Uganda: Presidential candidates target young voters

Uganda’s youth are being lured to vote in the upcoming February 18 elections through a campaign dubbed #ChoosePeaceUG.

Young people have been urged to make their mark peacefully.

““We are the majority of this country and we believe most of us do not have a lot of activities to be engaged. So we feel we stand the risk of being used here and there. So we are vulnerable in one way or the other,” Ndyabahika, a young voter said.

Previous elections have been marred by violence and in most cases, the youth have been the prime target for candidates.

Out of every 10 voters, four are under the age of 30. This means the youth have the power to turn things around.

“One youth can influence around ten people behind him, family will pull … So having the youth on board is having the family on board,” Ian Musiimenta, a peace activist said.

According to Charles Odongtho, the youth vote becomes extremely important if they turn out massively to vote.

Some of the voters have an idea of what they want.

Students interviewed by news agencies said employment opportunities are their main target from the candidates.