On the 8th August 2025, the 8th National Youth Parliament officially convened, bringing together dynamic young leaders from across Uganda to debate pressing national and sub-national issues, propose impactful policy reforms and advocate for youth priorities.
Hosted by the Parliament of Uganda and Convened by Faraja Africa Foundation, this annual platform serves as a vital bridge between Uganda’s youth and the country’s policymakers ensuring that the voices of young people from Kigezi , Ankole , Rwenzori & Toro, Acholi & Lango, West Nile , Busoga, Bugisu, Teso & Bukedea, Central/Buganda shape inclusive national and regional budgets, with a focus on education, health, economic empowerment and climate action.
New Leadership Elected
From a highly competitive pool of five outstanding candidates, Hon. Adroni Rodney emerged as the newly elected Speaker of the 8th National Youth Parliament. A seasoned youth leader, Adroni’s track record includes serving as the 90th Guild Prime Minister at Makerere University, Former Guild Representative for the School of Built Environment, Minister for Estates and Environment and Clerk to the 8th Central Youth Parliament. His work as an accomplished public speaker and community organizer with New Bold Renaissance Africa underscores his deep commitment to youth empowerment and policy engagement.
In his acceptance speech, Hon. Rodney pledged to champion “a bold, inclusive and transformative youth agenda in Uganda and beyond.” He emphasized unity, strategic security and socio-economic development as the guiding pillars of his tenure.
The Parliament also elected Hon. Namukwana Shifa as Deputy Speaker. Previously the Speaker of the Busoga Youth Parliament, Shifa has led campaigns against teenage pregnancy, poverty and illiteracy, reflecting her strong advocacy for grassroots change.
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Uganda, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, State Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, praised the platform, stating “Young people are the architects of change. Looking forward, I hope to work hand in hand with the Office of the Speaker of Parliament to ensure that initiatives like the National Youth Parliament are supported.”
Youth Voices on Policy Reform
Following the elections of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Delegates engaged in robust debates, tabling resolutions on issues affecting millions of young Ugandans:
- Climate Action: Hon. Akol Emmanuela, Speaker of the Karamoja Youth Parliament, moved a motion calling for increased budget allocations for youth-led climate adaptation projects in vulnerable districts. While the motion faced opposition citing existing government investments and frameworks like the National Climate Change Policy and Uganda Green Growth Development Strategy, it sparked critical discussion on the urgent need for localized, youth-driven climate solutions.
- Minimum Wage Protection: Parliament resolved to urge the government to amend the Minimum Wages Advisory Boards and Wages Councils Act, Cap. 229 to include youth representation in wage councils and enforce a national minimum wage, ensuring young workers are protected from exploitation.
- Political Participation & Democracy: Recognizing barriers like high nomination fees and the commercialization of politics, delegates passed a resolution calling on government to exempt youth from paying nomination fees for elective positions and to expand civic education. This, they argued, is crucial for safeguarding democracy and upholding Article 1 of Uganda’s Constitution, which asserts that all authority in the state emanates from the people.
- Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights: Citing constitutional mandates, national development priorities, and international commitments such as the Maputo Protocol and the ICPD Programme of Action, the motion highlighted the urgent need to address the gap in youth-friendly SRH services currently accessible to only 30% of Ugandan youth according to the Ministry of Health’s 2023/2024 report. The motion warned that without immediate government action, the country faces escalating rates of teenage pregnancies, child marriages, and HIV infections, threatening public health systems, education outcomes and national development. It called on government to strengthen provision of SRH services in public health facilities and expedite the National Health Insurance Scheme Bill to ensure sustainable financing for these essential services.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the Government of Uganda, our Development Partners including the European Union Delegation in Uganda, German Development Cooperation (GIZ Uganda), the Embassy of Denmark in Uganda, the Embassy of Ireland in Uganda and the Embassy of Sweden in Uganda. Additionally, we thank our Civil Society partners and the young people of Uganda for their presence and invaluable contributions to the success of the 8th National Youth Parliament.
