A performance audit of the youth MPs in the 9th parliament of Uganda: An investigation into the challenges and opportunities for effective youth representation in Parliament

This study report presents findings of the Performance Audit of the Youth MPs in the 9th Parliament. The
audit was commissioned with the Partnership of AYDL and UYONET. Specifically, the study sought to: 1) To
assess the realization as well as unfilled gaps of the objective principles underlying youth representation
as a special interest group in the National Legislative body; 2) Assess how the Youth Representatives have
used the political space available in parliament to ensure that the outcomes of parliament’s legislative,
appropriation and oversight activities address the youth agenda in Uganda; 3) Identify and examine youth
specific outcomes of parliamentary proceedings and processes; 4) Examine the existing mechanisms of
communication, engagement and accountability between Youth Representatives in Parliament and the
youth constituency; Assess the extent to which the youth have supported and promoted the effective
performance of Youth Representatives in parliament; 5) To assess the challenges that undermine the
effectiveness of Youth MPs and how such challenges can be addressed; and 6) make recommendations
on how youth focused organizations can support the strengthening of the political voice of the youth in
the national legislative process.

In order to answer these objectives, the study was designed to use a qualitative methodology in which structural and processes factors relating to youth MP’s performance was interrogated using a systems approach to analysis. The study reviewed hansard, conducted key informant interviews with Youth MPs and CSO stakeholders at national level, FGDs and FDDs with the youth leaders at district level. For representation, the study covered field data collection from the four regions, with each being represented by three districts.

This study reveals that though the constitutional provisions for youth representation as an interest group
provide an opportunity for youth to articulate their interests in the national legislative body, fusion of
the interest group with the government creates opportunities for co-option of youth leadership by
the government. Under such contexts, the youth as an interest group cannot challenge the status-quo
in terms of power relations that define their vulnerability in the first place. Yet despite this technical
challenge, this audit study reveals that a number of youth focused outcomes of the legislative body have
occurred. These include the Students Loan Scheme, the Youth Livelihood Programme, and the reversed
Youth Enterprise Scheme among others. In all these initiatives the role of the youth MPs is evident both
in the conception and reform.

Publisher: Uyonet and AYDL
Year of Publication: July 2014