Leaders and youth representatives have gathered at the Parliament of Uganda for the National Youth Symposium 2026, held under the theme “Building Bridges, Shaping the Future: Youth Leadership for National Healing, Accountability and Inclusive Democracy.”
The symposium, held on September 23rd, follows Uganda’s 2026 General Elections, with speakers highlighting the need for dialogue, accountability, and greater youth participation in national affairs.
Mercy Kanyesigye, the National Female Youth Member of Parliament, said the election period may have ended, but its effects remain unresolved. She noted that 118 election petitions were filed over local government and parliamentary elections.
“The dust of the 2026 General elections has settled, but the wounds have not,” Kanyesigye said, while arguing that young people seeking political leadership face significant challenges. She pointed to the commercialization of politics as one of the barriers confronting aspiring young leaders.
Primus Bahiigi, the Country Director of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), highlighted the opportunities available to Uganda’s youth, citing the country’s natural resources, the advantages of being young, and the transformative potential of technology and modern communication.
Bahiigi also described the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) as a platform bringing together political parties represented in Parliament to discuss national issues.
Representing the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), the Secretary General, Richard Todwong urged young people to look beyond political leadership as the only avenue for contributing to national development.
“We have made politics attractive to young people,” Todwong said, adding that national healing and bridge-building require citizens and leaders to regard one another as partners in development.
Former presidential candidate Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde called on young Ugandans to become agents of change and engines of economic growth. He expressed confidence in the country’s future, saying Uganda’s progress would depend significantly on its youth.
The European Union also called attention to the post-election period. The EU Deputy Head of Mission, Eole Sury said the period presents an opportunity to rebuild confidence, strengthen relationships between citizens and leaders, and create space for dialogue across political and social differences.
The symposium brings together political leaders, youth representatives and development partners to discuss ways of strengthening national cohesion, accountability and inclusive participation in Uganda’s democratic process.
