Uganda’s Youth and the YELEP Solution by Shine Leadership International

Uganda is one of the youngest countries in Africa, with over 75% of its population under the age of 30. According to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, more than half of the population is below 18 years old.

Youths aged 18–30 make up 22.7% of the total population, while those under 30 represent 73.2%. This youthful demographic presents both immense opportunities and significant challenges for Uganda’s future.

Challenges such as youth unemployment, limited access to resources, and increasing crime rates continue to affect the young population. In response, Shine Leadership International, a dynamic, youth-focused organization, has stepped in to equip young people with essential skills to address these issues.

Shine Leadership International is committed to empowering the youth with relevant work-readiness skills to transform them into leaders and job creators. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), youth unemployment remains a serious concern, particularly among those aged 15–24.

Many young Ugandans are not engaged in employment, education, or training due to factors such as skills mismatches, the dominance of the informal sector, and limited formal job opportunities.

To address this, Shine Leadership International launched the Youth Empowered Leadership and Entrepreneurship Program-YELEP, a transformative work-readiness program designed to empower high school students, vacaists, university students, recent graduates, and young professionals. The program aims to equip participants with the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed to excel as leaders and entrepreneurs in today’s competitive world.

YELEP provides a holistic learning experience that blends leadership development, entrepreneurship training, work readiness, personal finance management, project planning, career guidance, and real-world application. Participants not only understand theoretical concepts but also gain practical experience in project management, an essential component of entrepreneurial success.

The program runs for 7–8 weeks, each week focusing on a different theme:

WEEK 1: Self-Awareness / Self-Mastery

Youth are guided to explore their inner potential by understanding their strengths and developing strategies to overcome weaknesses. This week focuses on personal growth and identity discovery.

WEEK 2: Leadership Development

Participants learn the principles of true leadership, team management, and leading with impact. They engage in practical activities that emphasize accountability, integrity, and transparency.

WEEK 3: Entrepreneurship Training

This week provides hands-on training in how to launch and sustain impactful businesses. Participants design business model canvases, learn how to use media for marketing, and deliver business pitches.

WEEK 4: Project Management and Planning

Youth are trained in designing and implementing successful projects. They learn the full project life cycle and the professional project management language, with support from the Project Management Institute – Uganda Chapter.

WEEK 5: Financial Literacy and Management

Experts from the Bank of Uganda train youth on saving, investing, managing loans, retirement planning, and leveraging financial institutions for opportunities.

WEEK 6: Work Readiness Skills (Personal Branding, CV Writing & Opportunities)

This week focuses on developing personal branding (especially through social media), creating outstanding CVs using the "movie trailer" technique, and preparing effectively for job or opportunity interviews.

WEEK 7: BANG – Becoming A New Generation with Values, Morals, and Character

Participants are trained on the importance of values, integrity, and strong character in business, leadership, and the workplace. Emphasis is placed on soft skills and emotional intelligence, which account for 85% of professional success, while academic qualifications contribute only 15%.

Community Projects

During their training at Shine Leadership International, youths are challenged to design and implement community impact projects across Uganda. These projects are tailored to address specific challenges within their communities, offering practical solutions that create lasting positive change.

Business Venture Project and Exposure

As part of the program, youths are empowered to launch their own business ventures, whether product-based or service-oriented with startup capital ranging from zero to a maximum of 100,000 Ugandan shillings. Through the YELEP Business Exposure Tour at the Uganda Industrial Research Institute, participants gain hands-on experience and access to business learning, mentorship, funding opportunities, and guidance on business registration processes. These tours help young entrepreneurs step out of their comfort zones and realize the feasibility of starting and sustaining their own businesses.

Partners of Shine Leadership International

Shine Leadership International collaborates with various organizations to advance the youth agenda. Each partner contributes professional trainers who serve as facilitators throughout the YELEP Program. These facilitators bring valuable expertise, dedication, and a strong commitment to empowering young people, making each session impactful and transformative. They Include;

Project Management Institute-Uganda Chapter (PMIU)

Snacks4U, Family Life Network (FLN),

Kinetic Youth Leadership Foundation (KIYOLAF)

Little Winnie Foundation (LWF)

Eunika International

Ascend

Career Streams

Uganda Financial Literacy Association (UFLA)

Youth Green Initiative (YGI),

Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI)

Bwongo Consults

Livens Tasty Treats

Conclusion

Through programs like YELEP, Shine Leadership International is shaping a generation of empowered, responsible, and skilled young Ugandans who are ready to lead, innovate, and create sustainable livelihoods. The youth are not just the future, they are the present, and with the right tools, they will build a better Uganda.