On Friday, 14 August 2026, Albinism Umbrella joined the Youth Council of the Central Region under the BEN Network, supported by Liliane Fonds, at the Uganda National Action on Physical Disability (UNAPD) Head Office in Kanyanya to commemorate International Youth Day 2026. The engagement brought together young people to reflect on youth leadership, mentorship, advocacy, skills development, and the importance of creating opportunities for young persons with disabilities to participate meaningfully in their communities.
The discussions highlighted some of the challenges that continue to affect young people with disabilities, including limited access to opportunities, inadequate mentorship, and barriers to leadership and participation. Participants emphasised the need to create spaces where young people can gain knowledge, develop their skills, discover and nurture their talents, and confidently take part in decision-making processes that affect their lives. A key message during the engagement was the importance of young people learning from one another and building connections across organisations. Mukasa Apollo, Executive Director of UNAPD, encouraged the youth to remain open to learning, share experiences, build networks, and believe in their abilities.
“Our weapon is our voice. Advocacy is based on the voice. If you are a leader, then your weapon is your voice.” Mukasa emphasised
The message underscored the power of young people to influence change through their voices. Leadership is not only about holding a position; it is also about having the confidence to speak out, raise issues affecting communities, advocate for rights, and contribute to solutions. For young persons with disabilities, developing this voice is particularly important in challenging stereotypes, addressing exclusion, and ensuring that their experiences and priorities are represented in conversations about development and inclusion.
The session also reinforced the value of mentorship in supporting young people to identify their strengths, learn from others, and navigate opportunities. By connecting young people across organisations and creating platforms for knowledge exchange, mentorship can help build confidence and strengthen leadership capacity.
Albinism Umbrella’s participation reflects its commitment to supporting the meaningful inclusion and empowerment of young persons with albinism and other disabilities. Creating opportunities for young people to connect, learn, advocate, and develop their talents is an important part of building more inclusive communities.
As the commemoration of International Youth Day 2026 continued, the engagement served as a reminder that young people are not simply beneficiaries of development. They are leaders, advocates, innovators, and active contributors to the communities they are part of. When young people have the knowledge, opportunities, mentorship, and space to use their voices, they can play a powerful role in shaping a more inclusive future.
Last modified: August 20, 2026
