In an effort to promote peace and reduce political violence among the youth, the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Youth Affairs (UPFYA), in collaboration with the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) and the International Republican Institute (IRI), will host a Inter-Party Youth Football Tournament on October 19, 2024.
The tournament aims to foster peaceful co-existence and discourage violent political participation, particularly as the country approaches the 2026 general elections.
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) recently revealed that youths between the ages of 18-30 make up 22.3% of Uganda’s population.
This demographic has often been involved in political unrest, especially during election periods. The upcoming event seeks to address this issue by encouraging peaceful interactions through sports, an avenue that can help bridge political, social, and cultural divides.
The tournament, which will take place at City High School grounds starting at 8 a.m., is expected to draw over 500 youth participants from different political party youth wings and formations. Each of the seven-member teams will include one female player. Hon. Peter Ogwang, Minister of State for Sports, will be the chief guest at the event.
Participating political parties include the Democratic Party (DP), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Justice Forum (JEEMA), National Resistance Movement (NRM), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), and National Unity Platform (NUP), among others.
Additionally, youth groups such as the Uganda National Students Association (UNSA) and the National Youth Council (NYC) will also participate. The event seeks to bring these groups together in a spirit of peaceful competition and mutual respect.
NIMD Country Director, Primus Bahiigi, emphasized the significance of the tournament, stating, “This engagement will promote a message of non-violence during the upcoming 2026 elections and challenge young leaders in political parties to embrace dialogue rather than violence.”
Osborn Turyasingura, Coordinator of UPFYA, echoed these sentiments, explaining that the tournament is an important step toward shifting youth attitudes towards peaceful political expression. “This initiative will foster dialogue, democratic processes, and unity among youth leaders from diverse political affiliations,” Turyasingura said.
The tournament organizers are hopeful that this event will serve as a catalyst for long-term peace and cooperation among Uganda’s youth, as well as a stepping stone for broader discussions on non-violent political engagement.
Geofrey Kasumba, Tournament Liaison Head, highlighted the timeliness of the event, noting, “This initiative amplifies young people’s voices at a crucial time, as Uganda debates constitutional and electoral reforms and political parties begin preparations for the 2026 elections.”
The Inter-Party Youth Football Tournament is expected to serve as a model for promoting unity and peaceful political engagement, not only in sports but in the wider Ugandan political landscape.
