Meet the oldest, youngest MPs in 12th Parliament
Uganda’s 12th Parliament features an 87-year-old veteran lawmaker, Gen (Rtd) Moses Ali, as its oldest MP and a 24-year-old, Lenia Charity Kevin, as the youngest, highlighting a generational divide in the legislature. The composition reflects President Museveni’s reliance on senior figures while also including younger representatives reshaping political participation in the country.
Uganda’s newly sworn-in 12th Parliament showcases a stark generational divide, with the oldest Member of Parliament being 87-year-old Gen (Rtd) Moses Ali from Adjumani West Constituency and the youngest, Lenia Charity Kevin, aged 24, representing Vurra County. Both MPs hail from the West Nile Sub-region, underscoring a mix of political legacy and youthful energy entering the legislative body. Gen Ali, born on April 5, 1939, remains a prominent political and military figure with decades of service, spanning regimes from Idi Amin to the current administration. Despite health challenges observed during his campaign, including mobility and speech difficulties, he secured re-election for a sixth term, emphasizing his deep ties to the constituency and commitment to leadership based on experience rather than age. The parliament also includes other senior figures, such as Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, 79, who has held multiple ministerial roles since entering Parliament in 1980. Born in 1944, Kasaija’s political career includes service in the Obote II government and key positions within the National Resistance Army (NRA) and NRM Secretariat. Other veterans like Lamwo County MP Hilary Onek (78), Older Persons MP Catherine Akumu Mavenjina (78), Maj Gen (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire (75), and Minister of Foreign Affairs Gen Abubaker Jeje Odongo (74) continue to shape Uganda’s political landscape. The influx of younger MPs, such as Kevin, reflects a gradual shift in political participation, balancing the influence of long-serving leaders with fresh perspectives. President Museveni’s reliance on senior political and military figures remains evident, yet the presence of youthful representatives signals evolving dynamics in Uganda’s legislative arena. Gen Ali’s campaign statements underscored his belief that leadership is defined by wisdom and service, not physical strength, while younger MPs like Kevin bring new energy to the political discourse. The contrast between the oldest and youngest MPs encapsulates the broader tension between historical legacy and the aspirations of a youthful population in Uganda’s political future.
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