In November 2024, we launched the Empower360 Young People’s Fellowship, which has just concluded. The Fellowship aims to create a dynamic ecosystem where learning, mentorship, inclusive dialogue, and multi-stakeholder engagements converge to foster collective action and continuous learning. Our theory of change anchors the Fellowship, which comprises three pivotal components: Inspiration, Education, and Action; we believe that, without inspiration, oppressed people may remain idle, unaware of their power. Without education, they may resort to ineffective means of change like violence; without action, nothing will change. The Fellowship (EYPF) brought together university students, post-school youth, and people in business between the ages of 20 and 35.
The decline in democratic civic engagements with authoritarian regimes employing repressive measures and restrictions on citizens’ freedoms to stifle descent continues to endanger the principles of good governance, the rule of law, and human rights. Attaining transformative leadership within a repressive system where inequality, human rights violations, and climate change are high requires strategic action. Key to this strategy is building the collective power of young people to cause positive change.
As part of our commitment to empowering the oppressed with strategic skills for nonviolence and movement building in Africa, this Fellowship aimed at nurturing a new generation of competent and courageous youth committed to creating an inclusive and equitable Uganda where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive.
Like John F. Kenney once said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other,” The Fellowship reaffirmed the importance of empowering young people with the right skills to deal with repressive systems. Therefore, this Fellowship provided a platform for young people to acquire knowledge in Civil Resistance (CR) and Nonviolent Resistance (NVR) strategies, community organizing, movement building, and leadership, which is crucial in overcoming oppression.
Norah Kobusingye is grateful for the fellowship opportunity. Through the EYPF, Kobusingye has applied the knowledge and skills she gained to start a project to empower grassroots women.
“Through this fellowship, I have been able to start up a “Sisterhood Change project” that is helping shift the mindset of rural women in western Uganda,” Kobusingye said, attributing the empowerment and confidence she gained to EYPF. “Because of this program, I’ve become confident and empowered.”
Sharon Natukunda is a climate justice activist and entrepreneur. As one of the fellows, she described her experience during the three months as excellent.
“My time during the Fellowship has been an amazing one. It has inspired me to advocate for a sustainable, equitable, and wonderful world using nonviolent means.” Natukunda expressed, reaffirming her commitment to apply the knowledge and skills gained to causing change. “This fellowship has ignited and enhanced my leadership skills, which I intend to use in advocating for justice.”
Additionally, the Fellowship was a reminder of the collective duty that young people have in fostering and defining Uganda’s future. And as agents of change, fellows must demand justice for all.
According to Praise Aloikin Opoloje, the Fellowship reminds activists like her of the need to involve young people in the fight against systemic injustice while reiterating the importance of remaining nonviolent.
“I have been reminded about why I do the work of activism on the front line. It reminds me of my values and principles of nonviolent resistance methodologies. ” Praise Aloikin Opoloje. Opoloje reiterated her plans to apply the knowledge and skills she learned by running civic campaigns across universities.
“I plan to use the knowledge and skills I have gained from this Fellowship to run civic awareness campaigns across universities. I believe this will aid in building a critical mass of young people ready and willing to change this country.” Praise Aloike Opoloje, who is a human rights activist.
The Fellowship is a comprehensive blend of residential and virtual workshops, spanning three (3) months, with each session designed to address critical issues faced by youth today. The topics included principles and practices of good governance, corruption, and human rights, as well as the role of technology and media in promoting human rights. Throughout the program, fellows gained crucial skills and knowledge required in CR and NVR work from seasoned facilitators. These included leveraging media and technology to promote human rights in repressive environments.
Africa has the highest population of young people, about 70% under the age of 30 years, according to the 2021 Statista.com report. In Uganda, young people under 30 make up an incredible 72.3%, accounting for 33 million out of 45 million people. These staggering numbers of young people call for sound governance systems, allowing everyone to thrive.