Quarterly
Volume 02: 30
th
June, 2025
WHAT’S INSIDE THIS ISSUE>>>
NEWSLETTER
Contact:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +256 (0) 760 252 789
Visit Us:
Bugolobi, Kampala - Uganda.
Website: www.joltyouthinitiative.org
Message from the E.D
Insights from the Program
Manager
Donor Highlights
Partnerships
Educate One
Student Testimonies
School Mentors
Health, Technology And
Innovation
Peace and Conflict Resolution in Schools
Entreprenuership
Economic Mobility
Next Quarter Priorites
As we close Quarter 2 of 2025,
I am
proud
to report that
Jolt
Youth Initiative continues to
make significant strides in
implementing its annual work
plan across all thematic areas.
The collective energy, creativity,
and commitment from our
department’s leads have kept
us grounded in our mission and
opened new avenues for
community impact.
Ms. Mariam Wamala
Executive Director
“ Unlocking hidden potentials ”
Jolt Youth Initiative
www.joltyouthinitiative.org
Message from the E.D
What are the core
strategies of Jolt Youth Initiative?
At Jolt
Youth Initiative, our
core strategies are
guided by the
ideology of Unlocking Hidden Potentials among youth aged 15–24
through self-efficacy and
opportunity creation. We
do this by
delivering mentorship programs that build confidence
and life
skills, supporting access to education through the Educate 1
bursary initiative, promoting health an
d innovation with a focus on
youth-friendly services,
and equipping young
people with
vocational and financial skills
for economic mobility. We also foster
peace and conflict resolution through emotional intelligence
training, champion gender equality and human rights, and
advance technology by strengthening digital literacy and
innovation for youth-led
solutions.
How do you make this part of
the d
ay today life of the youth?
We make our core strategies part of
the youth’s daily lives by integrating
them into school routines, and digital
platforms. Through mentorship,
health talks, economic
empowerment sessions, and digital
skills training, we ensure that
empowerment is not just a
one-time
event, but a lifestyle.
We meet young
people where they are and help
them appreciate these
values.
W
hat is your personal goal at Jolt Youth Initiative?
My personal goal to Jolt youth initiative is to deliver
economic mobility to youth, Economic mobility, to me,
means giving young people the tools and opportunities to
improve their livelihoods, break the cycle of poverty, and
create a life of dignity and independence. It’s
more than
income, it's about access to skills, mentorship, resources,
and c
onfidence to pursue sustainable pathways.
Through our youth
programs that promote
vocational
training, financial literacy,
entrepreneurship, and
innovation, I aim to grow this pillar at Jolt Youth Initiative.
We envision youth not
just as beneficiaries, but as builders
of their own economic futures, and, in turn, contributors to
the growth of their
communities and our nation.
As
an Executive Direct
or, what
draws you to
working on development?
As an
Executive Director, what draws me to working on
development is the power of transformation; watching
individuals, especially young
people, discover
their
potential and begin to shape their own futures.
Development work allows me to bridge opportunity gaps,
challenge inequality,
and create systems that equip people
not just to survive, but to thri
ve. Every small change,
whether it’s a student returning to school,
a youth
launching a small business, or a girl or boy learning their
rights, represents a step toward a more just, empowered,
and self-sustaining society. That is what fuels my passion
every day.
How
does this impact
development?
These strategies create long-term
impact by empowering youth to
become confident,
educated, and
economi
cally active citizens.
As students apply what they learn,
they influence their communities,
promoting peace, driving innovation,
and reducing vulnerability. The ripple
effect
of empowered youth fuels
broader social and economic
development, building a generation
that contributes meaningfully to
Uganda’s growth.
“ Unlocking hidden potentials ”
Jolt Youth Initiative
www.joltyouthinitiative.org
Insights from Programs
Manager
A Quarter of Growth and
Strategic
Positioning
As we close Quarter 2 of 2025, I am proud to
report that Jolt Youth Initiative continues to
make significant strides
in implementing its
annual work plan across all thematic areas.
The collective energy,
creativity, and
commitment from our department’s leads
have kept
us grounded in our mission and
opened new avenues for
community impact.
