President Yoweri Museveni has said he is open to appointing more young people to influential positions in government, but cautioned that leadership should not be based on age alone.
Responding to a question on increasing youth representation in government, Museveni said he supports the idea and has previously entrusted young leaders with senior responsibilities.
“That is a very good idea that we appoint young people. I like it and we appointed them in the past,” he said, citing the example of Evelyn Anite, whom he appointed to government while she was still in her 20s.
However, the President warned young people against “confusing biology with ideology,” arguing that being young does not automatically translate into clarity of purpose or sound leadership.
“You may be young but lost in terms of what to do,” Museveni said. “Don’t avoid your responsibility. Don’t concentrate on biology alone. Biology is good, but ideology is decisive.”
He pointed to Uganda’s pre- and post-independence history, noting that many of the country’s early leaders were young at the time they assumed power.
He referenced figures such as Mutesa II, Milton Obote, John Kakonge and other youthful leaders across East Africa, arguing that despite their age, leadership outcomes depended more on ideological orientation than youthfulness.
“In all East Africa they were young people, but they failed. Historically speaking, you had to see which side was right,” he said. “Be young, but oriented.”
Museveni added that mistakes in leadership are not confined to one age group.
“Mistake makers are both young and old people. That is my advice to you,” he said.
He further cautioned against assuming that young leaders automatically understand the needs of their peers, saying effective leadership requires correct ideological grounding and focus on national development, including wealth and job creation.
“It should not be just about biology but also about ideology,” Museveni emphasized.
