Youth Platform Africa (YPA) buzzed with activity on June 7th, 2024, as over 180 members and 30 YPA staff convened for a productive meeting at their Rubaga offices. The agenda tackled a wide range of topics, reflecting YPA’s commitment to member engagement, transparent communication, and the launch of innovative projects.
Addressing the Communication Challenge:
The Managing Director, Obed Ben acknowledged the hurdle of effectively disseminating information to YPA’s expansive membership exceeding 4,000 individuals. To bridge this gap, he proposed a more centralized communication structure. This plan involves establishing a leadership team comprised of regional directors and state governors. By empowering these regional representatives, information flow will be streamlined, ensuring all members receive timely updates on crucial changes, new products, and upcoming opportunities. Members overwhelmingly endorsed this proposal, paving the way for the election of regional leaders.
Empowering Regional Leadership:
The democratic process saw the emergence of dedicated individuals ready to spearhead YPA’s growth in their respective regions.
The Eastern Region placed its trust in Robert Ouma as their Regional Director, with Harriet Tusuubira and Leonard Namanya assuming the roles of State Governors.
The Western Region elected Linda Mwesigye as their Regional Director, flanked by Catherine Kyotungire and Sarah Katusiime as State Governors.
Zaytoon Namukwaya ran unopposed and was elected as the Southern Region Director. She will appoint State Governors to ensure comprehensive regional coverage.
Ms. Edith Odongo Lubwama’s leadership qualities were recognized with her unopposed election as the Northern Region Director.
The Central Region witnessed a strong showing for Mary Tamale, who secured the Regional Director position. Musisi Silas will serve as her Assistant Director, and Bayo George was appointed Lord Mayor.
These regional leaders will play a pivotal role in YPA’s future. Their responsibilities include identifying local administrative units (states, districts, counties) and establishing a strong YPA presence within their regions. Scheduling meetings, ensuring information dissemination, and channeling member feedback and achievements back to YPA headquarters are paramount to their success.
Introducing the YPA Maize Project: A Win-Win Opportunity
The Managing Director unveiled an exciting initiative – the YPA Maize Project. This project centers around a unique, highly nutritious maize seed ideally suited for animal and bird feed. Members were presented with the opportunity to participate by investing UGX 2,500,000. The maize itself will be sold in Kenya at a profitable rate of UGX 1,700 per kg. Booking windows are open from September to November and March to May, allowing for strategic participation throughout the year. A question-and-answer session addressed member inquiries, including inquiries about starting acreage and membership fee applicability for existing members.
Fostering a Strong YPA Culture: Vision and Integrity
The meeting also highlighted the YPA Vision Board 2030, showcasing the upcoming YPA Tower – a symbol of the organization’s ambition and growth. Regional leaders were entrusted with establishing YPA offices within their jurisdictions, solidifying YPA’s physical presence and fostering a sense of community. Emphasis was placed on cultivating a culture of integrity, which will be central to YPA’s continued success and positive reputation within the community.
Transparency in Agreements and Procedures
The Managing Director openly addressed the need for partnerships and acknowledged the unforeseen introduction of transport costs associated with farm visits. Due to high costs (UGX 60,000 per trip), members participated in a collaborative effort to find a solution. In a spirit of shared responsibility, they agreed to contribute UGX 30,000 per visit for existing contracts, ensuring transparency and fairness within YPA’s operations.
Additional Key Decisions:
To ensure smooth administration, annual administrative fees were set at UGX 100,000 for both existing and new members.
A significant step towards member well-being was taken with the introduction of insurance coverage. Through a partnership with Prudential, members will contribute UGX 50,000 annually to receive medical and death benefits. This insurance plan offers UGX 10,000,000 in case of death and UGX 280,000 for medical expenses, providing peace of mind and security for YPA members.
The meeting concluded on an inspirational note with a quote from President Obed Ben, urging perseverance: “If they throw stones at you, use them to build a foundation.” This message embodied YPA’s commitment to overcoming challenges and transforming obstacles into opportunities for growth. With a newly elected regional leadership team, innovative projects on the horizon, and a focus on communication, transparency, and member well-being, YPA appears poised for a future filled with immense promise. The energy and enthusiasm emanating from the meeting were palpable, leaving all participants confident that YPA is on the right trajectory. The coming months promise to be a period of significant development, as regional leaders establish their teams and the YPA Maize Project takes root. With continued collaboration and a commitment to shared goals, YPA is well-positioned to empower its members, strengthen its communities, and leave a lasting positive impact.