Young Leaders for Arts and Health Kampala Summit 2025
On 22nd August 2025, the African Health Grid Foundation (AFHEG), Weyagale, Street Lights Uganda and Kwa Imani Community in collaboration with the Global Arts in Medicine Fellowship and the Commonwealth Leadership Institute co- hosted the Young Leaders for Arts and Health Kampala Summit at the MCI Media Hub in Kabalagala.
The summit brought together over 150 youth leaders, 26 partner organisations, media practitioners, creatives, and policy actors to explore how the arts can drive health literacy, influence policy, and inspire behavioural change in communities. The event was preceded by a pre-dialogue hosted at the American Centre Kampala, which convened 30 youth leaders to set the stage for policy-focused conversations.
Health literacy remains a critical challenge in Uganda and across Africa. Misinformation, gaps in access to accurate information, and limited platforms for youth engagement continue to undermine progress in public health. AFHEG believes that art, storytelling, and creative expression are powerful tools to fill these gaps, making health information relatable, accessible, and engaging. By linking creativity with health advocacy, the summit demonstrated how young people can become effective communicators, leaders, and policy influencers in areas such as sexual and reproductive health and rights, climate and health, mental health, and misinformation.
The summit opened with a youth pre-dialogue at the American Centre where 30 young leaders gathered for a roundtable discussion on the theme “How to Advance Public Health Through Youth-Led Creative Advocacy and Policy Influence.” The dialogue produced rich insights that shaped the summit’s agenda and provided a platform for meaningful youth contributions.
The grand summit day featured three dynamic panels that captured the intersection of art and health in unique ways. The first panel, “Art as a Tool for Public Health Advocacy and Empowerment,” explored how creativity can be used to challenge stigma, shift narratives, and amplify health literacy. The second panel, “Mental Health and SRHR: Breaking Stigma through Creative Voices,” highlighted how creative advocacy can empower communities to discuss sensitive health issues openly. The third panel, “Policy Engagement: Bridging Youth Realities with Decision-Making,” focused on how youth-led initiatives can influence decision-makers and connect grassroots experiences to policy spaces.
The summit also featured exhibitions and creative showcases from partner organisations. These organisations demonstrated innovative approaches and art-based health solutions that captured the imagination of participants and reinforced the role of creativity in tackling real-world health challenges.
Media and digital engagement played an important role in amplifying the summit’s reach. With the participation of 10 journalists and 20 arts and health influencers, youth voices were shared widely across online platforms, reaching over 10,000 people. This online engagement ensured that the discussions and outcomes of the summit extended far beyond the physical venue.
The summit made a significant impact by convening 26 organisations to collaborate on arts and health initiatives, providing a platform for over 150 young leaders to gain visibility and influence, reaching more than 10,000 people through social media engagement, and fostering cross-sector partnerships for sustained advocacy and innovation.
The Young Leaders for Arts and Health Kampala Summit has set the foundation for a youth-led arts and health movement in Uganda and East Africa. AFHEG will continue to work with its partners to expand the platform, amplify youth-led innovations, and influence inclusive health policies.
As we look to the future, one truth is clear. When creativity meets health advocacy, communities are empowered, misinformation is challenged, and young people step forward as leaders of healthier and more resilient societies.
Learn about the Young Leaders for Arts and Health.