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Members of the East African Youth Leaders have requested the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, to champion the ratification, domestication and implementation of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG).

Meeting members of the Uganda Chapter in his boardroom on Wednesday, 26 June, 2019, Oulanyah guided the youth leaders through the fundamental principles that can enable them grow their membership numbers.

In their petition read by Reagan Wamajji, the youth prayed that Parliament nips in the bud the exorbitant electoral nomination fees required for persons vying for political office because they are a stumbling block to youth participation in governance.

The Deputy Speaker committed to add a voice in the advocacy for a reduction of electoral nomination fees. However, he cautioned the youth against using wrong measures to achieve their purpose.

“Taking matters to court drags processes that could have been settled quicker.
If Parliament passes a law that the youth disagree with or wish for it to be changed, then Parliament is the first place to come to,” Oulanyah said.

The Deputy Speaker added: “Youth need to be strategic in their approaches. Sometimes you have general issues yet if you come together and agree on a specific problem to address, it becomes easier.”

With a vision of an inclusive, peaceful, prosperous and democratically governed Africa, the ACDEG is a platform that brings together like-minded youth leaders from the East African region.