Youth Identity and Political Participation in Urban Uganda: A Qualitative Exploration

Youth in urban Uganda often face challenges related to identity formation and political participation, reflecting broader African contexts where such issues are significant. Qualitative research methods were employed, including semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with young Ugandans from diverse socio-economic backgrounds in urban areas. A significant proportion (45%) of participants reported feeling disconnected from political processes, highlighting the need for community-level engagement initiatives to bridge this gap. Themes emerged around identity formation through cultural expressions and educational pathways as key drivers of political awareness. The findings suggest that fostering a sense of ownership over urban spaces can enhance youth political participation by aligning individual identities with collective aspirations. Urban planners should integrate youth voice into community development projects, and policymakers could consider implementing inclusive education programmes to address identity formation challenges.