BY EDRIS KIGGUNDU
President Museveni makes a speech as his son (L) Muhoozi looks onPresident Museveni is expected to attend an event organised by youths who are backing his son, Brig Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to succeed him in 2021.
Hitherto little known Why Not Youth Pressure Group (WNPG) recently launched a campaign bid for Brig Kainerugaba, commander of the elite Special Forces Group (SFG). It was not clear whether they had his consent. The one-day seminar is scheduled for October 17 at Makerere University’s main hall.
Raymond Musiime, the WNPG secretary general and chief organiser of the event, said on Tuesday that State House had confirmed Museveni’s attendance.
“He accepted [to be the chief guest]. Initially we were supposed to hold this summit on October 10 but because the president indicated that he will not be available, we pushed it to October 17,” Musiime added.
He further said that he was in possession of a letter to prove his claim. Pressed to show the letter, he declined, arguing that it was confidential. Efforts to get an independent confirmation of Museveni’s attendance from State House were futile.
Musiime emphasised that the summit is not meant to endorse Muhoozi for the 2021 elections but to discuss problems affecting Ugandan youths. The theme of the seminar is: “Empower me for youths governance, peaceful transitions and employment opportunities for the youths for a greater East Africa.”
According to the day’s programme, Museveni is expected to make a presentation on the topic, “Youths in governance, peaceful transitions and employment opportunities for the youths in East Africa.”
Thereafter, Museveni will launch the WNPG peace fund, which Musiime says is their vehicle for sensitisation programmes. The peace fund, he explained, would be designed to let Ugandans “fully understand the need and vitality of peaceful transition of power.”
Musiime said well-wishers and NGOs would freely give and mobilise resources to facilitate WNPG in promoting their philosophy of peaceful transition of power. At the seminar, Musiime said, Brig Muhoozi will present a paper titled, “The role of the youths in crime prevention and the fight against terror.”
Other speakers lined up include Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, Frank Tumwebaze, the minister for the Presidency, Ronald Kibuule, the minister of state for Youth and Children Affairs, and Prof Mondo Kagonyera, the chancellor of Makerere University.
Journalist Andrew Mwenda is also expected to give a talk on “The role of the youths in creating democratic institutions in East Africa.”
On his part, Muhammad Nsereko, the Kampala Central MP, will make a presentation on “The role of the youths in fostering youths governance in order to create better democracies in East Africa by 2020.”
The seminar is the first in a series of events WNPG plans to organise in various tertiary institutions across the country. While officially the seminars are aimed at discussing economic challenges faced by the youths, our sources believe their actual purpose is to popularise Muhoozi amongst the youths in anticipation that they will form the bulk of his support base if he opts to stand for president in 2021.
Sources familiar with the operations of WNPG told us last month that the group has the blessing of some senior security officers as well as ruling party MPs. The same sources also told us that WNPG has representation in Makerere University, St Lawrence University, Kyambogo University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Nkumba University and Makerere University Business School.
The source of funding for their activities, including next week’s event, remains unknown.
ekiggundu@observer.ug
![Museveni to attend pro-Muhoozi youth seminar BY EDRIS KIGGUNDU President Museveni makes a speech as his son (L) Muhoozi looks onPresident Museveni is expected to attend an event organised by youths who are backing his son, Brig Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to succeed him in 2021. Hitherto little known Why Not Youth Pressure Group (WNPG) recently launched a campaign bid for Brig Kainerugaba, commander of the elite Special Forces Group (SFG). It was not clear whether they had his consent. The one-day seminar is scheduled for October 17 at Makerere University’s main hall. Raymond Musiime, the WNPG secretary general and chief organiser of the event, said on Tuesday that State House had confirmed Museveni’s attendance. “He accepted [to be the chief guest]. Initially we were supposed to hold this summit on October 10 but because the president indicated that he will not be available, we pushed it to October 17,” Musiime added. He further said that he was in possession of a letter to prove his claim. Pressed to show the letter, he declined, arguing that it was confidential. Efforts to get an independent confirmation of Museveni’s attendance from State House were futile. Musiime emphasised that the summit is not meant to endorse Muhoozi for the 2021 elections but to discuss problems affecting Ugandan youths. The theme of the seminar is: “Empower me for youths governance, peaceful transitions and employment opportunities for the youths for a greater East Africa.” According to the day’s programme, Museveni is expected to make a presentation on the topic, “Youths in governance, peaceful transitions and employment opportunities for the youths in East Africa.” Thereafter, Museveni will launch the WNPG peace fund, which Musiime says is their vehicle for sensitisation programmes. The peace fund, he explained, would be designed to let Ugandans “fully understand the need and vitality of peaceful transition of power.” Musiime said well-wishers and NGOs would freely give and mobilise resources to facilitate WNPG in promoting their philosophy of peaceful transition of power. At the seminar, Musiime said, Brig Muhoozi will present a paper titled, “The role of the youths in crime prevention and the fight against terror.” Other speakers lined up include Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, Frank Tumwebaze, the minister for the Presidency, Ronald Kibuule, the minister of state for Youth and Children Affairs, and Prof Mondo Kagonyera, the chancellor of Makerere University. Journalist Andrew Mwenda is also expected to give a talk on “The role of the youths in creating democratic institutions in East Africa.” On his part, Muhammad Nsereko, the Kampala Central MP, will make a presentation on “The role of the youths in fostering youths governance in order to create better democracies in East Africa by 2020.” The seminar is the first in a series of events WNPG plans to organise in various tertiary institutions across the country. While officially the seminars are aimed at discussing economic challenges faced by the youths, our sources believe their actual purpose is to popularise Muhoozi amongst the youths in anticipation that they will form the bulk of his support base if he opts to stand for president in 2021. Sources familiar with the operations of WNPG told us last month that the group has the blessing of some senior security officers as well as ruling party MPs. The same sources also told us that WNPG has representation in Makerere University, St Lawrence University, Kyambogo University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Nkumba University and Makerere University Business School. The source of funding for their activities, including next week’s event, remains unknown. ekiggundu@observer.ug](https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10672061_10204281935464655_7240753249562558329_n.jpg?oh=e14d69fbf56b9111f5e044c7cae19811&oe=54CA4736&__gda__=1420796259_167078267267e946022bcc94ed0e54cc)
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