Born in Paliisa in 1999, Aloikin Praise Opoloje has grown into one of Uganda’s most outspoken young activists. She is a law student, a feminist and a believer in justice, even if it comes with a price. In 2024, she made headlines when she joined fellow activists Norah Kobusingye and Kemitooma Nyina’kyenzibo in a nude protest demanding the Speaker of Parliament step down over corruption. For that protest, she was arrested and later remanded to Luzira Prison but that was not the beginning or the end of her journey.

Aloikin has led and participated in several anti-corruption protests, spoken up about military detention of civilians and continues to challenge Uganda’s political system through both grassroots and digital activism. She serves as the Student Engagement Lead at OpenParly Uganda, where she organizes student debates on parliamentary accountability. She also works with the Dwona Initiative to combat period poverty and misinformation.

In 2025, Aloikin was named the winner of the EU Human Rights Defenders Award, selected from dozens of nominees. Her message to young people “We do this for the future we never had” is resonating loudly across East Africa, becoming an anthem for those tired of silence.

Despite arrests, intimidation and imprisonment, Aloikin still remains unshaken.

Watch her story on #ShangaziPower here: