By Spy Uganda
Kampala, Uganda — Students from over 20 various schools who gathered at St Lawrence University were challenged to embrace the ideals of Pan-Africanism and take an active role in shaping Africa’s future during the 3rd Annual History and Political Education Exhibition held on March 6, 2026.
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The keynote presentation was delivered by Andrew Irumba Katusabe, the Founding Speaker and Chairman of the Pan-African Pyramid, who addressed students, diplomats, educators and invited guests at the event organized in partnership with the Ssemagulu Museum.
Irumba, also an investigative journalist and CEO of TheSpy Uganda and Detective-UG, emphasized the importance of Pan-Africanism as a unifying ideology capable of transforming Africa’s economic, political and social landscape.
“Pan-Africanism is the belief that African people, both on the continent and in the diaspora, share not only a common history but also a common destiny,” he said.
During his presentation titled “The Practical Meaning, Objectives, Impact and Challenges of Pan-Africanism,” Katusabe introduced the audience to the mission of the Pan-African Pyramid, a non-partisan intellectual forum aimed at reviving Pan-African, patriotic and nationalist values among young Africans.
He explained that the organization seeks to promote critical thinking among youth, encourage civic education, and build platforms that nurture leadership and innovation across the continent.
According to Katusabe, the modern interpretation of Pan-Africanism must evolve beyond racial identity and focus more on ideology, economic cooperation, and intra-African trade.
“The new Pan-Africanism should be driven not only by political actors but also by businesses, innovators and young people working together to build Africa’s prosperity not TikTok fame. I get irritated when I see schools using some of our young girls to dance seductively on TikTok to attract views for the schools, can you imagine these kind of Africas!” he wondered.
Irumba traced the origins of Pan-Africanism to the struggles against slavery, colonialism and racial discrimination. He highlighted the role of influential leaders such as W. E. B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey, Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, and Haile Selassie, who championed the dream of African unity and liberation.
He noted that the ideology played a crucial role in inspiring independence movements across Africa in the 1950s and 1960s and later led to the creation of continental institutions such as the Organization of African Unity, which later evolved into the African Union.
These institutions, he explained, continue to promote regional integration and cooperation among African states.
Youth At The Center Of Africa’s Future
Addressing the largely youthful audience, Katusabe stressed that Africa’s transformation depends heavily on the participation and leadership of young people.
He pointed out that Africa is the world’s youngest continent, with more than 70 percent of its population under the age of 35, a demographic advantage that can drive innovation, development and democratic governance.
“Young Africans must educate themselves about their history, promote unity, support African industries and fight corruption and injustice,” he urged.
He also encouraged students to use digital platforms to mobilize solidarity across borders and to champion African economic independence through innovation and entrepreneurship.
Despite the achievements of the Pan-African movement, Katusabe acknowledged that several challenges continue to hinder full continental unity. These include political divisions, economic dependency on foreign powers, corruption, and conflicts across some regions.
He emphasized that overcoming these challenges requires informed and active youth movements committed to integrity and collective progress.
Reclaiming Africa’s Ancient Greatness
Katusabe also reminded students that Africa has a long history of civilization and innovation, pointing to ancient societies such as Ancient Egypt, also known as Kemet, which contributed significantly to mathematics, medicine, astronomy and architecture.
“Africa was once a cradle of knowledge and innovation. Understanding this history helps restore confidence in Africa’s ability to shape its own destiny,” he said.
Concluding his address, Katusabe urged young Africans to embrace moral leadership, unity and intellectual growth as foundations for the continent’s progress.
“The future of Africa is not somewhere else. The future of Africa is in you,” he told the students.
The exhibition brought together students from various schools and institutions to engage in discussions on African history, political education and civic responsibility a platform organizers say is aimed at nurturing informed and responsible future leaders for the continent.
