_{By Charles Iga}

Fort Portal-Uganda: On 5^th December 2025, more than 70 emerging leaders convened to participate in the second day of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC) comprehensive leadership training for youth, young women and local councilors.

Hosted at Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) in Fort Portal, the training focused on deepening the leadership skills of young leaders as they navigate the increasingly complex governance and development landscape.

Building on the knowledge acquired during the first day of the workshop, on the second day (5^th December 2025), the participants engaged in interactive sessions covering problem-solving, team building, advocacy, gender equality, media literacy, self-marketing, and financial literacy in leadership.

The discussions challenged the young leaders to sharpen their mindsets, broaden their spheres of influence, and strengthen their capacity to champion inclusive and sustainable community development.

Advocacy and Gender Equality: Understanding gender dynamics and women acceptance in leadership

Delivering an informative presentation titled, Advocacy and Gender Equality: Understanding Gender Dynamics and Women’s Acceptance in Leadership, the Guest Speaker- Professor Consolata Kabonesa highlighted that women remain underrepresented in leadership due to entrenched power structures shaped by societal norms and cultural traditions.

Professor Kabonesa emphasized that leadership depends not only on individual ability, but also on the systems that determine who is recognized and legitimized as a leader.

“The roles of women in leadership remain under-represented because power is shaped and perpetuated by societal norms and traditions that socialize women and men differently. These norms influence how leadership roles are assumed and who is considered legitimate to lead,” she explained.

How Socialization Shapes Leadership Pathways of Boys and Girls

Professor Kabonesa highlighted that socialization shapes leadership opportunities, with boys typically encouraged to be assertive, while girls are guided towards empathy and collaboration. This unequal conditioning reinforces gender stereotypes, often undermining women’s authority and sustaining male-dominated leadership structures. She advocated for mentorship as a vital tool, illustrating how role models help girls balance assertiveness with empathy.

She noted that early participation in councils, debates, and leadership roles develops skills, challenges biases, and empowers girls to pursue leadership in traditionally male-dominated fields. She articulated that integrating discussions on gender dynamics into educational curricula equips young girls to recognize and challenge societal norms that limit their potential, while fostering resilience against the discouragements they may face.

Inclusive Leadership: Engaging both Women and Men

Professor Kabonesa articulated that achieving gender equality in leadership is not solely an issue for women, but a collective responsibility. She underscored that balancing participation between men and women fosters mutual understanding, shared accountability, and collaborative problem-solving. She pointed out that inclusive leadership models prevent the isolation of women’s perspectives, ensures all voices are heard, and ultimately contribute to stronger, more equitable, and sustainable leadership that reflects the diversity and potential of society.

“Balancing participation across genders is critical. It helps us understand gender issues collectively, prevents the isolation of women’s experiences, and encourages men and women to address biases together. This approach will ensure that women are not left behind and will foster inclusive leadership models that benefit society as a whole.”

Leading within the Existing Leadership Structures

Expounding on the existing leadership structures and the power of relationships, Mr. Henry Kasacca, the Director of Dialogue and Democracy, explained that people support leaders not for their titles, but for the meaningful connections they build. He stated that effective leadership depends on listening, connecting, and collaborating across diverse spaces. “Leadership is not about the title you hold; it is about the relationships you build. There are people who will support you simply because you have invested time in connecting with them,” he said.

Mr. Kasacca stressed that leaders must navigate the organizational power structures by understanding where influence lies and how decisions are made. He noted that strategic thinking, long-term planning, and aligning ideas with action are key to effective leadership, while qualities such as listening, collaboration, kindness, and clarity of purpose are essential for achieving meaningful organizational and community impact.

He urged participants to maintain a clear vision, develop well-crafted plans addressing both immediate and long-term needs, and combine relationship-building with an understanding of power dynamics to become effective, and inclusive change-makers.

Strategic Thinking: Decision making and Problem Solving Techniques

Guiding participants on strategic thinking for decision-making and problem-solving techniques for effective leadership, Ms. Allen Baguma, a facilitator at JNLC and Founder of the Future Learning Centre (FLC) emphasized that strong leadership is anchored in intentional thinking, clear judgment, and the ability to translate vision into well-considered action.

“A strong team is built on clearly defined roles, an understanding of team dynamics, and psychological safety. When people feel safe to speak, contribute ideas, and make mistakes without fear, teams perform better,” she said.

