Brand Ambassadors 256 Launches Ghetto Got Talent Star Search to Empower Uganda’s Youth and Unearth Hidden Talents

Aug 31, 2024 - 13:51

An initiative aimed at nurturing and showcasing the vibrant talents within Uganda's marginalized communities, the Ghetto Got Talent Star Search has officially been launched by Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, the State Minister of Youth and Children Affairs.

This initiative represents a crucial step in recognizing and elevating the immense potential that exists within the nation’s ghettos, offering young people an opportunity to shine on a national platform.

Speaking at the launch, Hon. Balaam Barugahara expressed his unwavering support for the initiative, emphasizing the need for such platforms to empower the youth and provide them with avenues for growth and success.

“Our country is blessed with an abundance of talent, creativity, and potential,” he remarked.

“Initiatives like Ghetto Got Talent are critical in empowering our youth, giving them a voice, and enabling them to shine on platforms that will propel them towards greater opportunities.”

The launch of Ghetto Got Talent comes at a pivotal time when Uganda is grappling with significant youth unemployment.

With over 78% of the population under the age of 30, Uganda boasts one of the youngest populations in the world.

However, this demographic advantage is at risk if the high levels of unemployment and underemployment among young people are not addressed.

“The youth in Uganda face significant challenges, and unemployment is one of the most pressing. This initiative aligns perfectly with our broader mission to empower the youth, promote social development, and ensure that every young person in Uganda has the opportunity to fulfill their potential,” Hon. Barugahara stated.

The arts and entertainment industry, often overlooked in traditional job creation strategies, presents a unique opportunity to address youth unemployment.

By providing alternative career paths that are both fulfilling and economically viable, initiatives like Ghetto Got Talent play a vital role in creating the right jobs and ensuring that young people have the skills and opportunities to access them.

Finalists will undergo a rigorous boot camp where they will receive training in essential life skills such as financial literacy, mental health awareness, digital marketing, branding, social etiquette, career guidance, patriotism, and sexual reproductive health education.

Amumpaire Bismac Moses, the team leader of Brand Ambassadors 256 and founder of Ghetto Got Talent, highlighted the holistic nature of the initiative.

“This star search is a comprehensive initiative aimed at uplifting young people in every aspect of their lives,” he said.

“We want to ensure that participants not only shine on stage but also in life.”

The boot camp is a critical component of the initiative, going beyond talent development to prepare participants for the challenges they may face in life and equipping them with the tools they need to succeed.

The Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development fully supports this holistic approach, recognizing that it ensures Uganda’s youth are well-rounded individuals ready to contribute positively to society.

The Ghetto Got Talent competition promises significant rewards for the top three winners, including cash prizes and ambassadorial roles, alongside numerous other privileges designed to propel them into successful careers.

The exposure and opportunities that come with participating in Ghetto Got Talent are expected to open doors to careers in the arts, media, and entertainment industries—sectors that are increasingly contributing to Uganda’s economy.

Furthermore, the initiative is seen as a beacon of hope for the youth in Uganda’s ghettos, demonstrating that their talents are valued and that with determination and hard work, they can achieve greatness.

Hon. Balaam Barugahara called upon all talented youth in Uganda’s ghettos to seize this opportunity by sending their audition videos via WhatsApp to +256 394804977 / +256 759958138 or through email at ghetogottalentug@gmail.com.

Hon. Balaam Barugahara commended the organizers of Ghetto Got Talent—Brand Ambassadors 256 in partnership with UBC—for their vision and dedication to empowering Uganda’s youth.

“This initiative is a shining example of what can be achieved when we invest in our young people and provide them with the platforms and opportunities they need to succeed,” he said.