“In Africa, they call us the Pearl of Africa because we have the most beautiful souls,” says 25-year-old Doreen Naiga from Uganda, smiling. It’s hard not to believe her — her story shines with strength, courage, and contagious energy.
Doreen was born into a large family of farmers: her father grows coffee, and her mother works as a community officer. From an early age, she learned that justice isn’t just a word in a law book; it’s something you build every day. At twelve, while helping her mother during village meetings, she discovered her passion for law and the power of words. Since then, her dream has always been to make a difference.
During her university years, Doreen quickly stood out as a leader. She was elected Vice President of the International Justice Mission, Uganda Christian University, Chapter, the first girl ever to hold that position. She organised events, justice forums and legal aid projects in local communities. “I wanted to show that with courage and a little bit of madness, you can make a difference, even as a student,” she says with a laugh.
Then came the pandemic. While many stayed home, Doreen chose to act. She joined the African Union’s Bingwa Initiative, a youth program by Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention program promoting public health and vaccinations. Her enthusiasm and determination soon made her one of the project’s young ambassadors.
“I’d never owned a leather bag, but to get one, I raised my hand to speak in front of everyone. That’s when my life changed,” she jokes, recalling the moment she first caught the attention of the Africa CDC.
Since then, Doreen has attended COP27 in Egypt, met leaders such as H.E Cyril Ramaphosa and H.E Paul Kagame, and helped draft Africa’s first Youth Position Paper on Climate and Health.
Her commitment has not gone unnoticed. In 2024, Doreen was selected to join the dynamic Y-ACT Youth Steering Committee established at AMREF Health Africa to promote youth-led initiatives, amplify their voices and drive positive change.
Today, she works with Regenerate Africa, an organisation that brings together young people, health and the environment, helping vulnerable communities understand the link between climate change and well-being.
“Climate isn’t just an environmental issue,” she says firmly. “It’s a health issue, a daily life issue. When a river destroys a home, it also destroys a family’s history.”
Her message to young people is simple but powerful: “You don’t need to be famous or have a lot of money. Start where you are. Speak up. Take action. Join others. Every community is a starting point for changing the world.”
Doreen dreams of an Africa and a world where young people are not just part of the picture but part of the decision-making process. And if the future truly lies in the hands of people like her, then the light of these “new beacons,” as she calls them, may indeed illuminate the path toward a fairer, more compassionate planet.