The CONSCOV project has partnered with ActionAid International Uganda to establish YouLead at Gulu University.
YouLead is “Africa’s flagship Youth Leadership Program working to unlock youth leadership potential for a prosperous continent by identifying, recognizing, connecting and fostering cooperation among Africa’s vibrant and influential young leaders and their initiatives.”
It is a joint initiative of MS Training Centre for Development Cooperation (MSTCDC) and the East African Community (EAC) in Arusha, Tanzania.
The issues it focuses on include sustainable youth leadership, Climate Justice, gender-based violence (GBV) and reproductive health.
The initial steps to establish YouLead at Gulu included the Gulu University YouLead Summit 2024 held on March 28, 2024, at the university’s New Library.
“We need a healthy youth for a healthy future leadership,” said Dr. Agatha Alidri, the Patron of YouLead Gulu University Chapter. Dr. Alidri is also the Principal Investigator of the CONSCOV project which mainly focuses on sexual and reproductive health of the youth and adolescents.
Dr. Agatha Alidri addresses the summit
The Gulu University Secretary, Mr. David Obol Otori, who was the guest of honour, emphasised the need for pro-youth policies in all sectors. He said Gulu University involves them in all its organs, especially through the university guild.
“I advise you [the youth] to go for the front seats in leadership. The law of nature dictates that human beings come and go,” he said while encouraging them to rise and take leadership in society.
Mr. David Obol Otori addresses the summit
During a meeting held earlier, in preparation for the summit, YouLead Members Gulu Chapter agreed to register new members, collect membership and subscription fees, share about YouLead activities through social media, and organise different events to highlight issues affecting the youth.
“We need action. Let’s not just think and imagine that others understand what we do. Let’s start mobilisation and sensitisation. We need to join the national platform,” said Dr. Alidri.
CONSCOV also used the summit to share its findings from the research that is focussing on the impact of COVI-19 on the reproductive health of young people.
