By Robert Segawa
The National Female Youth Member of Parliament-elect, Mercy Kanyesigye, has urged all stakeholders who are not youths to refrain from interfering in youth politics and elections.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday at Kati Kati Restaurant in Kampala, shortly after the conclusion of the polls and a court ruling, Kanyesigye emphasized that youth leadership should be determined by young people themselves.
“All those who are not youths should stay away from youth elections,” she said.
She applauded young voters for refusing to be swayed by money during the election and commended the courts of law for upholding justice in her favor after it was established that ballot box seals had been tampered with.
Kanyesigye, who contested as an Independent candidate, defeated the ruling party’s flag bearer, Dian Kampe, by a narrow margin of eight votes. She polled 216 votes out of 443 in the electoral college. Kampe had sought a vote recount, but the Hoima Magistrates Court halted the process.
Looking ahead, Kanyesigye pledged to establish a youth information desk after her swearing-in to help young people access and benefit from government programs such as the Youth Livelihood Programme, Emyooga, and the Parish Development Model.
She said the initiative would also support youths in acquiring National Identity Cards and passports to enable them to access various opportunities.
Kanyesigye called on young people across the country to unite and prioritize development. She revealed plans to hold nationwide meetings to gather youths’ concerns and work toward addressing them.
She also dismissed claims that her victory was backed by influential figures, maintaining that she comes from a humble background, having started her education in Lyantonde.
