Kampala, Uganda — In a bold and openly strategic move, youth leaders under the National Youth and Students’ Center (NYSC) have declared their full political backing for President Yoweri Museveni, positioning him as their preferred candidate in exchange for his support toward the construction of a UGX 25 billion state-of-the-art National Youth and Students’ Center in Gulu.
Speaking during a press conference in Kampala, Emmanuel Johnson Obo, Secretary for Mobilization at the NYSC, emphasized that the youth have made a calculated decision to throw their weight behind President Museveni
“We have chosen to support President Museveni strategically. You scratch our back, we scratch yours,” Obo stated. “We want peace to continue, and in return, we want support to build a center that will transform the lives of young people across Uganda.”
Obo explained that the youth leadership has already established a powerful grassroots mobilization structure: 15 mobilizers in each of Uganda’s 71,000 villages, sub-county and district-level coordinators, and an expanding national network of schools and universities.
This structure is being used not only to rally participation in the upcoming Peace Run, a fundraising campaign for the construction of National youth and student’s centet, but also to mobilize electoral support for President Museveni in the 2026 elections.
“We have the numbers. We are organized. And our message is clear: President Museveni has delivered peace and security, and we believe he can give us more. In return, we are ready to deliver votes,” Obo added.
The youth leaders say they are not asking for direct financial compensation for their mobilization work. Instead, their demand is simple: political backing for their flagship project “the National Youth and Student Center.”
The Center: Youth-Driven Vision for National Transformation
The proposed facility in Gulu is envisioned as a multipurpose educational and recreational complex, featuring:
- A youth-run primary and secondary school
- A youth-managed health center
- Recreational and innovation hubs
- Spaces for leadership training, entrepreneurship, and sports
Inspired by youth centers in the U.S., UK, and Catholic dioceses, the Gulu project aims to become a one-stop national headquarters for youth activities across Uganda. It also carries a strong peace-building message, with plans to admit South Sudanese students as part of regional integration efforts.
“We chose Gulu because it symbolizes peace. We want to show what peace can build, not just for us but for the region,” Obo said.
Mobilization Through “Peace Run” and Music Concert
To fundraise for the center, the NYSC has organized a national event dubbed the “Run to the Center, Celebrating 30+ Years of Peace”, coinciding with the United Nations International Day of Peace on September 21, 2025.
The main run will be held in Kampala at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds and president Museveni is expected to be the chief Runner
Before the main event, there will be a district-level peace processions scheduled for September 14.
A major concert featuring a high-profile international artist Burna Boy is also planned for August 2026 at Namboole Stadium, expected to raise UGX 1 billion through ticket sales and sponsorships.
Obo made it clear that while some critics may accuse the youth of politicizing development, their approach is both deliberate and necessary.
“We are tired of empty promises. We know how the system works. If we want results, we must engage the politics strategically. That is why we’re backing President Museveni because with him, we know peace is guaranteed, and that gives us the foundation to build,” he explained.
