The Electoral Commission Chairman, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, addressed the students and staff of Nabumali High School in Mbale on Friday morning. His speech focused on the rights, duties, and responsibilities of young people in the electoral process as Uganda prepares for the 2025/2026 General Elections.
In an interview with a Bugisu intellectual, Justice Byabakama emphasized the importance of engaging young people in learning institutions.
He noted that the youth, who make up over 70% of the population, have a vital role to play in Uganda’s democratic process, whether as voters or candidates once they reach the age of 18, as permitted by the Constitution.
Justice Byabakama highlighted the significant power that youth hold in shaping Uganda’s democratic future.
He urged them to avoid violence during elections and encouraged them to understand and exercise their electoral rights and responsibilities, emphasizing that their involvement matters.
“If the youth are not guided or questioned, they can be led into wrong practices, such as violence during the electoral process. Some are used by self-seekers as foot soldiers to cause commotion during campaigns, disrupting and destroying the campaign posters of opposing candidates,” he warned.
The Chairman appealed to the youth, stating, “You are better than how some people portray you. You are stakeholders and citizens in this country. At your age, you can contribute meaningfully to democracy by engaging in electoral processes lawfully.”
During the session, the youth raised important concerns, such as the issue of electoral reforms.
Wafukho Wabuyi Arthur a senior six student at Nabumali High School, asked the EC Chairman about the 2019 electoral reforms bill tabled in Parliament, which includes the revival of presidential term limits, the withdrawal of UPDF representation from Parliament, and making the Vice President a running mate to the President during elections.
Another student, Shedriq, raised concern about the commercialization of politics in Uganda, noting that the 20 million shillings required to contest in a presidential race favors only those with money, leaving out good leaders who can’t raise that amount.
“Because of the excessive money required, people are electing the rich, who simply go to Parliament, sleep, and pass laws they don’t understand,” he added.
The students also expressed concerns about bribery, which has become a major issue in Uganda. Justice Byabakama acknowledged the problem, saying, “People are using huge amounts of money in elections to buy voters, which is wrong. But I’m told it’s the voters who put pressure on candidates to offer money. How can we stop corruption when voters demand money before casting their votes?”
He added, “Don’t let our young people be bought for 1,000 shillings. Asking for money misuses the power of your vote.”
Justice Byabakama expressed satisfaction that the youth were raising these issues, stating, “It shows we are addressing the right people those who will be future leaders or candidates.”
“If we can instill proper values in students at this early stage—such as rejecting bribery and violence our electoral process will continue to improve,” he concluded.
Leave a Reply