Geoffrey Omony is the Executive Director of Youth Leaders for Restoration and Development (YOLRED). He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management from Gulu University. He first graduated with a Diploma in Social work from Gulu University then with a Bachelor of Business Administration/ Human Resource Management from Cavendish University Uganda. He followed the Goldin Institute’s training in Community leadership by the Goldin Institute. Also, he got a Certificate of leadership from the Issroff Family Foundation (IFF) through its Collaborative Learning Initiative.

His passion to serve his community, especially war victims, comes through with his personal experience as a former child soldier and his deep understanding of the problems facing all victims of the conflict allows me to bring compassion and credibility to reintegration and restoration efforts. Through his work, engaging with hundreds of other former combatants as well as partners from a wide range of organisations, he was able to design and provide real, sustainable solutions for war-impacted youth in Northern Uganda. He believes that a peaceful, just, and unified Northern Uganda can be a reality when all young people, especially those who were left behind, can live and work together in strong communities.

Before launching YOLRED, he created, designed, and led a research project that involved the collection of over 150 peer-to-peer interviews with former abductees about their experiences and time in captivity; the information was used to feed into the organisation’s mission, aims, and purpose. Consequently, he developed the organisation’s culture based on community-based and grass-roots operations.

Additionally, he facilitated and supervised the research carried out by international researchers and students who have partnered with YOLRED, often acting as the mediator, coordinator, and interpreter. Beforehand, he works closely with these individuals to train them in the ethical and research protocols of YOLRED, i.e. how to address and communicate with former child soldiers, and the cultural, social, and economic sensitivities required before engaging with them, and vet their methodologies and research questions to ensure they align with YOLRED’s values. 

All along his career, he administered a portfolio of activities. One such successful example was a livelihood program for former combatants; the funds were used to initiate revolving fund projects such that in the end, every member of the group was able to access the funding on a rotational basis and start an income-generating activity of their choice. This led to many group members gaining self-reliance and being able to cater to their needs. Through his passion and vision for reintegration efforts, he worked with child soldiers to reintegrate them into society through Peace Building, Educational Opportunities, Economic Empowerment training, and offering research to the world. Rehabilitating child soldiers and reintegrating humanity into their lives is such an important mission and major community impact that was achieved through his work.