The five newly-elected Youth Members of Parliament (MP) have indicated that their first task is to push for increased funding to the youth structures across the country.

For the first time since 2006, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) won all five seats for the youth MPs in the elections conducted recently.

They include Phiona Nyamutoro, the female national youth MP, Boniface Okot (North), Agnes Kirabo (Central), Bernard Odoi Onen (Eastern), and Edison Rugumayo (Western).

“In unison, we have agreed and we have reaffirmed our commitment and devotion to the young people across the country that we are very much willing and determined to serve their interests and to ensure that all the advocacy is geared towards addressing the challenges of the youth in our different districts,” Nyamutoro said.

This was during a joint media briefing convened at the NRM party secretariat at Plot 10, Kyadondo in Kampala on Tuesday.

The structures, according to Nyamutoro, are already mobilised and are dominantly NRM.
 
“However, the problem is how to make the structures active and effectively participate in the governance of this country. 

“We want to begin by empowering them and ensuring that their visibility can reach out to many young people to start benefiting from government projects and initiatives,” she said.

Nyamutoro commended President Yoweri Museveni for continuously loving and supporting the young people.

“We reaffirm our devotion and commitment to serve the interests of the young people relentlessly irrespective of tribe, irrespective of political affiliations or religious beliefs,” she added.

She demanded that the Government replicates the same big support that the young showcase by supporting their pertinent issues that affect their daily livelihoods.

Relatedly, Kirabo said they would mobilise the young people to oppose any tendencies which may lead the country into violence.

“It is time for peace and so all the young people should work towards peace. The country is ours to safeguard and we are going to work to ensure that peace is core, especially in our operations in the next five years,” she said.

Onen revealed that this time it would not be business as usual. “We shall put government to task to ensure that all the projects meant for the young people of this country are implemented,” he said.

Rugumayo called on the youth to have faith in government and that during this term of office it will work to address the challenge of youth unemployment.

“The President and all the party stakeholders are interested in seeing that the funds for different youth programmes are increased,” he said.

Okot said they have agreed to ensure that the youth in all regions equally benefit from the government programmes.

“We have agreed to work together with all the young people in this country irrespective of tribe, religion or even political affiliations and any other sectarian tendencies,” he said.