By Amiri Wabusimba: In a country where the youth make up the majority of the population, their voices are often overlooked in critical governance processes. But a bold new wave of innovation led by young minds is reshaping how civic participation and leadership are cultivated starting right at the grassroots. One such trailblazer is Kusiima Saruah Kyaligonza, a 21-year-old software developer and university student at Uganda Martyrs University, whose work caught our attention. In a recent conversation with Amiri Wabusimba, Kusiima shared her vision, journey, and the powerful potential of digital platforms to transform Uganda’s democratic future.

Inspired by the challenges she observed in university elections including voter mistrust, low student participation, and systemic apathy, Kusiima developed a digital voting platform tailored for student elections. Her aim was to rebuild faith in electoral processes, beginning within schools. “Watching university’s elections, I saw the frustration from students. I wanted to create a space where students feel their voices matter and their votes count,” she explained. “If we instill that mindset early, we raise a generation that demands integrity and leads with purpose.” Her platform addresses specific electoral issues such as vote rigging, low turnout, and favoritism common even in student leadership contests by promoting transparency, fairness, and accessibility.

Kusiima’s work is part of a broader movement of youth-led innovation in Uganda. “We often say the youth are the leaders of tomorrow,” she noted, “but many of us are already leading today through art, technology, advocacy, and innovation. What we need is support, not just applause.” Her initiative has been well received by fellow students, who report feeling empowered, heard, and more engaged in school governance. According to Kusiima, the impact goes beyond elections it sows seeds of responsible leadership.

Asked whether digital voting could work on a national level, Kusiima responded with conviction. “Yes, it can if we commit to building digital literacy, infrastructure, and, most importantly, trust. Leaders must stop fearing technology and start embracing its potential.” If given a chance to address the Electoral Commission or national leaders, Kusiima says she would urge them to invest in youth innovations and adopt transparent systems that simplify civic participation without compromising credibility.

As Uganda continues to grapple with questions around electoral transparency, declining public trust in democratic institutions, and low youth participation, innovations like Kusiima Saruah’s digital voting platform couldn’t have come at a better time especially as the country prepares for the 2026 general elections. Her initiative offers more than a technological upgrade it’s a catalyst for cultural change in how Uganda engages its citizens from an early age. By digitizing trust, simplifying participation, and empowering youth to lead, this platform embodies the future of accountable governance.

This is not just a student project; it’s a national opportunity waiting to be embraced. It is time for Uganda’s government, Electoral Commission, civil society, and development partners to see this for what it is: a smart, scalable, homegrown solution that reflects both the challenges and the aspirations of a new generation. If Uganda truly seeks to uphold the principles of free and fair elections in 2026 and beyond, then supporting innovations like Kusiima’s is not optional it is essential.

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