With only four months to Uganda’s 2026 General Election, a group of youths from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), operating under the umbrella body Gen Z for Gen 7, has warned politicians against using young people to instigate violence during the polls.
Addressing journalists in Kampala on Tuesday, September 16, the group’s National Coordinator, Israel Kyarisiima, emphasized their commitment to safeguarding peace and stability.
“Without peace, there is no business. Without stability, there is no service delivery. Without security, there is no future. Unfortunately, we have seen that some opposition actors seek to exploit young people for selfish political gains,” Kyarisiima said.
He further stressed that the youth will not allow themselves to be manipulated into violence: “Without peace, there is no hustle. Our generation survives and prospers because Uganda is stable. Those promoting sectarianism and violent politics are not just threatening the elections; they are threatening our jobs, our creativity, and our future. We will not allow the future of Uganda’s youth to be mortgaged by selfishness.”
As part of their initiative, the group unveiled the “Gen Z Peaceful Elections Drive”, a nationwide campaign aimed at mobilizing schools, universities, boda-boda stages, digital platforms, and communities to champion peace during next year’s elections.
