Usisi Amandla Fellowship 2024 Cohort

Kevin Karlo Lakot is a passionate women’s rights activist, politician, and businesswoman dedicated to advancing women’s empowerment and rights across Africa. Currently, she is pursuing her Master in Public Administration at The African School of Governance (ASG) in Kigali, Rwanda.

She has served as the Country Representative for the Young Women of Africa (YWOA) in Uganda and as the Country President of the African Diplomatic Organization (formerly known as the African Union Youth Assembly) in Uganda as well as Deputy Speaker of the Global Youth Parliament in Uganda.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Makerere University. Kevin’s career spans government, civil society, and the business sector, where she has worked with renowned organizations such as UN Women, UN OCHA, and the African Union. Her diverse experience has empowered her to champion policies and initiatives that support gender equality and the development of young women across Africa.

She is an alumna of prestigious leadership programs including the Aspire Leaders Program at Harvard University and the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Kevin is an inspiring role model to many young girls and women, and her leadership continues to inspire change and progress within her community and beyond.

As part of the Usisi Amandla 2024 Fellowship, Kevin authored a policy brief on strengthening women’s leadership for sustainable peace negotiations in Africa where she examined the critical role of women’s leadership in advancing sustainable peace across Africa.

Uwera Juliet is an accomplished academic specializing in regional integration, with expertise at the intersection of law, governance, and public policy. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from Uganda Christian University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre, and a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Regional Integration and East African Community Law from the University of Dar es Salaam.

As a law lecturer, Juliet is dedicated to shaping the next generation of leaders by helping students understand how legal frameworks and public policy drive regional stability, integration, and sustainable development. Her teaching emphasizes the critical link between law and real-world policy challenges, inspiring learners to think critically, engage meaningfully, and recognize the power of informed citizenship in strengthening governance.

Through research, mentorship, and community engagement, Juliet promotes public policy as a tool for achieving equitable and resilient societies. Her work highlights the importance of evidence-based policymaking and the role of citizens in advancing social progress.

As part of the Usisi Amandla 2024 Fellowship, Juliet authored a policy brief focused on strengthening regional integration through improved awareness and citizen participation, reflecting her commitment to fostering inclusive, informed, and transformative public policy across East Africa

Charity Ngabirano is a lawyer, journalist, and passionate advocate for human rights, social justice, and good governance. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), an Advanced Diploma in Legal Practice, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Journalism and Communication. Charity writes for The New Vision and conducts in-depth interviews with Africa in Dialogue, alongside her legal work with Barireere & Co. Advocates in Kampala.

With experience spanning civil society, media, and literary spaces, Charity has contributed to advocacy campaigns, community mobilization, legal aid initiatives, and storytelling that drives social change. She has authored research papers, articles, creative stories, and interviews that highlight issues of justice, accountability, and human dignity.

As part of the Usisi Amandla 2024 Fellowship, Charity developed a policy brief focused on strengthening digital literacy for young mothers, an insightful piece that reflects her commitment to inclusive governance and empowering vulnerable groups. Her work continues to bridge law, storytelling, and advocacy, making her a rising voice in Uganda’s policy and media landscape.

Ruth Aber is a lawyer and Advocate of the High Court of Uganda with a strong commitment to human rights, civic awareness, and public accountability. She holds an LLB from Makerere University and a Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre. Ruth currently serves as a Legal Officer at Evidence and Methods Lab, a civic tech organization dedicated to strengthening transparency, accountability, and access to public information.

Known for her dedication, integrity, and problem-solving mindset, Ruth is a self-driven and results-oriented professional with strong communication, organizational, and teamwork skills. She has been actively engaged in public interest work, having participated in the Rule of Law Champions initiative by CEPIL in 2019 and later serving as a program mentor in 2021. Ruth is also a member of the Network of Public Interest Lawyers (NETPIL), where she contributes to efforts that promote justice and civic participation.

As part of the Usisi Amandla 2024 Fellowship, Ruth authored a policy brief focused on enhancing access to civic education and strengthening citizen participation in democratic processes. Her work reflects her commitment to empowering communities through legal awareness, evidence-based advocacy, and inclusive governance.

Sophie Brenda Namonye is a Climate Change Officer at Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment, where she works on climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, with a particular focus on strengthening climate action within national systems. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Technology and Management from Kyambogo University and is deeply committed to advancing climate solutions informed by lived experiences of climate change within local communities.

Sophie’s climate leadership began through her involvement with the Green Futures Initiative, where she volunteered as a youth climate advocate delivering climate education in schools and communities across Central Uganda. Through these engagements, she has reached over 20,000 people, raising awareness about climate change and encouraging community-driven responses to environmental challenges.

Her work is guided by a strong commitment to supporting communities to adapt to climate change by strengthening climate knowledge, promoting practical solutions, and advancing resilience at the local level. Beyond her climate work, Sophie is also a member of the Careers Network, where she mentors young people and supports them in developing a growth mindset and unlocking their potential.

As part of the Usisi Amandla 2024 Fellowship, Sophie authored a policy brief titled “Bridging the Climate Implementation Gap in Uganda’s Sectoral Planning.” The brief examines the disconnect between national climate commitments and sector-level implementation, and proposes practical pathways for strengthening coordination, accountability, and integration of climate priorities across Uganda’s development sectors.

