The National Resistance Movement (NRM) emerged victorious in the inter party youth football tournament held in the Rwenzori sub-region, defeating the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) 2-0 in a tense final at Nyakasanga Playgrounds, Kasese District, on July 9, 2025.
The tournament, organized by the Multiparty Youth Forum and sponsored by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), attracted eight football teams, including NRM, FDC, Democratic Party (DP), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), JEEMA, People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Uganda National Students Association (UNSA), and the National Youth Council (NYC).
NRM was crowned winners after beating the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) by two goals in a friendly game aimed at promoting peace, tolerance and togetherness as we head into the 2026 general elections.
While handing over the trophy to the winners, the Netherlands Institute for multiparty democracy (NIMD) Programs Manager Mugarra David urged all participants and youths present to maintain peace as we head into the 2026 general elections.
“I urge all young people who have participated in this gala to spread the gospel of peace and unity in the coming elections as you have exhibited discipline during this tournament,” Mugarra said.
Nanyonjo Lynett, the Peoples progressive party youth league president who also doubles as the Multiparty youth forum chairperson said that the tournament was to raise awareness about peace and unity amongst political parties.
“When political parties come together for an interparty tournament, it’s more than a game; it’s a show of unity. These moments foster respect, dialogue, and collaboration, paving the way for peaceful elections and a stronger democracy,” Nanyonjo said.
Amos Bacwa, the FDC deputy president for the FDC youth wing western region congratulated the NRM team upon their win and said that the football for peace Gala was meant to show young people around the country that people believing in different political ideologies can still work together for the greater good of the country.
“Even when we all support different political parties, we need to practice politics of tolerance and remain peaceful as we head into the 2026 general elections and we hope that all political actors can push a message of peace before, during elections and after the 2026 general elections,” Bachwa noted.
The tournament marked the closure of the two-day regional youth Dialogue on peaceful electoral participation held from July 8, to July 9, 2025 in Kasese district targeting over 100 youth leaders from Rwenzori subregion and was attended by members from civil society organizations, security agencies, electoral commission, and religious leaders.
