Uganda

Samuel Kavuma, RYC Chair for Africa

I was born and educated in Kampala, I started my leadership career as a students leaders from primary as head prefect, while in secondary school was elected to the students parliament where I served from school level, district level as chairman and national level as speaker and finally as their representative to national youth council in 2003.

I hold a Diploma in Computer Science and currently a student of Bsc IT. In addition to this, have participated in training schemes by the Ugandan National Youth Council on leadership skills, reproductive health and human rights. I have also studied leadership, project management, MDGS and Africa Development programmes at Cody International Institute

In 2004, I was elected as secretary for Education and students affairs of the National youth council executive committee. In this role, I served both the youth and students community with enthusiasm that I registered a lot of achievements.

During my leadership in the Student Parliament (UNSA) and at National Youth Council went through a number of capacity trainings and T.O.Ts in lobbying and advocacy, HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health, democracy and Human rights, leadership skills, communication, public speaking and life skills, entrepreneurship and project managements.

I was then nominated by the youth council to the world urban forum in 2006 and in 2005 I was also sponsored for youth leadership training in African development process by African youth parliament and Coady international institute in Nairobi Kenya. Ever since this event I developed I high interest in international relation. I was indeed grateful when give the opportunity serve as a representative.

In 2004 I pioneered the start of Youth and women initiative of Uganda (YOWIU) and youth organisation based in Kampala where I serve as a board member. I am currently a director of Uganda Youth Action for development (UYAD) which is a non profit making organisation which supports young people and children who are disadvantaged.

I also worked as a youth worker with Students Partnership Worldwide, Youth and Women Initiative of Uganda, and the Africa Youth Trust; I have also spearheaded a number of youth advocacy initiatives and campaigns in Uganda and helped pioneer the establishment of the one-stop youth centre by UN-Habitat.

I was indeed grateful when given the opportunity to serve as Uganda representative to CYP (RYC) and above all as the regional coordinator which is an important stage in my leadership career.

In July 2010 was nominated by the Secretary general of the Commonwealth Hon. Kamalesh Sharma, to serve on the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group as a Youth representative, which was established by Commonwealth Heads of Government at their summit in November 2009 to undertake an examination of options for reform in order to bring the Commonwealth’s many institutions into a stronger and more effective framework of co-operation and partnership.”