In a bid to create spaces where young people can connect, learn, share experiences, and promote their well-being, the Uganda Youth and Adolescent Health Forum (UYAHF), through the Youth Hub and in collaboration with Tiko, held a post-commemoration of International Youth Day on 28th August 2026 at CowDung Pitch, Kamokya, under the theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.” The #YouthDayFiesta brought together over 100 young people from different backgrounds and partners like Students for Liberty fellows to engage in conversations around Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), gender-based violence (GBV), leadership, mental wellbeing and community participation.
International Youth Day is commemorated annually on 12th August to recognise young people’s contributions to development and create platforms for them to participate in conversations about issues that affect their lives. The 2026 theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” recognised that while young people may come from different social and economic backgrounds and experience different challenges, they continue to share common aspirations for good health, dignity, opportunity, inclusion and a better future.
The #YouthDayFiesta created an opportunity for young people to turn the theme into action, beginning with a community clean-up around CowDung Pitch. Led by Change Champion Jerry Sani, young people worked together to clean the area while interacting with community members and sharing information on sexual and reproductive health.
The clean-up was followed by a lively Zumba and wellness session facilitated by Eva Namboze, where young people danced, exercised, and enjoyed an energetic start to the day while promoting physical and mental wellbeing.
Throughout the day, Tiko health workers and UYAHF SGBV Community Champions were available to provide youth-friendly SRHR services and information. Young people accessed SGBV screening and counseling, HIV testing and counselling, contraceptive information and services, SRHR counselling, and information. This ensured that the event went beyond dialogue and awareness by giving young people an opportunity to access SRHR services and support in a safe and youth-friendly environment.
The event then moved into a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Different Journeys, Shared Minds,” moderated by Vallery Chemusto, a UYAHF change champion. The panel brought together people with different lived experiences, including a person living with HIV, a person with a disability, a person without formal education, a ghetto youth, and other empowered young people.
The panellists shared personal experiences on leadership, resilience, stigma, education, peer influence and overcoming difficult circumstances. Mackenzie, a ghetto youth living with HIV, shared how discovering his HIV status affected his education and life choices.
“I dropped out of school after finding out I have HIV. I couldn’t handle the pressure from the thought of it, and I joined bad groups. I regret it now,” Mackenzie shared.
His story encouraged young people to reflect on the importance of knowing their status, seeking support, and not allowing difficult circumstances to define their future.
Ruth Mugisha, one of the panellists, challenged young people to be intentional about their goals and the choices they make.
“Pick and set a dream you want to work towards and chase that. Don’t live chasing a lot of things; you might not achieve any of them,” Ruth advised.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of the people young people surround themselves with, with participants reflecting on how peers can influence their decisions, behaviours and future opportunities. The presence of a person with a disability and a panellist without formal education further challenged young people to look beyond their circumstances and recognise that everyone has the potential to contribute to their communities.
The conversations continued during a fireside chat titled “Let’s Talk About It,” facilitated by Diana Nansumba, which focused on gender-based violence. The session provided a safe and interactive space for young people to discuss GBV, harmful attitudes and behaviours, consent and healthy relationships.
During the discussion, one young participant reflected on how violence can sometimes be wrongly interpreted as an expression of love by some people in our communities, highlighting the need for continued conversations on healthy relationships and GBV prevention.
Diana encouraged young people to understand that relationships should be built on respect, safety and consent.
“Sex and relationships should not be violent or forced. You being able to say no and it’s respected is what makes it healthy, not otherwise,” Diana stated.
The Guest of Honour, Mr. Turyasingura Osborn, encouraged young people to take advantage of the government opportunities available to them and to be creative in finding ways to improve their livelihoods and contribute to their communities.
“Youth are many in this country, but most of them don’t want to work. Be creative, find something you can do; it doesn’t matter whether it is not what you want,” Osborn encouraged.
Young people also participated in games and recreational activities that promoted teamwork, communication and interaction among participants from different backgrounds. The event concluded with a DJ mashup and youth social session, giving participants an opportunity to relax, dance and celebrate together.
The #YouthDayFiesta demonstrated that young people may have different journeys, but they can come together around common aspirations. By combining community service, wellness, access to SRHR services, dialogue and entertainment, the activity created a space where young people could learn from one another, access support and strengthen their participation in their communities.
The activity also reinforced the role of the Youth Hub in creating safe spaces where youth can access information, services, referrals and opportunities while connecting with other young people. As the celebrations ended, participants committed to share what they had learnt, promote respectful relationships and take part in activities that contribute to positive change in their communities.
Author: Nshabellah@gmail.com eochieng@uyahf.com
