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  3. ACT-YOD Conducts One-Day Training on Empowering Youth Leaders with Disabilities in Governance

ACT-YOD Conducts One-Day Training on Empowering Youth Leaders with Disabilities in Governance

17 April 2026, 8:35 pm

Youth leaders and CSO representatives display certificates after the ACT-YOD training on empowering persons with disabilities in Arua.

By Andrew Ogwang

Arua, Uganda – The Agency for Community Transformation-Youth Organization for Development (ACT-YOD) is conducting a one-day training program aimed at empowering youth leaders with disabilities and representatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in governance.

The training seeks to increase awareness and dissemination of Uganda’s key disability policies and legal frameworks among CSOs, Uni-associations, and the Youth Council in Arua Central Division.

The training, held at the Social Centre in Police Cell, Central Division, Arua City, focused on disability rights and legal frameworks, governance structures and participation opportunities, inclusive leadership for youth with disabilities, and practical advocacy skills for local engagement.

Facilitator Emmanuel Geriga, a Disability Rights activist, highlighted the meaning of Persons with Disability, emphasizing that it’s about impairment and environment, and stressed the importance of their participation in decision-making and community activities. He urged CSOs to consider persons with disabilities in their programs, even at the community level.

Facilitator Emmanuel Geriga leads a session on disability rights and inclusive governance during the ACT-YOD training in Arua City.

Maxwell Asiku, Coordinator at ACT-YOD, noted that implementing disability projects can be expensive. “In our first project, we were only 4, but the donor urged us to reduce the number, asking how the organization can provide unique support where necessary,” he said. Asiku added that ACT-YOD aims to create a database to share requests and support for youth who are refugees and residents.

Twalib Ayub Ali, Executive Director of ACT-YOD, funded by the Fund for Global Human Rights, said ACT-YOD has developed activities and projects that have helped bring in many youths with disabilities. “We are still engaging many Persons with Disabilities through training in sign language, hair weaving, welding, and providing WiFi internet,” Twalib said, adding that ACT-YOD is working to strengthen institutions and build capacity.

ACT-YOD Executive Director Twalib Ayub Ali addressing participants on the importance of inclusive governance and human rights for persons with disabilities in Arua City.

Inzikuru Florence Favour, Executive Director of Women with Destiny, appreciated the training, saying it helped her realize the importance of inclusive decision-making. “One of our staff with disability was very clever when it came to decision-making, but he recently passed on, leaving us with challenges and weaknesses in our daily operations,” she said.