Building Strong Teams through Clarity and Trust

Ms. Baguma emphasized the importance of clearly defined roles within teams, explaining that role clarity enhances accountability, minimizes conflict, and boosts overall performance. She observed that effective leadership requires understanding of team dynamics and fostering psychological safety, where members feel valued, respected, and confident to share ideas without fear of judgment.

She added that effective team building fosters social interaction, a sense of belonging, and a shared pro-social purpose. She noted that teams perform best when individuals are united by common goals and mutual trust.

Leadership growth across the five (5) levels

Citing John Maxwell’s five levels of leadership namely position, permission, production, people development, and pinnacle, Ms. Baguma explained that leadership growth is a progressive journey, moving from reliance on position to influence built through relationships, results, people development, and ultimately, value-based leadership that inspires others beyond formal structures.

Applying Strategic Thinking to Real-Life Challenges

Ms. Baguma guided participants through a practical exercise on strategic thinking, tasking them to identify personal challenges, explore innovative solutions, and evaluate their feasibility and impact. The exercise highlighted the importance of strategic decision-making in enabling leaders to address both personal and community challenges effectively.

Team Building for Effective Leadership

Mr. Ronald Ssazi, a facilitator and leadership trainer revealed that leadership extends beyond authority and depends on creating genuine connections. He stressed that building a strong and committed team involves engagement of members, which emotionally sparks curiosity and draws people in.

Mr. Ssazi explained that storytelling bridges attention to understanding. He illustrated this with the story of the youngest king of the Toro Kingdom, crowned at the age of three and now navigating life as a father at 33. Such narratives, he observed, showcase growth, resilience, and cultural awareness, humanizing leaders and making leadership relatable. “Leadership is not merely a title, but a journey of responsibility and influence,” he said.

He emphasized that leadership thrives in communities. Effective leaders, he explained, consistently share updates, insights, and experiences with their teams. Strategic use of social media, for example, allows leaders to post short, regular updates capturing daily activities, which builds a loyal and engaged audience that evolves into a network supporting initiatives, sharing knowledge, and amplifying impact.

“Leadership is not solitary; it thrives in communities. Effective leaders consistently share updates, insights, and experiences with their teams and followers. When used strategically, social media becomes a powerful tool for team building,” he said.

Preserving Culture while embracing modernity and team building

Mr. Ssazi highlighted that modern leaders have unprecedented resources at their disposal. He explained that tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), social media analytics, and online platforms can be used to strengthen teams. AI, he noted, can help craft content that resonates with audiences and analyze engagement to refine communication strategies. He stressed that leaders who effectively harness these tools can expand their reach and influence while remaining authentic and true to their values.

Mr. Ssazi emphasized that effective leadership balances modern strategies with cultural preservation, using community history and traditions. “Team building and leadership are about values and vision, balancing modern strategies with cultural heritage to foster pride, cohesion, and inspired and well-rounded teams.”

He stated that whereas true leadership is demonstrated through action, effective team building requires creation of genuine opportunities for participation and contribution. “Leaders who share opportunities, invite collaboration, and encourage feedback, transform their teams into active contributors,” he said. He added that assessing engagement, adapting strategies, and celebrating achievements fosters a culture of involvement and accountability.

Media Literacy: Promoting and Marketing Leadership through Social Media

Describing digital competence as an essential leadership skill, Mr. Ivan Ssegawa Sebastian, rallied participants to effectively utilize social media to promote and market their leadership roles and activities. He observed that most of the participants had smartphones, and were using social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Noting that the key challenge was not access, he challenged the participants on the intentional, responsible and strategic use of social media tools.

Mr. Ssegawa underscored the influence of social media, citing its vast global and national reach and its role in driving social and political movements. He described the Internet as a new battleground for leadership visibility, and provided guidance on the ethical use of artificial intelligence. He tipped the participants on authentic personal branding and effective content creation using emotion, story-telling, and a clear call to action.

Financial Literacy in Leadership: Managing financial resources for Effective leadership

Mr. David Nyaribi, Specialist at ActionAid International, explored the vital connection between financial literacy and effective leadership. During this session, Mr. Nyaribi focused on equipping participants with essential skills to manage financial resources effectively, both at a personal level, and in leadership roles.

He reminded participants that every leader must navigate the reality of unlimited wants and limited resources—especially time and money. “You may acquire more possessions in life,” he cautioned, “but time once lost is gone forever.”

