Investigating Youth Entrepreneurship: How Kisozi High School Student Nyanzi Martin Luther 

KAMPALA, Uganda — In early 2026, national headlines across Uganda turned toward an unlikely figure in the country’s civic and media space — a 16-year-old secondary school student from Buddo in Wakiso District.

Nyanzi Martin Luther, a student at Kisozi High School, captured public attention after submitting a formal petition to Parliament calling for the establishment of a National NGO Fund, stricter disclosure of foreign funding, and increased support for locally driven community organisations. The petition quickly sparked debate on youth participation, governance, and national sovereignty, making him one of the youngest parliamentary petitioners on record in Uganda.

Yet behind the headlines was a story shaped by persistence, entrepreneurship, and personal struggle.

Born on December 5, 2009, at Nsangi Hospital in Wakiso District, Nyanzi grew up navigating multiple school transitions while developing an unusually early interest in media and business. He studied at St. Anne Junior School, Upendo Christian School, God’s Hands Junior School Buddo, and later MK International School Busega, where he scored 13 aggregates in the Primary Leaving Examinations.

His upbringing was influenced by both literature and business. His mother, Joan Vumilia, is an author and media personality, while his father, Ssekaayi Simon, is involved in business and events management. Following the separation of his parents in 2025, Nyanzi remained focused on education while intensifying efforts to build his own independent future.

From Deejay Blockboy to Media Entrepreneur

Before becoming known nationally for civic activism, Nyanzi had already established a reputation in youth entertainment circles as “Deejay Blockboy.”

In 2023, at only 14 years old, he founded Apex Media Services while still attending school. What initially started as a youth-focused online broadcasting and music promotion initiative gradually expanded into a wider media and training platform. The venture now operates Block FM 103.2, several digital media platforms, and Apex Digital Skills — a programme launched in 2025 to equip young people with practical skills in media, branding, technology, and entrepreneurship.

Balancing academics with entrepreneurship has remained one of his biggest challenges.

His mornings are often dedicated to schoolwork at Kisozi High School, while evenings are spent managing content production, partnerships, media promotion, and youth training sessions. In previous interviews, Nyanzi has described sustainability as the hardest part of entrepreneurship, particularly while operating with limited resources as a full-time student.

Support from family and early investors helped sustain the venture during its formative stages. His father is credited in some accounts as a co-founder due to the family’s background in events and sound systems. Investor Isaac Ssegawa also became one of the project’s early supporters after initially expressing doubts about whether a teenager could successfully manage a media company.

Today, Apex Media Services operates from Eden Mobile Events Hall in Buddo and focuses on youth-centred opportunities in areas such as deejaying, graphics design, sound engineering, social media marketing, and event publicity.

The Petition That Drew National Attention

Nyanzi’s transition from entrepreneur to civic advocate became most visible in January and February 2026, when he formally petitioned Parliament while still in school uniform.

The petition proposed the creation of a government-supported National NGO Fund aimed at strengthening locally registered organisations. It also called for increased transparency regarding foreign NGO funding and reforms to registration structures in order to prioritise community-led development.

The boldness of the proposal — combined with the petitioner’s age — immediately generated widespread discussion across media and political spaces.

For many observers, the petition symbolised a growing wave of politically conscious youth seeking direct involvement in governance rather than waiting until adulthood to participate. Uganda remains one of the world’s youngest countries demographically, yet many young people continue to express frustration over unemployment, exclusion, and limited representation in decision-making spaces.

Nyanzi’s own experiences appeared to shape his activism. Frequent school changes, financial limitations, and the pressure of balancing education with entrepreneurship contributed to his growing interest in youth empowerment and institutional reform.

Rather than postponing advocacy until after graduation, he chose to engage national institutions while still a secondary school student.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite rising recognition, Nyanzi’s journey continues to face obstacles.

Limited funding, societal scepticism toward young leaders, and the pressure of maintaining academic performance alongside business responsibilities remain ongoing challenges. Nevertheless, he has consistently emphasised the importance of education while pursuing entrepreneurship.

Future plans reportedly include expanding Apex Media Services into a larger multimedia operation and launching an independent newspaper, Daily Reports, under Apex Publications by around 2028.

Through Apex Digital Skills, he also hopes to continue mentoring young Ugandans interested in media, communication, and business innovation.

In Uganda’s evolving civic and media landscape, Nyanzi Martin Luther’s story reflects both the opportunities and barriers facing ambitious young people today. From the classrooms of Kisozi High School to the halls of Parliament, his rise illustrates how youth voices are increasingly shaping national conversations.

Whether through media, entrepreneurship, or public advocacy, Uganda’s youngest parliamentary petitioner appears determined to continue pushing beyond conventional expectations.