Einar Fogh from Denmark and Owek. Hajj Ahmed Lwasa officially close the three-day youth leadership retreat in Buganda. On the left is Owek. Robert Serwanga.
The three-day retreat for youth leaders in Buganda, held at the Buganda Tourism Board headquarters, concluded with participants awarded certificates of completion.
On behalf of the Katikkiro, the Deputy Speaker of the Buganda Lukiiko, Owek. Hajj Ahmed Lwasa, closed the retreat and urged the youth to apply the knowledge gained in order to safeguard Buganda’s interests and demand quality services.
“Study as much as you can. Thankfully, technology is available—use it to research. The knowledge you acquire will help you meet expectations. Even in politics, knowledge will help you stand firm without being easily misled,” said Owek. Lwasa.
Representing the Buganda Kingdom, Owek. Lwasa thanked the development partners for empowering the youth to advocate for quality services in their communities. He pledged continued support from the Kingdom to ensure the lessons learned are put into action.
Einar Fogh, a Danish representative working with GIZ, speaking on behalf of the development partners, said they have strong confidence in Buganda’s youth—especially because of their well-structured leadership, starting from the village level. He added that this will make it easier for knowledge to reach everyone and spark collective action in demanding accountable governance.
Owek. Hajj Ahmed Lwasa (center) with Owek. Robert Serwanga (left) and Einar Fogh (right), together with Buganda youth leaders after the retreat’s closing session.
The Buganda Minister for Youth, Owek. Robert Serwanga Ssaalongo, said the retreat equipped the youth leaders with the skills and wisdom needed to guide their work in the communities they represent. He urged them to fulfill their responsibilities by building a stronger Buganda, demanding quality public services, and holding accountable those who obstruct transparent governance.
The Chairperson of Buganda Youth, Lawyer Derrick Kavuma, emphasized:
“The biggest disease destroying people and leaders is ignorance. A leader without knowledge has nothing meaningful to offer their people.”
He thanked the Kingdom for the initiative, saying it has broadened the youths’ understanding of many issues they were not aware of before.
The partnership between the Kingdom and development partners—including GIZ, the Office of the Government Auditor General, and the National Library—has already trained 50 youth. The first group of 25 was trained from 20–22 this month, with the second group scheduled from 27–29. All participants received certificates of completion.
