Kampala, Uganda: The U.S. Exchange Alumni Uganda (USEA), under its U.S. Alumni Apprenticeship Program, has partnered with Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) to equip more than 500 young leaders with practical skills in leadership, digital marketing, financial literacy and sustainable innovation.
The boot camp brought together young leaders, entrepreneurs and recent graduates for intensive training aimed at strengthening 21st-century skills, innovation and community impact.
Organisers said the initiative was designed to help bridge the gap between education and employment while promoting a culture of service and responsible citizenship among Uganda’s youth.
Speaking about the initiative, leaders from U.S. Exchange Alumni Uganda said exchange programmes continue to generate tangible economic and social impact across the country.
“The impact of exchange programs is visible across Uganda, in the businesses our members are building, the jobs we are creating, and the standards we are raising,” the USEA President said.
“By strengthening ties with local partners like Rotary, we are turning global exposure into local economic progress.”
USEA is a national network comprising more than 6,000 alumni of U.S. government-funded exchange programmes. The organisation brings together professionals who apply skills and experiences gained in the United States to drive change across sectors, including leadership, governance, entrepreneurship, education, health, media and civil society.
Leaders from Rotary Youth Leadership Awards said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to empowering young people with the knowledge and confidence needed to transform their communities.
“This collaboration reflected our commitment to empowering young people with the confidence, skills and global mindset needed to create change in their communities,” the Youth Service Chair said.
“By working with USEA, we combined leadership, service and practical training to unlock real opportunities for Uganda’s youth.”
Officials noted that the training also aimed at preparing young Ugandans for a rapidly evolving job market shaped by technology and innovation.
“Your frame of thinking has to change because the next day your profession might be extinct,” said Geoffrey Kitakule, a Rotary district governor. “Skills like these are teaching you how to be resilient, how to think outside the box and how you need to change and be innovative.”
The programme also emphasized the importance of intentional and community-focused projects. “Every Rotaract project must be intentional and well planned, addressing the real needs of our communities with practical solutions,” said Francesco Arezzo, President of Rotary International.
USEA leaders said the partnership with Rotary marks a significant step in strengthening alumni-led development initiatives across Uganda. “Our mission at USEA is to champion sustainable community transformation led by Ugandans,” said Owomugisha Blessing Immaculate, USEA Alumni President.
“These alumni were selected based on their impactful work across Uganda’s five regions and continue to lead change in diverse sectors.”
Organisers believe such initiatives will help nurture a new generation of innovative leaders capable of driving sustainable development and economic transformation in Uganda.
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