Here is some of the information you need to know about Outgoing Makindye East Member of Parliament Hon. Derrick Nyeko who has stepped aside from contesting again on the same seat.
Born in 1992 in the slums of Wabigalo – Namuwongo in Kampala, to Mr. Painato Ofumbi and Mrs. Florence Kampano Ofumbi who are both Community leaders, NYEKO DERRICK has been a leader right from his childhood. In the early childhood age when children in the slums enjoy playing freely in groups, Nyeko always loved the role of mobilizing others. In P.3, he was elected Boys Captain at Ebenezer Primary School. He later changed schools and went to Wabigalo Primary School where he served as Prefect in charge of Religious Affairs and as Headboy. In S.2 at St. Peter’s Secondary School Nsambya, he was elected Assistant Class Monitor after which he chose to focus on his studies in preparation for the O’Level UNEB Exams.
During his A’Level at St. Mary’s College Lugazi, he was elected the First Deputy Prime Minister, “Head Boy”. He led so well that when
the Prime Minister mishandled his office and was expelled from school, Nyeko was automatically promoted to take over this position of Prime Minister, making him the top leader in the school. It is in this position that Nyeko learnt most of his leadership skills. Being the top most student leader, he had to make critical decisions that would affect the welfare of students either positively or negatively.
He had to quickly learn how to negotiate and intervene between the students and the school Administration. It is during these sessions that he discovered that people in a disadvantaged position always need a voice to represent them without which their future may be in great trouble. Other skills he learnt include patience, being a good listener and analytical skills. His teamwork developed greatly as he had to always coordinate with the other prefects in his day to day work.
Because of the many challenges faced as the top most leader, he became even closer to God. During the time when the world was suffering from the effects of ‘the credit crunch’ which caused inflation, not even students were spared! The canteen prices almost tripled leaving students unable to afford their break and evening snack.
Nyeko as the Prime Minister led a boycott of the canteen, where students concentrated on tea and school posho for three consecutive days which led to his expulsion. When the school Administration looked into the matter, it was decided that his expulsion was unfair because the students
were not coerced and the boycott was a peaceful/quiet expression of the students’ dissatisfaction with the way prices were tripled and so Nyeko was recalled after two weeks to continue his studies.
The foundation was laid. Nyeko had found his place in leadership. There was no turning back!
In 2011, Nyeko contested and was elected Secretary Student Affairs – in Market Zone, Wabigalo Parish, and later he won the seat for
Publicity Secretary for the Youth Council for Wabigalo Parish. It is during this period that he saw how grave the plight of youths in the
community was while at the same time realizing that leaders at village levels hardly had any power to influence positive change in the community. They were only serving as mobilisers! This greatly distressed him and so he decided to do something about it. By then Nyeko had won the hearts of many youths and had quite a following. With his character and ability to mobilize, the youths rallied behind him to run for the position of Youth Councilor of Makindye Urban Council which won under the NRM ticket, after a fierce contest!
He also ran in the NRM Structures and won the position of Publicity Secretary in the Youth League, Makindye District Kampala. He was
also Chairperson Gender and Community Development Committee for Makindye Urban Division.
As a young leader who had promised positive change to the youths who rallied behind him, he began feeling frustrated with the way things were run in KCCA! The space for advocacy was denied, the powers greatly reduced by the President when he created the
Position of Executive Director and Minister for Kampala, who took all the powers of the council leaving the institution only ceremonial!
Whereas it was perceived that the President’s intention was to handcuff the opposition in the council, the same action affected service
delivery.
Nyeko found himself back in the same place as he was as at Village and Parish levels where there was no power, space for advocacy,
lobbying, monitoring or demanding accountability which are the roles of a leader. Nyeko and a team of other young colleagues in theybegan seeking for this space outside the Council by organizing press conferences and demonstrations to demand for their rights.
In this space, they voiced out their concerns, protesting corrupt and unconstitutional systems of governance.
It was here that Nyeko was cited among the youths who were so vocal in rejecting the removal of Term Limits, and later the Sole
Candidature of President Museveni in the NRM Party, which as a young leader, he felt was denying the youths an opportunity to rise
in leadership, and promotes dictatorship.
When Hon. Kyagulangyi Robert Sentamu decided to run for MP Kyaddondo East, many youths looked at him as the hope for many given that he has for a long time been advocating for justice and fairness in his songs. To Nyeko, Hon. Kyagulanyi was that one thing that was missing in the equation; a youthful, courageous and charismatic musician turned politician, was a true opposition unlike any other.
Nyeko immediately identified with him and began supporting the people power ideology by forming the NRM People Power movement, quickly attracting those that were unhappy with the way things were happening in the NRM party and sought change. The group held several press conferences and openly challenged the age limit proposal by the NRM party. As the group grew in numbers
and strength, they began receiving threats from the State, giving them the ultimatum to either stop their activities or quit the party.
This was a case of ‘osidindise asitamye’ as it is said in luganda! Nyeko and his group did not even blink! They decided to fully join the
People Power Movement and were extremely vocal during the Age Limit Debate in Parliament which led to the arrest of several
members of this group as they made their way to Parliament protesting the Bill. At this point, Nyeko was no longer wishy-washy about his allegiance to Hon. Kyagulanyi whom he had grown to admire and follow closely as well as the struggle which he fights for with all he’s got.
His efforts did not go unnoticed as he was later appointed the Youth Coordinator (NUP/People Power) – Kampala Metropolitan.
Today, Nyeko is the NUP Flag Bearer for MP Makindye East Constituency.
Many of his colleagues who have known him for a long time are not surprised at who he has become today because they know him to
be a resilient, hardworking people person who is focused to better and lift the lives of others, which values fit perfectly in the NUP/People Power Ideology.
