Note to readers: this blog contains an account of sexual violence Growing up, I always wanted to study hard and become a doctor. However, my dream was shattered at the early age of sixteen, when a very good friend of mine, Immy, decided to sell me out to an older married man for a few shillings. I was on my way from school when this man, who was our neighbour asked me to escort him to Immy’s place. I led the way to Immy’s place without suspecting anything as it is an offence in my community to disobey elders; plus, he was a married man and our neighbour. I trusted him without suspecting a...

It’s a time of tension with lots of cases of the novel Coronavirus being reported over the world. COVID-19 is now the most well known word wherever you live. By now, many of you know where it came from, but none of us is aware of when it will leave. When such times come none one is really prepared, and even those who seem to be are still hit un-aware. False information is spreading like wildfire, resulting in pressure on people and children. Fear has become a centerpiece of our reaction – accompanied by psychological pressure and stress. Quarantine and isolation in general are important to...

The impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the youth and children, especially those from Africa and other developing countries, cannot be underestimated. The issues of travel bans and public transport means, prohibitation of social gatherings and quarantines significantly impact education at all levels, both within countries and internationally. Developing countries have less robust education systems that may significantly experience breakdowns of their education at all levels, while the desire of most young Africans to acquire formal education will be crushed. The most immediate remedy to...

My name is Vanessa Nakate and I am a climate activist from Uganda. I started doing climate activism in January 2019 by going to the streets and striking for the climate. I have seen the people in my country experience the disasters that come with climate change and I am scared of the future that the young people have to walk in as a result of it. Now the world is experiencing another crisis that has completely turned everything upside down. The COVID-19 has changed people’s lives. The science advised us to stay at home to stop the spread of the virus. And as young people, we always listen to...

Who are you Yesterday, Today Who do you want to be Tomorrow, Next week, Next Month, Next Year Do you spend a lot of time thinking about the future, and forget about living in the moment. Or should we not be ignorant about what will happen tomorrow. It's never a straight road any day but you're not alone

Dream big, work hard and success will be yours – anonymous ______________________________________________________________________ Admiring others is human, but a faulty desire to be like them is a bleach to your own personality and branding. It becomes an error to self-love. Changing your status on account of other individuals is a folly. "Walk the walk" is a radiant saying. Many young and old people are growing in soul, spirit and mind each day that passes, every year. The world is a no better place to live without personal appreciation. Dreams can become reality, but everyone is lost in a...

Hi, I’m Lucky, I am 18 years old and in high school. I’m studying Biology, Chemistry, Math and Information Communication Technology because I have a dream of being a medical doctor. I am optimistic this will one day come to pass, especially when I join the University. I live with my mother who has single handedly raised me and my two siblings. We reside at Kasokoso, one of the densely populated communities around Kampala city, in Uganda. My mother is a shop attendant near home, but her job was affected with the outbreak of COVID-19. She was laid off for six months, but I am thankful to God she...

Of course I am going to start with the famous Nelson Mandela quote, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” because I have always believed in that statement. For context, I am currently a law student in the oldest university in the East African region, Makerere university (est: 1922), and I went to the oldest school in my country, Mengo Senior School (est: 1895) I have also studied in Uganda all my life, so I am an expert witness by experience if you believe in that sort of thing (that’s a joke). I am writing this in order to add my voice to the United...