Lilian Aber an independent candidate has been voted the National Youth Council chairperson after beating four other contestants.
Aber was on Wednesday evening declared winner with 119 votes amidst jubilation by her supporters in an election held at Kagote SDA hall in Fort Portal town.
Her closest competitor George Abudul (NRM) came second with 105 votes and in third place was David Kabanda (Independent) who got 97 votes while FDC’s Dickson Nampumuza got one vote.
Aber’s win makes her the first ever female youth to hold that position.
She was declared winner by the Kabarole District registrar, Valley Kanzira at around 8:30pm.
Speaking to the New Vision, shortly after being declared winner, the excited Aber attributed her success to the female delegates and the regional alliances.
“The female delegates did a great job in having me as a winner. They felt it is time for us as ladies to take the mantle and lead the youth to greater opportunities,” Aber said
She revealed that, this is time to work and her leadership will be felt immediately.
“We are going to be felt, in all aspects. The youth should be involved in all the decision making of our country. We own this country and it’s our time,” Aber said
Her alliance included, western region, Nothern and Eastern. While the other regions mainly voted for NRM and the independent candidate Kabanda.
She advised the youth especially those who have lost not to look at intrigue and propaganda while electing leaders.
In the general secretary seat, Ibrahim Kitata polled 154 votes to win the seat. Benson Kyapa came second with 111 votes while Yahaya Murangyi trailed with 54 votes.
Safari Kayihura, won the vice chairperson seat with 229 votes beating his competitors Ismail Kabanda and Haruna Kibirige who got 69 and 20 votes respectively.
Others who were elected to constitute the National Youth Council Include, Edson Rugumayo Secretary External relations, John Muhumuza, Secretary Sports and culture, Julius Tusiime secretary labour affairs.
Others are Emma Ekima, secretary for finance, Samuel Odong Publicity secretary, Caroline Karungi Secretary female youth, Saidi Kirarira and Oliver Mutesi secretary student affairs.
Joseph Sewava, the NRM Youth National Coordinator cited statehouse influence which he said led to the loss by the NRM candidate.
“We are disappointed as a party; statehouse supported this lady (Aber) who we all know is leaning to FDC. As NRM youth who have supported the party and the president we are not happy with the results,” Sewava said.
He called upon the party to act on statehouse agents whom he said are dividing the party.
“Some people in statehouse are dividing the party; they are influencing some party activities which is un acceptable. From here we want to meet the president to express our dissatisfaction,” Sewava said.
Although, Sewava blames statehouse influence on the outcome of the polls, the NRM party failed to agree on a single candidate to represent them and fielded two with one standing as an independent.
Kabanda who got 97 votes had lost to Abudul in the NRM primaries but all stood which gave chance to Aber to beat them.
Kayihura who was voted vice chairperson challenged the youth to rally behind the winners and work towards addressing the challenges faced by the youth.
Kanzire described the three day elections as peaceful without any incidents of violence or irregularities.
Here is the newly voted National Youth Council committee and what the youth should expect from them.
The 11 committee will serve for a term of five years running from 2016-2021.
Lilian Aber, Chairperson National Youth Council
We are going to be felt in all issues regarding the youth. Being the first female youth chairperson I would like to leave a legacy of great work. It is time to work and have youth issues addressed by the government at all levels.
Felix Safari Kayihura, vice chairperson.
The youth have for long been left behind, but we are saying no. this is our time. The task ahead is big but I want to assure the youth that we shall deliver.
John Muhumuza, Secretary Sports and culture,
Sports and culture are very big aspects, we shall government to emphasise the issue of sports which is employing a good number of the youth.
Samuel Odong Publicity secretary,
My focus will be to advocate for young people to engage in all decision making of this country and create platfoams to express issues affecting the youth. I’m the voice of the youth.
Caroline Karungi Secretary female youth.
The youth should join hands with us leaders and work. What is needed is bringing ideas together and push the responsible authorities to have them working.
Oliver Mutesi, secretary student’s affairs.
I came with a theme of quality education. Yes we have USE and UPE but the quality is wanting there is need for more teachers and infrastructure. In tertiary education I will make sure government gives us more support.
Saidi Kirarira, legal affairs
We need to check on laws and policies that are too bureaucratic and barring youths from exploring the available opportunities.
Emma Ekima, secretary for finance,
I will work towards having more funding for youth friendly programs. Like the president promised more money we shall make sure this is put in place and not only words
Julius Tusiime, secretary labour affairs.
I will focus my energy on seeing that issues of unemployment and safety of the workers especially the youth are addressed. There is need for clear worker policies that safe guard the youth who are working under harsh conditions.
Edson Rugumayo Secretary External relations,
Ibrahim Kitata, secretary General
