Youth council in bitter fight over political cards

A deep rift is threatening members of the National Youth Council (NYC) as accusations of political manipulation their party affiliation divides.

NYC Chairperson Jacob Eyeru stands at the centre, accused of using his position to further President Museveni's political agenda, prompting a fierce backlash from youth leaders of various political affiliations.

Youth representatives from the Justice Forum (JEEMA) and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) have expressed their discontent with Eyeru's actions.

In a joint statement, they emphasised the primary objectives of the NYC.

"We also draw his mind to the core objectives of NYC which include, to organise the youth of Uganda as a unified body, to engage the youth in productive activities that benefit all, and to protect the youth against any kind of manipulation, among others," they said.

They argue that Eyeru’s actions betray these principles.

"NYC receives taxpayers' money and therefore the Chairperson can't be involved in such bogus activities of praising an old man that the youth are tired of."

Francis Adepo, chairperson of the FDC Youth League, criticised Eyeru for aligning the NYC with the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

"As youth leaders, we want to remind Mr Eyeru that the National Youth Council of Uganda by law is not a branch of NRM, and therefore must operate impartially while serving the interests of all young people in Uganda, most of whom hate NRM," Adepo said.

The discord stems from a letter Eyeru wrote to the Inspector General of Police, notifying him of activities planned by the NRM Youth League under the Yellow Youth Movement (YYM) initiative, aimed at supporting Museveni’s candidacy in the 2026 elections.

The letter, written on NYC letterhead, has been a point of contention.

Eyeru defends his actions, asserting that the YYM Initiative is a legitimate youth movement supporting Museveni.

"YYM is an initiative of youth that believe in President Museveni and I am one of those youth. So it is not possible for me who came to NYC as part of NRM to abandon NRM," he said.

Regarding the use of NYC letterhead, Eyeru cited legal obligations.

"That is because of the requirement of Section 5(ii) of the Public Management Act that mandates a person organising a meeting in this case the YY Activities which support Museveni must state their postal address as well as their physical address. As Jacob Eyeru, my physical address is the NYC office," he explained.

Despite demands for an apology from JEEMA and FDC youth, Eyeru remains defiant.

"I don't think the FDC and JEEMA youth are in a position to give ultimatums, they are trying to resurrect by giving ultimatums to Eyeru, YYM, NRM will not work. Even if they give us two years, we shall not apologize," he said.

The opposition youth leaders, however, call for a unified stand against what they view as manipulation.

"It is time to stand up as the youths and be counted. Those taking advantage of the struggling youths to unscrupulous manipulate them in such activities of maintaining the old man in power instead of focusing on their (youths) welfare should be warned," Haroona Musanje, chairperson of the JEEMA Youth League, said.

This unfolding conflict within the NYC underscores the broader political tensions in Uganda, as the youth navigate the complexities of allegiance, representation, and the pursuit of their collective interests.