Youth leaders from districts that make up the Eastern Uganda electoral area last Wednesday elected Dr Wanyama Judas Thadeo as the 12th Youth Member of Parliament for the Eastern Region.
The process began last week on Tuesday, with delegates arriving at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) in Mbale City, where candidates engaged delegates to canvass for votes.
Mr Wanyama, the ruling NRM party flag bearer, was declared the winner by Mr Deo Atukunda, the Eastern Uganda returning officer. He garnered 1,174 votes, defeating his closest rival, Mr Timothy Kivunike Kadaga, an Independent, who polled 497 votes.
Mr Omaria Emmanuel (Ind) got 438 votes, Mr Masawi Ivan (FDC) polled 19 votes, Mr Wandukwa Simon Gyabi (NUP) secured nine votes, while Ms Nambozo Josephine, another Independent and the only female candidate, received none.
Mr Wanyama, who replaces Mr Bernard Odoi, the Eastern Youth MP in the 11th Parliament, thanked party delegates for the support and urged the youth to now focus on developing the region.
‘I am grateful that we have achieved victory for the position of Youth MP for Eastern Uganda. Politicking is now done, and I pray that we work together for better service delivery,’ Mr Wanyama said shortly after his declaration.
Some delegates said the new MP should prioritise raising key issues on the floor of Parliament, including unemployment, high school dropout rates, early pregnancies and early marriages, to secure practical solutions. Mr Cypriano Gisamu, the secretary for finance of Ikumbya Sub-county in Luuka District, said young people need opportunities to improve their welfare.
‘Many youths are struggling.We need ventures that can enable us to solve the vice of unemployment. Most of our girls and boys are dropping out of school due to poverty,’ Mr Gisamu said.
Mr Masawi Ivan, who also contested on the FDC ticket, said Eastern Uganda remains one of the most marginalised regions.
‘We have seen several reports pointing out Eastern Uganda as one of the most marginalised regions, only ahead of Northern Uganda,’ Mr Masawi said.
Another delegate, Mr Martin Mutambo, said the new MP should lobby for industrialisation and advocate equal opportunities for youth from all regions.
‘As youths from the East, we want a leader who will represent us, not himself. We have papers, but no jobs,’ he said.
During polling, there were reports of electoral violence, open voter bribery and cases of ghost delegates. Police arrested two youth who were found in possession of fake delegate cards.
Mr Edim Francis, a delegate from Soroti City East Division, said the process was flawed, alleging that money was openly distributed at the polling station in the presence of electoral officials, police and Electoral Commission staff.
‘This election was not fair. Money was being distributed and ghost voters were ferried in,’ Mr Edim said. However, Mr Atukunda said the exercise was peaceful and well managed, adding that it was conducted at a single polling station.
‘There were six candidates, and the winner has been declared. This marks the end of the exercise, and the process was successful,’ Mr Atukunda said.
The elections for regional youth representatives were held on January 28 across various regional electoral centres, with the ruling NRM winning in all regions.
In Central Uganda, NRM’s Mr Begiira Samuel was declared winner after garnering 1,001 votes, defeating Mr Kulabako Edward (NUP), who polled 12 votes; Mr Bbale Andrew (DP), who got two votes; Mr Nazimuzra Isaac (Ind), who secured 46 votes; Mr Ssentamu Churchill James (Ind), who polled 34 votes; Ms Nawanyanga Gloria (Ind), who got four votes; and Mr Jjagwe Tony Raymond (Ind), who received one vote.
In Western Uganda, NRM flag bearer Mr Tumwebaze Mwine was declared the duly elected Youth Member of Parliament after defeating eight other candidates with 1,557 votes. NRM’s Elma Kapel Challa was also declared the elected Youth MP for Northern Uganda after garnering 1,245 votes, while her closest contender, Ms Wacha Elizabeth Shakira of UPC, polled 343 votes.