By Nathan Eyagu

Emmanuel Omaria, one of the candidates contesting for the Eastern Region Youth Member of Parliament seat, has intensified his campaign by shifting focus from conference rooms to the grassroots, engaging youth delegates through sub-county-to-sub-county and home-to-home visits across the region.

Unlike conventional campaigns centered on closed-door meetings, Omaria’s approach emphasizes direct interaction with young people at community level. His strategy, observers note, is aimed at understanding real youth challenges firsthand while building a people-centered movement anchored on inclusivity and practical solutions.

Omaria, the sole candidate from the Teso sub-region, is contesting on an independent ticket against five other contenders from Busoga and Bugisu. His campaign message strongly revolves around unity, equal representation, and ensuring that no sub-region or youth group feels sidelined in national decision-making processes.

At the core of Omaria’s manifesto is a strong commitment to youth empowerment through job creation. He proposes equipping young people with hands-on, market-relevant skills to enable them to create employment rather than solely depend on scarce white-collar jobs. His plan prioritizes vocational training, entrepreneurship development, and access to innovation hubs where youth can refine skills in areas such as agribusiness, ICT, creative industries, and value addition.

In addition, Omaria has pledged to advocate for increased government and private-sector-supported youth services, including startup capital, mentorship programs, and linkages to regional and international markets. He argues that with the right skills, exposure, and institutional support, the youth of Eastern Uganda can become key drivers of economic growth.

“Our diversity as Eastern Uganda should be our strength, not a dividing line,” Omaria has repeatedly emphasized during his engagements. “Every young person, regardless of where they come from, deserves opportunities, skills, and a voice.”

As the race for the Eastern Region Youth MP seat gains momentum, Omaria’s grassroots-driven campaign and focus on skills-based empowerment continue to set him apart, positioning him as a candidate seeking to translate youth aspirations into tangible economic opportunities.