KAMPALA, Uganda — For many adolescents in Uganda, particularly those living in refugee settlements or marginalized communities, their lives often feel invisible in the decisions that shape their futures. However in Uganda, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund , whose mission is firmly rooted in unlocking the full potential of young people, is helping to write a new story —one that is changing incrementally. Through its programmes and partnerships, UNFPA ensures that adolescents and youth are not only seen and heard but empowered to shape their own futures, transforming challenges into opportunities and potential into action.

“My contribution was valued. For the first time in a policy discussion, I felt that my voice mattered.”

These are the words of Mundua Jovia Scovia, a 17-year-old youth volunteer from Moyo district, who stood tall during Uganda’s national youth consultation on the Framework for Life Skills and Health Education. Walking into that room, Mundua saw a rare opportunity. “I felt hope,” she recalled. “For the first time, I realized that my voice, our voices, could influence something that affects millions of young people like me.” “The consultation was engaging and interactive. Young people were not just present—we were exchanging views, shaping ideas, and contributing meaningfully to a framework that will directly impact our lives. Everyone showed genuine interest in developing it,” she recalled.

Mundua spoke of the everyday struggles faced by refugee adolescents: the lack of access to accurate sexual and reproductive health information, the trauma of gender-based violence, and the looming fear of early pregnancies that too often cut short education and dreams. What made this moment extraordinary was not just that she was heard, but that she was taken seriously. Officials listened and asked questions. Fellow youths nodded in agreement. “I saw my story reflected in others,” she said. “And I knew we were not invisible.”

This is precisely what the SAY Programme, supported by Denmark and UNFPA, was designed to achieve: to create spaces where young people, even the most marginalized, can step into national dialogues and shape the policies that shape their lives. For UNFPA and the Government of Denmark, it is a story to be proud of, proof that investing in youth participation turns ideals into action, giving dignity, agency, and hope to those who have too often been left on the margins.

Mundua’s testimony is a reminder that when young people are trusted as partners, change happens. “I came to that meeting as just one girl,” she reflected, “but I left knowing I was part of something bigger, part of a movement that will make life better for all of us.”

"We were not just listeners; we were Co-Creators” - Benson Lugwar on youth shaping Uganda’s future

For Benson Lugwar, a passionate youth advocate and member of the Royal Danish Embassy Youth Sounding Board, the youth consultation on Uganda’s National Framework on Life Skills and Health Education was a turning point.

“The atmosphere was different,” he recalled. “We were not just listeners; we were co-creators. The energy in the room was full, and every contribution, whether from a peer educator, a cultural youth leader, or a student, was taken seriously.”

For Benson, the experience underscored the power of participation, demonstrating how diverse voices united around a shared vision, empowering young people to make informed decisions about their health, relationships, and futures. “It showed me how life skills, when integrated with health education, can become a lifeline for so many young people. It’s not just about knowledge it’s about dignity, agency, and empowerment.”

But Benson also carried urgent concerns into the discussion. He spoke about the gaps in access, especially in rural areas where information and services remain limited. He highlighted the need for culturally sensitive educational materials and the importance of engaging boys in conversations on menstrual health. “If we leave boys out, we risk deepening stigma and silence around issues that affect us all,” he said.

His main takeaway was clear: meaningful progress requires an interdisciplinary approach. “We need governments, NGOs, communities, and young people working hand in hand. Only then can we build programmes that are not just effective, but sustainable programmes that truly reflect our realities.”

For Benson, this consultation was proof that youth voices can drive policy and social change when given space. And for UNFPA and Denmark, whose support through the SAY Programme makes such participation possible, it was a powerful reminder that investing in young people is investing in stronger, more cohesive societies.

“This was not about tokenism,” Benson reflected. “It was about trust. It was about finally realising that young people are not the future—they are the present. And when we are included, change is inevitable.”

Benson and Mundua expressed deep appreciation to the Danish-funded Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Empowerment and Rights (SAY) Programme, led by UNFPA and partners, for creating the space where their voices and those of other youth could influence national priorities. Mundua also challenged policymakers to think beyond formal policy language: “Much as the policy talks about age appropriateness, there is still a need to use play-based modules and simple language that can be understood by the local population,” she emphasized. Her courage reflected how Denmark’s investment in SAY is transforming young people from passive recipients into active shapers of Uganda’s future, proving that when youth voices are trusted, they can turn policies into tools of empowerment and change.

From Benson and Mundua, this opportunity reflects the vision of the SAY Programme: that youth voices are central to achieving policies that work in reality, not just on paper. “We need continued collaboration, because partnerships among stakeholders ensure successful implementation,” she stressed. She added that the framework should prioritize inclusivity and equity, addressing the diverse needs of all young people, especially the most vulnerable and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. These two young people remind us that when young people are trusted as partners, they become powerful advocates and co-creators of change. Through the SAY programme, voices like hers are not just being heard, they are shaping Uganda’s future.

Compiled by:  Cinderella Anena, Programme Analyst, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Gender Based Violence and Human Rights