Restless Development Uganda

Young people are not just voters; they are architects of democracy.

Join the Youth & Election Learning Exchange Webinar bringing together voices from Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Zambia to share real strategies, experiences, and opportunities for meaningful youth participation in elections.

🗓️ 24 April 2026
⏰ 11–12:30 PM CAT / 12-1:30 PM EAT
📍 Virtual (Zoom + Facebook Live)
Let’s move from passive participation to powerful influence.

Register on link below:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KKnmtCqYTMugpchAMYgGPA

sa🌱✨ Shoutout to

When Restless Development, through the Graduate Career Accelerator Programme, placed Sandra with as a Communications Intern, it wasn’t just about a desk placement—it was about real, meaningful engagement.

Sandra stepped beyond the office and into the field, into communities, and into work that truly matters.

On Good Deeds Day 2026, she went above and beyond—rolling up her sleeves to help establish a fruit tree orchard at Onyut Primary School in Kole District. Her contribution supported both education advocacy and climate resilience efforts under Meraki’s theme, “Roots and Desks.”

This is what youth engagement looks like in action. Not just observing—but actively owning the process.

Sandra is a powerful reminder that when young people are given genuine opportunities to participate, they don’t just show up—they lead, they inspire, and they elevate the work.

We are incredibly proud of you, Sandra. 🌳💚


ActsOfGoodness

🌳 Celebrating Sandra Baluka, intern, changemaker, and one to watch! 🌳

When Restless Development, through the Graduate Career Accelerator Programme, placed Sandra with Meraki Action Initiative as a Communications Intern, it wasn’t just about a desk placement, it was about real, meaningful engagement.

On , Sandra went far beyond her role as a communications intern and dived fully into the work on the ground. Alongside the team at Meraki Initiative, she helped plant a fruit tree orchard at Onyut Primary School in Kole District as part of their education and climate resilience efforts, all under their inspiring theme, "Roots and Desks."

This is why we invest in young people. Not to observe from the sidelines, but to lead from the front.

When youth are given space to participate meaningfully, the impact is felt in communities, in schools, and in the young people themselves.

Sandra, you made us proud. 💚 Keep going.

African Leadership Academy

Young people's voices are shaping policy. 🌍 Join us tomorrow, 16th April for the AU-EU Youth Lab Research Dissemination Session — where fresh findings on contraception, youth participation, and green jobs meet real dialogue.

Register now 🔗 https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/s8vukbIdTqWFpjxQsRaPIg

The SHE SOARS Global Project Management Unit (PMU) today visited Kisugu Health Center to assess compliance with CARE Uganda program quality standards under the SHE SOARS project.

The visit, running from 8th–24th April 2026, is aimed at jointly reviewing progress toward outputs and outcomes, while strengthening planning and coordination to support the achievement of targets.

If young people don’t have space to speak, they don’t just stay silent—decisions get made without them.

In Karamoja, that is changing.

Through the Youth Influence in Governance , implemented by Media-Challenge Initiative, and Karamoja Youth Effort to Save Environment - Kayese 256, we hosted the Heads of Cooperation from the Embassy of Denmark in Uganda, Embassy of Ireland in Uganda, Embassy of the Netherlands in Uganda and Embassy of Sweden in Kampala for a joint monitoring visit across Nakapiripirit and Moroto.

At the District Integrity Promotion Forum (DIPF), communities showed up with evidence—not assumptions.

Key service delivery gaps were raised through community-based monitoring. In Loregae Sub-county (Nakapiripirit District), an estimated 25,000 people still lack access to a health facility.

In education, teachers’ living conditions remain a concern, with accommodation in a near-uninhabitable state.

One accountability structure highlighted challenges in accessing information from district officials. In response, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Sunday Steven Komakech, emphasised that access to information is a constitutional right (Article 41) and advised formal requests through the CAO, with his office copied to ensure follow-up.

That’s what accountability looks like when it’s working—uncomfortable, honest, and necessary.

At the same time, progress is being made:
• The Moruita–Karinga access road bridge was completed
• The Nakapiripirit Seed Secondary School access road was opened
• Inclusion of persons with disabilities in the Parish Development Model (PDM) has improved.

But the real shift? Young people are no longer on the sidelines.
They are leading civic education sessions, mentoring their peers, and turning community conversations into action.

“Young people face major challenges… but through barazas and advocacy, we’ve supported them to access opportunities like PDM funds.” — Naume, Peer Mentor, Restless Development.

Then in Moroto, something equally important happened.

We launched the Regional Youth Information Hub, not just as a space to access information, but to question it, shape it, and share it.

“Through the hub, we will train responsible, constructive journalists… and support young people to tell their own stories, celebrate what is working, and highlight gaps for action.” — , Hub Director, Restless Development Uganda. Because access to information matters. But who tells the story matters just as much.

“I thank the young people for their active participation… it is encouraging to see some of you showing interest in becoming leaders.” — Adam Kahsai-Rudebeck Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Sweden in Kampala

This is not just participation—it’s a shift in how accountability and leadership are taking shape.

It’s a shift in power.
hashtag hashtag

How can access to income and opportunities help women make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)?

Join us this Wednesday for an X Space discussion on Economic Empowerment: What Does It Really Mean for Grassroots Women?

🗓️Date: 11th March 2026
🕗Time: 7-9PM EAT
📍Hosted by:



Set a reminder ⏰: https://x.com/i/spaces/1qjvm/i/spaces/1qJVmQwrOPVGB

With just a few months left in the first cohort of the AU–EU Youth Action Lab sub-grantee programme, the Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation (MEL) team conducted monitoring visits to learn from our partners and assess progress on the ground.

In Soroti, we visited the Foundation of Resilience and Community Empowerment (FORCE), which is working to empower marginalised young people, especially young women and youth with disabilities, in the Teso sub-region.

Soroti faces high youth unemployment, limited opportunities, and social exclusion. Many young people have ideas and the desire to lead, but often lack mentorship and access to decision-making spaces. This is the gap the programme is helping to address.

As Julius Engwau, Executive Director of FORCE, shared, “We realised the need for initiatives that amplify young people's voices through training in leadership, good governance, and active participation. We also saw the value in skills development to help them create their own job opportunities and become self-sufficient.”

During our visit, we witnessed trained youth leaders facilitating peer-to-peer learning sessions on inclusion in governance processes and advocacy for the rights of persons with disabilities in line with the Constitution of Uganda.
We also observed an honest panel discussion on the discrimination faced by persons with disabilities and how communities can address it.
What stood out most was this: Young people are not waiting to be invited. They are organising, speaking up, and creating their own platforms. One group even launched a YouTube channel, PanelX Ug, to share ideas and discuss issues affecting them.

As one young leader, George Emmanuel Odong said, “Leadership means creating space for young people in decision-making and taking our ideas seriously. But you can’t achieve anything without effort. Change requires action.”

The impact is visible. Young people are leading community initiatives, advocating for better services, and building stronger peer networks. But one dialogue or one activity is only a beginning. The need remains great, and sustained investment and long-term partnerships are essential.

When young people are given the tools, space, and trust to lead, they do.


AU-EU Youth Lab Oxfam African Union European Commission Gabriel Iguma

The polls are over. The youth agenda continues.

Join us THIS EVENING for an X Space as we discuss the wins, barriers, and the future of youth influence in Uganda.

📅 Date: 11th February 2026
⏳ Time: 7 - 9 PM EAT
📍 Hosted by: (on X/Twitter)

Set a reminder: https://x.com/i/spaces/1rmxPvyewQbGNSet