Youth: Mirembe eyeing Nalubega’s seat, journalist takes on Obua
Apr 09, 2010
ONE of the races that will attract fierce competition in the parliamentary elections is that of the Youth MPs. A number of young politicians have shown interest in replacing incumbent Youth MPs who have exceeded the age limit of 30.
The election year, 2011, is around the corner. Incumbents will struggle to retain their seats while many others will vie to replace them. The contests will cut across; from president, parliamentary constituencies to local government. As the temperatures begin to rise, Saturday Vision puts a barometer on the political climate; analysing the aspirants and the issues that are likely to influence voter choices
By Cyprian Musoke
ONE of the races that will attract fierce competition in the parliamentary elections is that of the Youth MPs. A number of young politicians have shown interest in replacing incumbent Youth MPs who have exceeded the age limit of 30.
Meeting under the umbrella of the Uganda National Youth Platform recently, aspirants were accorded an opportunity to demonstrate their potential.
A number of contestants have emerged and not surprisingly, most of them are riding on the Movement ticket, knowing their chances of going to Parliament lie with the yellow bus.
National Female Youth MP
The incumbent, Mariam Nalubega, is going for the Mpigi Woman MP seat, currently held by education minister Namirembe Bitamazire. Nalubega sits on the NRM side in the House and her closest friends are of the party.
But she never hesitates to hit at or oppose the official NRM position if she does not agree with it. She contested as an independent candidate.
Once in Parliament, the NRM wanted her to sign a memorandum of understanding to support all its programmes. She turned down the offer and who know Nalubega’s love for the NRM were stunned.
Those close to her, however, understood her need to reserve her right to support the party but to also be able to criticise it when necessary.
Nalubega also she had to think of her husband, whose political heart beats with the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
Among those vying to replace Nalubega is the ambitious Allen Mirembe, the 25-year-old Nakaseke district female youth councillor and vice-chairperson NRM district youth league.
The vibrant youth has served in many structures of NRM since 2001 and was a meber of the Uganda National Students Association, the organisation that has groomed most youth leaders, incumbent Nalubega inclusive.
As a district youth councillor, she participated in formulating the National Youth Policy and claims that she is ready to replace Nalubega as a female Youth MP and continue to implement the objectives and policy of the NRM towards emancipating the Youth of Uganda.
Western
The western youth seat is currently occupied by Robert Kashaija, who is going for Kazo County in 2011 to challenge works minister John Nasasira.
His performance in the eighth Parliament was alright, having been a member of the presidential affairs and the appointments committees.
Yona Musinguzi, a US-trained database administrator, has declared his intentions to replace Kashaija. Musinguzi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance and Banking from Makerere University.
Musinguzi pledges to fight for the rights and privileges of the youth in the region and Uganda as a whole and to “offer service above my stomachâ€.
Currently an LC5 councillor in Kampala City Council (KCC) and president Kyambogo University alumni, Musingizi is a member of the Kyambogo University Council and a member of KCC’s works and urban planning committee.
A holder of a bachelor’s degree in food science and technology, Musinguzi, the former chairperson of Kulubya hall at Kyambogo, also founded the kyambogo Banyankole, Bakiga and Batooro students association.
Musinguzi was, the former Guild minister for finance and former headboy St Henry’s college Kitovu in Masaka, has a degree in food science and technology.
His mission is to “create employment for the many energetic and unemployed young men and women of Ugandaâ€.
“Time has come today, for the youth of this nation to rise up and guard the pearl of Africa by fighting corruption, embezzlement, nepotism and global warming, and to create unity. Together we can and divided we fall,†he said.
He says global warming has caused “drastic climatic changes that have led to earthquakes in Fort portal, floods in Kabale and Kisoro and the recent landslide, which claimed hundreds of lives in Bududa district.
“We shall not wait to be deceived that we are the future leaders when our elders are busy cutting down trees and indirectly killing us as a result. We have to come up now to save our environment,†he says.
