Denis Lewis Bukenya is a social worker on the staff of the Naguru Teenage Information and Health Center, a pioneering youth center that provides advocacy and youth-friendly reproductive health and related services for young people in Uganda. Denis provides counseling and leads a local radio talk show called “Teens Speak Out.” He coordinates activities for the Post-Test Club bringing together youth who have tested both positive and negative for HIV for education, support, and participation in the fight against AIDS. He also offers technical assistance to a young people’s coordinating body that builds collaboration among HIV/AIDS and reproductive health organizations that serve youth. Denis is passionate about the health, well-being, and skill development of young people and has worked extensively around reproductive issues, particularly in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention.

Denis has worked in Uganda and the Republic of Ireland facilitating camps for HIV positive youth and children living with cancer. The camps focus on psychosocial challenges and issues related to sexuality, treatment adherence, and side effects. He has also facilitated youth camps on empowerment and environmental awareness. Denis earned his Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration with Honors at the Uganda Christian University and trained as a counselor in HIV/AIDS prevention and management at the AIDS Information Center (AIC) and The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) of Uganda. Denis has been training with PYE Global since 2006 and co-facilitates many PYE youth programs and adult trainings.    

“My dream is that more and more young people in Uganda will be empowered by programs that get to the heart of the matter: building self worth, supporting each other, and gaining the skills to maintain health and make something powerful with their lives.”