Mwine Tumwebaze Declared Western Region Youth MP

Mwine Tumwebaze Kirimi of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has been declared the elected Youth Member of Parliament for Uganda’s Western Region. 

The election, held on Wednesday at Ntare School in Mbarara City, attracted eight candidates representing various political parties and independent interests. 

Announcing the results, Western Region Electoral Returning Officer Atwijukire Ishmail declared Tumwebaze the winner after he garnered 1,557 votes. He trounced his closest challenger, Babra Nakandi, an independent candidate, who secured 404 votes.

Other candidates performed poorly, with Denis Musinguzi (Independent) obtaining 19 votes, Deborah Owekisa of the National Unity Platform (NUP) polling nine votes, Reynolds Mujuni (Independent) eight votes, Martha Kihumuro of JEEMA three votes, Manful Abeneitwe of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) two votes, while Innocent Barigye of the Alliance for National Transformation and Blessious Namirembe of the Democratic Party each received one vote. 

Following his declaration, Tumwebaze pledged to work closely with the National Youth Council to strengthen youth participation through established political structures. He also committed to advocating for government policies aimed at economically empowering young people across the region.  

Returning Officer Ishmail Atwijukire commended the youth delegates for their discipline and calm throughout the voting process, describing the exercise as the most peaceful youth election ever held in the region. 

“I want to commend the 2,502 youth delegates. They were organised and peaceful. Despite the rains that briefly interrupted the voting, today’s election has been recorded as one of the most peaceful,” Ishmail said. 

However, the election was not without controversy. Some candidates, including Martha Kihumuro of JEEMA and Manful Abeneitwe of the FDC, raised allegations of voter bribery against rival candidates.