Leadership transitions can be moments of both reflection and anticipation. They offer an opportunity to appreciate what has been built, recognise the people who have carried the responsibility, and prepare for what comes next.
For the Uganda Youth and Adolescent Health Forum (UYAHF), 10th July 2026 marked such a moment as outgoing and incoming Board members, management, and staff came together for an inauguration and farewell Board meeting.
This was a day of reflection, handover, and renewed commitment to the organisation’s work by the staff.
Looking back at the journey
As the organisation reflected on its journey, attention turned to the contribution of the outgoing Board.
In her remarks, UYAHF Team Lead Joyce Nakato described the handover as more than a formal change in leadership, but a celebration of continuity, resilience and shared commitment to improving the lives of adolescents and young people. She recognised the outgoing Board for its strategic guidance, noting that during its term, the Board had strengthened UYAHF’s governance, shaped organisational policies, enhanced programmes and supported sound financial stewardship.
These achievements were also reflected in the remarks of the outgoing Chairperson, Mr. Karumuna Rolland, who spoke about the journey of balancing his responsibilities while serving on the Board. He expressed gratitude to the Founder, management team, and fellow Board members for their cooperation and pointed to the progress made during their time in office. including putting key policy documents in place, ensuring that UYAHF remained debt-free, and strengthening the organisation’s visibility.
For the outgoing Board, it was a reminder that leadership is not only about the position held, but about what is left behind.
Onboarding the new board members
Department heads had the opportunity to share highlights, the status of running projects, opportunities, and support needed from the new board members.
The Programs team highlighted UYAHF’s objectives, thematic areas, previous and ongoing projects, while calling for greater Board involvement in advocacy and resource mobilisation.
The HR and Administration team shared the organisation’s staffing capacity, achievements and challenges, emphasising the importance of continued support for organisational growth.
The Finance team provided an overview of grants, donations and internally generated income over the previous three years and highlighted the organisation’s current resource position. The team also reported that resources had been used appropriately and encouraged the incoming Board to support efforts to strengthen revenue generation for future programmes and projects.
The presentations gave the incoming Board a glimpse of both the progress UYAHF has made and the work that still lies ahead.
During the discussion that followed, members appreciated the relationship built between the outgoing Board and management and encouraged the new Board to strengthen it further. The incoming members also pledged their commitment and noted that they bring different experiences and areas of expertise that can contribute to UYAHF’s growth.
A handover, not a goodbye
The most defining moment of the meeting came in the afternoon.
Mr. Karumuna officially handed over the organisation’s items to Dr. Irene Mwenyago, marking the formal transition to the new Board leadership. He also offered to remain available to provide support whenever needed.
The outgoing Board members were then presented with tokens of appreciation for their service.
But the gesture was not simply a farewell.
The outgoing members pledged to continue supporting UYAHF whenever possible, ensuring that their experience and connection to the organisation would not end with the transition.
For the incoming Chairperson, Dr. Irene, the transition came with both excitement and responsibility.
She thanked management and stakeholders for entrusting her with the role and expressed her commitment to building on the foundation already laid. She also called on Board members to remain active and available when called upon to support the organisation.
The message was simple: moving UYAHF forward will require teamwork.
Thirteen years of growth, and a vision for what comes next
UYAHF Founder Patrick Mwesigye then reflected on the organisation’s wider journey.
He commended the outgoing Board for helping steer UYAHF from its early years to where it is today, describing a journey that has spanned 13 years. He also thanked the Board for working with management to keep the organisation moving forward.
But his reflections did not stop with the past.
A new chapter
As the meeting came to a close, the transition was clear.
One Board had completed its term and handed over responsibility. A new team had stepped forward, bringing with it fresh energy, experience and a commitment to continue the work.
For UYAHF, this is not simply the end of one Board’s term.
It is a continuation of a journey that has already lasted 13 years, with a new team now taking up the responsibility of shaping what comes next.
The foundation has been laid.
The next chapter is now theirs to build.
Author: eochieng@uyahf.com
