18 Nov
JNLC and UNDP Host Two-Day Community Innovation Showcase Featuring Impactful Alumni Projects
Dr. Nansozi K. Muwanga (4th left) with some JNLC staff members, Facilitators, Adjudicators and the Alumni who pitched their community innovation projects, pose for a group photo on 17th November 2025 at Fairway Hotel.
The Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC) at Makerere University, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), opened a two-day Community Innovation Showcase and Alumni Workshop on 17th November 2025—an event dedicated to strengthening alumni-led community transformation across Uganda.
Held under the theme “Empowering Alumni for Transformative Community Impact,” the workshop is part of the ongoing JNLC–UNDP Alumni Follow-Up Programme, a long-term initiative designed to track, support, and amplify the work of alumni implementing community-based innovations.
Showcasing Youth-Led Innovations
Day one saw ten alumni presenters demonstrate their community innovation projects before a panel of adjudicators. Hosted at Fairway Hotel in Kampala, the session provided a valuable platform for alumni to highlight their progress, key milestones, and emerging impact within their communities.
Dr. Nansozi K. Muwanga, Executive Director, JNLC.
According to Dr. Nansozi K. Muwanga, Executive Director of JNLC, the selected alumni have demonstrated remarkable courage and creativity by implementing initiatives that address some of Uganda’s most pressing challenges—climate change, gender inequality, economic exclusion, and digital gaps. Their work, she noted, exemplifies what becomes possible when young leaders are empowered and supported.
Dr. Muwanga emphasized that since 2021, over 600 youth have been trained through the JNLC leadership programmes, cultivating a growing network of ethical, visionary, and community-driven young leaders. However, she also highlighted a persistent gap between leadership training and visible community impact. “Only a limited number of alumni have successfully transitioned from learning to implementation,” she observed, citing challenges related to limited visibility, inadequate mentorship, resource constraints, and weak strategic partnerships.
JNLC Alumni pose for a group photo after pitching their innovations.
Introducing the Alumni Impact Activation Strategy
To address these gaps, Dr. Muwanga unveiled the JNLC–UNDP Impact Activation Strategy—a deliberate effort to strengthen post-training engagement, systematically track alumni initiatives, and provide targeted support. She explained that while all alumni would benefit from mentorship and capacity strengthening, three outstanding initiatives would receive seed funding from UNDP based on the assessment of the expert panel. She thanked UNDP, facilitators, and partners for their continued commitment, reaffirming that leadership training must go beyond certificates and translate into real community impact.
A Keynote Rooted in Experience and Inspiration
In a moving keynote address, Mrs. Irene Mutumba—a long-standing advocate for education, social entrepreneurship, and youth-led innovation—reflected on leadership, empathy, and the power of small beginnings.
Ms. Irene Mutumba delivering the Keynote speech.
She shared a personal childhood story of teaching neighbourhood children basic English phrases, which later inspired the creation of a community learning centre on her family’s veranda.
“I realized that small actions could make a difference in people’s lives,” she recalled. “If you make a difference, you can make a difference in other people’s lives.”
Mrs. Mutumba encouraged alumni to see themselves as catalysts for social transformation, reminding them that community innovation presents limitless opportunities to create value and lasting change. She underscored the importance of:
- strategic networking and stakeholder mapping
- collaboration and co-creation
- entrepreneurial and life skills (planning, risk-taking, communication)
- continuous learning, monitoring, and reflection
She urged participants to remain resilient, consistent, and intentional, emphasizing that meaningful impact requires both action and exposure.
Guidance, Acknowledgments, and Key Lessons
Moderating the discussion, Dr. Gardner Herbert Rwakiseta, JNLC Programme Coordinator, acknowledged Ms. Annet Mpabulungi Wakabi, UNDP Team Leader for Governance and Peace, for the strong partnership and sustained support. He noted that effective community impact rests on three pillars: innovation, connection, and nurturing leadership. Using a powerful metaphor, he reminded alumni:
Dr. Gardner facilitating the JNLC-UNDP Alumni Workshop.
“Think of yourselves as farmers. Each of you has a seed. Our role, together with UNDP and the panel of judges, is to water and nurture these seeds until they bear the impact we envision.”
Reflecting on regional follow-ups across Uganda, Dr. Gardner commended the dedication shown by alumni whose work has transformed communities and whose innovation earned them a place in this showcase. He reiterated Nelson Mandela’s timeless message: “It is in your hands to create a better world,” urging participants to take full responsibility for the change they want to see.
Pitching Sessions and Feedback
During the workshop, each alumnus had ten minutes to pitch their innovation project. The presentations spanned diverse categories including:
- community engagement
- climate change and justice
- gender and economic empowerment
- youth skilling
- urban farming
- political and civic leadership
The ten presenters were:
Mr. Obete Andrew Obonyo, Mr. Simoni Ichumar, Mr. Wetaka Jude, Mr. Moro Boniface, Ms. Itungo Joan, Ms. Khaitsa Allen, Ms. Auma Olivia, Ms. Nadongo Mary, Mr. Onek Charles, and Mr. Bwayo Emma.
JNLC Board Member, Prof. Josephine Ahikire shares insights on impactful presentations.
In her reflections, Prof. Josephine Ahikire, JNLC Board Member, urged participants to prioritize clarity, simplicity, and audience-awareness in their communication. She emphasized the importance of sequencing ideas effectively and managing time, applauding the JNLC team for steadily nurturing young leaders.
A Platform for Growth and Future Opportunities
The adjudication panel evaluated projects based on impact, sustainability, clarity of vision, and potential for scale-up. The session was rich with feedback, peer learning, and networking opportunities. The atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm and a shared determination to scale up the social innovations already taking root in different communities.
As participants exchanged experiences and stories of change, the two-day workshop affirmed a central message: when young people are encouraged, guided, and supported, they can transform their communities in profound and lasting ways.