In a country where over 77% of the population is under the age of 30, Wandukwa Simon Gyabi stands at the frontline of a new political awakening — one driven by conviction, courage, and the restless energy of Uganda’s youth.

Born in 1996 in Manafwa District, Wandukwa’s journey is rooted in humility and perseverance. From walking miles to Mulatsi Primary School to leading student movements at Makerere University, he has lived the everyday realities of Uganda’s youth — poverty, unemployment, and exclusion from decision-making. Today, he channels those experiences into a vision for transformation: a Uganda where young people are not beggars in their own country, but builders of their destiny.

“This is our time,” he says with conviction. “We are not waiting for change — we are becoming it.”

A Protest Vote with Purpose

Running for Eastern Youth Member of Parliament (2026) on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket, Wandukwa calls his campaign a protest vote — not against the country, but against complacency, corruption, and neglect. His message is simple yet powerful: the future will not change itself; we must rise and reclaim it.

His manifesto lays out an ambitious but realistic roadmap for change — one grounded in data, community experience, and a deep understanding of youth challenges in the East.

Education First — Because Opportunity Begins in the Classroom

Wandukwa’s first priority is education. He envisions free and inclusive education from primary to university level, ensuring that poverty is never again a barrier to learning. He calls for district-based university admission quotas to balance opportunities for rural students and the creation of a Youth Education Guarantee Fund for school dropouts.

For Wandukwa, education is not just a right — it’s the foundation of dignity. “Every youth deserves a chance to learn, to dream, and to lead,” he says. “That chance should not depend on your parents’ income or where you were born.”

Jobs, Skills, and the Future of Work

With youth unemployment in Eastern Uganda estimated at 64%, Wandukwa’s focus on skills training and employability could not be more urgent. He plans to establish Regional Youth Vocational Centres across the region, offering training in trades like carpentry, ICT, mechanics, and agribusiness. These centres will connect graduates to real apprenticeships and business incubation programs — helping young people turn skills into income and innovation.

Transparency and True Empowerment

Unlike the many failed youth programs of the past, Wandukwa promises a youth-led and corruption-free approach to empowerment. He calls for a total overhaul of YLF, Emyooga, and PDM, ensuring that 40% of all funds directly support youth-led enterprises. Through digitalized fund access and transparent reporting, he aims to end the political gatekeeping that has locked out deserving young innovators.

Youth in Power, Not on the Sidelines

At the heart of Wandukwa’s campaign is the belief that young people deserve not just jobs — but power. He advocates for youth quotas in all district councils and public commissions, annual Youth Parliaments to influence policy, and Youth Accountability Committees to monitor government projects at the grassroots.

“It’s time for the youth to stop waiting for the system to include them,” he declares. “We must create our own space in it.”

A Movement Beyond Politics

To his supporters, Wandukwa is more than a candidate — he is a symbol of hope. His message resonates across Mbale, Tororo, Soroti, and Busia: that Eastern Uganda can rise again if its youth are empowered, united, and fearless.

He speaks not the language of division but of destiny — a call to young people to believe in their power to shape Uganda’s future.

As the 2026 elections approach, Wandukwa’s campaign continues to gather momentum — not through money or patronage, but through the voices of young Ugandans who see in him a reflection of their own struggle and strength.