Opening Parliament: Uganda’s Youth and the Struggle for Democratic Engagement  

Uganda’s Parliament is often seen as close to the people yet in practice, it remains distant. Decisions are made, policies debated, but citizens rarely feel part of the process. For Chemonges Timothy, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA), this disconnect is not just a democratic flaw; it is a crisis of governance.  

“Opening Parliament to the people means having them part and parcel of what’s happening. It’s about transparency, accountability, and ensuring citizens feel their agency is meaningful beyond election day.” Chemonges Timothy, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA) 

Through CEPA’s Parliament Watch Programme, and later the arrival of the Open Parliament initiative spearheaded by Zimbabwe’s Magamba Network, Timothy has worked to bridge this gap particularly for Uganda’s youth, who make up nearly 78 percent of the population.  

Open Parliament’s entry into Uganda was timely. CEPA had already built a civic tech platform to monitor parliamentary activity, but Open Parliament added a sharper focus on youth engagement, making governance relatable. 

Recognising that traditional political discourse often alienated young people, the initiative repackaged governance into formats they could relate to: TikTok lives, Instagram explainers, memes, infographics, and short video clips. Radio partnerships extended the reach to rural areas, ensuring that conversations about governance were not confined to urban elites.  

Hackathons, inter-university debates, and the National Youth Parliament gave young Ugandans not just information, but platforms to engage directly with leaders.  

“Young people came together to critique, demand accountability, and share ideas. It showed their capacity to shape national discourse.” Chemonges Timothy, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA) 

Yet, the journey has not been without challenges. State actors, from ministries to Parliament itself, were initially skeptical. Calls for accountability often sounded threatening.  

“Anyone who hears accountability for the first time thinks you want to check what’s in their basket,” Chemonges Timothy, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA) 

Over time, however, leaders warmed to the initiative, recognising its constructive intent. CEPA and Open Parliament worked carefully to remain non-partisan, engaging representatives across the political spectrum.  

The political environment itself posed risks. Timothy admits that self-censorship is sometimes necessary in Uganda’s slippery landscape. “You’re careful about what information you put out. The key is to ensure it’s not partisan, and that it serves the governance question rather than political interests.” Chemonges Timothy, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA) 

Restrictions on media platforms added another layer of difficulty. Facebook remains banned in Uganda, cutting off a major youth audience. CEPA responded by leveraging TikTok, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and WhatsApp to keep conversations alive.  

Despite progress, the obstacles remain stark. Access to information is still limited, especially for young people. Feedback mechanisms between leaders and citizens are weak. Corruption continues to drain the country  with the Inspectorate of Government recently estimating losses of 10 trillion Ugandan shillings annually.  

These challenges persist but they also present opportunities for platforms like Parliament Watch and Open Parliament to push harder. The country needs these initiatives, and we can’t let them go.” Chemonges Timothy, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA) 

For Timothy, the future is bright, but only if the gains made so far are protected. He issues a clarion call to development partners, civil society, and citizens alike:  

“Every coin invested in these initiatives contributes to governance. It’s important to continue supporting them, not just for new successes, but to protect the gains we’ve already made. These programmes matter for Uganda, for Africa, and for global democracy.” Chemonges Timothy, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA)