Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) has successfully hosted the third edition of the Billi Now Now (BNN) summit, rallying young people from across Africa and beyond to harness the power of their voices in shaping a better future.
The summit ran under the theme “Our Voices. Our Power. Our Future”, in partnership with GN Trybe.
BNN is a youth-led global movement aimed at empowering over one billion brave young people—known as B!LL!s—to take control of their health, lives, and futures.
GN Trybe complements this mission by using bold, youth-centered communication strategies to address sexual and reproductive health (SRH) risks, mental health, and educational barriers that often hinder youth empowerment.
The 2025 summit drew over 300 youth delegates from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Senegal, Benin, Peru, and Burkina Faso, creating a pan-African platform for dialogue around youth issues, identity, and civic engagement.
Discussions centered on a wide range of pressing topics, including economic empowerment, healthy relationships, safeguarding, gender-based violence in digital spaces, the role of media, and the evolving civic space for youth participation.
A major highlight of the summit was the launch of RAHU’s inaugural Impact Forge cohort, a flagship initiative designed to support youth-led and youth-founded organisations.
The cohort features 15 participants working across sectors such as agriculture, education, youth livelihoods, climate action, and social behavioral change
.Through a year-long mentorship and capacity-building program, Impact Forge will provide access to resources and expert guidance to help these youth innovators scale and sustain their work.
“Billi Now Now has produced a generation of changemakers who are now advocating for the youth of today and tomorrow,” said Humphrey Nabimanya, CEO of Reach A Hand Uganda, during his keynote address.
During the summit, Mariam Nalukuma, Head of Corporate Affairs at the Insurance Regulatory Authority, urged young people to prioritize financial literacy as a pillar of economic empowerment.
“One of the biggest challenges we face in Africa is unemployment,” she said. “Across the world, young
people are carrying the burden of securing the future. In today’s world, financial literacy is critical for
financial resilience. Insurance is one of the key tools for financial protection. Even those without
formal employment can take advantage of affordable insurance packages to secure their future
against unforeseen circumstances such as untimely death or accidents,"Nalunkuuma said.
Dr. Ruth Grace Kakoba, a gynecologist and digital content creator, discussed the powerful influence of media on youth behavior, cautioning against trends like #TeenMom that glamorize teenage pregnancy.
“These trends can be misleading. They often ignore the serious health risks and long-term
effects of teenage pregnancy on a young girl’s body and future.”
She emphasised the importance of responsible media content that educates rather than glamorises,
warning that unchecked trends can normalise harmful behaviour among youth.
Herbert Mugumya, Chief of Staff at the International Rescue Committee, addressed the social constructs around masculinity.
He explained that being a man is largely a social construct, shaped by upbringing, societal expectations, and reproductive roles.
“What defines a man is not wealth or dominance, but responsibility and emotional maturity,” Mugumya said.
He further critiqued outdated beliefs that discourage men from expressing vulnerability, such as the
idea that a man should not cry, not even at a burial.
The BNN Summit reaffirmed RAHU’s commitment to youth leadership by creating safe, inclusive spaces for young people to explore bold ideas, challenge societal norms, and drive transformative change.
With the voices of youth at the center, RAHU and its partners continue to shape a future where young Africans are not just beneficiaries, but key architects of the continent’s progress.