Leading by example, one game at a time
Leadership can begin long before a person steps into a formal role.
For Joshua Rubanga-Maro, a student at UTC Lira and a peer educator, the rugby field has become more than a place for competition. It has become a space where young people learn respect, teamwork, and the importance of treating one another as equals.
Through his involvement in rugby, Joshua has dedicated himself to promoting gender equality and human rights among boys and girls. By encouraging positive behaviour, mutual respect, and equal participation, he demonstrates that sport can be a powerful tool for social change.
Creating change beyond the playing field
Joshua’s work extends far beyond organised sports.
He actively participates in community campaigns raising awareness about gender-based violence and human rights, using every opportunity to engage young people in conversations about equality and respectful relationships. His approach is simple but effective: when young people learn to work together as teammates, they also learn to value one another beyond the game.
That commitment has also led him to act when people around him have needed support.
Joshua has reported cases of gender-based violence to the authorities when necessary, mediated conflicts within his own family, and helped friends resolve situations involving domestic violence. Whether supporting relatives, neighbours, or members of his community, he consistently chooses dialogue, fairness, and peaceful solutions.
A voice for inclusion
Joshua believes that stronger communities are built when everyone has the opportunity to participate.
In group activities, he makes a conscious effort to ensure that women and men, girls and boys all have an equal voice. Rather than allowing one group to dominate, he works to create balanced participation where every opinion is respected and every individual feels included.
The same mindset guides the way he communicates with different generations. Young people are engaged through sports and teamwork, while elders are approached with humility and respect, creating opportunities for meaningful conversations across age groups.
Looking toward a more equal future
Despite the emotional demands of gender equality advocacy, Godfrey remains optimistic.
He knows that challenging deeply rooted attitudes takes patience, resilience, and courage. Yet he continues because he believes that every step toward equality strengthens families, creates healthier communities, and opens new opportunities for future generations.
For Godfrey, gender equality is not simply a legal principle or a community initiative. It is a commitment that shapes the way he leads, the way he serves, and the way he lives every day.
Jeremiah Lucas Opira Foundation (JLOF) and Northhood Production Initiative are proud to recognize Godfrey Ochaka as one of the winners of the National Champions Advancing Inclusion Awards 2026. Through his courage to share his own story, his dedication to justice, and his unwavering commitment to community dialogue, Godfrey reminds us that meaningful change often begins with a single person who is willing to speak up.