The Electoral Commission has officially nominated Julia Muhumuza as a candidate for the position of National Female Youth Member of Parliament ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections. The nomination took place on Wednesday in Kampala, followed by a press conference at Fairway Hotel in Nakasero, where Muhumuza presented her vision to unite and empower young people under the theme “Leaving No Youth Behind.”
Speaking after her nomination, Muhumuza said her decision to join the race was inspired by her faith in the strength and potential of Uganda’s youth to shape the nation’s future.
“Today, with deep conviction and faith in the power of young people to shape our country’s future, I officially declare my candidature for National Female Youth MP,” she said.
Muhumuza described her nomination as a call to serve and outlined key areas she intends to focus on, including education, empowerment, innovation, and skills training. She urged young Ugandans to work together regardless of political differences, saying that unity and collective effort are the only way to address the challenges they face.
“We have seen several government programs targeting the youth, but the reality is that many young people remain out of school, unemployed, or unskilled,” she said. “This situation turns youth from being an asset into a liability for our nation. My goal is to change that.”
She said she plans to advocate for the expansion of skilling centers across the country, explaining that the existing ones are not enough for Uganda’s growing youth population. Muhumuza also called for free and accessible education in all government schools, arguing that Universal Primary and Secondary Education programs have become “largely commercialized,” preventing many young people from completing their studies.
“We must revive the true vision of free education,” she said. “Education is the most powerful equalizer. No young person should drop out because their family cannot afford school fees.”
Muhumuza expressed support for the Graduate Fund and the proposed Startup Bill, saying both can play a major role in helping young business owners create jobs and contribute to national development. “Passing the Startup Bill would help young entrepreneurs survive beyond their first year, employ others, and drive Uganda’s economic transformation,” she said.
As part of her gender-focused agenda, Muhumuza announced a National Reusable Pads Campaign aimed at reducing school dropouts among girls. She said the high cost of sanitary towels, especially in rural areas, continues to affect access to education.
“It’s unacceptable that a girl’s education can end over the cost of a sanitary towel. We must ensure reusable pads are available in all government schools,” she said.
She also committed to supporting the return of teen mothers to school, calling on the government and development partners to work together to restore hope and dignity for vulnerable young women.
“This election is not about party colors. It’s about the future of Uganda’s youth,” she said. “Whether one belongs to NRM, opposition, or is independent, we all face the same challenges of unemployment, poverty, and limited opportunities. We must unite as young people to solve them.”
Muhumuza encouraged youth to use their voices and votes wisely, saying that leadership change begins with informed choices. “Your vote counts more than the money. Your vote will speak volumes about what will happen in the next five years,” she said. “It is possible to pull this off.”
Muhumuza is currently serving with the National Youth Council and has several years of experience in youth leadership and policy engagement. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from Makerere University Business School, where she was named the overall best student at Makerere University’s 72nd graduation ceremony in 2022. She is now pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.
Although she is a member of the National Resistance Movement, Muhumuza clarified that her choice to contest as an independent does not mean she has broken ties with the party. “I am not going against my party,” she said. “I should not be denied an opportunity to represent the young people because I didn’t participate in the NRM primaries. In the end, it is the will of the people that matters.”
Her leadership journey began at Makerere University Business School, where she ran for Guild President and later served as Minister for Gender. She now serves as Vice President of the Uganda National Students Association.
“The girl child must be seen, must be heard, and must be fully represented,” she said. “This journey is about giving every young person, boy or girl, rural or urban, a voice and a chance to thrive.”
Her nomination has been welcomed by several youth leaders and supporters who praised her as a confident and visionary young woman ready to inspire the next generation. Many believe her participation will bring a fresh and inclusive voice to Uganda’s 2026 National Youth elections.
