NRM Hailed for Promoting Inclusivity and Giving the Youth a Voice in the Political Arena.
Fredrick Siminyu
Minister of State for Gender and Culture, Peace Mutuuzo, has commended the National Resistance Movement (NRM) for taking significant steps to involve the youth in governance by promoting inclusivity and giving young people a voice in the political arena.
Mutuuzo, who is as well the Women MP for Bunyangabu district, made the remarks during her keynote address at the National Youth Symposium 2024 at Sheraton where she was representing the Chief Guest; the Prime Minister, Nabaanja Robinah.
Mutuuzo highlighted the NRM’s commitment to ensuring youth representation at all levels of governmence in Uganda and emphasized the importance of integrating the youth into national decision-making processes.
“The youth are represented at all lower levels in our government, and at the national level, we have regional youth Members of Parliament and female youth representatives who advocate for the needs of all young people in the country,” Minister Mutuuzo said.
She commended the NRM for creating regional slots for youth MPs, which has not only introduced young people to national politics but also ensured that their voices are heard at all levels of governance.
“At the district level, we have achieved gender parity with one male and one female representative. This demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity and equal representation,” said Mutuuzo.
Uganda’s youth form the majority of the population, with approximately 78% of the total Ugandan population being under the age of 35.
Mutuuzo also urged the youth to engage in constructive dialogue in politics instead of resorting to chaos and she emphasized the importance of using intellectual discourse to challenge ideas and create positive change in society.
“We don’t have to resort to violence in politics. We can engage in peaceful discussions and deliberations, using our intellect to address the issues that affect us,” Minister Mutuuzo elaborated.
Concerning Gender-Based Violence (GBV), she highlighted the underrepresentation of women in politics as a significant factor contributing to GBV.
“The power imbalance in political decision-making,” she argued, “hinders the development and implementation of policies and measures that combat GBV effectively.”
The National Female Youth Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Youth Affairs (UPFYA), Phiona Nyamutooro, emphasized the need for political inclusivity to redefine governance and promote collective reflection and action.
“The theme of today’s event should stimulate discussions on how we can live in a well-governed country with equal opportunities and civic spaces that raise awareness among the youth,” Nyamutooro urged.
The National Youth Symposium 2024, held under the theme “Redefining Governance and Political Inclusivity in Uganda,” seeks to address the challenges faced by the country’s youth, who constitute a staggering 78% of the population, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS).
Among the challenges discussed at the symposium are disempowerment and the presence of a monetized political landscape.
Through initiatives like this symposium, the NRM aims to create a platform for young people to voice their concerns and actively participate in shaping the future of Uganda’s governance.
