Africa-Press – Uganda. The race for the Northern Youth Member of Parliament seat under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party is gaining momentum as five youthful aspirants begin traversing the northern region in search of support.
The aspirants Zopstar Kure from Karamoja, Winnie Atim Brenda from Agago, Okullu Jimmy from Apac, Daniel Obal from Alebtong, and Ashraf Asega Fataki are moving across sub-regions, including West Nile, Acholi, Lango, and Karamoja, engaging young people and laying out their visions ahead of the NRM party primary elections.
Ashraf Asega Fataki, who is currently traversing the sub-regions in the north, said the region has been lacking leaders who advocate for the issues affecting the region.
“Let the young people of the northern region trust me this time to go and help lead them with all the qualities of leadership I have,” says Fataki.
Winnie Brenda Atim says she is motivated by the daily struggles faced by young people in the north, emphasising the need for location-specific policy responses to address unemployment in the region.
“We can ask all the investors that come into the country to employ at least 60% of the local people, and at least they should be in the youth bucket. That way, we shall be able to mitigate the problem of unemployment,” says Atim.
Atim added, “So I am here to make sure that the voice of the young people in northern Uganda is heard. The issues are presented, and we make advocates for the young people in northern Uganda.”
Daniel Obal, a development practitioner from Alebtong District, said his campaign focuses on environmental protection, youth economic empowerment, and inclusive policymaking.
“We need to embrace quality education. We need to support our young people to join the money market because unemployment is killing our young people. Agriculture is predominantly unsustainable,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Okullu, a clinical officer and social worker, said many youth leaders have detached themselves from their constituents once elected, leaving the region underrepresented.
“This has really differentiated the services that the young people have elected their leaders for, and they have not seen their leaders come down to them to put in place, to implement the different manifestos that have been laid before them during the time they were requesting for their votes,” says Okullu.
The position of Youth MP for Northern Uganda has often drawn intense competition given the region’s large youth population and growing demand for inclusive development policies.
The seat is currently held by Boniface Okot, who was elected in 2021 on the NRM ticket.
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