Youth leadership is the driving force behind the future of our communities. It’s an essential component of local governance, shaping the path toward positive change. Recently, a transformative 3-day training under the Meaningful Youth Participation Program (MYPP) was held from the 12th to the 14th of October at the Eureka Place Hotel in Ntinda. This initiative, in line with the MYPP project’s objectives, gathered 84 passionate participants from Butabika, Kawempe 1, Nsanja, and Kalengera parishes. The primary aim was to empower these young leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to make a meaningful impact on their communities.
The MYPP training sessions were thoughtfully crafted to cover various vital aspects of leadership, including the Local Government Act, Budgeting and Planning, Digital Skills, and Policy Advocacy and Lobbying. As they say, experience is the best teacher, and so the training enlisted a remarkable lineup of seven well-educated facilitators deeply rooted in the workings of governance. These facilitators included prominent figures in the youth leadership network like the former Chairperson of the National Youth Council, Samuel Kavuma, former youth councillor Kawempe division Mr. Kemihanda Ibrahim, governance and feminist consultant Isabella Akiteng, and local fundraising expert Sarah Pacutho.
With such an esteemed panel of facilitators, the training was perfectly poised to provide youth leaders with the essential knowledge and skills they need to actively contribute to their communities. Furthermore, it aimed to help them understand the legal and policy framework of local government, their roles and responsibilities, and how they can effectively engage and influence their leadership journey.
In the realm of youth leadership, especially at the local level, there are certain fundamental concepts that every aspiring leader should grasp. These include an understanding of local government structures and their historical background, budgeting, planning, and financial accountability, the art of policy advocacy and lobbying, familiarity with government programs, transformative leadership, community engagement, and digital skills. Fortunately, these critical topics were all part of the comprehensive three-day training for our youth leaders.
The MYPP project plays a pivotal role in addressing the issue of ineffective youth participation in governance and development processes in our country. Thanks to the unwavering support of the British High Commission (BHC). The project has positively impacted 154 youth leaders from six parishes across three districts in Kampala, Mukono, and Wakiso, including Bwaise, Makerere 3, Namataba A, Katosi, Maganjo, and Kyaliwajala.
INSIGHT
In the spirit of collaboration and transparency, an inception meeting was held on the 28th of October with the stakeholders of the newly selected parishes. The purpose of this meeting was to foster a deeper understanding of the MYPP program and how it will benefit both the youth leaders and the overall development of their communities.
The MYPP project, continues to be a beacon of hope for youth leaders seeking to create a positive impact on their communities. The recent 3-day training served as a powerful platform for equipping these young leaders with the knowledge, skills, and motivation they need to shape the future of local governance. As we move forward, it is our hope that the seeds sown during this training will bear fruit, fostering a new generation of leaders who will transform our communities for the better. Stay tuned for more updates on the MYPP project’s progress as we strive to create a brighter future through empowered youth leaders.
