Youth leaders from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) across all seven districts of Bugisu at the weekend convened at Rossy Hotel in Namisindwa District to endorse Phiona Naku as their preferred candidate for National Female Youth Member of Parliament.
Naku, a native of the Bukedi sub-region, was welcomed with the pulsating rhythms of kadodi, a traditional Bugisu dance reserved for momentous occasions.
Her endorsement was led by Nimrod Kakai, Chairperson of the NRM Youth League in Namisindwa and head of the Bugisu NRM Youth Caucus, which commands 287 delegates to the upcoming National Delegates Conference.
“We have come here as executives from all seven districts to speak one language—unity,” Kakai declared.
“For the first time in Bugisu’s history, we are moving as one. We are committed to building a new image for this region—one rooted in solidarity, not division.”
Introducing Naku to the gathering, Kakai described her as “a lady of substance” with a solid record of youth advocacy.
“The youth you see here have thought deeply and decided to work with Phiona because of what she stands for. As the Bugisu Youth Caucus, we pledge our support and pray the rest of the country embraces her as the next National Female Youth MP.”
Visibly moved by the warm reception, Naku expressed her gratitude and reaffirmed her commitment to championing youth issues across Uganda.
“As someone from Bukedi, the love I have received in Bugisu has deeply encouraged me. If this region is already saying 'Phiona is our candidate,' then we are on the right path,” she said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
She pledged to prioritise youth employment, girl-child empowerment, and genuine political inclusion.
“For too long, we’ve been lied to. We’ve been used. But now, young people are making their own decisions. We are choosing leaders from among ourselves who understand our struggles,” she said.
“We are changing the narrative.”
The meeting was widely hailed as a turning point for youth politics in Bugisu, a region long plagued by disunity among its young leaders.
Many attendees noted that the cohesion displayed at Rossy Hotel could significantly boost Bugisu’s influence on national youth affairs.
