The US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Tom Malinowski, has urged Uganda’s youth to play a constructive role in the country’s politics. This came on the backdrop of reports that many have lost interest in the electoral process.
Addressing the youth at Makerere University, Assistant Secretary Malinowski said the youth have an incredible power to influence the future of the country given their population size and so must ensure they actively participate to be able to vote a leaders of their choice.
The event was organised by the International Republican Institute together with the University Forum on Governance under the theme; “Youth participation in political processes: Constraints and Opportunities.
Mr. Malinowski who visited Kampala on November 15-17 also met with numerous members of the Ugandan government and security services, including Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda and Chief of Military Intelligence Brigadier General Charles Bakahumura.
Malinowski also met with members of the Ugandan political opposition, representatives of civil society and the NGO community, and local journalists. During these meetings, the Assistant Secretary discussed the country’s pre-electoral environment and civil society space ahead of the February 2016 national elections.
Assistant Secretary Malinowski travels next to Addis Ababa, where he will meet with government officials, human rights activists, think tanks, and journalists, and bloggers who have been released from prison in recent months. He will continue the discussion begun by President Obama and Prime Minister Heile Mariam on how best to advance democracy and human rights in Ethiopia.
Story By Benjamin Jumbe
