My Virtual Wikimania 2026 Experience: Reflecting on learning, community, and the future of free knowledge

Joining Wikimania Paris Virtually from Uganda

Although I attended Wikimania 2026 virtually from Uganda, I still felt connected to the global Wikimedia community. As the movement celebrated 25 years, the conference brought together Wikimedians, researchers, educators, and partners from across the world to exchange ideas and shape the future of free knowledge.

Uganda had a strong presence at this year’s conference, with five participants(Micheal Kaluba, Sandra Aceng, Brian Baluku, Geofrey Kateregga, and Ssemanda Will) attending in person in Paris and twenty of us joining online. While participating virtually was a different experience from being onsite, it still provided an opportunity to learn from experts, follow important discussions, and engage with the wider Wikimedia movement.

Every year, Wikimania brings together Wikimedians from around the world to celebrate the Wikimedia movement, share experiences, and explore new ideas for advancing free knowledge. Although I attended Wikimania 2026 virtually from Uganda, I never felt far from the conversations taking place in Paris. Through the livestreams on Eventyay and YouTube as well as the online discussions, I was able to learn from experienced Wikimedians, discover new perspectives, and reflect on how these lessons connect with the work we are already doing in our community.

As a member of the Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda, I have had the opportunity to contribute to several campaigns and initiatives, including Wiki Loves Folklore, Wiki Loves Earth, Wiki Loves Africa, Art and Feminism and Wiki for Human Rights. I have also supported the organization of community initiatives such as WikiGap 2026 in Uganda and Wiki for Minorities in Uganda. These experiences made many of the discussions at Wikimania feel familiar, while also challenging me to think about how our local work can grow and have an even greater impact.

Celebrating Women in the Wikimedia Movement

I had the opportunity to participate in the Wiki Women Summit session, which was one of the highlights of my Wikimania experience. The summit celebrated the achievements of women across the Wikimedia movement while creating space for conversations about leadership, mentorship, inclusion, and closing gender gaps in knowledge.

Having supported initiatives such as WikiGap 2026 and participated in the Art and Feminism Project, I found many of the discussions especially meaningful. They reaffirmed the importance of creating welcoming spaces where women can contribute confidently, develop leadership skills, and support one another. The summit reminded me that improving gender equity on Wikimedia is not only about increasing content about women, but also about empowering more women to become active contributors, organizers, and leaders within the movement.

Learning through sessions

One of the sessions that stood out to me was “A Practical Guide to Working with United Nations Agencies and Their Resources“. The speakers demonstrated how Wikimedia communities can collaborate with United Nations agencies and other intergovernmental organizations to access reliable, multilingual, openly licensed resources.

As someone who has participated in Wiki for Human Rights Campaign in 2024, I immediately saw the connection between this session and the work we do in Uganda. The session highlighted how trusted institutional resources can strengthen Wikimedia content while also creating opportunities for meaningful partnerships. It inspired me to think about how our community can make greater use of these resources in future campaigns.

Another session that resonated deeply with me was “Wiki for Minorities: From Representation to Empowerment“. Having helped organize Wiki for Minorities in Uganda, I understood many of the challenges discussed during the presentation. The session reinforced an important message: communities should not only be represented on Wikimedia platforms but should also have the skills, confidence, and leadership opportunities to tell their own stories.

Uganda is home to many languages and cultures, and ensuring that these communities are actively involved in documenting their knowledge remains an important goal. Listening to experiences from other parts of the world reminded me that although our contexts differ, many communities are working toward the same vision of knowledge equity.

The value of participating online

Virtual participation offered its own advantages. I was able to follow sessions from different tracks, take detailed notes, and reflect on how the ideas being shared could be applied within our local Wikimedia community.

While I missed the informal conversations and face-to-face networking that come with attending in person, the online format ensured that community members who could not travel still had the opportunity to learn from the conference and be part of the global discussions.

Seeing fellow Ugandans represented both onsite and online also reminded me that meaningful participation in the Wikimedia movement is not limited by location.

Looking ahead

Wikimania 2026 gave me an opportunity to reflect on my own Wikimedia journey. From contributing to campaigns like Wiki Loves Folklore, Wiki Loves Africa, Wiki Loves Earth, and Wiki for Human Rights to supporting community initiatives such as WikiGap and Wiki for Minorities in Uganda, I realized that every project contributes to the larger mission of ensuring that everyone can access, contribute to, and benefit from free knowledge.

The conference also reminded me that there is always more to learn. Hearing the experiences of Wikimedians from different countries encouraged me to think beyond local projects and consider how partnerships, innovation, and community leadership can strengthen our work in Uganda.

Although I attended virtually, I left Wikimania feeling connected to a global movement that continues to inspire people to document the world’s knowledge collaboratively. I look forward to sharing these lessons with my community and applying them to future Wikimedia initiatives, while continuing to contribute toward a more inclusive, equitable, and reliable knowledge ecosystem.