Ann Ruyondo Lumumba
The recent youth elections, conducted through an electoral college drawn from across the country, once again saw the National Resistance Movement (NRM) dominate the regional youth parliamentary seats. As has often been the case, all regional slots were taken by candidates aligned to the ruling party, reviving debate over whether opposition candidates stand any real chance in youth elections.
However, history shows that an NRM party card alone does not always guarantee victory.
A notable example dates back to the 2016 youth elections for the National Youth Member of Parliament (Female). At the time, Ann Lumumba was the official NRM flag bearer. Despite carrying the ruling party’s ticket, she lost the race in what many within NRM circles later described as a protest vote by delegates.
According to sources familiar with the process, Lumumba’s defeat was less about party affiliation and more about personal conduct during the campaign period. Delegates allege that after securing the NRM ticket, she became complacent and distant, operating under the assumption that the party flag alone assured her a seat in Parliament.
“She changed after getting the NRM card. She became arrogant. You could not even greet her,” said one source who participated in the electoral college.
In response, a section of NRM-leaning delegates reportedly made a strategic decision. They rallied behind the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate, Ann Adeke, but encouraged her to contest as an independent to make her more acceptable across party lines.
“We asked Adeke to forget her FDC card and stand as an independent. We gave her all our votes,” the source said.
Adeke, who at the time was the Guild President of Makerere University, benefited from this cross-party backing. With support from disgruntled NRM delegates combined with her original FDC base, she went on to win the seat.
The episode has since been cited as a lesson within youth political circles: electoral college politics can be unforgiving to candidates perceived as arrogant or disconnected, regardless of party strength.
Similar dynamics have played out in other youth races over the years, including instances where candidates closely associated with powerful figures in the ruling party failed to secure seats despite their political connections.
As the latest youth MP polls continue to spark debate, Lumumba’s 2016 loss remains a reminder that in youth electoral colleges, personal engagement, humility, and coalition-building can matter just as much as — if not more than — party affiliation.
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