He described the four dimensions that every human being must manage namely physical, cognitive, spiritual, and socio-economic. He emphasized that the socio-economic aspect, which includes financial capacity, is inseparable from leadership. Quoting Tony Robbins, he reiterated: “You either master money, or money masters you.”

The Flight Analogy: How Financial Choices Shape Life Stages

Mr. Nyaribi used a flight analogy to indicate how financial decisions shape life’s stages. From Preparation (0–20 years), building values, skills, and education, to Take-off (20–30 years), where career choices and earnings begin. Stability (30–50 years) is for investing and building systems, Descent (50–60 years) for consolidating and planning succession, and Landing (70+ years) for reflection and enjoying the results.

Impressed that most of the participants in the UNDP-JNLC leadership training workshop were in the preparation or take-off stages, Mr. Nyaribi advised them to invest in education, skills, and self-development.  “Many people struggle later because they wasted their take-off stage,” he revealed.

Pillars of Personal Finance every leader must master

Mr. Nyaribi reminded the participants that financial literacy is not just a personal asset, but a leadership necessity. Underscoring the power of discipline and mindset, he urged young leaders to focus on both earning money and building true wealth­­­­­­­-assets that empower them to uplift their communities. Mr. Nyaribi highlighted five (5) core financial principles that are essential for responsible leadership:

• Earning through either services or products;
• Saving first as a disciplined priority rather than keeping what remains after spending;
• Investing to turn savings into income-generating assets;
• Spending wisely to avoid living beyond one’s means; and
• Protecting gains through careful planning and accountability.

_{By Moses Lutaaya}

Kampala, 15 December 2025 — Makerere University on Monday held a reflective and inspiring Certificate Award Ceremony at the CTF 2 Auditorium , Yusuf Lule to award academic staff who completed the Graduate Supervision and Mentorship Course and PhD Students who successfully undertook the University’s compulsory cross-cutting doctoral courses. The event was presided over by the Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali.

The ceremony honored the efforts and achievements of 58 academic staff members, 39 men and 19 women from various colleges including CEDAT, CAES, CEES, COVAB and COBAMS, who completed a rigorous three-week Graduate Supervision and Mentorship programme.

Additionally, PhD students were recognized for completing cross-cutting courses in Philosophy of Methods, Scholarly Writing and Communication, and Advanced Research Methods.

In her keynote remarks, Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor–Academic Affairs, delivered a message of encouragement and renewed commitment to research excellence at Makerere University.

“It is both an honor and a privilege to be here today to celebrate a significant academic milestone, the completion of the PhD Cross-Cutting Courses by our students and the award of Supervision Certificates to our academic staff.”

“Your completion of this course is not just a personal achievement, but a critical contribution to strengthening the research and mentoring capacity of Makerere University.”

To the PhD students, Prof. Ssali offered warm congratulations and encouragement. “These courses have equipped you with essential tools to conduct high-quality, ethical research and to engage with complex academic questions. This achievement reflects your hard work, intellectual growth, and commitment to excellence.”

She reaffirmed Makerere University’s commitment to research advancement. “As a University, we remain deeply committed to fostering a culture of research excellence. We will continue to invest in both our students and our staff, ensuring that we uphold the highest standards in research and academic supervision.”

The Director of Graduate Training, Prof. Julius Kikooma, challenged the PhD students to approach research with urgency, intentionality, and a clear sense of purpose.

 “Completing the crosscutting courses in Philosophy of Methods, Advanced Research Methods, and Scholarly Writing and Communication has not been an easy task. However, the certificate alone is not the end goal. Don’t simply compile these certificates. Make them meaningful.”

Prof. Kikooma emphasized that the value of the courses lies in applying the knowledge gained. “These certificates give you the foundation knowledge. The question now is: Can we see the application of that knowledge in your different fields?”

He further urged doctoral students to begin producing serious academic work now, not at the end of their studies. “If you are becoming someone to be listened to, start now. It means the course is becoming useful. Write about issues that speak to societal challenges. Produce thinking pieces. Produce better outputs. “Look for low-lying fruits that can make your PhD journey more exciting and impactful.”

 Prof. Kikooma also reminded students that while the PhD journey is shared by the academic community, its weight is uniquely felt by the candidates. “Your PhD journey is ours as a group. But you feel the heat. Speak to us so we understand your challenges. “You cannot be here for more than three years. Why are some of you still here? Is the journey heavy? How can we support you to complete it?” He asked.

