A Bold New Beginning: Welcoming the YPMP 2025 Cohort 4

On Saturday, February 22, 2025, the Young Professionals Mentorship Program (YPMP) officially welcomed 47 ambitious mentees into an exciting journey of mentorship and professional growth. Representing Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and a person of concern living in Uganda from South Sudan—this diverse cohort has taken a bold step toward shaping their futures with purpose and determination.

For many, life is an uncertain maze, with paths that only become clear over time. However, these 47 young professionals have chosen not to wait for clarity but to actively seek it because as illustrated in the powerful analogy of a maze, learning alone can be a winding, trial-and-error process, but with a mentor, the journey becomes more structured, efficient, and fulfilling. They have embraced the opportunity to learn from those who have walked before them, reaching out to experienced mentors who are ready to guide, challenge, and inspire them.

The orientation session was both insightful and inspiring. Alumni of the program shared their success stories, offering firsthand accounts of how YPMP shaped their careers and personal growth. Destiny Gladys Chaiga reminded the mentees that “every individual has a quest for growth, and in pursuit of it, mentees should cultivate the self-drive needed to get out of comfort zones to pursue their dreams.” Esther Chebijira added to this sentiment, saying, “Obstacles are what you see when you get your eyes off the goal(s).” Their journeys served as a testament to the transformative power of mentorship, motivating the new mentees to fully commit to the process.

Mentees were also introduced to the YPMP structure, including how the program runs and what it takes to graduate as a YPMP alumna. They were guided through Google Classroom, which will serve as a key platform for learning, collaboration, and engagement throughout the program. This session provided clarity on expectations, ensuring that every mentee is equipped to make the most of this opportunity.

Coming from diverse fields such as commerce, ICT, education, governance, international relations, engineering, social work, and more, the mentees bring unique perspectives and aspirations. Their passions span across climate change, innovation, food security, youth empowerment, leadership, and legal advocacy. Yet, despite their varied backgrounds, they share a common drive—the hunger to learn, grow, and create meaningful change.

At the core of this journey is an exceptional team of 20 mentors—seasoned professionals from different countries and professions . More than just advisors, they are leaders, innovators, and change makers who have themselves experienced the life-changing impact of YPMP. With their wealth of expertise and deep commitment to mentorship, they stand ready to guide this new cohort toward personal and professional success.Timothy Origumisiriza, the Team Leader, emphasized this when he said, “YPMP is a family, and mentees ought to be good family members. This family is what you make it.”

The session also served as a reminder of the program’s high standards. The Secretary General, Mukisa Phiona made it clear that “at YPMP, we don’t entertain mediocrity” and emphasized that “what you put in is what you get.” Excellence is not just encouraged—it is expected.

As the mentees embark on this transformative journey, the Founder, Chief Mentor and Patron, Agnes Igoye, left them with a powerful message: “Let your limitations not curtail you.” She reinforced the importance of mindset, stating, “If you fight for your limitations, you get to keep them.” With these words, she assured the mentees that the mentors are here to walk the journey with them, urging them to maintain a positive attitude and embrace the process.

As this new chapter begins, the YPMP 2025 cohort steps into a space where knowledge meets ambition, where experience fuels growth, and where mentorship paves the way for transformation. This is more than just a program—it’s a launchpad for future leaders. Welcome to the journey!