_{By JNLC Team}

On 4^th December 2025, more than 70 participants gathered at Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) in Fort Portal for a three-day comprehensive leadership training targeting youth, young women, and local council leaders.

Organised by the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the training aimed to strengthen practical leadership skills and nurture a new generation of community-centered, ethical, and solution-oriented leaders.

The first day introduced participants to foundational themes such as servant leadership, the meaning of power in leadership, self-leadership, emotional intelligence, mental well-being, and effective communication. Through these sessions, participants gained practical tools to engage and influence communities responsibly, mobilize resources, and contribute effectively to sustainable development.

Honouring Nyerere’s Legacy of Transformative Leadership

In her remarks, Dr. Nansozi K. Muwanga, Executive Director of JNLC, urged young leaders from higher education institutions across Uganda to embrace their central role in shaping the country’s future. She stressed that Uganda’s developmental trajectory—and that of the wider East African region—will be determined by empowered, ethical, and visionary youth.

Dr. Muwanga reminded participants that the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre draws inspiration from the leadership values of Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, who championed youth as drivers of Africa’s development. Established in 2018 by H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as a Presidential Initiative hosted by Makerere University and the Uganda Management Institute, JNLC continues this legacy by equipping young Africans with the intellectual, moral, and practical leadership skills required in a fast-changing world.

Expanding Impact Through the JNLC–UNDP Youth Leadership Programme

Dr. Muwanga highlighted that since 2021, the JNLC–UNDP Leadership Training Programme has empowered more than 700 youth leaders from Uganda and beyond. The programme cultivates a growing network of community-centered changemakers capable of influencing governance and driving sustainable development.

To address challenges faced by alumni—such as limited visibility, resource constraints, and weak mentorship—JNLC launched the Alumni Impact Activation Strategy. The initiative supports alumni-led projects aligned with UNDP’s G4D priorities through mentorship, empowerment, and visibility. This approach amplifies our investment in Uganda’s youth and ensures that leadership development translates into sustainable solutions in climate resilience, women’s economic empowerment, and digital innovation,” she noted.

Youth at the Heart of Africa’s Development

Reflecting on Africa’s demographic landscape, Dr. Muwanga noted that a youthful population presents both immense opportunity and profound responsibility. Realising this potential requires intentional nurturing of leaders who value justice, unity, ethical conduct, and collaborative governance.

“This is the aspiration that guides our work at JNLC,” she affirmed. “We aim to equip young people with the skills to think critically, lead responsibly, and contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s development and Africa’s broader ambitions.”

“You Are Today’s Leaders” — Message from Mountains of the Moon University

Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Pius Coxwell Achanga, Mrs. Roselyne Ssali—the Dean of Students—affirmed the university’s strong commitment to cultivating ethical, capable, and community-oriented leaders.

She emphasized the value of inter-institutional collaboration, noting that leadership thrives on shared learning and collective growth. She encouraged participants to engage actively, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.

Addressing the youth directly, Mrs. Ssali underscored that leadership is not a distant possibility but a present responsibility.

“You are not here by mistake,” she said. “The saying that you are ‘tomorrow’s leaders’ does not apply. You are today’s leaders, and that is something we cannot take for granted.”

She commended the JNLC–UNDP collaboration for expanding leadership opportunities and equipping young people with practical, real-world skills.

Leadership, Intellect, Capacity, Health, and Safety — Insights from the RCC

Officially opening the training, Ms. Asuman Nasike, Resident City Commissioner of Fort Portal City, shared her inspiring journey from Youth Councillor to RCC. She encouraged participants to treat every leadership role as a “nursery bed” for growth and reminded them that leadership is driven by intellect and capacity—not age or physical size.

“In your roles as local, youth, and women leaders, remember that leadership is defined by capacity, not size. It is about the mind, not the stature. I may be small in size, yet I lead this city. Let my example prove to you that young people can lead and make a difference,” she said.

She highlighted essential leadership qualities: integrity to earn trust, effective communication through feedback, leading by example, decisiveness in difficult moments, and resilience in the face of setbacks. She also emphasized personal well-being, responsible health practices, and surrounding oneself with mentors and peers who inspire growth.

