Kampala, Uganda: Sharon Nassolo Umutoni, an NRM aspiring Youth Member of Parliament for Central Region (2026–2031), has issued a compelling call to action urging young Ugandans to rise above division and take charge of their future through purposeful, values-driven leadership.
In a passionate statement released on Wednesday, June 18, Nassolo challenged the youth to move from passive observers to active agents of change, stressing that leadership is no longer a distant dream but a current and urgent responsibility.
“We are not leaders of tomorrow, we are leaders of today,” she declared. “The decisions we make now will shape not only our generation but the Uganda we leave behind.”
Nassolo emphasized that effective leadership must be grounded in integrity, unity, and service, qualities she believes are essential for transforming communities and reclaiming national dignity.
“Leadership is not about occupying a seat, it’s about owning a responsibility,” she noted. “We must lead intentionally, in schools, parishes, digital platforms, and national spaces.”
She warned against shallow populism and the politics of personality, urging youth to prioritize long-term transformation over short-term fame.
Unity as the Weapon Against Mediocrity
In her statement, Ms Nassolo lamented the growing divisions among the youth along tribal, political, and social lines, divisions she said have stifled progress and weakened collective strength.
“Our greatest setback isn’t lack of talent, it’s lack of unity,” she said. “We must turn groups into teams and conversations into actions. No single person can carry the weight of transformation alone.”
She called for stronger coordination among youth-led movements, district youth councils, guild leaders, and national actors to form a unified front for policy influence.
The aspiring youth legislator called on her peers to confidently step into leadership roles across all sectors, from guild presidencies to parish development structures and national decision-making spaces.
“You do not need to be perfect to lead, you need to be committed, awake, and willing to learn,” she advised. “Uganda doesn’t lack talent; it suffers from disjointed youth voices.”
She said her vision is to help create a coordinated youth leadership network that connects grassroots energy with national policy influence.
Ms Nassolo also urged young Ugandans to redefine patriotism beyond slogans and symbolism. “Patriotism isn’t about waving the flag—it’s about sweating for your people,” she said. “It means choosing peace over division, investing your time and skills in building your country village by village, mind by mind.”
She concluded with a declaration of readiness to lead, fight for, and serve the youth of Central Region, anchored on what she calls “a leadership of legacy, not recognition.” “We must be the generation remembered not for what we consumed, but what we contributed,” she stated. “The time for purpose is now.”
Sharon Nassolo Umutoni joins a growing list of youthful aspirants seeking elective office in the 2026 elections, with a message centered on unity, patriotism, and responsible governance. She is among the leading contenders for the NRM flag ahead of the National Youth MP elections scheduled for late this year.
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