The Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC) and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) are exploring opportunities for strategic collaboration to strengthen youth leadership, democratic participation, peacebuilding and capacity development.

The discussions took place on Monday, October 26, 2026, at NIMD’s offices in Kampala, bringing together representatives of both organisations to share their mandates, programmes and institutional priorities while identifying areas of mutual interest for potential cooperation.

Leading the AAYC delegation, Rebecca Gaseka, the Council’s Manager of Projects and Programmes, emphasised the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in leadership, governance and peacebuilding initiatives.

“Young people must be given meaningful opportunities to participate in leadership, governance and peacebuilding. Through strategic partnerships, we can strengthen their capacity, amplify their voices and support their contribution to sustainable development,” Gaseka said.

The AAYC delegation highlighted the Council’s mandate to promote cooperation among young people across Africa and the Arab world, outlining programmes covering university chapters, leadership cohorts, investment initiatives, sports and cultural galas, anniversaries and congresses.

The team also presented the Council’s proposed headquarters development project, which is envisioned to include an administrative complex, an international sports stadium, a university of science and technology, an Afro-Arab cultural heritage centre and hotel facilities.

Halima Nansubuga, AAYC’s Manager of Liaison and Partnerships, underscored the importance of institutional partnerships in connecting organisations with shared objectives and translating common priorities into practical opportunities for young people.

“Partnerships are essential in expanding opportunities for young people. By bringing organisations together around shared priorities, we can create platforms for dialogue, strengthen leadership and equip young people with the skills to contribute to democratic governance and peaceful societies,” Nansubuga said.

The discussions identified several potential areas of collaboration, including youth dialogues on governance, accountability and civic participation; leadership training and mentorship; university-based engagements; and joint peacebuilding initiatives.

The AAYC delegation also presented its PEACE Series and Peace Ambassador programme as potential platforms for joint activities aimed at promoting dialogue, conflict resolution and peaceful coexistence.

Representing NIMD, Programme Manager Mugarra David outlined the organisation’s commitment to inclusive democracy, political dialogue, democratic participation and leadership development.

Established in 2000, NIMD began its work in Uganda in 2009 and has engaged with various institutions and platforms, including the Interparty Organization for Dialogue (IPOD), the Uganda National Students’ Association (UNSA), the Parliamentary Forum on Youth Affairs and the National Youth Council.

The NIMD team also introduced the Uganda Democracy Academy (UDA), a leadership and democracy education programme structured around two nine-day sessions. As part of the engagement, NIMD invited AAYC to attend the launch of the current Academy cohort, creating a potential avenue for the Council’s members to participate in the programme and deepen their understanding of democratic leadership.

Youth participation and peacebuilding emerged as key areas of shared interest, with both organisations discussing opportunities to organise joint forums, strengthen student leadership through university chapters and explore training in democratic leadership, conflict resolution, advocacy and civic engagement.

Potential collaboration on the National Youth Symposium was also discussed as another avenue for advancing youth participation and democratic engagement.

The engagement marks a step towards identifying practical areas of cooperation between the two organisations, with the proposed partnership expected to create opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills, engage in democratic processes and contribute to peaceful and inclusive societies.

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PRESIDENT MUSEVENI URGES EUROPEAN INVESTORS TO TAP INTO UGANDA’S ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged European investors to take advantage of Uganda’s economic opportunities, particularly in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing and agriculture, saying investment in productive sectors is key to expanding markets, creating jobs and accelerating economic transformation. The President made the remarks today at State House Entebbe during a meeting with European Union Ambassadors and investors, where he highlighted Africa’s growing population and expanding market as a major opportunity for European businesses seeking investment and stronger economic partnerships. “This is what we have been advising our European friends to look at, because Africa is a big potential market with its fast-growing population,” he said. President Museveni attributed political instability in some African countries partly to identity-based politics, including tribalism, religious divisions and ideological misunderstandings, as well as a failure to appreciate the role of the private sector in driving economic growth. He said Uganda had learnt from these challenges and emphasised the need for a stable political and economic environment that enables private businesses to invest, expand production and create employment. The President welcomed ongoing and proposed European investments in Uganda, particularly in infrastructure and other productive sectors, saying such projects would strengthen economic links between Uganda and the European market. “All these projects are music to my ears. By constructing these projects here, you are linking the market of Uganda to that of Europe. Why can’t anyone see that?” he asked. On energy, President Museveni said the cost of electricity remained a critical factor in Uganda’s competitiveness, particularly for manufacturers seeking to produce goods at affordable prices. While welcoming private-sector investment in hydropower generation, he called for greater attention to electricity tariffs, arguing that affordable power was essential for industrial expansion and economic growth. He identified affordable electricity, railway transport and accessible financing for productive investments as key priorities for strengthening Uganda’s manufacturing sector. The President cited the Uganda Development Bank as an important source of financing for businesses engaged in productive activities, explaining that the government had retained the institution to support investments capable of expanding production and creating jobs. He also urged the European Investment Bank to channel more financing into strategic infrastructure, particularly railway development, electricity generation and distribution, and selected road projects. On road infrastructure, President Museveni encouraged European investors to explore opportunities in construction and financing models, including tolling arrangements where appropriate. The President also reaffirmed the government’s support for tax incentives aimed at attracting investment, particularly in manufacturing, and emphasised the importance of enabling eligible businesses to benefit from a 10-year tax holiday. ...

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