Omujugujugu Moses, a loyal and principled member of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), has formally petitioned the NRM Electoral Commission to uphold the law by disqualifying all candidates who exceed the age limit set for youth leadership positions.
In his submission, Moses emphasized the importance of respecting the National Youth Council Act, Cap 124, which defines a youth as any individual aged between 18 and 30 years. He called on the party to enforce this requirement uniformly, regardless of status or affiliation, to protect the integrity of its internal electoral processes.
“Age limits are not optional guidelines — they are a legal requirement and must be respected,” Moses stated. “As a party founded on discipline and the rule of law, the NRM must lead by example.”
The petition draws attention to three individuals — Ms. Nakku Fiona, Ms. Kanyesigye Mercy, and Mr. Ongom Daniel — whose documented ages, according to national IDs, academic transcripts, and voter registers, appear to place them above the 30-year threshold.
The case of Ms. Nakku Fiona received particular focus. According to the petition, her official records, including her national ID, passport, and UNEB certificate, show a 1994 birth year, which would make her 31 years old — ineligible to contest for any youth position. The petition further notes that a recent change in her declared birth year to 1997 creates inconsistencies that undermine the credibility of her eligibility.
“If taken literally, this change would imply that she sat her Senior Four exams at age 13 — a timeline that is neither academically nor legally plausible,” Moses noted. “Such discrepancies warrant serious scrutiny.”
Moses also expressed concern over reports that some local party officials may have been involved in actively supporting specific candidates in the youth races — an act that, if true, contradicts the NRM’s commitment to free and fair internal elections. He called for the Commission to ensure neutrality among all electoral officers and registrars.
Regarding Mr. Ongom Daniel, the petition points out that his documents reflect a 1993 birth year, placing him at 32 years of age — also outside the youth category. Meanwhile, Ms. Kanyesigye Mercy has served extensively in youth structures, and her eligibility also requires thorough verification.
Moses warned that failure to enforce age limits at this stage could lead to costly disqualifications at the national level, similar to what occurred during the 2020 election cycle — a scenario that he says must be avoided.
“This is not just a legal issue; it’s about preserving the Movement’s credibility,” he emphasized. “If ineligible candidates are allowed to proceed, the NRM risks being left without valid representation in key youth positions.”
While acknowledging that some candidates may have close ties to senior party figures, Moses urged the Commission to resist external pressure and focus solely on facts and law. “No one should be above the rules. The future of the NRM must be built on transparency, merit, and respect for procedure.”
He concluded with a call to action:
“Let this be a turning point. Let us restore full confidence in our party’s systems. I urge the Electoral Commission and all organs of the NRM to take this matter seriously and act decisively in accordance with the law.”
