Global Youth Coalition Member Feature: Kenny Mulinde

1. Where are you connected? Tell us about the work you're doing.
Currently, I am implementing a road safety awareness campaign called #BeRoadSmartUG, a local actions-winning project, funded and supported by YOURS - Youth for Road Safety and TotalEnergies Foundation. The project will create awareness of the urgency of road safety for women and girls by positioning feminist road safety strategies that front women’s rights, and their participation in decision-making processes in Kampala by March 2022. 

I also lead some coordination and mobilization roles for the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety in Uganda, including recruiting new members, connecting youth networks, supporting regional youth leaders, and identifying potential partnership opportunities to expand the coalition mandate. 

In May 2021, I was appointed as a youth ambassador in Uganda, for the Youth Advocacy Program to contribute to advocacy and strategic communications that advance the mission of Education Above All Foundation, by integrating representation of youth voices, especially those in the most marginalized and fragile context.

Some of the successful campaigns and activism projects I have supported include; Art-Reach Youth Camp, Visualize Filmmakers Boot camp, Visualize for Equality, Visualize for Gender Responsive Public Services, Claimingourspace, Streets For Life, Lockdown For Youth, and Artivism For Change. #ARYC2018 #Visualize4Equality #Visualize4GRPS #Love30 #Artivsm4Change #Lockdownforyouth

Professionally, I am a multimedia producer, with an extensive background in photography, graphics designing, and film production. I have worked in the civil society space, for over 7 years, specifically doing youth and community development programming, and creative activism. 

2. How did you first get involved in road safety and how long have you been working in the road safety and sustainable mobility field? 
I started the Road Safety advocacy journey in 2019, following a call for participation during the Global Youth Consultations for Road Safety. I followed the link and applied to participate in the 2nd World Youth Assembly for Road Safety.  It didn’t take so long and I was accepted. The organization supported me to start carrying out youth consultations in my community to raise awareness on road safety and safe mobility issues.

The consultations helped me a lot in understanding different road safety issues and the devastating experiences and realities that young people experience on the roads.  I successfully carried out three youth consultations and won myself a fully funded slot to the Assembly facilitated by YOURS and partners.

When I returned to Uganda, I mobilized the youth at Youth Arts Movement Uganda and we started a road safety program called #RoadSmartNinjaz. This was to further familiarize ourselves with road safety work. We used the resources and study materials from YOURS and worked hard to implement the Global Youth Statement by inviting more young people to join the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety.

Some of the issues we are creating awareness on and advocating with decision-makers for include; regulation and enforcement of traffic laws, road safety education, awareness, and policy on public transportation systems. 

3. Can you tell us a little bit about the road safety and sustainable mobility situation in your area?
In Uganda, at least 12,035 people die every year. This is according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The leading risk factors for these fatalities include; speeding, drink driving, distractions, red light jumping, non-seat belt and non-helmet wearing, road crimes, and violence. Unfortunately, the most affected are not active motorists but innocent school-going children, young women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. 

Public transport (Taxis and Boda Boda) is an essential service that provides individuals with access to work, education, and all of life’s opportunities. However, in some areas in Kampala, access of many women and girls to safe public transport options is threatened by the potential of them being assaulted or victimized.

Those vending food and small merchandise along the main streets at trading centers, and girls crossing roads to and from schools are at a greater risk. Additionally, many of these women involved in street hawking are mistreated by security personnel, as well as women drivers being harassed by the male-dominated driving community and pedestrians. It is sickening how these people are verbally, and physically attacked because of their dressing choices, which of course is never an invitation for sexual advances.

 While the design of city spaces in major cities like Kampala has privileged the needs of male, able-bodied people, there is a growing need to rethink streets as feminist spaces, guaranteeing women, children, and girls an equal right to movement. Streets for life!! Creating safe streets in which these special people are free from actual and perceived threats involves addressing harassment in all its forms.

4. Why do you think it's important to include young people in local and global road safety efforts? 
Road Traffic Injuries are the leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 5-29 years.  It is therefore important for young people to be included in local and global road safety efforts as a deliberate strategy to redress past discrimination against disadvantaged groups, especially women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

Adoption of affirmative action will promote their empowerment and ensure that they participate in, and benefit from, sub-sector road safety, and transport developments equitably. Youth should actively be involved in the identification and evaluation of roads and transport sub-sector interventions that affect their lives. Equitable road safety education and awareness to guarantee safer mobility.

6. What are your comments on the Coalition? Its activities? Its opportunities?
The Coalition‘s leadership and its programming understand that in order to achieve sustainable and meaningful development, young people need to be at the center and forefront of all aspects of change that affect them directly or indirectly.

The Coalition provides training, mentorship, resources, opportunities, and funding that responds to youth agencies. They understand that youth need to be equipped with the right skills, tools, and platforms to lead the kind of lives and change they desire.   The coalition has built a stronghold of young leaders, and a fountain of hope, empowerment, and activism, that strengthens the social justice struggles of the youth. We do this through advocacy, training, creative expression, and voice so that we can be heard, respected, and involved in all issues that matter to them, and to influence political, social, and economic change, regardless of their marginalized backgrounds. 

7. Any messages for people who have not yet joined the coalition? 
To all the young people out there, please join us at the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety! This is the space that understands you, where all your ideas will be valid, listened to, and supported. Together, we claiming our space, and calling on world leaders to work with us, side by side as partners. Come be part of something bigger!!