Growing Bey
ond to
community presence:
Our Agriculture Model
Project
In our
drive to create
sustainable, youth-led
models of empowerment, we
successfully
planted maize under our growing modern
agriculture project. Plans are now underway to
transition this project into a model
greenhouse demonstration
center. This will
serve as a Centre
of Excellence for
young
farmers interested in modern small-scale
greenhous
e farming blending agricultural
skills with innovation for food resilience and
profitable agriculture
Acts of Kindness A Bicycle
for Ronald
Thanks to our generous friends
and well-
wishers, we were able to donate a used bicycle
to Ronald, a Senior
4 student at Wamatovu
Muslim School. This small
but impactful
gesture will ease his
journey to school and
support his daily movements.
By removing the
barrier of long, tiring
walks to school, we ’re
helping Ronald stay
focused on his education , unlocking his
potential to excel academically and pursue
a brighter future.
At Jolt,
we remain committed to
identifying
everyday opportunities to empower youth, no
matter how small they can
be.
Looking Ahead: Quarter 3
Activities
The next quarter is packed with Key upcoming
initiatives include:
•
Mentorship programs
on different
topics across schools
•
A Baseline Assessment on Technology
and Innovation to guide our
interventions
•
Dissemination of key findings to
inform
partners and stakeholders
As always, we remain focused on building a
generation of empowered, healthy, and
innovative youth on the
core vision, mission
and goal.
Dr. Matovu Mousa
Ag.
Program manager
Jolt Youth Initiative
Donor H
ighlights - This
Quarter's Supporters
We are
grateful to our generous
donors whose
contributions
continue to make a meaningful
impact.
Gloria Namata and Naiga Ann Marie
extended
their support to academically capable
but
financially
challenged students, helping cover
school fees and enabling them to stay
in school.
Your kindness is shaping
futures; thank you!
In addition, we received valuable in-kind
contributions in the form of staff training. Madam
Resty Nakayima, currently in Norway, shared her
expertise on kitchen
gardens for income
generation and nutrition. Dr. Ssekitooleko
James
also provided insightful training on
networking and professional
development.
We deeply
appreciate all who contribute to our
mission in diverse and
impactful ways.
Jolt Youth Initiative Uganda
Partners with Mentoring Peace
Champions Uganda for their 2
nd
Annual Peace Festival
We
are thrilled to
announce a
powerful and timely partnership
between Jolt Youth Initiative
Uganda and Mentoring Peace
Champions Uganda in
preparation for the highly
anticipated 2
nd
Annual Peace
Festival, scheduled to take place
from
18
th
to 20
th
September at
Bweranyangi Girls School.
Under the theme “Nurturing a
Community of Compassionate
and Social Peace Builders,” this
year’s festival promises to bring
together diverse voices,
passionate young leaders, and
community change makers to
engage in meaningful
conversations,
activities, and
celebrations centered on peace,
compassion, and social cohesion.
This partnership, which was
officially
formed during this
quarter, marks a si
gnificant
milestone in our efforts to create
greater impact
in the lives
of
young people across Uganda. By
joining hands with Mentoring
Peace Champions Uganda, we
aim to elevate the spirit of
collaboration in peace building
and empower more youth to take
up roles as peace
ambassadors
in their communities.
Jolt Youth Initiative will be actively involved
in the planning,
mobilization, an
d facilitation of various sessions during the
three-day festival. From mentorship discussions and
youth-led
dialogues to creative
showcases and community outreach, our
goal is to ensure that every participant leaves inspired and
equipped to promote peace
in their spheres of
influence.
As we move forward, we invite our partners, supporters, and
stakeholders to rally behind this exciting collaborati
on and help
amplify the message of peace, compassion, and social
responsibility.
www.joltyouthinitiative.org
“ Unlocking hidden potentials ”
Jolt Youth Initiative
Partnerships
“ Unlocking hidden potentials ”
Jolt Youth Initiative
www.joltyouthinitiative.org
Partnerships
Exploring New
Possibilities for Collaboration;
A Strategic Dialogue with Cambridge Community Foundation.
