Rebecca Nanono

By Rebecca Nanono | June 2025 “Our voices are not just hashtags, they are blueprints for building inclusive democracies.” 🌍 Uganda’s Civic Tech Ecosystem: A Quiet Revolution Across Uganda, a silent but powerful movement is taking root. Young people, especially young women, are building platforms, bots, podcasts, and networks that are transforming civic engagement. But it’s not just about technology. It’s about power. It’s about access. And it’s about reimagining democracy beyond elections, into our everyday lived experiences, online and offline. Civic tech in Uganda is no longer a niche. It is our generation’s answer to a broken system. And at its heart are youth, media, and women’s voices , driving change in digital spaces that were never built with them in mind. 👩🏽‍ 💻 The Rise of Digital Heroines From chatbots delivering SRHR information to girls in slums, to TikTok series unpacking constitutional rights in Luganda, Ugandan women are not just joining the civic te...

Every year, Multilateralism Day reminds us of the power of collective action and the necessity of nations working together to address challenges that transcend borders. For those of us deeply invested in development, migration, digital rights, climate action, and fostering equality, this day holds particular significance as it underscores the importance of collaboration in tackling the world's most pressing issues. What is Multilateralism? Multilateralism refers to the process of multiple countries working together to achieve common goals. It’s the backbone of international organizations like the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and regional bodies such as the African Union. Multilateralism recognizes that challenges like climate change, migration crises, and global inequality can’t be solved in isolation. Instead, they require unified action driven by shared responsibility. Why Does Multilateralism Matter Today? In today’s interconnected world, multilateralism...

Migration is a reality of our interconnected world. Whether driven by economic aspirations, conflict, environmental changes, or education opportunities, migration shapes the lives of millions globally, including African youth. In this context, the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) plays a crucial role in influencing migration governance, policies, and practices. But how does this international framework specifically affect African youth, who represent a significant proportion of the continent's population and a substantial segment of its migratory flows? Understanding the Global Compact for Migration Adopted in December 2018, the GCM is the first intergovernmental agreement designed to cover all dimensions of international migration comprehensively. Though non-binding, the Compact provides a cooperative framework with 23 objectives aimed at improving migration governance. These objectives include minimizing the adverse drivers of migration, ensuring ...

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted in 1995 during the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, remains a pivotal moment in the global movement for gender equality. As one of the most comprehensive blueprints for advancing women’s rights, the declaration calls for urgent and transformative actions to ensure equality, development, and peace for women around the world. Nearly three decades later, the Beijing Declaration continues to inspire progress and serves as a guiding framework for policymakers, activists, and civil society.   The Vision of the Beijing Declaration The Beijing Declaration envisions a world where: Every woman and girl can exercise her freedoms and rights fully without discrimination or violence. Gender equality becomes central to sustainable development, democracy, and peace. Structural barriers and stereotypes that perpetuate inequality are dismantled. All women and girls have equal opportu...

Introduction Agenda 2063 is Africa’s master plan for transforming the continent into a global powerhouse of the future. Adopted in January 2015 by the African Union (AU), this ambitious blueprint envisions a prosperous, united, and peaceful Africa driven by its citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena. As a long-term strategic framework, Agenda 2063 aims to address historical injustices, create shared prosperity, and reposition Africa as a key player on the world stage by the year 2063 — marking 100 years since the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the AU’s predecessor. The Vision of Agenda 2063 Agenda 2063 is rooted in the vision of an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa , driven by its own citizens and capable of taking its rightful place in the global economy. The agenda is framed around aspirations that articulate Africa’s collective vision: A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development An ...

Ubuntu, a term rooted in African philosophy, particularly in Southern Africa, embodies the concept of shared humanity. It is often translated as "I am because we are," emphasizing the interconnectedness of individuals within a community. This simple yet profound idea reveals that the behavior of individuals mirrors the health, values, and spirit of the community as a whole. In essence, whether good or bad, what we witness in the actions of one person reflects something greater about the collective society. Ubuntu: The Essence of Interconnectedness At its core, Ubuntu teaches that no person exists in isolation. Our actions, choices, and behavior are shaped by the relationships we form with others, and vice versa. This concept stresses the importance of mutual respect, empathy, and shared responsibility. In a society that practices Ubuntu, the well-being of one is intrinsically tied to the well-being of others. It's a reminder that individual actions ripple out, affecti...