Nakalema urges Kampala ghetto youth not to lose hope, says background does not define destiny

Col. Edith Nakalema, Senior Presidential Advisor on Anti-Corruption and Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit, has urged vulnerable children and young people living in Kampala’s ghettos not to lose hope, saying their backgrounds and present circumstances should not determine their future.

Nakalema said young people, regardless of their family backgrounds, unemployment status or the challenges they face, have the potential to transform their lives through faith in God, hard work and determination.

She was speaking at the Kampala for Christ Crusade 2026, held at Old Kampala Secondary School in Kampala under the theme “Knock, the Door Is Open”, drawn from Matthew 7:7.

The crusade was organised by All Saints Cathedral Kampala and the Diocese of Kampala, hosted by the Most Rev. Stephen Samuel Kazimba Mugalu, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, with the Rt. Rev. Fredrick Jackson Baalwa as co-host.

Delivering a message of hope and encouragement to vulnerable children and youth, Nakalema identified three important messages she wanted young people to embrace, beginning with the assurance that their background does not determine their destiny.

“Wherever you came from, God has a good plan for you. Regardless of your present situation, it is not your final destination. There is a mighty God who has a plan for you,” she said.

She commended All Saints Cathedral and the Diocese of Kampala for taking the Gospel beyond the church buildings and reaching out to vulnerable young people in their communities.

“I am grateful to All Saints Cathedral, who have come out of our beautiful buildings to locate the youths and deliver the good news of the Gospel. Everyone here today should be sure that once you have Jesus in you, He has a wonderful plan for you,” she said.

Citing Jeremiah 29:11, Nakalema reminded the young people that God’s plans were intended to give them hope and a future, regardless of the difficulties they were experiencing.

She acknowledged that many young people were unemployed and came from poor families or difficult environments but cautioned them against considering themselves useless or a burden to society.

“Most of you are not employed, I know, but you are not useless. You are very useful and powerful. God knows and loves you,” she said.

Nakalema encouraged the youth to remain hardworking and faithful in whatever opportunities were available to them, however small, noting that God blesses the work of people’s hands.

“The little you can do with the little means, as long as you do it with faithfulness, God will multiply your rewards. He will establish you. He will give you all that you need,” she said.

Drawing from her personal experience, Nakalema said she did not come from a wealthy family but attributed her journey and achievements to a strong foundation of faith instilled by her parents.

“I am not from a rich background, but I am from a family that served God with all our hearts. Our parents would bless us every morning. The God who did it for me can do it for you. He can do it for everyone here,” she said.

Her other message was that God’s love is available to everyone who believes in Him, regardless of their current status or achievements.

“You don’t have to be successful before you come to Jesus Christ because only in Jesus is the beginning of all wisdom; there is hope and victory,” she said.

Turning to spiritual, political and social leaders, Nakalema challenged them to change their approach towards vulnerable young people, urging them to provide opportunities rather than condemn them for their circumstances.

“To our leaders, spiritual, political and social, let us not condemn the youths for the circumstances they are in. Let us create opportunities for them. Let us open doors for them,” she said.

She described young people as a generation full of potential that requires guidance, encouragement and opportunities to realise their abilities.

“Our young people, you should know that you are not a burden. You are a generation with potential that needs guidance and opportunities,” she said.

Nakalema urged the youth to combine faith with hard work, trusting that God would guide them towards a better future.

She also encouraged them to hold on to three declarations: “God loves me; my life has a purpose; and my present situation is not going to determine my future situation.”

She further reminded them that while they might not have chosen the circumstances into which they were born, they had the ability, with God’s help, to influence the people they became and the future they created.

“You might not have chosen the circumstances in which you were born, but with God’s help, you can influence the person you can become and the future you create,” she said.

“Never ever give up on God because God has never given up on you.”