort Munyonyo has been hit by controversy, with several young participants taking to social media to accuse organizers of failing to deliver on financial commitments — including transport refunds and a presidential cash pledge announced during the event.

The week-long summit, which brought together hundreds of youth leaders from Africa and the Arab world, was officially closed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who urged young people to embrace ideology, unity, and innovation as tools for peace and prosperity.

However, after the closing ceremony, discontent brewed among sections of local delegates who claimed they neither received their transport refund nor the UGX 1 million that President Museveni reportedly pledged to each participant — a promise that Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Hon. Barugahare Balaam, publicly relayed during the congress.

In response to the growing online outcry, Balaam, who also chaired the Organizing Committee, issued a statement dismissing the allegations and outlining how the facilitation was managed.

“On behalf of the organizing team, I extend our heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering support throughout the one-week Congress, and for facilitating the safe return of all young delegates to their respective destinations,” he said.

Balaam revealed that the transport refunds were distributed under the supervision of a joint security team, and all the 800 officially recognized local youth delegates were fully catered for.

He listed the supported categories as follows:

• National Youth Council: 445 delegates led by their Chairperson

• NRM Youth League: 75 delegates led by Hon. Tanga Collins

• Patriotic League of Uganda: 50 delegates led by Mr. Kamukama

• Institutions: Initially 125 participants, but the number rose to 440

• Uganda National Students Association (UNSA): 10 delegates

• Interparty Youth Leaders Delegation: 11 members

• Support Team: Over 69 members

According to Balaam, the only affected group was the Institutions category, where more than 315 non-delegated students from Kampala-based institutions “infiltrated” the event, straining the available resources meant for the officially accredited participants.

“All recognized group leaders duly signed for and managed their teams responsibly,” he emphasized, adding that media practitioners, NGO representatives, older persons, State House staff, and other government employees were not part of the refund arrangement.

On the issue of the UGX 1 million presidential pledge, Balaam did not directly confirm or deny whether the funds had been disbursed, saying only that the matter was being handled “through the proper channels.”

Meanwhile, several youth delegates have continued to demand clarity online, arguing that the announcement during the conference created legitimate expectations.

The Afro-Arab Youth Congress, held under the theme “Youth as Catalysts for Afro-Arab Solidarity and Shared Prosperity,” was hailed as a landmark platform for cross-regional engagement, though the unresolved facilitation dispute has somewhat overshadowed its otherwise successful conclusion.