Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL), the host organisation of ISSUP Uganda, participated in the Cross-Regional Conference on “Strengthening Youth Resilience to Violence and Crime through Innovation, including through Sport” held on 26–27 August 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with support from the Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China, the two-day conference brought together experts, government representatives, civil society organisations, researchers, practitioners and youth actors from East Africa, Central Asia and China. Participants exchanged experiences and innovative approaches to strengthening evidence-informed, community-based and youth-centred crime prevention.
UYDEL shared Uganda’s experiences and practical approaches to youth crime prevention through contributions across several thematic areas.
Dr Rogers Kasirye, Executive Director of UYDEL, presented on “Youth Violence & Crime in Uganda: Trends, Drivers and Prevention Challenges, 2017–2024.” His presentation highlighted trends in youth and juvenile crime, existing evidence gaps and the importance of moving beyond justice-only responses towards early prevention, diversion, rehabilitation and reintegration. He also emphasised better use of data, early intervention and stronger collaboration across sectors and communities to address the underlying drivers of youth involvement in crime.
Dr Kasirye also facilitated a discussion on “Youth Crime Prevention in Contexts of Insecurity, Affected by Conflict and High Levels of Violence.” The session explored how communities can prevent the recruitment of young people into criminal and armed groups while strengthening trust, belonging, social cohesion, protective relationships and access to positive opportunities.
The relationship between substance use and youth involvement in crime and violence was another area of discussion. Ms Kakwera Agnes, Youth Crime Prevention Officer, highlighted shared underlying vulnerabilities, including trauma, poverty, unemployment, family conflict and peer pressure. She shared UYDEL’s holistic approach linking prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, reintegration, psychosocial support, skills development and livelihood opportunities to help break this cycle before young people become further excluded or criminalised.
Mr Moses Kinobi, Sports Coordinator and Crime Prevention Officer, shared experiences from UYDEL’s community, school and sport-based practice in a presentation on gender-responsive and inclusive youth crime prevention. He emphasised the importance of intentionally designing inclusion into prevention approaches and highlighted sport as a platform for building resilience, teamwork, positive identity and belonging, while ensuring safe and equitable participation for both girls and boys.
UYDEL remains committed to empowering young people and strengthening pathways from risk to resilience, exclusion to opportunity, and vulnerability to positive participation.
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