There is a heavy security deployment at Mvara Senior Secondary School in Arua City ahead of the election of the Northern Uganda Youth Member of Parliament. Security personnel from the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have deployed strategically at the school’s main entrance, within the compound, and at strategic points along the perimeter fence to reinforce security and prevent any disturbances during the electoral process.
The election is scheduled for today and is expected to attract hundreds of youth delegates from across the Northern Region, including Karamoja, Lango, Acholi, and West Nile sub-regions. According to the West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson, Josephine Angucia, security agencies have already positioned officers at the venue and surrounding areas to ensure safety and maintain law and order.
Angucia appealed to all participants to respect the law, adhere to Electoral Commission guidelines, and cooperate with security officers. She cautioned that youth elections can sometimes become tense due to heightened emotions and competition.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission has confirmed that all preparations for the exercise are complete. Juma Shesha, the West Nile Regional Elections Officer, told Uganda Radio Network (URN) that everything is in place for the polls. “All is set for the polls. We appeal to the candidates, their agents, and supporters to participate in accordance with the guidelines for the elections,” Shesha said.
The race for the Northern Youth Member of Parliament seat has attracted two candidates: Wacha Elizabeth Shakira of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and Elma Challa Kapel, the former Miss Tourism Uganda, representing the National Resistance Movement (NRM).According to Electoral Commission guidelines, the delegates’ conference for the election of the Regional Youth Representative to Parliament comprises three members from each Sub-county, Town Council, and Municipal Division Youth Executive Committee; nine members from each City and District Youth Executive Committee; three members from each Municipality and City Division Youth Executive Committee; one youth with disability from each city and district; and two delegates from the Uganda National Students Association per city and district, one of whom must be female.
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