On May 29
th,
2025, the Executive
Director of Jolt
Youth
Initiative, Ms. Mariam Nabukenya Wamala, had the distinct
honor of meeting with key leaders from the Cambridge
Community
Foundation in
what proved to
be a deeply
engaging and strategic conversation on youth empowerment
and social develo
pment.
The meeting brought together an
inspiring group of
individuals committed to social innovation and community
impact, including Ms. Geeta Pradhan, President of the
Cambridge Community Foundation, alongside Mr. John
Lindawood and Mr. Carl
Naggy, both
long-standing and
dedicated members of the foundation. Also in attendance
were Stephen and Ann Gardiner, highly respected mentors
and lo
ng-time supporters of our
work at JYI.
Mr. Carl Naggy, who also serves as Executive Director of
Just a Start, shared valuable
insights into youth-centered
programming and strategies that foster persistence and
innovation among young people. Mr.
John Lindawood,
Director of Resident Services at Cambridge Housing
Authority, reflected on their consistent work with youth
dating back to 1984, underscori
ng the critical importance
of sustained engagement in
underserved communities.
Our discussions revolved around empowering youth
through comprehensive coaching
models, creative social innovation
programs, and effective poverty
alleviation strategies. These
themes resonate deeply with the
mission of Jolt Youth Initiative to
ignite the minds of young people
and equip them with tools to
transform not o
nly their futures
but also the wellbeing of their
families and communities.
A central takeaway from the
dialogue was the shared belief that
youth are not just beneficiaries of
development but powerful agents
of change. Investing in their
growth
translates into
long-term
social and economic resilience for
entire communities.
As we
continue these important
conversations, Jolt Youth Initiative
looks
forward to building
meaningful
partnerships that
elevate youth leadership and
expand
our collective capacity
to
foster change.
Together, we
move forward
empowering the next generation,
one conversation and
collaboration at a time.
“
A Life-Changing
Opportunity
“ Unlocking hidden potentials ”
Jolt Youth Initiative
www.joltyouthinitiative.org
Educate One
Education Department lead with the
Educate one beneficiary
Joan Nakalembe.
One of the most heartfelt success stories
is that of Namubiru Noor,
a bright
student who faced immense challenges at
home, conflict, instability, and
financial
strain that often disrupted her focus and
peace of mind. There were times she
worried more about being sent home for
fees than about preparing for her next
exam.
But with support from the Educate One
program, Noor has found relief and
ren
ewal. She no longer carries the weight
of wondering how she will stay in school.
Her academic focus has
sharpened, her
confidence has returned, and her dreams
now feel within reach. This program didn’t
just pay part of her tuition, it restored her
sense of possibility.
We sincerely thank Jolt Youth Initiative for
planting these seeds of transformation in
our school. We kindly request that even
more
programs be introduced, so more
students can benefit
from this powerful
movement of empowerment.
Says our school Mentor!!!
Together, we are shaping not just
students; but futures.
“
Keeping Dreams
in School, One
Student at a time
“ Unlocking hidden potentials ”
Jolt Youth Initiative
www.joltyouthinitiative.org
Educate One
When we launched the Educate One
Program earlier this year, our goal was
clear: to bridge the financial gap for
bright, vulnerable students who risk
missing out on education
due to school
fees. We believe that educating
one
child can spark a ripple effect,
transforming a life, a family, and
ultimately, a community. While our goal
was to have at least one student from
each of the 11 schools, limite
d
resources have made this a challenge,
we are proud to currently offer
half
bursaries
to six
students across six
schools, with one new student enrolled
this term
Now in its second academic
term, we’re
proud to see this vision
taking shape.
The term officially resumed on 3rd May
2025, as per our plan, we are disbursing
school fees weekly, and we are fully
committed to completing all payments
by the s
econd
week of July. Thanks to
our donors.
Here are the five students currently benefiting from
the Educate One Program
this term:
•
Nakayiwa Shadia; Lumuza High School
•
Bukenya Martin; Wamatovu
Secondary
School
•
Namubiru Noor; St. Phillips
Equatorial,
Nabusanke
•
Nabulya Mariam; St. Mark
Kamengo
•
Nakalembe Joan; St. Catherine Bujuuko
Through your generosity, these
learners are
continuing the
ir education uninterrupted. Together
with our Ignite the
Mind, Inspire Excellence
mentorship program, we are not
only supporting
students financially, we are guiding them mentally,
emotionally, and academically.
