Lira Youth Receive Optimistic New‑Year Message from Former Youth Council Chair Hon. Ogwang Shedrick.

By Okidi Patrick

LIRA, UGANDA- December 30, 2025: In his address delivered on 30th, December, 2025 ahead of the new year,2026, Hon. Shedrick Ogwang—former Lira District Youth Council chairperson, Awiodyek Sub‑County speaker and aspirant for the upcoming directly‑elected councillor V seat—urged the district’s young people to embrace 2026 with resolve, prudence and civic responsibility. “I want to take this opportunity to wish the entire youth of Lira district and the community of Awiodyek Sub‑County a happy new year.” Ogwang then turned to a sobering appraisal of the year gone by.

“2025 has been with its own challenges ranging from high cost of living, high taxes, road accidents and poverty among others, but that should not discourage us because better things are still ahead of us,” he said.

Preparing for a Turbulent 2026 Hon. Ogwang warned that 2026 is set to be “a tough one” as Uganda heads toward a general election. He reminded listeners that “after every election in this country we experience high inflation,” urging households to start planning now.

“Avoid reckless spending this festive season,” the former youth leader cautioned. “After New Year celebrations we have a lot to do—paying school fees for our children, land clearing, and our investments.”

His appeal struck a chord with parents and students alike. “We already feel the squeeze on school fees,” said 17‑year‑old Mercy Achen, a secondary student from Awiodyek. “Hearing the councilor‑to‑be talk about budgeting gives us a clear reminder that we need to be smarter with our money.”
Beyond fiscal advice, Ogwang placed a strong emphasis on the role of young people in upholding peace during the election period. He warned against “reckless spending” and “reckless behaviour,” drawing attention to the risk of being exploited by political actors.

“Young people should also not allow people to use them during this period of election to cause violence, beating people or insulting others through social media because the long arm of the law will not spare them,” he warned.

“Finally, I want to request the religious leaders to pray for Uganda because where we are heading only needs God’s intervention,” he said.
Ogwang’s message also served as a soft launch for his own political aspirations. As an aspiring directly‑elected councillor for Awiodyek Sub‑County, he positioned himself as a bridge between the youthful electorate and the district’s development agenda.

A Call for Spiritual Unity
Concluding his address, Ogwang appealed to religious leaders across the district to intercede on behalf of the nation.

“My goal is to turn the concerns we’ve spoken about—education funding, road safety, affordable living—into concrete policies,” Ogwang said during a brief interview with our reporter. “I intend to work hand‑in‑hand with the community,”Said Ogwang.

Looking Ahead, local officials are optimistic that the youth’s response to the message will translate into greater civic engagement during the upcoming elections.

“The youth are the backbone of our district’s progress. A message that blends hope, caution, and responsibility is exactly what we need as we approach a pivotal moment in our nation’s democratic journey,” Oryek remarked.

As the clock ticks toward midnight, Lira’s young citizens appear poised to step into 2026 with a clearer sense of purpose—armed with financial prudence, a commitment to peace, and a call for collective prayer. Whether these pledges will materialise into measurable change remains to be seen, but the resonance of Ogwang’s words suggests a community ready to meet the challenges ahead.