Kampala, Uganda: A section of youth leaders from the Central Region have come out strongly to defend Hon Fiona Nakku, their preferred candidate for the NRM National Female Youth MP flag bearer slot, amid growing allegations that she is above the youth age limit.
Recently, another section of NRM youth leaders petitioned the NRM electoral commission, asking the chairperson, Dr tanga Odoi, to disqualify Nakku, as not being fit for the contest, saying she is 31 (born 1994), yet the age cap for the youth MP slots is 30 years.
However, the Youth leaders, led by Hamuza Katumba Numba, the Youth Chairperson of Masaka City, the group convened a press conference on Tuesday, August 05, where they dismissed the age claims as false propaganda being pushed by rival camps to derail Nakku’s candidature.
Katumba emphasized that Nakku was duly nominated by the NRM Electoral Commission after meeting all legal and party requirements, including age verification, and called on fellow youth delegates to remain focused and ignore “cheap talk” being peddled by non-delegates and self-seeking individuals.
“We are aware of these malicious rumours aimed at discouraging our delegates. Fiona Nakku was cleared through the official party processes, and any attempt to disqualify her will be treated as sabotage,” Katumba warned.
He also cautioned those behind the smear campaign, noting that despite the peace ushered in by President Museveni, the youth will not tolerate manipulation of internal democratic processes. “We thank the President for the peace and stability, but we must warn those trying to destabilize the youth elections in favour of their own people. We are ready to resist,” he added.
Muwenda Dan, the NRM Youth Chairperson for Kalangala District, also lashed out at those “hawking lies” about Nakku’s eligibility and issued a stern warning that continued provocations may spiral into unrest.
“Some of these people insulting our candidate are not even youth delegates. If they keep pushing us, we are heading for trouble, even bloodshed if things get out of hand,” Muwenda charged.
He appealed to the NRM Secretariat and President Museveni to recognize Fiona Nakku’s efforts in mobilizing youth across the country through development-oriented SACCOs — even before joining Parliament. “This is someone who has sacrificed for the youth. Her empowerment programs speak for themselves. She deserves respect, not ridicule,” he said.
Another leader, Ssentalo Edward, a youth delegate from Wakiso District, faulted the NRM Electoral Commission for entertaining what he called “dubious and ill-intentioned petitions” against a candidate they had already vetted and cleared.
“You cannot nominate someone and later turn against them because of street talk. That’s betrayal to the youth,” he said.
The youth leaders vowed in unison to boycott the youth parliamentary primaries should the party entertain calls to disqualify Nakku on grounds they described as baseless and illegal.
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