Kampala, Uganda – July 10–11, 2025 — As I walked into the Billi Now Now (BNN) Youth Summit 2025 in Kampala, the energy hit me like a wave — hundreds of young leaders buzzing with ideas, ready to tackle sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), mental health, gender justice, and civic engagement. The theme “Our Voice, Our Power, Our Future” anchored this two-day gathering, organized by Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) together with partners like Planned Parenthood Global and Sautiplus Media Hub.
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From launching the BNN website to revealing 15 youth-led organizations joining the Impact Forge Incubation Hub, every moment showed how young Ugandans hold the future. Over 77% of Uganda’s population is under 30, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics — and this summit made that statistic come alive. As a journalist standing among them, I saw moments that left me convinced something big is taking shape. Also read about the BNN Summit 2024
Day 1: Ideas Ignite and Connections Spark
July 10 started strong, with Nanziri Elizabeth and Graham Nyaberi guiding the crowd with warmth that turned a big room into a tight community. Daisy Tuzo from the BNN Secretariat opened with the plenary “What Do We Learn When We Look Back to Move Forward?” Her call to reflect on what worked and what failed set the tone. Ivan, who spoke next, kept the fire burning — the cheers told me his words landed, even though I wish I’d scribbled more of them down.
One highlight was the launch of the new BNN website (bnnuganda.org). When the page went live, the applause was deafening. Seeing a digital space made just for youth voices felt right. Mrs. Nalunkuma, Head of Corporate Affairs at the Insurance Regulatory Authority, stepped in with a message that balanced the youthful buzz with real-world systems.
Breakout sessions got raw and honest. Donovan Nzinga from Kairos International and Zane Muwanguzi from Awesome Minds Uganda opened up “Is Resilience a Trap or Superpower?” with truths about mental health and burnout. Henry Owora led a talk on healthy relationships and consent, asking “What Makes Consent Sexy?” and sparking real debate on how tech can fuel or fight gender-based violence. Herbert Mugumya from the International Rescue Committee focused on building healthy masculinity and why it matters for gender balance. Amuron Dorothy called everyone out in “Youth and Civic Space: Are We Seen or Silenced?” — a strong reminder that youth deserve a clear voice in elections and policy.
A break for food turned into a party. The Lunch + Fun Zone designed by the Sautiplus Media Hub Experience Team brought drums, laughter and an open mic where poets and singers spoke truths many feel but rarely say out loud. During the Collective Commitments Ceremony, Cornelia Asimwe from SAMASHA and Hasifa Nalweyiso from RAHU’s monitoring team stood with young people to check progress and map new tasks ahead. Watching people pledge to act gave the day a sense of purpose.
A panel with investigative journalist Canary Mugume and Dr. Ruth Grace pulled everyone in. “We’re not just headlines; we’re the ones writing the future,” Mugume told the room. The applause that followed made that promise feel real. Their back-and-forth about health and media stories reminded me that how we tell the truth is as powerful as the truth itself.
Day 2: Talent Shines and Futures Take Shape
On July 11, the energy turned up another notch. Breakout sessions rolled on. Canary Mugume explored “Can Media Heal or Harm?” diving deep into how stories can help or destroy. Diana Katto took the room through “Breaking Mindset Borders” to show how youth projects tie into Africa’s Agenda 2063. Her vision for a united continent left my mind racing. Daisy Tuzo led “BICODERS: Coding the Future Together” with a focus on building tech as a community, not just as lone coders.
The entertainment broke every routine. Beatboxer Davisk stepped up with sounds that forced everyone to film and dance. Then came the viral hit “In a Wawawa in a Waaa.” A father who once went viral for backing his son’s dance took the stage and let loose — waist moving, crowd roaring, kids and parents dancing side by side. It felt like pure joy.
A fresh zone called Lunch & Games Arena added new color with a Youth TikTalk Zone and an Affirmation Wall filled with handwritten notes like “Your voice counts” and “Keep pushing.” I read every one I could find. The final Jam Session brought together spoken word, music and fireside chats hosted by Josephine Lavoy and Sautiplus Media Hub. Closing reflections and surveys guided by the SAMASHA monitoring team proved everyone’s ideas will shape what happens next.