He praises government programmes like Bonna Bagagawale and the National Agricultural Advisory Services and pledges to ensure that the youth are the first beneficiaries of those pprogrammes.
He also promises better programmes and more funds for Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education and to urge the youth not to drop out of school.
Another contender for western Uganda is Andrew Kiiza, a Canadian-educated man, who argues that this is the time for Kigezi to produce an MP.
Eastern region
The east promises the hottest contest. A youthful lawyer, Paul Wanyoto, is one of the hotshots gunning for the seat currently occupied by Zaake Kibedi, from Busoga. Kibedi is going for Jinja West constituency, currently occupied by FDC’s Harry Kasigwa.
“In leadership we deal in people – human resources. So when I qualified in Advanced Human Resources Development, I learned a number of things, for example, how you can inspire, motivate and listen to your people, which I didn’t have before.â€
He, therefore, hopes that with these attributes, he can take on any challenger.
Zaake is currently campaigning for young people to be offered more job opportunities that are based on qualifications rather than experience. “You find that every job advertised states that you need five or ten years experience – but I’ve never heard of any school that teaches experience. I advocate training on the job,†he explained.
Wanyoto boasts of being highly motivated with a flexible attitude and excellent communication skills.
His legal practice is mainly concerned with negotiating contracts related to insurance, land transactions and investment financing.
He also devotes considerable time and resources on non-governmental organisations and other charities.
As the leader of his firm’s business law team and an effective problem solver, he adds, his practice is characterised by long hours, difficult dilemmas and demanding clients.
“I intend to use my skills to effectively represent the youth. being familiar with legistlation, constitutionalism and rule of law is an advantage on my part,†he says.
Hudu Hussein Kahandi, a former guild president at the Islamic University in Mbale (IUIU), is also warming up for the seat.
He, however, faces a serious challenger in Peter Ogwang who hails from Teso sub-region.
Hussein currently works as the general secretary of the NRM youth league and administrator of the party’s communications bureau.
Ogwang’s camp argues that it is time the eastern region was represented by someone from Teso, since previous youth representatives have come from Tororo, Bugisu and Busoga.
But besides the need for geographical balance, Ogwang’s camp argues that he has demonstrated political acumen as evidenced by his success in winning the youth councillor’s seat in Soroti in the last general elections, a period loathed by many NRM figures in Teso who were trounced by FDC politicians.
They also credit Ogwang for having persuaded key FDC politicians including the Soroti district speaker to cross to the Movement.
They add that it is this mobilisation capacity coupled with his hard work that caught the eye of the President who appointed him as his assistant private secretary in charge of the youth in the eastern region.
On the other hand, Hussein’s supporters who, like him, come from Busoga, argue that he is better placed to represent the youth.
He is the former guild present of UIUI, current general secretary of the NRM youth league and administrator of the powerful NRM communication bureau.
Both Hussein and Ogwang have been rumoured to have held private talks with Deputy Speaker to Parliament Rebecca Kadaga and Deputy Premier Kirunda Kivejinja, chief king makers of Busoga.
Central
Patrick Nakabaale is aspiring to replace Muyomba Kasozi. Nakabaale is a businessman from Kayunga.
A holder of a Masters degree in Ethics & Development Studies from Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi, and a Bachelor of Laws from Makerere University, Kasozi defies his diminutive stature.
He served as a secretary for health in Masaka district (2002 - 2006), district youth councillor Masaka (2002 - 2006), a member of the Masaka district strategic planning team and of the sistrict HIV/AIDS committee. Kasozi also served as chairman Masaka district institutions committee in the NRM.
His performance in the Eighth Parliament has not been wanting, having served with distinction on the presidential affairs, and the HIV/AIDS committees.
He also served as deputy spokesperson of the NRM caucus, all of which are strong points that make him stand out.
Northern
Evelyn Anite, a journalist currently working at the Government Media Centre, wants to become the first ever female youth representative for northern Uganda.
The Arua-born Anite gained fame through her regular appearances at the now banned Radio One Ekimeeza live radio talk show.
