On April 24, 2025, I was invited as a panelist to the 2nd Guild Leaders’ Summit at Makerere University, hosted by the Guild Leaders Academy. The theme, “Leaders with Integrity: Building Foundations for Good Governance in East Africa,” was a powerful reminder that we, as young people, hold the key to transforming our region. The summit brought together passionate student leaders from across the East African Community with several key government stakeholders from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, including H.E. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.

During the summit, several critical topics were discussed, including:

• Institutional Accountability: The Backbone of Good Governance
• Youth Participation in Governance: Transforming Vision into Action
• Youth and Elections: Ensuring Participation and Accountability for a Democratic Future

The theme that echoed louder than any other was “Youth Participation in Democratic Governance”. Across many countries, constitutional reforms have opened the door for youth and women to claim space in leadership, from youth councils to affirmative seats in parliament. These are critical wins. But the deeper question remains: Are these pathways truly equitable? Are our electoral systems fair and inclusive, or do structural barriers still keep us from real power?

While speaking on the second panel, I paused a series of important questions to fellow young people: How do we boldly step into leadership and drive the kind of change our societies desperately need? How do we harness the platforms and privileges we now have to shape a future grounded in justice, integrity, and accountability?

I addressed head-on the barriers that continue to silence and sideline young voices, including tokenism, the exorbitant cost of running for office, and the pervasive threat of sexual violence in politics. These are not abstract challenges, they are lived realities that limit our access to power and corrupt the promise of democracy. As such, I called for urgent electoral reforms, pushing for policies that cap campaign spending, ensuring the political playing field is open to all and not just the privileged few. We must confront the uncomfortable truths that too often go unspoken. Tokenism, sexual violence in politics, and the prohibitive cost of running for office continue to block young people from stepping into leadership. These barriers don’t just limit our participation, they erode the integrity of democracy itself, weakening the foundations of genuine representation and accountability.”

“We cannot continue to let short-term handouts dictate long-term leadership. It’s time to elect leaders with vision, integrity and the courage to enact policies that uplift and transform our nations.”

          Vicky Namugobe, 7th Speaker of the National Youth Parliament

On the growing menace of sexual violence in political spaces,  I said, “We must not remain silent. As the next generation of leaders, we must be unwavering in our stand against exploitation in all its forms. Stronger laws must be enacted and enforced to protect those most vulnerable and to ensure our political spaces are safe, inclusive, and just for everyone.”

To every young changemaker listening or reading this: The time is now. We can no longer afford to sit back and wait for the perfect moment to act. Whether your path is in politics, civil society, entrepreneurship, or advocacy, the opportunity to make a difference is already in your hands. The future belongs to us, but only if we claim it.

The summit concluded with the Kampala Declaration, a bold call to action from the guild leaders across East Africa to prioritise.

• Advancing gender-sensitive policies that empower women and girls to effectively participate in decision-making processes.
• Strengthening civic engagement to ensure active youth participation in governance
• Championing environmentally sustainable development.
• Improving cross-border infrastructure to support trade and integration.

As we reflect on the outcomes of the summit, I leave you with the powerful words of two leaders:

“Leadership can take many forms—not only through elective or public office. As one aspires to leadership positions, they must remember that every decision made today will shape the future for generations to come.”

          Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, EU Deputy Ambassador

“Leadership with integrity is a journey, an ongoing responsibility. It does not begin with a title, nor does it end with applause. It is defined by what it builds and what it leaves behind.”

          Justice Simon Byabakama, Chairperson, Electoral Commission

These words capture the essence of true leadership: one that is principled, people-centered, and enduring. Let us not wait for change. Let us be the change.

Namugobe Vicky

7th Speaker, National Youth Parliament

 

 

Faraja Africa Foundation in partnership with Irise Institute East Africa has joined the Period Equality Network (TPEN) in digitalizing the access to menstrual hygiene management of young girls in Uganda amidst the covid-19 pandemic.

The project that will take a period of three months will be capturing stories of young girls, persons with disabilities, community leaders, persons in charge of children affairs from 5 different towns and districts including Kawempe, Mutungo-Biina, Kasese, Rubirizi and Buikwe. These will focus on the coping mechanisms of access to menstrual hygiene management amidst the pandemic, and the roles played to ensure young girls have access to sanitary towels, and information aligned with menstrual hygiene.

This project that aligns with Faraja Africa Foundation’s youth livelihood program will be implemented digitally on our social media platforms with support from platforms of our sister companies, Faraja Digital and Faraja Television. The goal with these will be to create awareness by holding tweet chats and Twitter spaces, live discussions on YouTube or Facebook to see to it that issues affecting young girls in line with menstrual hygiene are addressed and looked at.

Join us today as we digitalise issues in line with menstrual health and hygiene and come up with SMART resolutions in addressing such issues in Uganda.

By Patricia Maganda.

Over 400,000 young people are released into the job market every year in Uganda according to the World Bank; the majority of whom live under the poverty line. This number is expected to increase by 1,000,000 youth in the next year but that hasn’t equated to the jobs available. This is the same plight most African countries are facing. Recently, we have seen most of the African states going into lockdown, with no businesses operating thus limiting young people and their family adequate access to basic needs. Mostly, we discovered how poor our saving culture has been.

Usually, it’s not the first thing on young people’s minds. We depend highly on a gig-economy hence as young people we practice hand-to-mouth. We enjoy ourselves with the little we earn and have absolutely no financial responsibilities. We have not been taught to seriously take the art and importance of saving at an early stage. Which explains the difficulty we are facing in this COVID19 lockdown driven financial crisis. It’s said, “…wealth collected in small quantities accumulate…” and also, its key to note that if you can’t save in the days of 1000 shillings, you will never save in the days of 1,000,000 shillings. Hence, its key to note that savings are important drivers of economic growth of one’s self.

As young people, we should make it point to build our saving culture by starting with the little we have. Because it’s from these savings that we are able to build capital for future investments if we intend to create a business. This intern will help us get the income and attain personal financial goals. There are three relationships we should cultivate when it comes to money and that is;

• How to make the money
• How to keep/save the money
• How to grow/invest the money

A successful livelihood and financial freedom depend on how you handle that above three. Having a good saving culture as a young entrepreneur is essential to helping you grow your money, invest in bigger deals and more. It also increases your capacity to make more money. Once you make it a habit you will not overspend on unnecessary things that do not need hence, helping you optimize your resources.

Savings means that as a young person you have a fallback plan, insurance (assurance of sustainability). That’s because just as wisdom is a defence, so is money. Building your financial literacy knowledge is key and reducing access to bank accounts will ease your journey in saving. This is the fastest way to fight poverty, unemployment and grow more youth businesses owners who also promote the country’s economic growth (social entrepreneurs).

Therefore, as young people it’s imperative we embrace saving as a lifestyle. For if we are to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goal in fighting poverty, we all have a role to play.  No matter how hard or difficult it may be, building a wall of savings will always help create a smooth and secure future. As Faraja Africa Foundation, we are committed to ensuring we facilitate the process of social engagement and economic empowerment of young people, but this begins with you, so save today. Remember, time is money, using it well is a form of saving and investment.

By Sharon Nantanda, Program Officer

The Social Entrepreneurs and Leaders Fellowship (SELF)

Faraja Africa Foundation