Over time, it has been realized that the citizens’ negative mindsets are some of the key national constraints to development and social transformation. Consequently, the Ministry of Education and Sports signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) to focus on creating a system which delivers a radiant mindset and competencies amongst the labor force, responsive to the demands of the country.

The duo, in conjunction with Makerere University, School of Psychology and the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance organized a four-day National Mindset Education Camp whose objective was to sensitize the youth, educators and other stake holders on the importance and necessity of Mindset Education in the Country. The camp taking place from 29th July to 1st August 2017 at Makerere University is in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed between IYF and the Ministry of Education and Sports in August 2016 to implement a Mind Education Programme in Uganda.

Officiating at the camp on Sunday 30th July 2017, H.E Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda launched the Mindset Education Programme aimed at developing citizens with positive attitudes and correct mindsets for national development.

In a speech read by Hon. Beti Kamya, the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, President Museveni noted that there is need to change the pessimistic attitude that some Ugandan youth have towards life and encourage them to work hard for prosperity. Through Mindset Education, he believes this can be achieved.

“The mind dictates our actions, so when we have an education of the mind as well as a changed attitude, we control our actions. It is our hope that this Mind Education programme will create a strong mind in us to overcome the difficulties we encounter in our lives. This is because knowing that there are always solutions is motivating enough,” the President wrote.

The President mentioned that through the use of mind education, they will be able to promote leadership skills, reduce unemployment and moral deterioration levels and create a unified mindset. Through this, people will start appreciating resources and the current situations to effect change in the country. He said that that Uganda is a rich country whose development is greatly deterred by the negative attitudes of her citizens.

“Uganda is a rich country, but we are still behind because of the poor attitude and mindset to the critical elements that bring about development. Our country is endowed with a lot of resources, both human and physical; all we need is a change in attitude. We need a holistic character education that will bring a substantial advancement by a precise change in the mindset of our people,” H.E Museveni said.

He said that the Mindset Education Programme should awaken the youth and other Ugandans to realize their potential because their ability to be lazy or to work depends on what and how they think. He added that it should also enable them to have cautious mindsets, be properly informed and prepared to embrace the positive attitude about the vast resources in the country.

He thanked the International Youth Fellowship who have partnered with the Ministry of Education and Sports and Makerere University to initiate the action to address the attitude problem in the country, starting with the youth. He affirmed Government’s commitment to addressing the problem of poor attitude of the citizens in order to fix bad situations caused by poverty, ignorance and disease.

The Acting Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe informed the participants that all the aspects the National Mind Education camp aspired to promote were in line with addressing youth mindsets and challenges responsive to national and global needs.

“The dynamic nature today calls for greater support to the young people. With the persisting challenge of youth unemployment, poverty and the rising culture of individualism, it is right that the mindset of the youth are recaptured and re-guided on the path of progress that values the concept of holistic existence,” Prof. Nawangwe noted.

Prof. Nawangwe advised that the young people, being the future of the nation, should be equipped with relevant knowledge and skills to enable them contribute to societal transformation and economic development. He said knowledge and skills alone without mental and spiritual preparation are not sufficient enough for meaningful progress.

Prof. Nawangwe who is also the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) welcomed the partnership with IYF that puts emphasis on mind education, particularly influencing attitudes and perspectives. He commended the Ministry of Education and Sports for endorsing the Programme and IYF for choosing Makerere University to host the Camp.

Rev. Ock Soo Park, the founder of International Youth Fellowship said that the organization has changed a number of lives of young people globally through mindset education. It teaches the youth and their leaders about the world of hearts, self-control and having a bright and radiant mind.

He pledged to work hand in hand with the government of Uganda and the Ministry of Education and Sports to promote Mindset Education in the country.

Representing the Ministry of Education and Sports, Mr. Nsumba Lyazi, the Director for Basic and Secondary Education at the Ministry and Chairperson of the organizing committee for the camp disclosed that the available literature shows that for one to succeed in life there is need to have a positive mindset. This means having good habits and practices that give one a positive living. According to him, majority of the Ugandan youth are in schools today. If they are given the right education, they will be able to have a positive living and develop good behavior and practices that will enable them to live a better life.

”If the youth who constitute the biggest part of our population are well propelled with good behavior and practices, there is no doubt that our nation will prosper. That is the main reason why we are here in this camp. When you go back to your areas, be ambassadors of mindset education to ensure change and development in your societies and our nation,” he said to the participants.

The Mindset Education Camp runs for 3 nights and 4 days during the months of July and August. It consists of programmes and trainings directed towards enabling the youth overcome their challenges and get a positive mindset through various mind lectures. The participants of the 2017 National Mindset Education Camp participated in various programmes including self-control training, diverse cultural presentations and music performances.

Article by: Mak Public Relations Office