The incumbent, Dennis Obua, is going for Moroto County in Lira district, which is currently represented by Benson Ogwal of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).
He is a graduate of Social Work and Social administration and holds a postgraduate diploma in law from the LDC. A member of the social services committee, Obua has been one of the most outspoken and aggressive members of the House.
By Cyprian Musoke
ONE of the races that will attract fierce competition in the parliamentary elections is that of the Youth MPs. A number of young politicians have shown interest in replacing incumbent Youth MPs who have exceeded the age limit of 30.
Meeting under the umbrella of the Uganda National Youth Platform recently, aspirants were accorded an opportunity to demonstrate their potential.
A number of contestants have emerged and not surprisingly, most of them are riding on the Movement ticket, knowing their chances of going to Parliament lie with the yellow bus.
National Female Youth MP
The incumbent, Mariam Nalubega, is going for the Mpigi Woman MP seat, currently held by education minister Namirembe Bitamazire. Nalubega sits on the NRM side in the House and her closest friends are of the party.
But she never hesitates to hit at or oppose the official NRM position if she does not agree with it. She contested as an independent candidate.
Once in Parliament, the NRM wanted her to sign a memorandum of understanding to support all its programmes. She turned down the offer and who know Nalubega’s love for the NRM were stunned.
Those close to her, however, understood her need to reserve her right to support the party but to also be able to criticise it when necessary.
Nalubega also she had to think of her husband, whose political heart beats with the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
Among those vying to replace Nalubega is the ambitious Allen Mirembe, the 25-year-old Nakaseke district female youth councillor and vice-chairperson NRM district youth league.
The vibrant youth has served in many structures of NRM since 2001 and was a meber of the Uganda National Students Association, the organisation that has groomed most youth leaders, incumbent Nalubega inclusive.
As a district youth councillor, she participated in formulating the National Youth Policy and claims that she is ready to replace Nalubega as a female Youth MP and continue to implement the objectives and policy of the NRM towards emancipating the Youth of Uganda.
Western
The western youth seat is currently occupied by Robert Kashaija, who is going for Kazo County in 2011 to challenge works minister John Nasasira.
His performance in the eighth Parliament was alright, having been a member of the presidential affairs and the appointments committees.
Yona Musinguzi, a US-trained database administrator, has declared his intentions to replace Kashaija. Musinguzi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance and Banking from Makerere University.
Musinguzi pledges to fight for the rights and privileges of the youth in the region and Uganda as a whole and to “offer service above my stomachâ€.
Currently an LC5 councillor in Kampala City Council (KCC) and president Kyambogo University alumni, Musingizi is a member of the Kyambogo University Council and a member of KCC’s works and urban planning committee.
A holder of a bachelor’s degree in food science and technology, Musinguzi, the former chairperson of Kulubya hall at Kyambogo, also founded the kyambogo Banyankole, Bakiga and Batooro students association.
Musinguzi was, the former Guild minister for finance and former headboy St Henry’s college Kitovu in Masaka, has a degree in food science and technology.
His mission is to “create employment for the many energetic and unemployed young men and women of Ugandaâ€.
“Time has come today, for the youth of this nation to rise up and guard the pearl of Africa by fighting corruption, embezzlement, nepotism and global warming, and to create unity. Together we can and divided we fall,†he said.
He says global warming has caused “drastic climatic changes that have led to earthquakes in Fort portal, floods in Kabale and Kisoro and the recent landslide, which claimed hundreds of lives in Bududa district.
“We shall not wait to be deceived that we are the future leaders when our elders are busy cutting down trees and indirectly killing us as a result. We have to come up now to save our environment,†he says.
He praises government programmes like Bonna Bagagawale and the National Agricultural Advisory Services and pledges to ensure that the youth are the first beneficiaries of those pprogrammes.
He also promises better programmes and more funds for Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education and to urge the youth not to drop out of school.
Another contender for western Uganda is Andrew Kiiza, a Canadian-educated man, who argues that this is the time for Kigezi to produce an MP.
