Tell us about yourself.

My name is Nabattu Zainah; a graduate in procurement and logistics, business lady and Female Youth Councillor for Ndejje Division, Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality. I want to play a center role in building the community with emphasis on the youth and women. I feel that they are left out and I want to build an inclusive sort of leadership that will engage everyone.

Why the youth and women?

I will one day not be a youth anymore but i will be a woman for life! So that is who I am before being a youth leader. Besides, I feel that they are left out and I want to build an inclusive sort of leadership for the people I represent. I want the youth to feel represented and indeed represented.

How are you planning to achieve it?

I am not planning to, i am doing it already! Regular communication with the youth I represent to ensure that all issues are properly listened to. This is done using social media and online platforms like this one, thanks; Makindye Ssabagabo Community for helping me get closer to the people I represent. This enables me to conveniently get feedback and complaints and rapidly resolve most of them.

I will not depend on only government programs, i call upon individuals, companies and organizations that are willing to support and fund different youth led projects and activities to get in touch.

As a youth leader, what challenges have you encountered the most and how do you overcome or plan to overcome them?

The main challenge is that we as youth leaders in general are not recognized and sometimes not taken serious or even despised by most of the people whom we assume very well know the bulkiness we carry on our shoulders.

I urge the government, policy makers and stakeholders to meaningfully engage and recognize the youth as active decision makers. We must be valued and supported by investment and policy to create youth friendly environments through training opportunities, policies and financial investment.

In order to transform our communities and create sustainable change, the youth must be empowered to realise their full potential, be involved in policy and as well as decision making.

The rest I cannot disclose right here at the moment but I am working on something really useful.

What role do you have or play in building Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality?

Well, from a professional side, as a graduate in procurement and logistics, i have advised whenever consulted and also offered carrier guidance to students. As a business woman, I have invested here in Makindye Ssabagabo and i employ some people and create jobs that generate revenue and income. I pay the taxes in its various forms! And as a youth leader elected and also served in the previous term, I proactively defend and ensure youth representation at all levels.