2026 elections: Govt banks on youth empowerment to end poll violence
According to Muyingo, in Uganda, youth involvement in electoral violence is a serious concern, with young people often serving as both perpetrators and victims of violence during elections.
Higher education state minister Dr John Chrysestom Muyingo (right) implored the youth to participate in government-led programmes aimed at eradicating poverty. (Photos by Ivan Tsebeni)
By Ivan Tsebeni
Journalists @New Vision
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In an effort to end political violence in the 2026 general elections, the Government is actively empowering young people through education, economic opportunities, political participation and fostering inclusive electoral processes, New Vision Online has learnt.
Higher education state minister Dr John Chrysestom Muyingo says activities that are already ongoing include creating space for youth to engage in dialogue, decision-making, and peace-building initiatives.
According to him, in Uganda, youth involvement in electoral violence is a serious concern, with young people often serving as both perpetrators and victims of violence during elections.
He says their involvement in violence undermines peace, security and the democratisation process, while also potentially shaping negative perceptions of youth as troublemakers rather than peacebuilders.
"Youth are frequently targeted by political actors for recruitment and mobilisation, becoming involved in violence due to factors like unemployment, poverty, and lack of opportunities," he says adding, "Many young people feel their voices are not heard in government, and they may distrust the electoral process, leading some to resort to violence or disengage entirely."
Muyingo points out that electoral violence may lead to tragic outcomes for individuals and communities, which he said tends to impact social cohesion, economic development, and long-term peacebuilding efforts of the country.
He, however, notes that efforts to promote peaceful elections in Uganda need to focus on including young people in the political process, addressing their grievances, and empowering them as positive agents of change.
"By addressing the root causes of youth involvement in electoral violence and promoting positive youth engagement in the political process, Uganda can work towards building a more peaceful and democratic future," Muyingo says.
He, therefore, implored the youth to participate in government-led programmes aimed at eradicating poverty, arguing that it is the only way to support national growth.
Muyingo was speaking during the event at which a total of 200 youth, 114 of whom were female, graduated in different vocational disciplines at the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) institute in Kampala, on August 12, 2025.
Some of the graduands. 
These graduated in fields that included tailoring, electricity installation, plumbing, welding and languages such as English, Spanish, Kiswahili and Chinese.
On the other hand, IYF chairperson, the Reverend James Kim, asked the graduands to use their acquired skills to transform their communities responsibly.
He used the parable of the talents, imploring graduands to use them well to multiply the impact, especially in local communities.
"You have attained skills here to complement your God given talents. As you graduate, please, go and be a light of the world," Kim said.
He lauded the Government's support towards the programme, sharing the ongoing plans where he said the institution had already established study centres in different places such as Mukono, Jinja, and Kamuli.
Calvin Ahimbisibwe, one of the graduands commended the IYF's efforts in transforming society with their focus, especially on the youth.
He noted that most of the youth joined while hopeless, but acknowledged that the institution had instilled hope for a better future in them.
"We thank the management and our teachers for showing us the way. We are now much better because we have been empowered with skills to face the challenging world," Ahimbisibwe said.
IYF was established as a worldwide youth organisation and international not-for-profit Non-Government Organisation (NGO) based on a Christian mindset in 2001, to raise leaders with a global insight through youth education, activities, and provide realistic solutions to problems in the global village.
Currently, the institution has established study centres in over 100 countries across the globe.