Wikimania 2025 Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda Participants Feedback
August 2025
ABOUT WIKIMANIA
This annual global conference brings together volunteers, developers, researchers, and fans to share knowledge, discuss community issues, collaborate on projects, and promote free access to information.
Team Uganda was represented by 15 participants, our biggest in person attendance at Wikimania ever.
Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda attendees were highly satisfied with the conference, with 55.6% describing their experience as "Excellent" and 44.4% as "Good."��The event exceeded expectations, indicating the significance of sessions, networking opportunities, and the overall event's arrangement.� �These results suggest that Wikimania 2025 was a highly impactful experience for the Ugandan participants, reinforcing the importance of continued support for community members to engage in such global convenings.
For all the sponsored volunteers and staff, this was their first time attending Wikimania
Main objectives for attending Wikimania 2025
Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda Participants aimed to network, learn, represent Wikimedia Uganda globally, and engage in community discussions. They also shared their work or projects, demonstrating a balanced approach to the event.
The majority of Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda participants sought to learn new skills, contribute to broader movement conversations, and showcase their contributions within the Wikimedia movement.
A majority, 55.6%, indicated that their objectives were mostly met, while the remaining 44.4% stated that their objectives were fully met.
Top Sessions, Activities, and Experiences
The feedback indicates significant appreciation for Lightning Talk Showcases (the most commonly mentioned), along with sessions focused on community involvement, diversity, and AI.
Discussions centered on advocacy (climate issues, internet restrictions, copyright changes) and the exchange of knowledge through GLAM and libraries were similarly appreciated.
This suggests that participants were primarily attracted to sessions that were practical, inclusive, and future-oriented, as well as those highlighting their peers’ contributions.
Cluster | Specific Learnings |
Technical Skills & Tools | - Use of Pattypan and OpenRefine for uploading and managing media files on Wikimedia Commons. - Improved categorization of files on Commons. - Customizing Wikipedia interfaces (Photo of the Day, Article of the Day, interface modifications). -Photography tips and approaches. |
Policy & Advocacy | - Importance of Freedom of Panorama in supporting creatives and copyright reforms. - Insights from Collaborative Copyright Civic Advocacy (ReCreate ZA model). - Inspiration to explore a Wiki Women Photographers project to increase women’s participation. |
Community Engagement & Collaboration | - Establishing connections with Wikimedia Commons User Group members for ongoing support. - Learning about Wiki Clubs and their application in Uganda. - Experiences from language incubation projects. - Potential collaboration with Wiki Project Med Foundation (WPMEDF). - Ideas from Wikipedia at 25 Celebration, Let’s Connect Pilot in Uganda, and strategic event planning. |
Volunteer & Organizational Development | - Approaches for improving volunteer retention and management. - Building professional partnerships. - Enhancing fiscal sponsorship and event planning strategies. |
Personal Growth & Capacity Building | - Improved presentation and public speaking skills, including co-presenting sessions. - Greater awareness of resources such as the Wikipedia Library, Wikibooks, and Wikisource. - Learning that curiosity is key in contributing effectively to Wikimedia projects. |
The participants intend to apply the skills they gained in their Wikimedia work in Uganda through a variety of impactful ways. All participants noted that they established new collaborations/connections
Application Area | Specific Actions Planned |
Leadership in Projects | Lead Wiki Loves Sport campaign; guide Runyankore Wikipedia incubation; apply for Luganda Wikipedia admin rights; initiate Wikibooks Uganda pilot project. |
Skill Transfer & Capacity Building | Share Pattypan photo-uploading skills; train others on customizing Wikipedia interface; teach about admin rights process; facilitate trainings and meetups (online & physical). |
Participation in Wikimedia Events | Take up training and co-leadership roles; present at Wiki Indaba and Wikimania. |
Content Development & Thematic Focus | Encourage women photographers on Wikimedia Commons; promote deeper understanding of copyright; document Ugandan sports. |
Community Outreach & Growth | Encourage more people to join the User Group; work with libraries as Wikimedia hubs; host local meetups to promote research, learning, and cultural preservation. |
Organizational Support | Apply for grants; support in organizing events and campaigns; advise project leads; communicate with volunteers. |
The event was highly praised for its well-structured, cross-cutting, and diverse sessions, attracting participants who valued the opportunity to network and learn from various communities.
Theme | Highlights from Responses |
Team Spirit & Support | Supporting fellow members presenting/speaking; everyone participated actively in sessions. |
Collaboration & Networking | Active collaboration, engaging sessions, knowledge sharing, meeting new people, networking opportunities. |
Organization & Management | Event well-organized; communication was clear and timely; sessions well-planned and cross-cutting across subjects. |
Learning & Skills | Knowledge-packed sessions; exposure to new community initiatives; personal attendance in 12+ sessions (avg. 4 daily). |
Logistics & Hospitality | Prompt, well-cooked meals; sessions recorded for review; security well managed. |
Group Representation | Large number of Ugandans attending together; big recognition to User Group management for coordination. |
What Went Well During the Event
A major highlight was the strong sense of unity and teamwork among Ugandan participants, with members supporting presenters and ensuring broad participation. The large delegation was seen as a strength, allowing different roles to be covered—from attending sessions to networking with potential partners.
Suggested Improvements for Future Events
Area | Improvements Suggested |
Accommodation & Transport | Book hotels near the conference venue or Airbnbs within walking distance; ensure hotels understand participants are there for a conference; improve transport (comfortable bus seats). |
Volunteer Empowerment | Provide sessions to empower volunteers (esp. first-timers) on their roles at Wikimania presentations; allow volunteers with ideas to contribute more actively. |
Inclusivity & Care | Consider provision for childcare/baby-friendly arrangements. |
Scholarships & Participation | Encourage more volunteers to apply for scholarships; strengthen online participation and support. |
Visibility & Publicity | Increase publicity of the User Group and its activities. |
Activities Variety | Introduce more engaging activities beyond management-led ones. |
General Feedback | Some felt “nothing really” needed improvement. |
Strengthening Uganda’s Presence at Future Events
Theme | Suggestions |
Delegation Size | Keep sending a large number of members, as it allows diverse roles (sessions, networking, partner meetings, Commons documentation). |
Scholarships | Support members in applying for international scholarships to sustain strong representation. |
Diversity of Skills | Involve professionals from different fields to broaden participation. |
Presentations | Continue with multiple presentations (as done at Wikimania 2025). |
Photography Contribution | Bring more photographers to boost Uganda’s contributions on Wikimedia Commons. |
General Feedback | Some felt representation was already adequate and should be maintained. |
Any other comments, suggestions, or highlights
Theme | Key Points from Responses |
Gratitude & Appreciation | Thanks for the opportunity to attend Wikimania 2025; appreciation to administration team (Will, Joan, Brenda) for coordination and support; gratitude for stipends and selection of many Ugandans; participants felt united and cooperative during the event. |
Community Growth & Support | Need for a dedicated space/room with internet access for members to contribute to wiki tasks; importance of following up with newcomers even if voluntary. |
Visibility & Outreach | Suggestion to print flyers about the user group and its activities for distribution at events (e.g., WikiIndaba) to increase visibility. |
Engagement with Foundation | Desire for more Ugandans to gain adminship/extended rights; engage more directly with Wikimedia Foundation; some participants made valuable contacts with Foundation staff to support the user group. |
Personal Reflection | Attending Wikimania Nairobi 2025 was described as a pleasure and a learning opportunity, with participants motivated to grow further as Wikimedians. |
Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda Post Wikimania Sharing Event