On 24th March 2026, the social media accounts of several Youth Members of Parliament-elect of the 12th Parliament carried images that quickly caught public attention. In these posts, Hon. Elma Kapel Challa, Hon. Mwine Tumwebaze, Hon. Samuel Begira, Hon. Mercy Kanyesigye, and Hon. Wanyama Judas Thadeo were seen alongside Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, holding hands and publicly declaring their endorsement of her speakership for the 12th Parliament.
At first glance, such political alignment may appear routine. However, a deeper reflection reveals a troubling reality—these endorsements were made even before the Members of Parliament-elect have been sworn into office.
This raises a fundamental question: Whose voice are these leaders representing?
Youth MPs derive their mandate from the millions of young Ugandans whose aspirations, frustrations, and hopes they are entrusted to carry into Parliament. Yet, in this instance, there is no evidence of consultation, engagement, or even a basic attempt to seek the views of the youth constituency before making such a consequential political commitment.
What we are witnessing is a form of premature political positioning, where elected leaders begin to trade the loyalty of their electorate before formally assuming office. This is not only procedurally questionable but also ethically concerning.
It is, frankly, ironic and disappointing that leaders who have not yet taken their oath of allegiance are already engaging in actions that suggest a willingness to subordinate the interests of their voters to pre-determined political alignments.
More concerning, however, is the context within which this endorsement is being made. Rt. Hon. Anita Among has, in recent times, been associated with serious public allegations of corruption, and has faced international sanctions, including measures reportedly imposed by both the United Kingdom and the United States in 2024. These sanctions, which include travel restrictions and financial implications, raise legitimate questions about leadership credibility and international standing.
For Youth MPs to endorse such a figure without public dialogue or accountability suggests a disregard for the values that many young Ugandans hold dear—integrity, transparency, and responsible leadership.
The implication is clear: these endorsements do not reflect a collective youth position. Rather, they represent individual political choices made in isolation from the very people these leaders claim to represent.
This is not merely a political misstep; it is a missed opportunity for meaningful representation. At a time when young people in Uganda are increasingly aware, engaged, and demanding accountability, their leaders should be setting a higher standard—one rooted in consultation, openness, and principled decision-making.
The youth of Uganda are not passive observers in the political process. They are active stakeholders whose voices cannot and should not be assumed, appropriated, or bypassed.
As we look ahead to the election of the Speaker of the 12th Parliament, the youth of Uganda will not remain silent or sidelined. We shall rally our support behind a candidate whose record is free from corruption allegations, who is pro-people, and who stands for Uganda without fear or favor.
Among the contestants, Norbert Mao, Member of Parliament for Laroo-Pece and current Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, stands as one such figure to watch. Our eyes are on him.
And as his message resonates, so too does our conviction: we are determined to balance the boat.
In the end, true leadership will not be decided in closed meetings or early endorsements—but in the trust, confidence, and collective will of the people, the Youth are watching you, stand warned!
This Opinion was penned by Mr. Byayesu Agrippa Musinguzi:
a Teacher, Youth Activist, and Young Democrat.
