For Annet Namugosa, the path to youth advocacy and expanding legal access wasn’t a sudden decision—it was shaped by a lifetime of witnessing injustice and a deep-seated drive to create change. “First and foremost, I am a lawyer. That’s the foundation of my journey,” says Annet. “But I stepped away from active legal practice to focus on something bigger—innovating for social inclusion, equitable development, and ensuring that young people have a voice.”

Her early experiences shaped this path. She watched her father struggle to provide an education for his children, seeing it as more than just a means of survival—it was a tool for building a just and equitable society. Yet, even as she pursued her education, she witnessed how poverty and systemic injustice kept so many locked out of opportunity. “From a young age, I saw that poor people couldn’t access justice. Their rights were denied. That realization shaped my entire life—it has always been about confronting injustice, fixing what is broken, and working toward something better.”

This conviction has only deepened over time. “Uganda is still plagued by inequality, corruption, and inadequate service delivery—failures that disproportionately affect young people,” Annet explains. “You can’t just sit back and do nothing. Even with some privilege, I still experience injustice—whether it’s the roads we drive on, the hospitals we rely on, or the way essential services are provided. That discomfort is what drives me to do this work.”

“Youth advocacy isn’t just about raising awareness—it’s about action,” says Annet. With young people making up the majority of Uganda’s population, she believes they should be shaping the country’s future, not carrying the burden of its failures. For Annet, action is urgent. She emphasizes the need for a society where rights are upheld, freedom of expression is protected, and dignity is non-negotiable. “This vision is what drives my commitment to creating change,” she says.

Creating opportunities for young people

As Program Manager at Vijana Corps, Annet leads initiatives that elevate youth voices through media, technology, and social innovation. One initiative she is particularly proud of is Ajira Fit, a program that equips young people with the skills and confidence to transition into employment. The program supports school dropouts and recent graduates, providing tools to navigate the job market.

One of the most inspiring stories from the program is that of a young woman from West Nile, Anitah Lempachu. After dropping out of school, she entered the program, uncertain about her future. But after training in public speaking, program planning, and management, she became a community mobilizer and mentor for other young girls. She later returned to school, her story inspiring others to do the same. For Annet, Anitah’s journey reaffirmed a fundamental truth: change often starts with one person. “Seeing her go back to school and influence her peers was a defining moment. It showed me that sometimes, all that young people need is someone to believe in them.”

The challenges of engaging youth

While the impact of her work is undeniable, Annet knows that engaging young people comes with challenges. Many expect financial incentives from NGOs, which can shift focus away from the real value of these programs. Some disengage when they realize there’s no immediate financial benefit. “One of our biggest challenges is shifting mindsets. Many young people believe that a program isn’t valuable if it does not offer money. But the real value is in the skills, networks, and experiences they gain.”

Another challenge is securing community buy-in. Navigating government regulations, building stakeholder trust, and overcoming bureaucratic delays can slow program implementation. With many distractions competing for young people’s attention, maintaining engagement requires constant innovation. This reality pushes Annet and her team to constantly adapt their approach. Whether through interactive workshops, mentorship programs, or hands-on skill-building, they work to ensure that young people remain engaged—not just for the duration of the program but in a way that fosters lasting personal and professional growth.

Civic Charge: A game changer

When Annet joined Civic Charge, she didn’t know what to expect. What she found was a global network of changemakers—fellow leaders tackling similar challenges in different parts of the world. “Civic Charge gave me something I didn’t know I needed: perspective,” Annet says. Through conversations with peers, she realized that the struggles she faced—youth disengagement, fundraising, government bureaucracy—were not unique to Uganda. Across different countries, other leaders were grappling with the same issues, and together, they could find solutions.

One of the most impactful lessons Annet took from Civic Charge was the power of visibility. For years, she and her team focused on program delivery, assuming their impact would speak for itself. But the program challenged that mindset, prompting her to rethink how change is communicated and sustained. “One insight from Civic Charge really stuck with me: ‘If people can’t find you, they can’t fund you,'” Annet explains. “It’s not enough to do meaningful work—you have to share your story, highlight your impact, and ensure the right people see it.” This realization led to a strategic shift. Vijana Corps began prioritizing storytelling, documentation, and digital engagement, ensuring their work reached a wider audience, including potential funders and supporters.

At the heart of this transformation was Jaco Roets, Programs & Learning Manager at Accountability Lab, whose calm and hopeful leadership had a lasting impact on Annet. “Jaco has this incredible ability to acknowledge challenges while keeping the room filled with hope. He makes you feel like no matter how tough things get, there’s always a way forward. The way he drew everyone in made us feel like we were in the same room despite being in different countries, which was something special.”

When asked to summarize her journey with Civic Charge in three words, Annet chooses “reflection, recharge, and warmth.” She explains that the program gave her the space to step back and evaluate her work, regain motivation during difficult moments, and, most importantly, find a supportive community that reinforced her commitment to change.

Building sustainable impact

Sustainability is at the core of Annet’s vision. She isn’t just running programs—she’s building systems designed to outlast her leadership. For her, Vijana Corps must never rely on any one person. It should be a resilient, adaptable force for change, capable of thriving no matter who is at the helm.

Her journey with Civic Charge doesn’t end with the program. The lessons learned, the networks built, and the shared experiences have become part of her leadership style. She’s committed to staying engaged, learning, and passing these insights on to the next generation of changemakers. Annet holds a simple but powerful belief: change doesn’t happen overnight, but small, intentional steps lead to lasting impact.

On Wednesday, 19 March, Annet and her fellow participants will celebrate their Civic Charge graduation—a moment that recognizes their journey and reaffirms their commitment to collaboration, integrity, and the collective pursuit of positive change.

Stay connected with Annet Namugosa and follow the work of Vijana Corps as they continue shaping the future for young people in East Africa.

Naseera Noor-Mahomed