LATEST NEWS
*******
Game Connect Summit 2026.
By Denise Namale
The Game Connect Consortium wrapped up its 2026 Summit at Hotel Africana, reflecting on six impactful years of harnessing sport to transform young lives. The event shared evidence-based insights and practical strategies to boost youth well-being and resilience.
Game Connect is a structured Sport for Mental Health programme whose main goal is to improve the psychosocial well-being and mental health of vulnerable youth aged 10-24 years who are in and out of school, including those with disabilities, in Kampala, Kyangwali, Rwamwanja, Palabek, and Adjumani Refugee Settlements and host communities. With funding from the Olympic Refuge Foundation, between 2020 until 2026 Game Connect reached 28,812 youth (12,809 (44%) National, 16,003 (56%) Refugee) [ON1] with sport and play activities, providing them with safe and supportive spaces to build resilience, foster social connections in a consortium led by AVSI Foundation together with Right To Play, Youth Sport Uganda, Uganda Olympic Committee and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
The panel discussions featured Mr. William Blick (IOC Member), Dr. Hafsa Lukwata(Commissioner for Health and substance abuse at Ministry of Health Uganda) ,Dr. Rita Larok (Graduation approach global focal point and Chief of Program at AVSI Foundation Uganda), Ms Rebecca Namakula (Senior Education Officer for Guidance and Counselling at the Ministry of Education and Sports) and Mr. Ambrose Otim( IOC Young Leader, Game Connect Participant) who discussed how sport can transform mental health.
Mr.Okello Patrick, the Commissioner for Refugees management at the Office of the Prime Minister of Uganda (OPM) emphasized Uganda’s progressive approach to refugee protection, highlighting the country’s commitment to inclusion, dignity, and self-reliance. He noted that refugees are active contributors to communities and the shared future, with 52% of refugees under 18, 25% youth aged 15-24, and 35% children. He commended the Game Connect initiative for using sport as a tool for development, providing safe spaces for healing, emotional expression, and building life skills. The Commissioner also highlighted their value for partnerships aligning with national priorities, encouraging collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister for coordinated, evidence-based, and sustainable interventions.He called for investment in scalable models like Game Connect, expanding initiatives to reach more young people and strengthening local institutions. ‘Investing in young people’s well-being and potential is investing in the nation’s stability and prosperity.’ he concluded.
Ms Lydia Murungi, the Consortium Manager in her speech said ‘’As we gather for the Game Connect Summit, we celebrate the milestones achieved and powerful stories of resilience, courage and transformation that have emerged from this journey. These experiences reaffirm a simple but powerful truth that when sport is intentionally designed and delivered, it becomes a catalyst for healing, inclusion and social change.’’
The Game Connect activities reached 28,812 youth, hitting 97% of the program’s target. Of those, 9,820 (60%) were in-school youth and 6,286 (40%) were out-of-school, while 706 youth with special needs were also engaged. Beyond sport, the initiative built financial
resilience: 5,672 youth were trained in VSLA Methodology, leading to 115 VSLA groups with cumulative savings of UGX 136,061,600 as of January 2026. To deliver Sport for Mental Health, the program recruited and trained 204 coaches and peer leaders.
Know more about Game Connect here: https://www.olympics.com/en/olympic-refuge-foundation/programmes/uganda-game-connect/
