The unheard voices of African youth in political processes

Presenter(s) Bio

Denis Opio, Founder and Executive Director, Anyim Wa Community Initiative, climate coach | member of CCA, Habitable Futures | Co-creator, CCA- Africa Chapter. Denis is is based in Northern Uganda. He is a contributor to the book Ecological and Climate Conscious Coaching: A Companion Guide to Evolving Coaching Practice. Denis has experience in Leadership, enterprise development, vocational training, and climate resilience, supporting women and youth to take lead and build sustainable livelihoods through skills development, mentorship, and climate-smart approaches. Grounded in lived experience, his work focuses on inclusive, community-driven solutions that advance women and youth empowerment, gender equality, and climate justice. ‘Unveiling hidden and untapped leadership potentials and capabilities of women and youth gets me involved’.

Richard Onencan Apill is 25 years old from Northern Uganda. He is a dynamic communication specialist, educator, and visionary youth leader based in Gulu City. He currently serves as Guild President of the East African Institute of Management and Sciences (EAIMS), where he has demonstrated strong leadership, advocacy, and a deep commitment to student development. He is the Founder and Director of the Gulu School of Public Speaking and Languages, a fast-growing professional training institute dedicated to shaping confident speakers, effective communicators, and transformative leaders. Through this platform, Richard is empowering young people with practical skills in public speaking, languages, leadership, and personal development. A trained teacher from Gulu University and a student of Journalism and Mass Communication, Richard blends academic knowledge with real-world experience in communication and research. His passion lies in inspiring confidence, unlocking potential, and building a generation of articulate, ethical, and impactful leaders across Uganda and beyond.

Gideon Kauol Bolmel is a 24-year-old South Sudanese living in Northern Uganda, youth advocate and emerging voice in civic and political engagement. He is deeply committed to advancing youth inclusion in democratic processes, particularly in fragile and post-conflict contexts where young people are often excluded from decision-making. Drawing from lived experience, Gideon actively engages in youth-led initiatives and community dialogues that challenge barriers to participation and amplify the perspectives of young people. He brings a bold and grounded perspective on the realities facing African youth in political spaces, and the urgent need to create pathways for meaningful leadership, representation, and systemic change. Gideon is passionate about shaping a future where young people are not just participants, but influential actors driving transformation across their communities and nations.