Eastern region
The east promises the hottest contest. A youthful lawyer, Paul Wanyoto, is one of the hotshots gunning for the seat currently occupied by Zaake Kibedi, from Busoga. Kibedi is going for Jinja West constituency, currently occupied by FDC’s Harry Kasigwa.
“In leadership we deal in people – human resources. So when I qualified in Advanced Human Resources Development, I learned a number of things, for example, how you can inspire, motivate and listen to your people, which I didn’t have before.â€
He, therefore, hopes that with these attributes, he can take on any challenger.
Zaake is currently campaigning for young people to be offered more job opportunities that are based on qualifications rather than experience. “You find that every job advertised states that you need five or ten years experience – but I’ve never heard of any school that teaches experience. I advocate training on the job,†he explained.
Wanyoto boasts of being highly motivated with a flexible attitude and excellent communication skills.
His legal practice is mainly concerned with negotiating contracts related to insurance, land transactions and investment financing.
He also devotes considerable time and resources on non-governmental organisations and other charities.
As the leader of his firm’s business law team and an effective problem solver, he adds, his practice is characterised by long hours, difficult dilemmas and demanding clients.
“I intend to use my skills to effectively represent the youth. being familiar with legistlation, constitutionalism and rule of law is an advantage on my part,†he says.
Hudu Hussein Kahandi, a former guild president at the Islamic University in Mbale (IUIU), is also warming up for the seat.
He, however, faces a serious challenger in Peter Ogwang who hails from Teso sub-region.
Hussein currently works as the general secretary of the NRM youth league and administrator of the party’s communications bureau.
Ogwang’s camp argues that it is time the eastern region was represented by someone from Teso, since previous youth representatives have come from Tororo, Bugisu and Busoga.
But besides the need for geographical balance, Ogwang’s camp argues that he has demonstrated political acumen as evidenced by his success in winning the youth councillor’s seat in Soroti in the last general elections, a period loathed by many NRM figures in Teso who were trounced by FDC politicians.
They also credit Ogwang for having persuaded key FDC politicians including the Soroti district speaker to cross to the Movement.
They add that it is this mobilisation capacity coupled with his hard work that caught the eye of the President who appointed him as his assistant private secretary in charge of the youth in the eastern region.
On the other hand, Hussein’s supporters who, like him, come from Busoga, argue that he is better placed to represent the youth.
He is the former guild present of UIUI, current general secretary of the NRM youth league and administrator of the powerful NRM communication bureau.
Both Hussein and Ogwang have been rumoured to have held private talks with Deputy Speaker to Parliament Rebecca Kadaga and Deputy Premier Kirunda Kivejinja, chief king makers of Busoga.
Central
Patrick Nakabaale is aspiring to replace Muyomba Kasozi. Nakabaale is a businessman from Kayunga.
A holder of a Masters degree in Ethics & Development Studies from Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi, and a Bachelor of Laws from Makerere University, Kasozi defies his diminutive stature.
He served as a secretary for health in Masaka district (2002 - 2006), district youth councillor Masaka (2002 - 2006), a member of the Masaka district strategic planning team and of the sistrict HIV/AIDS committee. Kasozi also served as chairman Masaka district institutions committee in the NRM.
His performance in the Eighth Parliament has not been wanting, having served with distinction on the presidential affairs, and the HIV/AIDS committees.
He also served as deputy spokesperson of the NRM caucus, all of which are strong points that make him stand out.
Northern
Evelyn Anite, a journalist currently working at the Government Media Centre, wants to become the first ever female youth representative for northern Uganda.
The Arua-born Anite gained fame through her regular appearances at the now banned Radio One Ekimeeza live radio talk show.
The incumbent, Dennis Obua, is going for Moroto County in Lira district, which is currently represented by Benson Ogwal of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).
He is a graduate of Social Work and Social administration and holds a postgraduate diploma in law from the LDC. A member of the social services committee, Obua has been one of the most outspoken and aggressive members of the House.