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Josephine Aanyu, Guild speaker from Uganda Christian University
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC) and Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development (MoGLSD) have long shared a commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This partnership aims to nurture and groom youth leaders across universities nation wide, equipping them with effective leadership competencies to address the rapidly changing economic, political, and social landscape of the country.
Josephine Aanyu, Guild speaker from Uganda Christian University, is one of the beneficiaries of this partnership. She is maximizing her potential to effectively influence development policies and challenge the traditional narratives on youth in leadership.
I come from a patriarchal society where the voices of women and youth are silenced. This should not be the case. As I continue to grow in a leadership role as a young woman, I want to encourage all women out there, let’s not shy away from taking up leadership roles. These roles empower us to amplify our voices and address the injustices within our society.Josephine Anyu
Amplifying youth voices and promoting their participation and leadership in public institutions, parliaments, the judiciary, and private sector is crucial for Uganda. We need more youth leaders like Josephine. Leaders who are change agents in environment conservation, climate action, climate-smart agriculture, innovative solutions, digitally sound and anchors for inclusive growth in their societies.
Uganda’s youth have a central role to play in driving the SDGs. With a global population of over 1.8 billion youth, and over 80 percent residing in developing nations, there is a need to harness their potential. Platforms like the youth conneckt, facilitate connections, while initiatives such as the Youth4Business Facility and the Kabale/Makerere University hubs, provide spaces for innovation, support start-ups and creative industries.
The UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Nwanne Vwedde Obahor at one of the leadership trainings in Gulu University.
Youth need to be involved more in the country’s national development plan processes and should be strategically positioned to contribute to the 5 principles of People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnerships. Uganda hosts 1.5 million refugees, the largest refugee hosting country in Africa, we need more youth leaders to champion conflict resolution, appreciate peace and play an active role in civic engagement.
Josephine Aanyu
By Joel Akena, Communication and Partnership Associate