The Annual National Youth Festival

Uganda has one of the youngest population profiles globally, with an enormously significant youth population harbouring over 78 per cent below the age of 35, according to UNICEF. The Young People Factsheet by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reported 8.8 million young people aged 15-24 are not engaged in education, employment or under any training. While the country recognizes the importance of addressing the issues concerning young people – as they have the potential to drive social, political, and economic development –  many of them, unfortunately, lack the necessary platforms to express their creativity and ideas.

Open Space Centre launched the Annual National Youth Festival (ANYF) in 2011 to address this issue. Attracting thousands of revellers every year, including youth out of school, university students, high school students, development partners, youth civil society actors, various government agencies, embassies, and so many others, the festival is an opportunity for a high-level discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing young people in Uganda, resulting in youth-led recommendations to inform policymakers in their deliberations.

Furthermore, this festival provides a platform for young people to showcase their talents, express their diversity, energy, and potential, and engage in activities related to the incredible themes that cut across different issues affecting young people in Uganda; including leadership and empowerment, youth in agriculture, sexual reproductive health and rights, innovation, technology, arts, and fashion.

The festival has grown in size and impact, attracting thousands of participants and engaging policymakers, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders on youth-related issues. It has become an essential platform for youth engagement and empowerment. It has also provided young people with the necessary resources to build their capacity, voice their concerns, and shape their future. Young people can freely showcase their creativity, develop their leadership skills, and engage in meaningful discussions that can influence policy decisions.

The Annual National Youth Festival is more than an event, it is a rallying call to all young people in Uganda to be what they want to be. In a Ugandan society where everyone is too busy or too shy to engage with youth, the festival is designed to speak to the youth in their language, tell their stories and celebrate their achievements through innovative exhibitions, inspirational talks, live debates, music performances, various art forms and interfaces with policymakers.