We invite donors, partners, and friends of JYI to
continue walking this journey with us. The impact of
Educate One goes beyond paying school fees, it’s a
statement of belief in a child’s po
tential.
Let’s keep their dreams alive. Let’s educate one and
change many.
“
Student
Spotlights
Swazi Encok
“ Unlocking hidden potentials ”
Jolt Youth Initiative
www.joltyouthinitiative.org
Student Testimonies
Namubiru Noor
School: St. Phillips Secondary
School, Nabusanke
Class: S5 Arts
Dream: To Become a Lawyer
“Thank you, Jolt Youth Initiative,
for bringing us the ‘Ignite the
Mind, Inspire Excellence’
mentorship. It has opened
my
mind and helped me become
more self-driven. This session
challenged me to rethink my
goals and taught me how to
define
them more clearly
and
purposefully.”
Swazi is one of the many
student
s positively impacted
by Jolt Youth Initiative’s
mentorship program. Through
our Ignite the Mind session,
he has developed a stronger
sense of
focus and purpose,
aligning his actions with his
long-term dream of becoming
a lawyer.
“To my fellow students and
youth across the country: never
stop seeking knowledge.
Mentorship like this is a light
that can guide your path. Let’s
commit to growing, drea
ming
bigger, and working with
intention. The future belongs to
those who are prepared, and
preparation begins now.”
Jolt Youth Initiative remains
committed to unlocking the
hidden potential of young
people like Swazi across Mpigi,
Butambala, and beyond.
;
“ Unlocking hidden potentials ”
Jolt Youth Initiative
www.joltyouthinitiative.org
“
Lighting the Way
School Mentors
Connecting with School Mentors
Mentorship for Quarter 2
In this quarter, our mentorship
reached 394 students in 4 schools
targeting S.3 and S.5
students. This
demonstrates the growing
footprints
of our initiative. Early
feedback shows
increased confidence, improved focus
on
academic & personal
goals and
strong sense of direction. This
highlights our relevance and its
potential to inspire longterm
behavial
change.
A School Trans
formed by Mentorship
Name: Katooko Siyama
Role: School Administrator & Mentor
School: Lumuza High School
At Lumuza High School, the arrival of Jolt Youth Initiative
has sparked a wave of transformation. The programs have
been embraced wholeheartedly by
both students
and
teachers, ushering in a renewed sense of purpose, hope,
and belief in what’s possible.
One of the most remarkable outcomes is the
mindset
shift
we’ve witnessed among learners. Through
Jolt’s
mentorship, students, especially girls, are beginning to see
themselves differently. They now walk with greater
confidence, speak with more assurance, and pursue their
goals with courage. The initiative has instilled in them a
powerful truth: that success is not about where you come
from, but what you believe is possible for your future.
Teachers, too, have been
reenergized. The sessions serve
not just as learning
experiences
for students, but as motivation for
staff,
reminding us all that
with
consistency and the right support,
every student has a chance to rise.
The Educate One academic
sponsorship
component has
been particularly impactful. It has
not only eased financial burdens
but also ignited
academic
ambition. Students are no
w
setting higher targets, inspired by
the possibility that their effort
could open doors to opportunity.
Healthy academic competition
has grown, and so has
hope.
At Lumuza High School, we are
living proof that mentorship
works. That encouragement
matters. That dreams, when
nurtured, can grow into real
change. We are deeply grateful to
Jolt Youth Initiative for walking
with us, and we believe this i
s only
the beginning of what we can
achieve together.
“ Unlocking hidden potentials ”
Jolt Youth Initiative
www.joltyouthinitiative.org
School Mentors
Name:
Katooko Siyama, School Administrator &
Mentor
The Jolt Youth Initiative Programs have been warmly
received by both teachers and students at Lumuza
High School. These programs have brought a wave
of positive change and fresh hope
to our school
community.
