Beyond Borders: Young Leaders Call for a More Unified East Africa at 3rd Guild Leaders’ Summit

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda reports that young leaders from East African Community countries met recently at Makerere University for the 3rd Annual East African Guild Leaders’ Summit, urging faster regional integration and wider access to opportunities across national borders. The gathering, held under the theme of youth leadership, production and regional integration in a changing global order, brought together university guild presidents, academics, policymakers and development partners.

According to the report, discussions focused on reducing barriers that limit movement and cooperation among students, professionals, businesses and ideas in the region. Speakers including Professor Idris A. Rai and Damian Massa linked East Africa’s future competitiveness to practical steps such as aligning university curricula, easing credit transfers and expanding cross-border study opportunities, with references made to international exchange models such as those used in Europe.

The summit also highlighted youth participation in development planning and policy processes. Annet Pangunji of the United Nations Development Programme led conversations on involving young people more directly in decision-making, local production and regional transformation. Kisumu County Governor Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o delivered the keynote address, emphasizing service, innovation and the public good as measures of leadership.

Watchdog Uganda further reported that an Afro-Arab Youth Council delegation led by Halima Nansubuga took part and reaffirmed support for student leadership and integration efforts. At the close, student leaders appealed to governments and regional bodies to make the East African Guild Leaders’ Summit a permanent rotating platform, arguing that formal recognition would give student leaders an ongoing channel to contribute to EAC policy dialogue and youth empowerment.