The South West Regional Election Officer, Robert Baine, has urged youth leaders in the Kigezi sub-region to champion transparency and peaceful participation in Uganda’s electoral processes ahead of 2026 elections.
Baine made the call while commissioning 380 youth leaders who completed a seven-day ideological orientation seminar at St Gerald’s Secondary School in Rukungiri District. He pointed to persistent challenges affecting elections in the region, including religious influence, sectarian tendencies, and the growing commercialization of politics.
He said the newly trained leaders must help steer their communities toward integrity and fairness. Baine noted that reversing the current trends requires young people who understand their civic responsibilities and are willing to resist negative political influence.
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The training formed part of the 45th Tarehe Sita anniversary activities in the Kigezi sub-region. Its core objective was to strengthen participants’ ideological grounding, enhance their commitment to national development, and reinforce the longstanding relationship between citizens and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
Brigadier General Michael Kibuye, the Director of Civil-Military Cooperation, represented Major General Henry Masiko, the Chief Political Commissar of the UPDF. He said Kigezi was chosen to host this year’s celebrations due to its historic role in Uganda’s liberation struggle, especially the operations of the Front for National Salvation (FRONASA).
Gen. Kibuye explained that the UPDF is undertaking various community-focused initiatives in the region, including short-term engineering works, medical outreach camps, patriotism drives, friendly football matches, and engagements with veterans. He said these activities are intended to deepen civil-military cooperation and support community welfare.
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The commissioning of the youth leaders comes at a time when Uganda is grappling with concerns over declining civic participation and the influence of divisive politics.
The organizers believe the training will help equip young leaders with the skills and ideological clarity needed to promote unity, counter harmful political narratives, and strengthen democratic values across their communities.
