In a remarkable journey that has captured the hearts and minds of her peers, Angel Babirye, executive board member of AfriYAN Uganda Chapter, a dynamic and passionate young leader, has been elected as the new president of AfriYAN East Southern Africa having won the vote during the General Assembly. At just 24 years, Angel has already demonstrated an exceptional ability to inspire and lead, proving that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact.
Angel’s victory is an inspiration to every young girl in Uganda and the world over. It solidifies her passion for youth empowerment, education, gender equality, a cause she has championed tirelessly since the beginning of her involvement with AfriYAN Uganda Chapter.
The significance of her win was highlighted during a recently concluded World Population Day in Arua where she engaged fellow young people on issues of sexual and reproductive health. Watching her talk to young people was an honor.
Asked about what this responsibility mean to her, Angel says:
“This role is a privilege to represent the voices of overlooked young people in Eastern and Southern Africa, ensuring their SRHR needs influence policies. It's a chance to drive inclusion, meaningful youth participation, and tailored interventions. It's an opportunity for personal growth, leadership development, and challenging gender norms to inspire young women to lead.”
Her dedication to young people's rights and bodily autonomy and her ability to connect with and mobilize her peers are qualities that will undoubtedly drive positive change in our society."
Angel’ s journey to the presidency was not without its challenges:
“Balancing medical work and advocacy has been tough, but taught me to prioritize. I've faced biases against young leaders and dismissive attitudes towards SRHR issues. Many youth are unaware of how to contribute meaningfully, while some leaders lack understanding of their needs,” she says.
However, her resilience and determination carried her through, earning her the respect and admiration of all who witnessed her rise to leadership.
Looking ahead, Angel is eager to begin her term and is already planning to implement several key initiatives alongside the whole executive committee.
“Our key priorities are to create a platform for cross country learning among the country chapters to share knowledge and experiences, and to deliver an annual mentorship program for young leaders across Eastern and Southern Africa so that they are better equipped to lead and advocate for their communities.
“We are looking at expanding AfriYAN’s reach by establishing chapters in new countries in Eastern and Southern Africa and building their capacities. We are also engaged with UNFPA ESARO’s zero transformative results, which are zero unmet need for family planning, zero gender based violence and harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation and zero maternal deaths.”
As Angel steps into her new role, she carries with her the hopes and dreams of countless young people who see in her a reflection of their own potential. Her story is a powerful reminder that with passion, perseverance, and a clear vision, young people can not only aspire to leadership but also achieve it—transforming their communities and the world around them.
Written by Kalenzi Uwera Prisca