One of the most powerful impacts has been the way
the initiative inspires both
learners and teachers
alike. It has shown us that everythin
g is possible, and
that true success is rooted in hard work,
determination, and self-belief. Many
learners,
especially girls, have begun to build stronger self-
esteem and confidence in their abilities, thanks
to
the mentorship and encouragement provided by Jolt
Youth Initiative.
The program’s focus on academic sponsorship education has also been a strong motivator. It
has encouraged students to emb
race healthy academic competition,
knowing that their efforts
could lead to life-changing opportunities. This aspect alone has transformed how learners view
their academic journey.
www.joltyouthinitiative.org
Health, Technology and
Innovation
As the coordinator for Health, Technology, and
Innovation at Jolt Youth Initiative,
this past
quarter has been one of learning, designing,
and preparing for deeper community
interventions. Our department has been laying
the groundwork to address urgent health
trends while embracing the
fast-evolving role
of technology in youth development.
Health Department
NCD Awareness and Community Screening
In response to the rising burden of non-
communicable diseases (NCDs) in both formal
and informal sectors, we are planning a
targeted community and school-based NCD
awareness campaign. Our
goal is to raise early
awareness and improve access to screening
services among targeted groups.
Key highlights in the upcoming quarter
include:
NCD screenings and health education at boda
boda stages in both Mp
igi Town and rural
communities.
School-based awareness
sessions aimed at
empowering adolescents
with preventive
health knowledge.
Continued efforts to start early preparations
for our annual medical camp
are already
underway and the team is in high gear to pull
off a bigger and better
event.
These efforts build on our broader strategy to
integrate services and ensure our youth are
not only informed b
ut have access to
necessary health interventions.
Technology & Innovation: Assessing Needs,
Shaping the Future
As technology rapidly evolves, so do the
opportunities for improving education,
communication, and public health delivery. To
better align our interventions with real needs,
we are conducting a Baseline Technology and
Innovation Needs Assessment. The goals of
this assessment are to:
•
Understand current technological skills,
access, and gaps among learners and
educators.
•
Identify emerging digital trends that
youth are engaging with.
•
Explore how tools like AI are being used
(or underutilized) in enhancing learning
and performance.
This data will guide our targeted innovation
programming and provide evidence for
designing practical,
community-level tech
interventions.
Our foc
us remains on making innovation
relatable and accessible to young people.
As
we step into the next quarter, we do so with
focus, and the drive to bridge the gap in digital
access and innovation.
By equipping youth with
relevant digital
skills and exposing them
to emerging
technologies, we unlock their hidden
potentials; empowering
them to become
creators, problem -
solvers, and active
participant
s in shaping their future.
Dr. Matovu Mousa
Projects Coordinator
Health, Technology,
Climate Change and Innovations
JOLT YOUTH INITIATIVE.
“ Unlocking hidden potentials ”
Jolt Youth Initiative
Peace and Conflict Resolution in Schools
“ Unlocking hidden potentials ”
Jolt Youth Initiative
www.joltyouthinitiative.org
LOOKING AHEAD: OUR NEXT
STEPS
Armed with new insights form our
research, we are now taking next steps to
implement our findings. Additionally, we
have finalized our peace and conflict
resolution training curriculum, which will
be followed by mentorship series in
eleven schools in Mpigi
district.
These mentorships will strive to build
bridges, promote empathy, foster
understanding and kindness. Tog
ether,
we can make a difference.
“ Unlocking hidden potentials ”
Jolt Youth Initiative
www.joltyouthinitiative.org
Kitchen Gardens
Take Root
Entrepreneurship
Jolt’s Maize
Farming Journey
At Jolt Youth Initiative, we believe that economic
empowerment begins with vision, action, and the
land beneath our feet. This year, we took a bold
step forward with the launch of our maize farming
project; an income-generating initiative rooted in
our mission to unlock hidden potentials through
entrepreneurship.
Following the successful acquisition of
leased
land, our team consulted w
ith agricultural experts
and selected maize and cassava as priority crops.
Our goal: generate income, support local livestock
farms with feed, and offer a real-life
demonstration site for youth and agro-
enthusiasts in surrounding schools and
communities.
