Five innovative youth-led projects have been recognised as winners at the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Alumni Follow-Up Programme Workshop, held at the Health Sciences Auditorium at Makerere University.
The winning projects—selected from ten finalists—demonstrated strong leadership, community impact, and sustainability and will receive seed funding from UNDP.
They include: Simoni Ichumar Peter, for Community Engagement through Poultry and Tree Planting; Moro Boniface, for Climate Justice Initiatives in Gulu; Nadongo Mary, for the Youth Skilling Innovation Initiative in Kampala; Auma Olivia, for Urban Farming Innovation and Itungo Joan, for Gender and Economic Empowerment through Milk Value Addition in Kazo.
The winning projects were announced on Day 2 of the UNDP-JNLC Alumni Follow-Up Programme, held under the theme “Empowering Alumni for Transformative Community Impact” at Makerere University School of Public Health on Tuesday.
“A generation of leaders who can make change real”
Dr Nansozi Muwanga, Executive Director of the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre, praised the alumni for their commitment to solving community challenges.
“I welcome you to engage fully—share ideas, challenge assumptions, connect with partners, and support one another,” she told participants. “Together, we are building a generation of leaders who not only dream of change but have the capacity and support to make that change real.”
Dr Muwanga explained that the Centre, established in 2018 as a presidential initiative, has trained over 600 young people through UNDP support and another 400–500 through other partnerships.
She noted that the follow-up programme was introduced to close a gap in alumni support: “We realised that after the training, we were not adequately following up. This process today is both a showcase for alumni initiatives and a workshop to help refine their ideas. The top three or four will receive seed funding, while others will be connected to mentors.”
Leadership through collaboration
Mr Andrew Tumusiime, a member of the JNLC Board, invoked Julius Nyerere’s legacy to emphasise the importance of partnerships.
“Julius Nyerere was a leader who built big partnerships and valued collaboration,” he said. “Every human being has something meaningful to bring to the table. Young people must learn to collaborate, communicate, and build trust—these are key ingredients for long-term success.”
Ms Anna Nabulya, Deputy Director of Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL), echoed this message during a networking panel. “We have power when we come together as a collective voice, and we also have power when we collaborate,” she said. She urged youth to prioritise personal branding, digital skills, and aligning their initiatives with national development plans.
“Keep going, keep growing, keep leading”
UNDP Uganda’s Team Leader for Governance and Peace, Ms Annet Mpabulungi Wakabi, applauded the alumni’s progress.
“Many of the trainees have gone on to win elected positions or lead impactful community projects. As young leaders, my encouragement is that you keep going, keep growing, and keep leading,” she remarked, adding that UNDP plans to expand mentorship and document alumni experiences to inspire more youth.
More support needed
Educationist and social entrepreneurship advocate Irene Mutumba urged more mentorship and structure for the alumni. “The ideas are great, but they need refining and consolidating into proper business plans,” she said. “Young people must clearly articulate what they are doing, who their clients are, and how the financing works.”
Winners speak out
For the five award recipients, the recognition is both a boost and a responsibility.
Climate justice advocate Moro Boniface, whose project promotes tree planting alongside fruit and vegetable farming in Amuru District, said the programme transformed his approach to leadership and communication.
“I learned the importance of having diverse sources of income,” he said. “Tree planting takes time, so I also grow passion fruits and papaya to sustain the project. I now use media responsibly to educate youth about environmental protection and climate justice.”
Simoni Ichumar Peter’s initiative combines poultry farming with tree planting to strengthen household incomes and environmental conservation. His community engagement model was praised for its replicability and local impact.
In Kampala, Nadongo Mary is equipping young people with practical skills through her Youth Skilling Initiative, helping them build livelihoods and reduce unemployment.
Urban farming innovator Auma Olivia was recognised for promoting sustainable food production in densely populated communities.
Meanwhile, Itungo Joan, whose milk value addition project in Kazo empowers women and youth, said the award would help expand her work.
“Our project focuses on yoghurt, ice cream, ghee, and even hides and skins, which we process into carpets,” she explained. “We aim to reduce gender-based violence, increase incomes, and create sustainable jobs for women.”
She hopes to establish a skilling hub to train young girls in dairy production, leatherwork, and entrepreneurship.
