Lenia Charity, a prominent Gen Z political figure, is attracting attention after transitioning from student politics to the national stage.
Lenia first made her mark as Guild President of Makerere University Business School (MUBS), where she won on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket. Her victory then was seen as a symbol of youthful defiance and the growing influence of the opposition among Uganda’s student population.
However, in a dramatic political turn, Lenia is now the NRM flag bearer for Vurra County in Arua District ahead of the 2026 general elections.
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She was among the new faces that nominated President Yoweri Museveni, alongside Dr. Ruhanaka Rugunda on Tuesday.
Despite the momentum, some observers say she struggled to seize her recent opportunity when given the chance to address President Museveni directly, a moment that could have amplified her political capital.
Her journey — from leading opposition-leaning students in Kampala to carrying the NRM flag in West Nile — underscores the fluid and unpredictable nature of Uganda’s political arena, especially for young leaders navigating between ideology and opportunity.