Josephine Nabukenya

Like many children with HIV, Josephine contracted the virus from her mother in utero, but grew up unaware of her status. After learning she was HIV-positive, Josephine sought support from children's groups run by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation — and before long, she was leading and facilitating those very groups, speaking out about youth and HIV/AIDS throughout Uganda and at high-profile international conferences. In 2016, Josephine was honored with a Queen's Young Leaders Award, presented at Buckingham Palace. She has been outspoken in American and international media about sustained commitment to the global fight to end HIV/AIDS, and co-authored a 2018 op-ed with Sir Elton John in The Times. As a co-founder of Young Generation Alive, a youth-led group fighting stigma and discrimination, she continues to educate her fellow Ugandans. Josephine earned a degree in Social Work from Makerere University and is the author of "Beyond Your Status: Thriving in Life in Spite of HIV" (2019).