The newly elected National Female Youth Member of Parliament, Mercy Kanyesigye, has urged political actors to refrain from influencing youth elections, warning that such interference undermines the independence and credibility of the process.
Addressing journalists at Kati Kati Restaurant, Kanyesigye spoke about the February 6 National Female Youth MP election held in Hoima, which was later contested in court.
Running as an independent candidate, Kanyesigye said youth elections should be determined solely by young people without intimidation, financial inducements, or political pressure.
“That is why it is called a youth election. We expect young people to make their sober decisions, not because of influence,” she said.
Kanyesigye secured 216 votes out of 443 cast in the electoral college, defeating her closest rival, Ampaire, who polled 198 votes. Julia Muhumuza garnered 24 votes, while National Unity Platform candidate Edith Namande received one vote. One ballot was invalid, giving Kanyesigye an 18-vote margin.
She described the race as “not a bed of roses,” citing alleged threats, intimidation, voter bribery, and political maneuvering. Nonetheless, she commended youth leaders nationwide for what she termed resilience and courage throughout the process.
Following the declaration of results, her opponent petitioned the court seeking a recount. Although a recount was initially ordered during proceedings on February 17, the application was later dismissed after the court found discrepancies in some electoral materials.
Kanyesigye’s legal team argued that serial numbers on documents presented before court differed from those recorded on voting day. The dismissal of the recount application affirmed her as the duly elected National Female Youth MP.
She thanked the judiciary for granting all parties a fair hearing and upholding what she described as the will of the young people.
Beyond concerns of interference, Kanyesigye also decried what she termed the growing commercialization of youth politics, arguing that leadership should not be determined by financial strength or party affiliation.
Looking ahead, she pledged structured engagement with youth leaders through the National Youth Council and other youth platforms. She also announced plans to establish a dedicated youth desk in her office to support access to government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, and the Presidential Skilling Hub.
According to Kanyesigye, many young people miss out on such programs due to limited information or lack of essential documentation, including national identification cards and passports. She pledged to work with relevant government agencies to address these gaps.
She concluded by calling for unity among youth leaders across political divides, urging a renewed focus on advancing the youth agenda in Parliament.