He encouraged students to build thought leadership through the PhD Forum, adding that the forum is a strong voice for the students. A PhD is automatic leadership in the knowledge domain. Why doesn’t the PhD Forum come up with periodic writings that reflect what communities are experiencing? Start now so that by the time you finish the course, you hit the ground running.”

The Ag. Director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning Support (CTLS), Dr. Dorothy Ssebowa Kyagaba, gave a message to the academic staff who completed the Graduate Supervision and Mentorship Course, speaking with admiration for their dedication and high level of engagement.

 “I congratulate all the academic staff who have completed the three-week Graduate Supervision and Mentorship Course. Your commitment, hard work, and enthusiasm have been evident throughout the training.”

She described the course as a cornerstone of Makerere’s commitment to strengthening graduate supervision. “This course is a key component in Makerere University’s drive to strengthen the quality of graduate training, research supervision, innovation, and strategic partnerships.”

She highlighted the thematic richness of the training; covering Knowledge Production Perspectives, Supervisory styles, Supervisory meetings and conversation skills, Research Ethics, Intercultural supervision and diversity, Scholarly writing and feedback as well as Examination processes and Doctoral Viva. She expressed gratitude to the Directorate of Graduate Training led by Prof. Kikooma, and to Prof. Ssali for providing leadership that advances graduate training across Makerere University.

The approval by the Parliament of Uganda of a US$162 million concessional loan from the Korea Export-Import Bank (KEXIM) on 16^th December 2025 marks a pivotal moment for Makerere University, as the institution enters the fourth year of its second century of existence. This funding approval comes at a critical moment as the university underscores its intention to become research-intensive, against the pressing need to align with global standards in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

With student numbers growing from 5,000 three decades ago to approximately 35,000 today, Makerere‘s facilities continue to be stretched. The loan’s timely approval during a plenary session chaired by Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, underscores the government’s commitment to revitalizing higher education amid national development goals outlined in the National Development Plan IV and the Ten-fold Growth Strategy.

Anticipated Developments

The loan will finance the construction of a state-of-the-art science and technology center, complete with advanced laboratories and innovation hubs for engineering disciplines. Upgrades to existing labs and smart classrooms at the College of Computing and Information Sciences are planned, alongside new buildings for Electrical, Civil and Mechanical Engineering Departments.

The College of Health Sciences will see expanded preclinical education facilities, and a dedicated structure for the School of Dentistry will incorporate cutting-edge equipment for dental technology, education, and clinical practice. These initiatives are not mere expansions; they aim to elevate Makerere to international benchmarks, fostering an environment where students can engage in hands-on research and practical training.

Furthermore, capacity-building programs will empower staff to harness new technologies, ensuring sustainable operations long after the 42-month implementation period, spanning financial years 2025-2026 to 2029-2030. The timing couldn’t be more opportune. Uganda’s ratio of science and technology graduates to humanities remains at 2:5, a ratio the loan is anticipated to improve to least 3:5 by 2030.

The loan facility addresses immediate challenges like inadequate spaces for growing programs, such as the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, which has seen a rise in intake, with increased interest from international applicants. Additionally, by investing in PhD training at Makerere, the loan reduces reliance on costly overseas programs, enabling resources to be redirected toward comprehensive educational enhancements.

Government’s Broader Strategy

Makerere as the premier regional institution has been prioritized to receive funding based on Government’s recognition of the trickle-down effect that enhancing the capacity at the university has on other higher education institutions and the education ecosystem. This approval builds on Makerere‘s legacy of resilience, positioning it as a beacon for African innovation. In an era where technological advancement defines global progress, this loan propels Makerere toward producing graduates equipped to tackle real-world challenges, from climate resilience to digital transformation.

Ultimately, the KEXIM loan is a timely catalyst for Makerere‘s renaissance. It not only revamps physical infrastructure but also reignites the university’s role in socio-economic transformation, with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) as the executing agency. Therefore, as Uganda eyes Ten-Fold Growth from approximately $50 billion (2023) to $500 billion by 2040 via Agro-industrialisation, Tourism, Mineral-based industrialisation, Science and Technology/ICT (ATMS), empowering Makerere University is not just strategic—it’s essential.

Taking Stock of Previous Support

The African Development Bank’s (AfDB) US$29.2 million under the HEST program in 2016 funded infrastructure at Makerere, including two centralised teaching facilities with lecture rooms, auditoriums, e-learning labs, and specialized facilities like diagnostic, biotechnology, GIS, and computer labs. These transformed the skyline, enhanced large-class teaching, research access, and service provision to a thriving staff and students’ community.