Western youth polls for Monday

Over 800 youth delegates from western region are expected to take part in the youth elections slated for Monday 29.

In this part of the country, polls will be held at Kagote SDA hall in Fort Portal municipality.

In the race for Western Youth MP, NRM flag-bearer Mwine Mpaka Rwamirama is competing against Nduhura Amanya Tumukunde, an independent candidate.

Amanya, 26, a son to Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde is from Kiruhura district while Mpaka, the son of State minister for animal husbandry Bright Rwamirama, hails from Isingiro district.

The winner will replace Gerald Karuhanga.

Other contestants in the forthcoming elections will include the district youth committees of nine delegates from each district, secretary for finance at sub county/division/municipality or town, chairperson of each sub county, one youth with disability at district level and two student representatives .  

According to Deo Ntukunda, the regional electoral commission boss, said the delegates are expected to report on Sunday then campaign and elect on Monday, and Tuesday if necessary.

"We are very ready for the exercise, everything is set," he said.

Youth MP candidate Amanya has said he is ready to offer the youth effective representation that has been lacking for long.

"The youth should expect proper and effective representation. This post has been there for over 20 years but in most cases people who have always held the post do not front youth matters," he said.

He also promises to fight hard to see that all government policies prioritize youth issues.

His challenger, on the other hand, has promised to implement the NRM manifesto that will focus on job creation and skilling Ugandans.

This is second time in a row that western youth elections are held in Fort Portal, with the previous being in 2011.