In a significant gathering aimed at shaping the future of youth politics in Uganda, aspiring Member of Parliament for the Western Region met with NRM youth delegates from Rukungiri Municipality and the District as whole at the Rukungiri Inn Hotel, located on Rwanyakashesha Hill, focused on rallying support for the upcoming youth elections set for late August. With over 15 candidates vying for the position, the stakes are high.
Tumwesigye Mwine, a lawyer and resident of Mbarara City, delivered a passionate speech about the pressing issues facing youth politics today attributing the challenges to a lack of empowerment among youth Members of Parliament at the grassroots level.
Mwine advocated for a bottom-up approach, emphasizing the importance of engaging with local youth to understand their concerns.
He stated that they need to transform youth politics by listening to our constituents and addressing their needs directly, believing that a unified team of empowered leaders can effectively raise the voices of young people in Parliament.
cue in Mwine on emphasis
Levi Tukundane Napoleon, Chairperson of the Rukungiri National Youth League, echoed Mwine’s sentiments expressing his gratitudes for the efforts of youth delegates in revitalizing support for the NRM, noting that many youths in Rukungiri have historically leaned toward opposition parties urguing that this shift that has led to neglect from the government, exacerbating issues like unemployment.
Napoleon highlighted that they must ensure their voices reach President Museveni with the support of leaders like Major Gen. Jim Muhwezi.
Tukundane urged highlighting the urgency of addressing youth unemployment through government programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) amongst others.
Mbabazi Davis, the current district youth councilor for Kanungu and a candidate for National Youth Chairperson, outlined the challenges in youth livelihoods, particularly the delays in repayments for youth projects saying that these issues have compelled him to run for this position, advocating for the establishment of an independent Ministry for Youth Affairs to ensure that their concerns are addressed adequately.
Other youth delegates, such as Nasasira Micheal Mbanooha youth Chairperson NRM youth league western division Rukungiri municipality and Kanyesigye Isaac Youth chairperson Kebison Sub county, raised concerns about the misuse of parliamentary positions by youth leaders who seek fame rather than genuine representation. They emphasized the need for leaders who can articulate their local issues in Parliament, thereby building a stronger foundation for future generations.
Kankiriho Arinda Daisy, a former guild president at Mbarara University of Science and Technology and an aspiring MP for the Western Region, received a warm welcome from the youth delegates. She expressed her gratitude for their support and outlined her vision for inclusive leadership emphasizing the need to involve both educated and uneducated youths in the decision-making process.
Daisy also pointed out that youth livelihood programs have been stalled due to financial mismanagement, highlighting the need for improved financial literacy.
Support for Kankiriho came from various youth chairpersons across neighboring districts, including Ivan Nuwagaba from Rubanda and Bob Atwine from Rukiga. They lauded her leadership and called for collective action to support her candidacy, citing her innovative ideas aimed at boosting youth income-generating activities.
The meeting highlighted a collective commitment among Rukungiri’s youth to advocate for their rights and needs as they approach the elections.
With a strong focus on grassroots engagement and empowered leadership, the youth of Rukungiri are poised to make their voices heard in the upcoming electoral process, marking a new chapter in Uganda’s political landscape. As the elections draw near, the call for unity and action among the youth has never been more urgent.
