I Want to Work With All My Opponents – Rugumayo Extends Olive Branch

The freshly elected Western Uganda Youth Member of Parliament (MP) Edson Rugumayo has reached out to the other youthful politicians that he contested with for the position to unite and combine efforts with him in a bid to foster development amongst the youth in the region.

The youthful legislator to be, who hails from Ntoroko in the deep west of Uganda has among others called upon his closest rival Arnold Patrick Turwomwe alias Spencer of Bushenyi District.

Rugumayo was elected as Western Region Youth MP on February 1st, beating Turwomwe, a son of Minister Betty Kamya and 5 others, by a margin of over 1,000 votes and was declared winner by the Electoral Commission.

While speaking to The Ugandan Wire earlier today, Rugumayo said that he will surely transform the lives of youths in western Uganda and that the first step is to join hands with the other contestants in his race such that together they can cooperate to tackle the challenges facing the Youth.

“We should join hands, synergize and make a concerted effort in addressing, advocating and advancing for strategic solutions to youth challenges.” Rugumayo said.

For his involvement in the 11th Parliament that will be sworn-in in May this year, the former Secretary for External Relations at the National Youth Council (NYC) said that his main part will be to advocate for functioning youths structures.

“I will push more for the involvement of youths in management of youths programs. I shall advocate for the activeness and vibrancy of the youth councils and economically empower members of the National Youth Council structure.” He said.

Rugumayo an ‘Old Boy’ ofPresident Museveni at Ntare School in Mbarara, who contested and won on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket.
He has served in various levels of leadership that include; Leader of Patriotism Corps, President of Ntoroko Students Association at Makerere University, and in NYC among others.

He possesses a Bachelors of Science in Quantitative Surveying from Makerere University, a Certificate in Planning for Developing Countries at the University of Fujian China, a Certificate in Leadership from the National Leadership Institute, Kyankwanzi.

He will be replacing Hon. Mwine Mpaka Rwamirama who held the same position but has since won a direct MP seat in parliament to represent the newly created Mbarara City.