By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
Uganda has sent a delegation of young and dynamic leaders on a one-week benchmarking mission across East Africa under the MP Connect Fellowship, an initiative aimed at strengthening leadership, legislative capacity, and regional cooperation.
Leaders from Namisindwa District, including LC5 Chairman Emma Bwayo and Namisindwa Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Peace Khalayi, are among the selected team of young leaders participating in the programme.
The diplomatic and peer-learning engagement is being conducted under the umbrella of the MP Connect Fellowship, an initiative organized by Faraja Africa. The programme is specifically designed for young and dynamic leaders to deepen their legislative capacity, enhance parliamentary practice, expand strategic networks, and promote cross-border cooperation within the East African Community (EAC).
Bwayo, a product of youth political structures, says his leadership journey has been shaped by youth platforms, where he has received mentorship and exposure.
He expressed gratitude to Faraja Africa for providing the opportunity, while calling for more spaces to be created for young people seeking to advance their leadership aspirations.
“I am grateful to Faraja Africa for this opportunity. We need to widen these spaces so that more young people can participate, learn, and pursue their leadership aspirations,” Bwayo said.
The delegation arrived in Kenya on Sunday evening and is expected to travel to Tanzania on Tuesday afternoon before returning to Entebbe on Sunday morning.
During the mission, the leaders will engage with other young leaders from across East Africa who will be participating in the East African Youth Parliament. The delegation will also undergo leadership training and participate in peer-learning engagements in Tanzania.
Hon. Peace Khalayi, the Woman Member of Parliament for Namisindwa, says the mission provides an important opportunity for exposure, international experience, and networking that can ultimately benefit communities back home.
As the delegation proceeds to Dar es Salaam and Arusha, the administrative and institutional centres of the East African Community, participants are expected to explore practical approaches to leadership, youth empowerment, economic development, and regional integration.
Among the participants is Hon. Hajji Abdul Bisaso, Member of Parliament for Kassanda South, who is focused on advancing the developmental priorities of his constituency.
Key areas of his agenda include expanding youth empowerment programmes, supporting community-driven economic initiatives, and building partnerships that can unlock regional opportunities for the people of Kassanda South.
Speaking about the significance of the engagement, Hon. Bisaso said the mission goes beyond diplomatic exchanges, providing leaders with an opportunity to learn practical solutions that can be adapted to address challenges in their respective constituencies while strengthening Uganda’s participation in regional governance networks.
The delegation brings together young leaders from different parts of Uganda, including regional and national youth representatives.
Among them are Samuel Bigira, representing the Central Region; Dr. Judas Wanyama, representing the Eastern Region; Hon. Benson Lugwar, MP for Agago North; Hon. Okoth Boniface, MP for Kole South and former MP for Northern Uganda; Brian Besta Kapyagon, MP-elect for Kong’asis County in Bukwo District; Hon. Abdu Swaibu Kampanya, MP for Iki-Iki Constituency in Budaka; Bob Owiny, LC5 Chairman for Soroti and another product of youth leadership structures; Emma Bwayo, LC5 Chairman of Namisindwa and youth advocate; Hon. Peace Khalayi, Woman MP for Namisindwa and one of the youngest legislators; Daniel Ongom, National Youth Council Chairman; and Hon. Hajji Abdul Bisaso, MP for Kassanda South.
Emmanuel Wabwire, Executive Director of Faraja Africa, the organisation championing the programme, says participants were selected based on competence, leadership potential, track record in youth participation, and their contribution to the youth agenda.
Wabwire says the opportunity will give the selected leaders a chance to learn from their counterparts across the region, gain international exposure, strengthen their networks, and inspire more young people to take an active role in leadership and public service.
The benchmarking mission is therefore expected to contribute to the development of a new generation of leaders capable of championing youth participation, effective governance, economic empowerment, and stronger regional cooperation within the East African Community.
