By Kabuye Ronald
The United Nations Association of Uganda (UNAU), in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has convened a three-day leadership workshop in Kampala for more than 80 youths under a Training of Trainers programme focused on youth leadership, civic engagement, and volunteerism.
The workshop called on young people to embrace reliable, dependable, truthful, innovative, effective leadership, context-aware communication, being present, adapting to different environments, confidence, and the ability to correctly identify problems while advancing inclusive development as a pathway to sustainable development.
Speaking during the opening session, UNAU Secretary General Richard Baguma Tinkasimire said the training brings together youths from different backgrounds to discuss leadership experiences, challenges, and possible solutions within the context of sustainable development and community transformation advocated for by the Government of Uganda, the African Union, and the United Nations.
“We are trying to build a cohort of young people who are confident, competent, and willing to sacrifice for their communities by becoming leaders with integrity and accountability,” Baguma said.
He noted that many current leaders have failed to provide positive examples for young people to emulate, emphasizing the need for interventions that equip youths with hope, skills, and capabilities to become development-oriented leaders.
“We are providing examples that may not inspire young people positively. That is why we believe interventions like this are important in giving hope and preparing young people to become good leaders who are pro-development,” he added.
The Training of Trainers Project Lead, Samantha Kungu, said the programme aims to equip young leaders with practical leadership skills, noting that Uganda’s youthful population makes such initiatives both timely and necessary.
“These young leaders are being equipped with skills in communication, transformative leadership, civic engagement, and volunteerism, which are essential for them to thrive in their various leadership positions,” Kungu said.
She further revealed that about 70 percent of the participants are female, underscoring the importance of empowering women to take up leadership and decision-making positions.
Kungu observed that women remain underrepresented in influential leadership spaces partly because many have not been adequately prepared for such responsibilities.
“We want to promote inclusive leadership and development, which is why it is important to have more women at decision-making tables,” she said.
Baguma also encouraged young leaders, particularly women, to rethink financing and sustainability for development while taking bold steps toward community transformation.
“Young leaders, especially females, must have the courage to champion community transformation. You are critical for both the present and the future, and the world needs a larger cohort of responsible leaders,” he said.
Participants expressed gratitude for the training, saying it would empower them with knowledge and skills in positive leadership, accountability, and transparency to promote sustainable development and prevent misuse of public resources.