Impact Forge: 15 Organizations to Watch
One powerful reveal came when Humphrey Nabimanya from RAHU called up the 15 youth-led organizations joining the Impact Forge fellowship this year, chosen out of 300 hopefuls. “We’re growing Billi Now Now each year so more young leaders can rise,” Nabimanya said. From July 2025, Impact Forge will support youth groups and startups with legal help, funding, event support, media tools, and mentorship. The new group below is ready to drive real change in communities all year long:
Inspire Lives Africa (ILA)
Grace Koshaba runs Inspire Lives Africa to help girls, single mothers, women and children in Kampala and Wakiso build hope through education, skills and support.
Gen Z Voices Uganda
Rutainama Calvin Robert leads Gen Z Voices Uganda to lift up young people through advocacy, research and community action in SRHR, mental health, climate, disability and leadership.
Vital Crest Foundation
Racheal Basemera directs Vital Crest Foundation to drive youth-led change through leadership, climate action, health and social justice.
Voice of Refugee Media (VORM)
Levis Chidolo started Voice of Refugee Media to help refugee and marginalized youth share real stories through writing and digital media for healing and advocacy.
Anchors for Women Uganda
Hope Mutesi founded Anchors for Women Uganda in 2023 in Nakawa, Kampala to equip adolescent girls and young women in slums with information, life skills and new opportunities.
Gazaland UOX
Namukangula Keith leads Gazaland Ugandans On X (UOX), a grassroots charity in Ntinda that started on social media and now supports single mothers, the elderly, youth and people with disabilities.
Kampala Edge Times
John Kenny Adeya, together with Faith Zeporah Namwera and Chrismas Mucunguzi, runs Kampala Edge Times, an online magazine telling stories that uplift. Nabimanya said, “I’m happy to see John back. This is the start of something powerful.” Adeya promised to help all 15 groups tell their stories next year.
Gufasha Girls Foundation
Joan leads Gufasha Girls Foundation to protect rights of adolescent girls and young women through advocacy, education and real stories.
The Deaf Guy
Muhumuza Isaac runs The Deaf Guy online to spread awareness on hearing impairment and disability through stories, courses and workshops that push for true inclusion.
Church Laughs
Joseph Elshadda Josephies created Church Laughs to grow strong Christian communities with dance, poetry and faith-driven creative work.
Live The Dream Foundation
Muvunyi Joseph leads Live The Dream Foundation to help youth build skills, drive behavior change and act on climate and SRHR issues.
Community Education Network
Atukwatsa Celine Don uses Community Education Network to reach people through art, murals and performances that push communities to act.
Emasa Distributors
Emmanuel King Lukwago founded Emasa Distributors in 2021 in Mpatta, Mukono to help youth, women and farmers shift from basic farming to smart agriculture and renewable energy.
RHEDI (Rwenzori Health and Development Initiative)
Daniel Mugume leads RHEDI, a youth group in Bunyangabu District helping youth learn and protect their sexual and reproductive health through training and local action.
Ug Teen
Senabulya Victor founded Ug Teen to shape young lives for purpose, bridge gaps in youth support and inspire the next generation.
Voices That Moved Me
Gloria Nabunya from Together Against Childhood Sexual Violence spoke straight to the heart: “We work with children, youth, and survivors to heal and speak out.” The applause that followed said it all. John Kenny Adeya, with Kampala Edge Times, joined by Faith Zeporah Namwera and Chrismas Mucunguzi, told the room, “Anybody here can be featured.” His promise turned old barriers into new openings.
Humphrey Nabimanya closed by thanking partners like Planned Parenthood Global, Action for Youth, and Sautiplus Media Hub. He spotlighted Izzy, a peer educator and BNN ambassador, and Juma from Awesome Minds Uganda: “These young leaders are the future.” He made it clear the real work has only begun.
A Movement in Motion
Billi Now Now 2025 did what it promised — building youth identity, setting up new hubs, drafting the Collective BNN Youth Manifesto 2025, and boosting youth media networks. The Affirmation Wall covered in hope notes and the “In a Wawawa in a Waaa” dance moment captured what made this different — a bold, honest celebration of young people as the heartbeat of change.
With Impact Forge and platforms like Kampala Edge Times lifting the work higher, the foundation is set for deeper progress in SRHR, gender justice and civic action. As I left the grounds, I knew this was only the start.
