NIMD’s Democracy Schools provide unique opportunities in fostering political engagement and promoting democratic leadership among young people. The purpose of these innovative education programmes is to equip young leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute effectively to political life, foster commitment to democratic values, and contribute long-term to positive change.
Uganda’s Democracy Academy (UDA) is a unique platform that unites individuals from diverse political backgrounds and regions to hone the skills, knowledge and network required to become exemplary democratic political leaders. The rigorous 18-day programme commences in July and concludes in September. UDA includes two semesters of eight days, held in a retreat-style setting. The programme marked a significant milestone in the journey of young people, representing seven political parties and various national youth structures, including the National Youth Council (NYC), Uganda Students Association (UNSA), and Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Youth Affairs (UPFYA).
UDA is tailored to Uganda’s complex political landscape, with a curriculum that combines theory and practice. The participants were consulted to determine the topics, and the facilitators were national experts on the relevant topics.Through continuous peer engagement and a strong emphasis on building trust, participants found themselves sharing that they were “united in diversity,” with political party and regional differences fading away. The programme maintains contact with the participants even after leading UDA through a masterclass and other activities to ensure long-term impact and follow-up. UDA has shifted the focus among the participants from noisy politics to idea-driven. It has been instrumental in drawing out and developing the leadership skills and qualities of young leaders. UDA has laid a solid foundation for nurturing well-informed and empowered leaders dedicated to promoting democratic principles and driving positive change in Uganda.
The engagement with the alumni continues after completing UDA to ensure follow-up and sustainability of the programme. Uganda Democracy Academy is implemented as part of the WYDE programme by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy with support from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and Demo Finland.
The Uganda Democracy Academy curriculum is modular and delivered by Ugandan professional facilitators who are knowledgeable about the subject matter. The modules are based on the needs of the participants, identified through a pre-survey. The facilitators have undergone training to ensure active and creative adult learning, which involves group work, debates, lectures, personal stories and film. The participants received training that is critical for their leadership and political careers. These modules include Good Governance, Constitutionalism, and Rule of Law; Leadership; Nationalism, Pan-Africanism and Regional Integration and Geopolitics; Political Theory and Social Contract; Gender and Disability Inclusion and Constituency Management.
Beyond the classroom, extracurricular activities such as the nature walk, early morning drills, campfire conversations, and (spirited) football matches with the local community in Kalangala fostered camaraderie and networking among the cohort. Fireside discussions and debates on pressing political issues, including regional integration and Uganda’s rich history, ignited intellectual discourse and broadened participants’ perspectives.n, 1901-1942)
