Stories
November 26, 2025 • 3 min read
Young people in Karamoja, Uganda, are leading community conversations that challenge harmful practices and promote gender equality. Through the support of Mastercard Foundation and GOAL Uganda’s Markets for Youth Programme. Youth groups are creating safe spaces for open dialogue on women’s rights, education, and local security. Their efforts have contributed to increased land ownership for women, reduced livestock raiding, and improved community safety. These changes are helping build a more inclusive and resilient future for the region.
Karamoja, a sub-region of Uganda, faces persistent challenges, including harmful traditional practices, insecurity related to cattle raiding, and unequal access to economic opportunities, particularly for women and girls. Under the Markets for Youth Programme, GOAL Uganda works with local partners to strengthen youth leadership, economic empowerment, and community engagement. One such collaboration is with the Nakaale Fattening Livestock Enterprise Group, whose members are using facilitated community conversations to promote social change.
Challenging Harmful Norms Through Dialogue
In Karamoja, deeply rooted practices such as forced child marriage and restrictive gender norms continue to marginalise women and limit their role in community development. Frequent cattle rustling has also heightened risks for women and children, interrupting daily life and undermining economic activity.
Young people are stepping forward to confront these challenges. The Nakaale Fattening Livestock Enterprise Group, established in 2018 in Lokoona village, Kacheri Town Council, Kotido District, began as a savings and lending association. Today, the group, made up of 28 members, including 25 women, has grown into an active voice for gender equality and community development. Through structured community conversations, they provide a safe space for men and women to openly discuss issues such as women’s rights, land ownership, education, and economic empowerment.
Partnership That Strengthens Community Leadership
In 2023, GOAL Uganda connected the group with Multi-Community Based Development Initiative (MUCOBADI), a mindset-change partner under the Markets for Youth Programme. MUCOBADI trained members to facilitate inclusive community conversations to address shared challenges.
As a result, the group now organises at least three dialogues each year, bringing together elders, traditional leaders, youth representatives, political leaders, religious leaders, and local security officials. The discussions help bridge generational and gender divides while fostering collective responsibility.
“In the conversations, we often talk about women’s rights, such as land ownership, so that women can actively participate in developing our communities,” said Peter Lopian, a Youth Champion trained and mentored by MUCOBADI.
“We explain that women, especially as mothers and caretakers, often use resources more responsibly, and they deserve to feel valued and supported by both their families and the community,” he added.
Turning Conversations into Community Action
The dialogues have led to concrete improvements in Kotido. During recent periods of insecurity, the group used the platforms to discuss the role each community member can play in promoting peace. They encouraged individuals to speak directly with friends and relatives involved in cattle raiding.
“The people who are stealing cattle and causing instability are our friends and brothers; they are not strangers. Every one of us is committed to talking to the cattle rustlers in our circle, and we are seeing results,” Peter said.
As crime rates declined, farming activities resumed safely, helping reduce food insecurity in the area. “Many youth have abandoned livestock raiding in favour of more productive work, which has led to a significant decrease in crime,” he noted.
Women’s economic participation is also increasing. More women are now accessing land through inheritance, purchase, or family permission, and many are expanding into trade and small businesses. “Women are also getting more involved in trade and small business now that the environment feels more secure,” Peter explained.
Looking ahead, the group is broadening the scope of discussions to encourage families to prioritise education, particularly for girls. Teenage pregnancy and early marriage remain central topics, as these issues continue to affect girls’ opportunities.
Through their commitment to challenging harmful norms and engaging diverse community stakeholders, young people in Kotido are helping shape a more equitable and sustainable future. Their leadership is gaining recognition, with several members now considering or pursuing local political roles.
