Since its inception, the TNU 2Lead Fellowship has been at the heart of nurturing a new generation of trans and gender-diverse leaders in Uganda and beyond. The program equips activists, community organisers, and advocates with the skills, networks, and strategies to strengthen their leadership and drive meaningful change in the face of adversity.

This year’s cohort of ten (10) fellows, spread across different regions of Uganda, represents the courage, resilience, and vision of communities that continue to push for dignity, justice, and equality despite immense challenges. From grassroots activism in rural districts to national-level advocacy, their work spans health rights, legal empowerment, digital and physical security, community organising, and policy advocacy.

In this feature, we spotlight nine (9) of the fellows from the 2025 Cohort. As you will read, these fellows have not only sharpened their leadership skills but also applied them directly in their communities, creating safe spaces, training peers, launching innovative programs, and influencing policy conversations. They carry forward the vision of the fellowship: that trans and gender-diverse leaders are not only beneficiaries of change but the visionaries and architects of a more inclusive future.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. For safety reasons, some fellows chose not to have their information shared.

Queen Rihanna is a proud trans activist, feminist, and human rights advocate in Uganda. As the Executive Director of Initiative for Rescue Uganda, she challenges systemic discrimination while providing legal aid, psychosocial support, and safe spaces for trans and gender-diverse people, including those in and out of prison. Through the TNU 2Lead Fellowship, she grew as a leader, sharpened her advocacy, and strengthened her community programs. By redesigning the Prison Outreach and Legal Aid Program, she introduced paralegal training for formerly incarcerated trans people, turning them into peer advocates. Today, her vision is clear: a Uganda where trans voices are centered in justice, health, and governance.

“The fellowship affirmed that trans and gender-diverse leaders deserve to be at the forefront of change — not just as beneficiaries, but as visionaries.”  

Marion, a gender non-conforming law student and crisis responder, is passionate about using the law as a tool for justice. Their work supports trans and gender-diverse people facing discrimination, violence, and homelessness, while also creating safe spaces where legal knowledge becomes a source of empowerment. Through the TNU 2Lead Fellowship, Marion gained the confidence to embrace their identity, sharpened their advocacy skills, and built a sustainable approach to crisis response that centers on dignity and resilience.

“The fellowship gave me the courage to embrace my identity and the tools to make my advocacy more sustainable and effective.” 

At just 21 years old, Daisy Fik Juliana is already making her mark as a grassroots activist and community organiser in Eastern Uganda. From leading organisations like ITWAM-Uganda to now heading the Amani Youth Foundation Uganda, Daisy is passionate about human rights, access to healthcare, environmental justice, and social justice for transgender and gender-diverse people. Through the TNU 2Lead Fellowship, she gained confidence and essential advocacy skills, which she has used to create safe spaces, document violations, and build resilience within her community.

“The fellowship gave me the courage to speak up in difficult spaces and the tools to protect and organise my community.” 

Hajjati is a young transgender woman and seasoned advocate for gender equality, HIV and AIDS rights, and human rights. Rooted in her lived experience, she works tirelessly to empower marginalised groups, especially transgender women, sex workers, and people living with HIV, to live with dignity despite stigma and criminalisation. Her advocacy is especially impactful in rural districts such as Mubende, Mityana, and Kasanda, where she promotes access to healthcare, legal literacy, and community empowerment for populations often left behind. Through the TNU 2Lead Fellowship, she gained confidence, strategic planning skills, and evidence-based advocacy tools.

“The fellowship boosted my confidence as a young leader and gave me the tools to turn grassroots voices into real advocacy for change.” 

Ddungu Patrick Ssembatya, also known as Jay Burge, is a dedicated advocate for trans and gender-diverse communities in Uganda. Through their work with Trans Youth Initiative Uganda and Q-Media Advocacy Uganda, they use media, grassroots organising, and safe spaces to amplify marginalised voices, promote resilience, and challenge stigma. Their advocacy spans mental health, SRHR, HIV prevention, and digital campaigns, including contributions to the “Healing Out Loud” podcast.

“The fellowship gave me the confidence and tools to turn community challenges into strategic advocacy that reaches even the most rural voices.”  

Ajok Patricia, an intersex activist in Northern Uganda, leads the Omoro Alliance for Empowerment Foundation to advocate for legal recognition of intersex persons. Her work spans awareness creation, documentation of lived realities, and ending unconsented surgeries on intersex infants, alongside building resilience through economic and climate programs. Through the TNU 2Lead Fellowship, Patricia gained confidence as a leader and strengthened her advocacy strategy, now focused on engaging duty bearers with influence over policy. She is working on a policy brief to advance intersex rights nationally and envisions a Uganda where intersex persons are legally recognised, included, and thriving.

“The fellowship gave me tools in communication, documentation, and networking; but most importantly, it gave me a sense of belonging.” 

Ibanda Geofrey, Executive Director of Peace and Comfort Foundation Uganda, is a trans-led grassroots leader in Jinja. Geoffrey’s work focuses on sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) for trans and gender-diverse people, as well as training communities in digital security and legal rights. Through the TNU 2Lead Fellowship, Geofrey learned advocacy strategies, the theory of change, and policy engagement, which Geofrey applied in dialogues with stakeholders like health workers and KP focal persons. By organising advocacy meetings and community trainings, Geofrey has helped strengthen recognition of trans rights in Eastern Uganda.

“The fellowship sharpened my advocacy and leadership skills, and showed me how to use media and digital tools to amplify our voices.” 

Amooti Cetri is a trans advocate and acting Team Leader at Rainbow Africa Initiative, a trans sex worker–led organisation. She is passionate about fighting for health rights and economic justice for rural trans sex workers who are often excluded from services and protection. The TNU 2Lead Fellowship improved her leadership and advocacy skills, helping her continue pushing for inclusion and dignity for trans persons in rural communities. Amooti envisions a Uganda where trans people can live free of stigma and discrimination.

“The fellowship helped me grow in confidence and resilience and gave me new advocacy strategies I use every day in my work.” 

Dr Hirya Nahiranda is a medical doctor and passionate advocate for inclusive, gender-affirming healthcare in Uganda. At Ark Wellness Hub, he provides general medical care, STI management, HIV prevention, and guidance on gender-affirming health, while also working beyond the clinic through podcasts, trainings, and community conversations. For Dr Hirya, his trans journey has been both compass and fuel, shaping his medical career and advocacy. Joining the TNU 2Lead Fellowship marked a turning point, equipping him with legal and advocacy strategies to navigate Uganda’s restrictive health landscape while restoring his confidence and connecting him to a powerful network of gender-diverse leaders.

 “My trans journey has been both the compass and the fuel for my career…  2Lead restored my confidence, reconnected me with my power, and surrounded me with a network of gender-diverse leaders.”

Each year, we open applications for the 2Lead Fellowship, a chance to join a growing network of trans and gender-diverse changemakers. Keep an eye on our social media and platforms, and when the call goes out, don’t miss the opportunity to apply and be part of the next cohort of leaders.