August 26, 2019 – Last week, Irene Akongo, a Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) youth peacemaker in Northern Uganda’s Acholi sub-region, was invited to participate in a debate at the Ugandan parliament as part of the National Youth Parliament Advocacy Day. The event brought together youths from across Uganda, including ones from civil society organizations, entrepreneurs, advocates, and student councils, to engage in discussions with national policymakers.
The advocacy day took place on August 9 under the theme “Making Youth Empowerment About Young Men and Women in Policy Frameworks and Education.” In light of WPDI’s expertise in organizing youth activities in Northern Uganda, we were requested to nominate a youth to participate in the event. Irene, with her success as a proponent for youths, especially young women and their education and empowerment, was the perfect candidate.
Over the course of the day, she engaged in discussions to help shape the future of youth participation in governance and policymaking in Uganda. As Irene herself later told us, “I spoke out about issues affecting us youths in Northern Uganda. Sitting in the parliament chambers greatly increased my self-esteem and confidence. I met people I never thought I would, like the Honorable Rebecca Kadaga, the Speaker of Parliament, and other prominent government officials. The entire experience changed my viewpoint on life and leadership.”
After returning from the parliament in Kampala, Irene says she is more motivated than ever to foster peace and sustainable development in her community. With her record of training more than 100 local community members in peacebuilding, serving as an advocate for women and girls, and conducting countless community dialogues promoting community reconciliation, we have no doubt she will continue to do great things. Perhaps one day, she will even return to the Ugandan parliament as a leader herself.