Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | When 16-year-old Martin Luther Nyanzi walked into Parliament with a petition seeking legislation to establish a National NGO Fund, he was doing more than presenting a policy proposal. He was demonstrating how young people can use media, innovation and partnerships to move from being observers of development to active participants in shaping Uganda’s future.
Nyanzi, the founder of Apex Media Services and Block FM 103.2, represents a growing generation of young Ugandans using digital platforms, entrepreneurship and civic engagement to influence conversations around governance, economic opportunity and social transformation.
His journey comes at a time when Uganda’s youthful population is reshaping the country’s development priorities. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), 73.2% of Uganda’s population is below the age of 30. The 2024 National Population and Housing Census shows that 50.5% of Ugandans are aged between 0 and 17 years, while 22.7% are youth aged between 18 and 30 years.
This demographic reality presents both an opportunity and a challenge. If empowered with the right skills, platforms and opportunities, young Ugandans could become a powerful engine for economic growth, innovation and national development. If ignored, the country risks losing the potential of one of the world’s youngest populations.
For Nyanzi, the journey started with a passion for media and communication. Born in December 2009 in Wakiso District, he developed an early interest in broadcasting and digital content creation. Before establishing Apex Media Services in 2025, he built experience as “Deejay Blockboy”, learning how media can influence public conversations and connect communities.
Today, Apex Media Services operates Block FM 103.2 and several digital communication platforms targeting young audiences. Through the Apex Digital Skills programme, the company says it has trained more than 200 young people in graphic design, digital marketing, media production and entrepreneurship through virtual learning platforms such as Zoom and WhatsApp.
The company has also grown to employ several staff and contributors as it transitions into a shareholder-owned enterprise.
“I want young people to have platforms where they can learn practical skills, express themselves and contribute to Uganda’s development,” Nyanzi says.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Nyanzi has embraced policy advocacy. In February, he petitioned Parliament to establish a National NGO Fund to support community-based organisations and locally founded non-governmental organisations at a time when external donor financing is declining.
His argument is that Uganda needs sustainable domestic mechanisms to strengthen organisations that complement government efforts in areas such as education, healthcare and community development.
Whether Parliament adopts the proposal remains to be seen, but his approach highlights an important shift: young people are increasingly engaging formal institutions instead of limiting their activism to social media discussions.
Youth influence
Uganda’s experience reflects a wider global debate about youth participation in decision-making.
