____________

A group of Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) alumni who are also New Vision’s TOP 40 under 40 finalists have encouraged children to take up leadership positions as this will set them on the right path to becoming influential leaders in future. 

To them, children shouldn’t shy away from leadership but rather contest for different positions to gain experience.

This happened on Friday, April 12 at Shiperoy primary school mentorship day. The school is located in Makindye, Kampala. Over 300 pupils from the upper classes attended and asked questions.

The group included; Joan Mugaba team leader at Women's Hub Uganda and co-founder of Her and Beyond, a social enterprise that empowers young women.

Others were; Gladys Shirley Nakyejwe who works with the Ministry of Information, Communications Technology, and National Guidance as a senior ICT officer and Intellectual property management specialist. Also in tow was Esther Namboka founder of Gal’s Forum International, Proscovia Nabatte a communications specialist, and Chantal Atuhaire, a conservationist and tour operator.

Mugaba also tasked the pupils to make good friends and stick by them because they could be the people they need to work with tomorrow. 

School director Mable Ssemujju thanked the alumni for making time to talk to the children. (All Photos by Ritah Mukasa)

“Take up leadership positions and be good leaders as you prepare for big positions in future,” she added. 

On the other hand, Namboka took the children through their human rights and what to do in case they were violated. She also implored them to build their confidence and self-esteem such that bad people do not take advantage of them.

Nabatte and Atuhaire cautioned the pupils against reckless behavior and asked them to be disciplined, hardworking, respectful, and obedient.
 
In attendance was Quiin Abenakyo, former Miss Uganda, and Mable Ssemujju the school director who thanked the group for making time to talk to the children.

Meanwhile, YALI’s Africa-based leadership program provides transformational training to young African leaders between the ages of 18-35.

The in-person and online training throughout the year is in business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership, and public management.  

The YALI Regional Leadership Center East Africa (YALI RLC), located at Kenyatta University serves 14 countries in East and Central Africa. 

To be selected for YALI's leadership training programs applicants must demonstrate a commitment to addressing challenges in their communities, organizations, or countries. Prior professional experience is also required.