Policy Brief: https://developmenteye.org/document/usisi-amandla-compendium-sophie-brenda-namonye/

Victoria Babirye is an agri-food systems specialist committed to championing policies that improve the livelihoods and resilience of smallholder farmers. She currently serves as a Program Manager at Fairtrade Africa, supporting teams across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, while leading resource mobilization efforts for the East and Central Africa Network. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Mechanization and Irrigation Engineering and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Development Studies.

Victoria’s career spans both humanitarian and development sectors, where she has implemented high-impact programs for refugees, host communities, and farmer groups. She has worked with organizations including Alight (formerly ARC), Dan Church Aid, CARE International in Uganda, the Centre for Governance and Economic Development, and the Appropriate Technology Centre under the Ministry of Water and Environment. Her expertise in strengthening export market systems and agricultural value chains has positioned her as a rising leader in sustainable trade and rural development.

With a long-term goal of becoming a knowledge expert in international trade, Victoria is passionate about advocating for equitable, transparent, and farmer-centered agricultural value chains.

As part of the Usisi Amandla 2024 Fellowship, Victoria authored a policy brief focused on improving market access and strengthening value chain competitiveness for smallholder farmers, reflecting her dedication to shaping fairer agricultural systems and inclusive trade policies.

Patricia Ikuret is an experienced procurement and supply chain professional with strong expertise in strategic sourcing, contract management, and logistics optimization. She currently serves as Senior Officer, Performance Monitoring at the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), where she oversees performance and compliance within Uganda’s public procurement system in line with established laws, regulations, and guidelines.

Patricia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management from Makerere University and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). She has built a solid track record of delivering cost savings, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening compliance across procurement processes.

Beyond her professional role, Patricia is committed to increasing participation of youth, women-led associations, and persons with disabilities in public procurement. She actively uses her platform at PPDA to raise awareness about the Reservation Schemes (Guideline No. 11 of 2024) and encourages marginalized groups to take advantage of available opportunities.

As part of the Usisi Amandla 2024 Fellowship, Patricia authored a policy brief focused on expanding access to public procurement opportunities for youth and women-led enterprises, reinforcing her dedication to inclusive economic participation and equitable development.

Twikirize Peninah is a dedicated Social Worker with strong experience in community development and grassroots empowerment. She currently serves as the Team Leader at Solidlinks Initiative for Development, a community-based organization in Kasese District focused on improving livelihoods, strengthening resilience, and expanding opportunities for marginalized groups.

Peninah holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Social Administration from Makerere University and is pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management. Her work spans community development, project management, and social justice, with past roles including Community Development Officer in Rubirizi District Local Government and Project Manager at the Center for Justice Studies and Innovations.

Passionate about engaging women, youth, and underserved communities, Peninah champions skill-building, economic empowerment, and climate resilience. She is committed to creating spaces where learning, innovation, success, and even failure all serve as tools for growth.

As a member of the Usisi Amandla 2024 Fellowship, Peninah authored a policy brief focused on strengthening community-based climate resilience initiatives, reflecting her dedication to sustainable development and inclusive community transformation.

Shirley Kansabe is a public health practitioner with strong experience in research, advocacy, and implementation of nutrition and Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) interventions. She currently serves as the Nutrition Research, Learning, and Linkage Officer at Kyambogo University, supporting five districts in South Western Uganda through evidence-based nutrition programming.

Her work across local and international collaborations has equipped her with expertise in design thinking, strategy development, critical analysis, and evaluation. Shirley is deeply passionate about understanding why some interventions fail to create meaningful change and is committed to strengthening the role of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) in designing, improving, and sustaining effective public health programs.

She has won multiple grants, published peer-reviewed research, mentored students, and led impactful advocacy campaigns that contributed to national progress in nutrition and NCD control. Her interest in policy, systems change, and evidence-driven solutions continues to shape her influence in the public health space.

As part of the Usisi Amandla 2024 Fellowship, Shirley authored a policy brief focused on strengthening NCD prevention through community-centered health promotion, reflecting her dedication to improving public health outcomes through research, innovation, and data-informed policy action.

Ritah Nakato Nayiga is a statistician with strong training in economics and a deep passion for data analysis and evidence-based decision-making. She currently works as a Graduate Trainee in Data Analytics at Enermech Uganda Limited, where she supports data-driven processes that improve operational efficiency and strategic planning.

Ritah holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Statistics from Kyambogo University and is pursuing advanced certification in Data and Business Analytics from Regenesys Business School. She has successfully led data collection teams and is eager to expand her expertise across both the private and public sectors to strengthen her professional impact.

Guided by values of integrity, authenticity, and hard work, Ritah aims to make a transformative contribution to Uganda’s economy and to the careers of young professionals through analytical excellence and strategic leadership.

As part of the Usisi Amandla 2024 Fellowship, Ritah authored a policy brief focused on improving youth employment through data-informed policy solutions, demonstrating her commitment to using analytics to shape fair, inclusive, and impactful economic policies.