The process hasn’t been without challenges;
chemical wash-off from rains, pest invasions, and
weed management have tested our resilience.
Yet, with
each setback came a stronger solution.
From manual weeding and chemical pest control
to improved soil health practices, we continue to
apply adaptive, informed farming techniques.
As of now, the maize crop
is 69 days old, showing
signs of flowering
and early corn
formation, an
encouraging sign for the expected harvest in the
next quarter. Meanwhile, cassava is thriving with
a healthy plant struct
ure and strong potential
for
yield. This project reflects our belief that farming
isn’t just survival, it’s strategy, innovation, and
empowerment.
Stay tuned for our harvest update; and
the
exciting developments on the newly leased acres
and the modern farming models
we’re
introducing next!
Who said you need acres of land to grow food,
build resilience, and teach
sustainability? At
Jolt
Youth Initi
ative, we’re showing that even the
smallest spaces can yield
big results.
“ Unlocking hidden potentials ”
Jolt Youth Initiative
www.joltyouthinitiative.org
Economic Mobility
JYI’s Journey Toward
Economic
Mobility
In the heart of Mpigi, a quiet but powerful
transformation is
taking root; not
in tall
buildings or big headlines, but in the lives of
young people who are beginning to believe in
the possibility of economic freedom.
At Jolt Youth Initiative, we understand that
unlocking youth potential requires more than
just encouragement, it demands opportunity.
Tha
t's why our programs are not just about
inspiring dreams, but about equipping young
people with the tools to earn, lead, and thrive.
What Economic Mobility Means at
Jolt Youth Initiative?
At Jolt Youth Initiative,
economic mobility
means empowering young people to rise
beyond the limitations of poverty and create
a better future for themselves and their
families. It is the
process through which
a
s
tudent from a low-income household gains
access to education, acquires
skills, and
builds the capacity to earn a stable income,
eventually improving
their standard of living
within their lifetime or compared to previous
generations.
Whether it's a student on a half bursary who
can now stay in school, a young person
harvesting maize from our farming project, or
a mentee learning how to budget, save
, and
start a small business, we see economic
mobility as the freedom to grow, to choose,
and to thrive.
Through our integrated programs, financial
literacy mentorship, entrepreneurship
through agriculture,
peace and conflict
resolution, digital
inclusion, and health
empowerment; we are not just offering
support. We are creating pathways for youth
to break cycles of poverty and step into
lasting oppor
tunity.
In simple terms, economic mobility
at JYI is
about giving young people the tools and
confidence to move from survival to success,
and from dependence to self-reliance.
Next Quarter Priorities
“ Unlocking hidden potentials ”
Jolt Youth Initiative
www.joltyouthinitiative.org
The journey of unlocking youth potential
continues with a full slate of impactful
activities across our key
focus areas.
In Health, we are partnering with Red
Cross to conduct life-saving skills training
for youth, while also
activating community
awareness campaigns
focused on non-
communicable diseases
(NCDs). Our
commitment to sexual and reproductive
health mentorship remains strong, and we
will
continue reaching students with
accurate, age-appropriate information to
guide their health
decisions.
We plan to deliver tailored
mentorship
sessions on Financial Literacy, these are
intended to empower students with
practical skills in budgeting, saving, and
managing resources,
critical knowledge
for navigating life beyond
the classroom.
Under Peace and Conflict Resolution (PCR),
JYI will
partici
pate in
upcoming regional
events in Western Uganda, organized by
Peace Champions Uganda.
We will also disseminate findings from our
baseline assessment
on school conflict
dynamics, followed by
training students in
mediation and peer conflict management.
Our Entrepreneurship Program is
progressing well, with our maize crop
approaching harvest. Plans are underway
to set up a greenhouse for
horticultur
e,
providing hands-on agribusiness
experience and boosting
sustainability.
In the area of Technology and Innovation,
we have launched a baseline
study to
identify the digital needs and gaps among
youth. This will guide our future
investments in digital literacy, access, and
innovation.
And this is just the beginning, more impact
is unfolding across every
district we serve.
Jolt Youth Initiative
