Advocacy is most powerful not when others speak on behalf of communities, but when communities are equipped to speak for themselves. In Uganda’s Mityana and Kassanda Districts, young people stepped into this role, through TeamUp’s youth-led advocacy approach, and transformed lived experiences into structured, evidence-based advocacy that is driving tangible action from local leaders.
Young people named ‘Youth Champions’ identified pressing challenges within their communities, analysed root causes using tools such as the problem tree, and collected data to validate their experiences.
These insights were then developed into concise, evidence-driven issue briefs, carefully packaged and presented to local government leaders, technical staff, and political actors.
Addressing Complex Challenges Through a Cross-Sectoral Lens
The issues facing young people do not exist in isolation. Limited access to safe water, gaps in sexual and reproductive health services, gender inequality, food insecurity, and school absenteeism are deeply interconnected. Recognising this, Youth Champions adopted the TeamUp cross-sectoral approach, linking agriculture, water, and health to address the root causes of vulnerability. This cross-sector perspective strengthened the relevance of their advocacy.
From Evidence to Engagement: Youth at the Decision-Making Table
A defining moment in this process was witnessing young people confidently present their issue briefs, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with district and subcounty-level technical officers and political leaders. Faced with with glaring evidence, leaders instantly made concrete commitments, including:
- Allocating more funds for family planning demand-creation activities within subcounty budgets.
- Strengthening implementation of Mityana District Family Planning Costed Implementation Plan as a practical service delivery roadmap.
- Fast-tracking piped water extensions and addressing the challenge of non-functional boreholes.
- Installing incinerators and restoring essential services such as ultrasound scanning at health facilities.
- Supporting youth-led mobilisation through drama groups to expand health outreach
- Advancing by-laws to address crop theft, regulate environmental degradation practices, and strengthen child protection.
In Bulera Subcounty, a significant breakthrough was achieved with a budget allocation for demand-creation activities for family planning, marking a shift from unfunded priority to resourced implementation.
Innovating for Inclusion and Dignity
Beyond commitments and budgets, youth-led advocacy is also driving innovative, community-based solutions. A key resolution was the establishment of school-based Menstrual Hygiene Fund in collaboration with Parents and Teachers Associations. Such solutions demonstrate how youth are not only identifying problems but also proposing practical, sustainable responses.
These initiatives aim to:
- Enable the production of low-cost reusable sanitary pads
- Restore dignity and confidence among girls
- Reduce absenteeism linked to poor menstrual hygiene
- Create opportunities for skills development and income generation
Strengthening Accountability and Sustainability
A critical focus moving forward is a strong emphasis on transitioning from donor-driven efforts to locally sustained systems where government planning, budgeting, and service delivery fully integrate youth priorities.
Youth are advocating for structured accountability mechanisms, including funded budget lines and regular tracking of implementation through performance dashboards.
The growing influence of Youth Champions is a clear demonstration that when young people are equipped with the right skills, tools, and platforms, they become powerful agents of change.