Learning from Nyerere’s Leadership Ideals

Drawing from the life and leadership of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Mr. Ivan Ssegawa Sebastian, former EAC Youth Ambassador to Uganda, outlined enduring values that shaped Nyerere’s leadership: human dignity, collective responsibility, unity and cultural identity, and service above self.

These ideals, he noted, remain essential foundations for ethical and people-centered leadership today.

Principles of Servant Leadership

Leadership trainer and clinical psychologist Mr. Ronald Ssaazi guided participants through the principles of servant leadership, drawing insights from leaders like Nyerere, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., and Gamal Abdel Nasser.

He emphasized that leadership begins with self-leadership—self-reflection, self-regulation, and deliberate goal-setting. Quoting John Maxwell’s famous line, “Leadership is influence—nothing more, nothing less,” he reminded participants that they must influence themselves before they can influence others. “You cannot claim to be a leader if no one wants to follow you. Leadership begins when you influence people through your direction, ideas, and example—and that influence must start with self-leadership,” he stressed.

Mr. Ssaazi highlighted that servant leadership is rooted in service—lifting others, meeting them where they are, and helping them grow. He underscored the importance of character, emotional intelligence, meaningful relationships, and consistent action.

He also shared the “Three R’s” framework—Requirements, Returns, and Rewards—encouraging participants to focus on high-impact actions and remain motivated as they pursue purposeful leadership.

Emotional Intelligence & Mental Wellness for Effective Leadership

Dr. Gardner Herbert Rwakiseta, Programme Coordinator at JNLC, underscored that effective leadership is impossible without mental and emotional balance. He explained that clarity, creativity, and inner peace form the foundation of impactful leadership.

Using a powerful analogy, he noted:

“A smartphone may look perfect on the outside, but without a functioning battery, it cannot operate.” He likened mental health to a leader’s battery—indispensable to performance. Dr. Gardner explained that mental wellness is more than the absence of illness; it determines how leaders think, relate, and make decisions. He outlined common mental health challenges and their symptoms and provided practical tools for maintaining emotional balance, including exercise, sleep hygiene, healthy relationships, journaling, and setting digital boundaries.

On digital discipline he advised:

“The small screens were not designed to control you. Manage distractions by limiting unnecessary notifications and practicing intentional use of technology.”

The Power of Effective Communication

Mr. Henry Kasacca, Director of Dialogue and Democracy, emphasized that communication is at the heart of leadership. His session equipped participants with public-speaking skills, active listening, strategies for giving and receiving feedback, and tips for crafting impactful elevator pitches.

He reminded participants that public speaking is not merely addressing a crowd—it is connecting with people, informing them, and motivating them to act. “Preparation, positive non-verbal communication, and confidence are key. Knowing your audience, understanding the purpose of your speech, and structuring your message ensure that it resonates,” he explained.

He noted that leaders often have only a minute to capture attention, stressing the importance of clarity, relatability, and confidence. He also emphasized constructive feedback as an essential tool for growth.

The Meaning of Power in Leadership

Mr. David Nyaribi, Leadership and Governance Specialist at ActionAid International, emphasized that leadership is not defined by position but by the ability to influence, mobilize, and transform communities.

He distinguished authority from power, noting that while authority is granted, power—knowledge, confidence, action—is accessible to everyone.

He outlined four essential types of power:

• Power Over – traditional authority
• Power To – capacity to act and implement
• Power Within – inner confidence and resilience
• Power With – collective strength through collaboration

Mr. Nyaribi urged participants to use power responsibly and be mindful of who they grant influence over them. He also explained the different spaces, levels, and sources of power, from households to global diplomacy, and highlighted the difference between mobilizing (short-term energy) and organizing (long-term structure). “Mobilizing gets people to the table; organizing makes the table productive,” he noted.

Youth Voices: Picking Up the Droplets of Leadership

Bringing a youth perspective, Mr. Ivan Hurira, Speaker of the Regional Youth Parliament, shared the story of a brave hummingbird dropping water on a burning forest, insisting, “I am doing the little I can.” He likened this to the role of young Ugandans—small but consistent actions can spark meaningful change.

“When the forest of Uganda is burning, we, the young people, can do the little we can,” he said.

He encouraged participants to treat the knowledge and skills gained during the training as droplets of leadership—resources they should carry back to their communities to contribute to transformation.