UGANDA DECIDES: Buganda youths urged to be agents of peace during polls

Over 250 Buganda youth leaders under their umbrella body of Baganda Nkoba za Mbogo Students Association, on Monday engaged in an election mentorship session aimed at ensuring peaceful polls.

One of the facilitators, Maj. Gen. Christopher Ddamulira, who is also the Uganda Police Force’s director of crime intelligence, urged the Buganda youth leaders to reject identity-based provocation, expression of negative political views and confrontations.
“Verify information before any reaction, and go to your respective homes immediately after casting your votes to enhance peace and stability during and after elections,” Ddamulira told the youths.

Quoting the 2024 Uganda National Bureau of Statistics report, Ddamulira said Uganda’s population stands at 45.9 million people, out of which 75% are youths.

Avoid election violence
“This makes Uganda a country whose political future is shaped largely by youth and, therefore, any election-related violence involving the youth directly impacts national stability,” he said.

Ddamulira added that the country’s economy largely depends on trade, services, agriculture, informal sector and small-scale businesses, which are closely tied to peace.
Ddamulira warned that if the youths do not shun violence, there will be regrettable interruptions in important aspects like employment and education.

“As the Police, we shall ensure protection of life and property, secure the electoral process, and prevent disorder and chaos. Law abiding is not surrender, it is strategic strength and a vote cast in chaos loses meaning so, once you abide by the electoral laws and guidelines as youths, it will prevent unnecessary loss of life, preserve the integrity of results, protect voters and candidates alike.” Ddamulira added.

IGG’s message
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Aisha Naluzze, urged youth leaders to vote for leaders who conduct themselves in a desirable manner.
Naluzze’s deputy, Ann Muhairwe, reminded the youths to espouse their values without tribal or religious emotions. “Patriotism is key and so, let’s build ourselves first and vote with conscience to save our vulnerable people in our societies,” Muhairwe said.

Bishop Lwere
On his part, Bishop Dr Joshua Lwere, the general overseer of the National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal Churches, highlighted the role and strength of the youths in relation to ensuring peace during elections.
“Uganda belongs to the youths because you’re our replacements.
However, observe the co-existence of other people, have good morals because when youths perform better, the country benefits, and when they get spoilt, the country also gets spoilt,” Lwere said.

Nkoba za Mbogo youth to keep peace

Moses Ssemujju, the national chairperson of Baganda Nkoba za Mbogo, vowed to comply with what their elders have advised them to do in order to ensure peace during elections. 
He said the participants were from 10 universities, including Soroti, Busitema, Makerere, Makerere University Business School, Buganda Royal Institute, Muteesa I Royal University, Kampala International University and Islamic University in Uganda.