LAUBEN SSENYONJO; Youth in Ugandan Political Parties, Tokenism Over Transformation

The 2024 Uganda National Population and Housing Census reveals a nation of 45,905,417 citizens, with 73.2%—33,615,867—aged 30 or below, including 10,413,073 youth (18–30), positioning Uganda as one of Africa’s youngest nations. Political parties, from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to the rising National Unity Platform (NUP), flaunt youth leagues as symbols of inclusion, leveraging a voting bloc of nearly 9 million.

Yet, this paper exposes a harsh reality: these structures are mere façades, confining youth to the periphery while party elites—often over 50—monopolize decision-making in bodies like the NRM’s Central Executive Committee and FDC’s National Executive Committee. Using census data (e.g., only 5% over 60) and real examples—like Martin Ssejjemba’s NUP win at 28 and Phiona Nyamutoro’s NRM ascent—this analysis reveals a systemic failure that starkly contrasts with global trends—where youth hold 26% of parliamentary seats worldwide, Uganda’s 0.9% for those under 30 is a glaring deficit.

This exclusion endangers democracy, risking youth disengagement or unrest, as seen in 2023 protests, and wastes a demographic dividend other nations seek. Proposing bold reforms—such as mandatory quotas (25–30% of party executives under 30), empowered leagues, and economic initiatives—this paper urges parties to adapt or risk obsolescence in a youth-driven era, setting a precedent for African political evolution.

Introduction

The 2024 National Population and Housing Census, conducted by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) from May 10–25, 2024, confirms Uganda’s population at 45,905,417. With 50.5% aged 0–17 and 22.7% aged 18–30, individuals under 30 make up 73.2% of the population. Political parties—including the NRM, FDC, and NUP—have established youth wings to engage this demographic, which also constitutes nearly half of registered voters. However, despite their demographic dominance, youth under 30 remain excluded from the highest levels of party decision-making. This paper critiques this disparity, using real-world examples to illustrate the gap and propose actionable reforms.

The State of Youth Representation.

The 2024 census highlights Uganda’s youthful composition: 33,615,867 individuals (73.2%) are 30 or younger, with 10,413,073 classified as youth (18–30). The constitution reserves five parliamentary seats for youth, yet within political parties, their influence is curtailed. Youth leagues, such as the NRM Youth League and NUP’s youth structures, are active during elections but lack authority in key decision-making bodies like the NRM’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) or FDC’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

Real examples underscore this marginalization. In 2021, Martin Ssejjemba, aged 28, won the Local Council V (LCV) Chairperson position in Mpigi District on the NUP ticket, becoming Uganda’s youngest LC5 Chairperson.

While a notable success, his role remains at the local level, with no evidence of influence in NUP’s national executive. Similarly, Phiona Nyamutoro, elected as National Female Youth MP in 2021 at age 26 under the NRM, represents youth in Parliament but lacks decision-making power within the CEC, where older elites dominate. In the FDC youths have won Councillorship positions in local governments, highlight grassroots success but not integration into the NEC. These cases suggest that while youth under 30 can achieve elective positions, their influence rarely extends beyond symbolic or local roles, reinforcing their exclusion from party power structures.

Statistical Insights from the 2024 Census

The 2024 census provides essential context: 

Population Breakdown: Total population is 45,905,417, with 24,338,681 females (53%) and 21,566,736 males (47%). Youth (18–30) number 10,413,073 (22.7%), while children (0–17) account for 23,202,794 (50.5%). 

Older Demographics: Only 5% (2,296,270) are 60 or older, and 21.5% (9,873,280) are 31–59, underscoring the youth-heavy population. 

Electoral Power: Youth under 30 make up nearly half of voters (estimated at 8–9 million of 17.2 million registered voters from 2021 elections), yet their influence in party hierarchies is negligible. 

Parliamentary Representation: Youth MPs (typically under 30) hold 5 of 529 seats (0.9%), a fraction that pales in comparison to their demographic weight.

This data exposes a critical imbalance: while youth under 30 dominate the population and electorate, their presence in party leadership remains confined to peripheral roles.

Why Youth Are Sidelined?

Several factors perpetuate this exclusion. 

Economic Vulnerability: Prior UBOS data indicates a youth unemployment rate of 19.7%. Economic insecurity makes youth susceptible to patronage, weakening their political leverage. 

Patronage Politics: Uganda’s political culture rewards loyalty to established leaders, marginalizing younger aspirants. 

Perception of Inexperience: Senior party figures often dismiss youth under 30 as unprepared for leadership, reinforcing ageist biases. 

Structural Barriers: Party constitutions lack mandates for youth quotas in executive roles, unlike provisions for women (e.g., NRM’s 30% female representation target).

Case Studies: Tokenism in Action

NRM Youth League: The league mobilizes over 10 million youth voters, as seen in the 2021 elections, but lacks influence in the CEC. Phiona Nyamutoro’s rise to National Female Youth MP at 26 exemplifies this: despite her visibility, she has no documented role in shaping NRM policy, with decisions like the 2023 budget allocation driven by senior leaders.  

NUP’s Youth Surge: Martin Ssejjemba’s 2022 LC5 win at 28 and the party’s 2021 youth-driven campaign under Bobi Wine (then 38, but appealing to those under 30) galvanized support. Yet, NUP’s executive remains dominated by older advisors, sidelining youth like Ssejjemba from national strategy. 

FDC and IYOP Efforts. The 2023 IYOP Football Tournament, attended by youth and senior leaders, fostered dialogue but produced no policy shifts, highlighting symbolic over substantive engagement.

Implications for Democracy

Excluding 73.2% of the population from political influence undermines Uganda’s democratic integrity. The 2024 census highlights a burgeoning youth population—10.4 million aged 18–30—whose disenfranchisement could lead to apathy or unrest, as evidenced by the 2023 Makerere University protests against political bans. This exclusion also stifles innovation, as older leaders prioritize agendas misaligned with youth concerns like employment and education.

Recommendations

Mandate Youth Quotas: Parties should reserve 25–30% of executive positions for individuals under 30, reflecting their demographic significance. 

Economic Empowerment: Party-led job creation initiatives could reduce youth dependence on patronage, enhancing their political autonomy. 

Mentorship Programs: Pairing youth leaders with senior mentors within parties could bridge the experience gap while fostering intergenerational collaboration. 

Strengthen Youth Leagues: Grant youth wings veto power or voting rights in party executives to ensure their voices shape policy. 

Research and Transparency: Parties should publish annual reports on youth representation in leadership roles, enabling accountability and further study.

Conclusion

Ugandan political parties have failed to translate the country’s youthful demographic into meaningful political power. Youth leagues, while visible, are largely ornamental, sidelined from the decision-making processes that define party agendas and national policy. This tokenism not only betrays the promise of multiparty democracy but also risks squandering the potential of a generation poised to lead.

As Uganda navigates its political future, empowering youth beyond symbolic structures is not just a moral imperative—it is a democratic necessity.

Further research into party-specific statistics and youth experiences is urgently needed to refine these insights and drive actionable change.

References

Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), 2014 National Census. 

International Republican Institute (IRI), 2023 Reports on IYOP Activities. 

Saferworld, “Young People Changing Uganda’s Political Landscape,” 2021. 

Uganda Youth Network, 2013 Study on Youth Political Participation. 

Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Global Parliamentary Representation Data.