Renowned Ugandan footballer Lumala Abdu has founded a new non-governmental organisation, Lumala-Abdu Youth Impact (LAYI), to support refugee empowerment through sports and mentorship.
Mr Abdu, who has personally experienced life as a refugee in Uganda and Sweden, aims to use his platform to amplify the voices of refugees and vulnerable youth.
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LAYI recently conducted a large-scale community outreach at Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Hoima, engaging with over 2,000 youth aged 10-25.
The initiative focused on mentorship, sports-driven empowerment, and essential aid for young refugees.
“I know what it feels like to be lost, alone, and struggling to find a place in the world. Football saved me, but not everyone gets that chance. That’s why I started LAYI – to give hope and opportunity to the next generation,” Mr Abdu said.
The outreach was presided over by representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister and the UNHCR, highlighting the program’s significance in government and international humanitarian efforts.
LAYI has collaborated with several organisations, including Kyarimpa Cares, AVSI Foundation, and the Olympic Refuge Foundation, to implement Game Connect, a sports-based mental health intervention in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement.
The program aims to improve psychosocial resilience and mental health support for 16,500 refugee and host community youth.
Mr Abdu is calling on fellow athletes, corporate organisations, NGOs, media, and the international community to join him in supporting refugee communities.
With Uganda hosting over 1.5 million refugees, initiatives like LAYI are crucial in providing essential support and empowerment to vulnerable youth.
