The Young and Emerging Leaders Project (YELP) has officially welcomed its Class of 2026, bringing together 22 professionals from across East Africa and beyond for a leadership journey designed to strengthen character, purpose and responsible leadership.
The fellowship, run by the LéO Africa Institute, is more than a leadership programme. It is an investment in people who are already making a difference in their communities, organisations and countries. Through three seminars, mentoring and peer learning, the programme aims to help participants become more intentional leaders capable of creating lasting social, economic and institutional change.
The journey begins on 17 and 18 July at Latitude Hotel in Kampala with Seminar One, themed The Foundation: Character, Courage, Purpose. Under the subtitle Shaping Personal Leadership: Who You Are Is How You Lead, fellows will examine the values, integrity and personal convictions that shape effective leadership before they lead organisations, businesses or public institutions.
The seminar will be facilitated by Beverly Mutindi, a member of the YELP Class of 2018 and now Associate Faculty at the LéO Africa Institute, alongside other facilitators from the institute’s network of faculty and partners.
According to Asiimwe Nelson, Programmes Manager at the LéO Africa Institute, every fellowship class reflects the institute’s commitment to investing in leaders who are already creating impact.
He said the Class of 2026 brings together professionals from different sectors who are united by a genuine desire to become more intentional leaders. He added that Seminar One will provide the opportunity for fellows to reflect on who they are as leaders and strengthen the personal foundations that will guide their future decisions and actions.
A Diverse Cohort United by Leadership
The Class of 2026 represents professionals from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Nigeria. Together, they bring experience from law, business, technology, engineering, agriculture, education, media, finance, governance, communications and public service.
The diversity of the cohort creates opportunities for collaboration across industries and borders. By learning together, fellows will gain new perspectives, build strong professional networks and develop partnerships that can contribute to Africa’s long-term development.
Throughout the fellowship, participants will engage in discussions on ethical leadership, resilience, accountability, decision making and purpose-driven leadership. They will also learn from experienced leaders while sharing practical lessons from their own professional journeys.
The fellowship places equal importance on personal growth and professional excellence, recognising that sustainable businesses, strong public institutions and thriving communities depend on leaders with integrity and clear values.
Meet the Class of 2026
Riziki Nambuya is a Magistrate in Uganda’s Judiciary and Founding President of the Center for Humanitarian Diplomacy and Islamic Solidarity. Her work in law, humanitarian leadership and international criminal justice reflects a strong commitment to justice and protecting vulnerable communities.
Shawn Karemire combines agriculture, technology and business to modernise Uganda’s dairy sector. Through White Horn Ranch and a network of young farmers, he is creating sustainable opportunities while promoting livestock technology.
Dokotho Teddy is a journalist with Nation Media Group whose reporting focuses on governance, climate justice, gender and public health. She is committed to solutions journalism that responds to the needs of communities.
Walter Hakiza is the founder of Parcelo Freight Solutions, where he is improving cross-border shopping and logistics. His business seeks to make importing goods more reliable and affordable while strengthening Africa’s logistics ecosystem.
Safari Philippe serves as Programme Manager at Junior Achievement Africa. Having led youth development programmes across several African countries, he is helping connect young people with entrepreneurship and economic opportunities.
Peter Mkwawa, Business Director at Spark Consulting, works across fintech, digital transformation and clean mobility. He supports governments, development organisations and startups to build innovative and sustainable solutions.
Pacifique Linda Ikirezi is the Founder and Executive Director of HERinTech Rwanda. Through coding clubs, technology camps and mentorship, she is helping more girls pursue careers in science and technology.
Nasra Ally Awadhi, Chief Operations Officer at ShuleYetu Innovations, is improving education through technology in Tanzania. She believes inclusive leadership creates opportunities for others to succeed.
Munguzo Kapera, founder of Campus Digital Hub and creator of the ConnectRefugee app, develops technology solutions for refugee communities. His work demonstrates how innovation can improve access to essential services.
Lois Ugbe, founder of Aviv Technologies and Aviv Academy, has supported more than 40 businesses and trained over 3,000 people across 15 countries in digital skills and entrepreneurship.
Modester Nanyunga is an energy policy analyst and founder of the BlueRoots Resilience Initiative. She champions community-led climate adaptation while ensuring women, youth and persons with disabilities are included in climate solutions.
Bob Mwine, a digital communications strategist at S4P Group, has led public campaigns that reached more than 13 million people. His work focuses on using communication to create meaningful social change.
G. Wambui Gacihi is an International Relations professional from Kenya specialising in diplomacy, governance and regional peace and security. She promotes collaborative and evidence-based policymaking.
Daphne Naggayi is a Software Engineer at Kanzu Finance Limited. Combining engineering and computer science, she develops digital platforms that improve financial inclusion and healthcare access.
Hon. Maseruka Robert, Member of Parliament for Mukono South, brings valuable experience in governance and public policy. His participation reflects a commitment to strengthening leadership in public service.
Kawuki Jethro is an Operations Manager with experience in construction and food manufacturing. His expertise in operational systems and process improvement supports industrial growth and efficiency.
Daniel Ongom Azik, Chairperson of Uganda’s National Youth Council and an Advocate of the High Court, works to strengthen youth participation in governance while advancing peacebuilding initiatives.
Brownie Ebal, Manager Legal Services at the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, combines legal expertise with social impact. Through the Kitabu-Buk Project and other initiatives, she has helped expand literacy opportunities while promoting excellence in legal leadership.
Benezeri Wanjala Chibita, Supervisor of Technical Support in the Commissioner General’s Office at the Uganda Revenue Authority, brings expertise in taxation, law and public administration, guided by integrity and professional excellence.
Annabel Mwesigye, Senior Legal Counsel at Interswitch East Africa, provides strategic legal advice and corporate governance support for one of Africa’s leading digital payments companies while championing continuous learning.
Aine Isaac, Team Lead for Onboarding at SafeBoda Uganda, oversees driver onboarding at scale using data-driven systems that improve operational efficiency and support thousands of livelihoods.
Aaron Joel Kaleeba, Strategy Lead at SBG Securities and an author, combines financial services expertise with strategic thinking. His work contributes to economic policy discussions while promoting leadership that creates value beyond business.
As the Class of 2026 begins its fellowship, the participants bring diverse experiences but share a common commitment to responsible leadership. Over the coming months, they will develop stronger personal leadership, build lasting professional relationships and gain the skills needed to create greater impact in business, government and society. Their journey reflects the LéO Africa Institute’s continued investment in developing leaders who are prepared to shape Africa’s future with integrity, purpose and action.
