Lira, Uganda | The long-awaited National Resistance Movement (NRM) youth elections are scheduled for Thursday, September 18, following the postponement made last month.
The elections, which were originally planned for Kololo and Kasooli, will now take place at decentralized district tally centers across Uganda, giving delegates the opportunity to vote for national youth Members of Parliament, northern youth MPs, and other key party positions.
Lango NRM youth leaders, together with their counterparts from across Uganda, have called on the NRM Electoral Commission and party officials to ensure a fair, transparent, and unbiased election process.
While the shift to district centers is intended to make the process more accessible, concerns remain about the potential for manipulation and unfair practices.
Ongora Brian Yeko, Chairperson of the Lira City Youth League, highlighted the importance of conducting the elections with integrity.
He stressed the need for the process to be free from intimidation or bias, and urged district election officers and other stakeholders to perform their duties fairly and transparently.
According to Ongora, delegates must be able to vote without fear of manipulation, with the results reflecting the true will of the people.
Sodrick Ogwang, Chairperson of the NRM Youth League in Lira District, welcomed the rescheduling but expressed concerns about the possibility of electoral malpractice.
He emphasized that delegates should prioritize electing leaders who can effectively address the issues of young people in Parliament, rather than those offering empty promises.
Ogwang urged the electorate to focus on the quality of leadership, rather than short-term gains or superficial promises.
Ocato Ambrose, Secretary of Publicity for the NRM Youth League in Lira City East Division, called for unity within the party following the elections.
He acknowledged that not every candidate would win, but urged all members to support the elected leaders in the interest of party cohesion.
Ocato emphasized that the election process should serve to strengthen trust within the NRM, rather than cause division.
He stressed that voting should be based on the candidates’ ability to lead and address youth issues, not on financial incentives or short-term promises.
Musa Opio, Vice Chairperson for the NRM Youth League in Lira City West, acknowledged the financial burden caused by the election delay, particularly for candidates and delegates who had incurred travel costs.
Despite the challenges, Opio expressed optimism about the decentralized voting process, noting that it would be more manageable and inclusive for a larger number of delegates.
He reiterated the need for the Electoral Commission to ensure that the election results reflect the true will of the delegates, free from external influence or manipulation.
Lango youth leaders also called on candidates’ agents to remain vigilant during the election, urging them to document any irregularities to protect the credibility of the process.
James Kinobe, NRM CEC Commissioner, confirmed that the party had allocated 24 youth positions and would finance the elections to reduce the role of money in influencing the outcome.
He assured that the NRM is committed to ensuring a fair, transparent, and democratic election process.