On 7^th February 2020, African Youth Development Link (AYDL) conducted a one-day training for over 50 youth (including 30 male and 20 female) drawn from University Associations such as the Guild Presidents' Association of Uganda (GPAU); Cultural and religious associations such as the Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) and the Scripture Union Association (SUA); Young people in the teachers’ associations; musicians; Kampala City Traders’ Association (KACITA); Boda boda associations; Cinema video jockeys (VJs); sports fraternity; among others.

The youth were trained on non-violent advocacy and civic participation strategies so as to enable them adapt to the current hostile environment as they voice their concerns and demand for accountability and respect of rights and freedoms from government.

The training, which was held at JICCA Hotel in Ntinda (a Kampala suburb), was facilitated by Mr. Stanisilas Sajjabi aka Babaluku of Bavubuka Foundation (a civic rights activist-who uses music and art as means of expression); and Ms. Akiteng Isabellah of Ferme-Forte ( a local women's rights organization that works to deconstruct patriarchy as a means for facilitating equitable and sustainable development). Isabellah shared with the participants about how to effectively apply both the conventional and non-conventional advocacy strategies for successful civic engagement.

This training was organized as part of a broader AYDL-led initiative aimed at empowering youth in informal and formal spheres to reclaim their civic space through the expanson of a network of youth actors committed to defending and promoting freedoms of association, expression and assembly in Uganda. The three-months campaign dubbed 'Speaking Together' is implemented by AYDL in collaboration with like-minded actors across the spectrum, with support from the International Centre for Non-profit Law (ICNL).

For more details, visuals and updates on how to be a part of our next engagements under this project, please visit our Facebook page by clicking on the following link.