The Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC), in partnership with Makerere University, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Uganda Management Institute (UMI), hosted a symposium to equip young leaders with the skills needed to serve their communities effectively, promote accountability, build public trust, and contribute to Uganda’s social and economic development.

Held on 22 September 2026 at Makerere University, the symposium focused on the theme of leadership beyond the ballot and targeted newly elected leaders at various levels of government. To provide a balanced perspective, the event brought together experienced leaders from different sectors, including government officials, Members of Parliament, local government leaders, cultural leaders, academics, and university student leaders.

The symposium featured presentations and a series of panel discussions involving leaders from diverse sectors and disciplines. The sessions created space for the free exchange of ideas and experiences in a relaxed and engaging setting.

Embrace Service and Build a Lasting Legacy

Dr Suzie Nansozi K. Muwanga, Executive Director of the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre, urged the newly elected young leaders to view leadership as a responsibility to serve communities, create opportunities for others, and build a lasting legacy.

“At the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre, we believe that leadership is ultimately about service,” Dr Muwanga said. She invited participants to reflect on the kind of leadership their communities need and how they can use their positions to empower others.

While congratulating the young leaders on their election, Dr Muwanga reminded them that their mandate carries a responsibility to represent their constituents and contribute to the country’s development. She also reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to supporting and working with the young leaders throughout their leadership journeys.

Prioritise Integrity, Digital Skills and Community Service

Addressing the newly elected leaders, as well as young people who had participated in the electoral process but were not elected, Ms Nwanne Vwede-Obahor of UNDP Uganda said that both experiences represented important steps in their leadership journeys.

Describing Uganda’s youth as “a critical asset to social and economic transformation,” Ms Obahor emphasised the need to equip young people with the skills, values, and opportunities required to contribute meaningfully to national development through legislation, oversight, mobilisation, and accountability.

“Transformative leadership begins with character,” she said, highlighting the importance of purpose, integrity, accountability, and service. She challenged the young leaders to continually reflect on why they had chosen to serve and what they hoped to achieve, noting that public trust and commitment are essential for creating lasting impact.

Ms Obahor also urged the leaders to embrace digital skills and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and data-driven tools. She encouraged them to use technology to address challenges in areas such as agriculture, employment, and entrepreneurship.

She stressed the importance of collaboration, partnerships, and mentorship, urging leaders to remain connected to the communities they represent and to ensure that their priorities reflect the concerns and aspirations of citizens.

Ms Obahor said that UNDP would continue supporting the young leaders beyond the initial training by assisting them to develop personal leadership brands, vision statements, and practical leadership impact plans.

Discover Your Purpose and Serve with Responsibility

The former Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Victoria Sekitoleko, urged the young leaders to understand their purpose, remain committed to service, and recognise that leadership begins long before one assumes public office.

She emphasised that leadership is not determined by age or position, but by responsible decision-making, effective communication, and the ability to influence others positively.

“Use the programme to discover your individual leadership path and remain committed to it,” she told the participants.

Drawing on her experience, Hon. Sekitoleko reminded young people not to wait for formal positions before demonstrating their leadership abilities. She advised them to learn from history and from the experiences of previous leaders, cautioning them against allowing anger or emotion to influence their decisions.

She stressed that effective leadership requires knowledge, communication skills, and wisdom—including knowing what to say, when to speak, and when to remain silent. She also called on the leaders to build sustainable livelihoods while using their public positions to serve communities and create opportunities for others.

Hon. Sekitoleko appealed to alumni of leadership programmes to share their knowledge by mentoring young people in schools and promoting democratic leadership through initiatives such as student elections and prefect councils.

Acknowledging the challenges and uncertainties that leaders may face, she encouraged young politicians to persevere and seek guidance from experienced leaders whenever necessary.

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Panel Discussion One: Leadership Experiences

Moderated by Mr Sebastian Ssegawa of the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre, the first panel brought together Hon. Robert Maseruka, Member of Parliament for Mukono South; His Lordship Alionzi Lawrence, Mayor of Arua City; Ms Natasha Ahereza, General Secretary of the NRM Youth League; and Ms Gorret Karungi, Female Youth Councillor for Fort Portal.

Reflecting on his leadership journey, His Lordship Alionzi Lawrence, the 88th Guild President of Makerere University and Mayor of Arua City, explained that his experience began in student leadership and later progressed to local government.

“My decision to contest for mayor was motivated by where I could make the greatest impact,” he said. He noted that effective and transformative leadership requires deliberate training and continuous learning. Using the example of a bus driver, he explained that natural ability alone is not sufficient to take responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of others.

“There are qualities that a human being can be born with that can be crucial to leadership, like empathy and listening. But those in themselves are insufficient to constitute transformational leadership. It requires training,” he said.

He commended leadership development initiatives for providing an important foundation to prepare young people to assume leadership responsibilities and serve their communities effectively.

Sharing her leadership experience, Ms Natasha Ahereza, General Secretary of the NRM Youth League, emphasised that effective leadership extends beyond titles and positions of authority.

“Leadership is demonstrated through the ability to listen to people, understand their concerns, and develop practical and responsive solutions to the challenges they face,” she said.

She urged young leaders to look beyond political affiliations and focus on what they can do for the people who have entrusted them with leadership responsibilities.

Ms Gorret Karungi, Female Youth Councillor for Fort Portal, shared her experience of entering local government, noting that her journey was marked by resistance and several challenges. She explained that mentorship and persistence helped her overcome these obstacles and assume greater responsibilities.

She emphasised that leadership positions should be viewed as platforms for public service rather than opportunities for personal enrichment. Highlighting the importance of mentorship, Ms Karungi noted that guidance and support from experienced leaders can help young leaders navigate challenges and grow in their roles.

Hon. Robert Maseruka, the 89^th Guild President of Makerere University and Member of Parliament for Mukono South, traced his leadership journey to his experience in student representation. He explained that his first leadership opportunity emerged after he helped fellow students navigate the university enrolment process.

He called upon the newly elected leaders to begin their service with a clear sense of purpose, serve with ambition, and work towards leaving a legacy that future generations can reference.

Hon. Maseruka also emphasised the need to shift the focus from a candidate’s position or political identity to their ability to serve, deliver, and create meaningful impact in their communities.

Panel Discussion Two: Insights from Seasoned Leaders

Moderated by Ms Annet Mpabulungi Wakabi, Team Leader for Governance and Leadership at UNDP, the second panel featured Hon. Emmanuel Lumala Dombo, politician and Director of Information, Publicity and Public Relations at the National Resistance Movement (NRM); Ms Christine Musisi, former UNDP Resident Representative in Tanzania; and Mr Solomon Sserwanjja, Chairperson of Local Council One (LC1) in Bamutakudde Village.

Reflecting on his experiences in student leadership and national politics, Hon. Emmanuel Lumala Dombo emphasised that effective leadership requires timely decision-making, respect for diverse communities, and a clear understanding of the responsibilities associated with representing others.

He advocated for stronger national values and greater social cohesion, noting that historical prejudices based on religion, ethnicity, and other identities should not continue to shape political and community relations. Hon. Dombo also called for deliberate investment in leadership development. He noted that, just as societies invest in developing qualified professionals in other sectors, countries should systematically prepare competent individuals to assume positions of responsibility.

Ms Christine Musisi advised the young leaders to develop visions that extend beyond personal success and instead focus on significance, impact, and legacy. “If you do not reproduce other leaders, what legacy are you leaving behind?” she asked.

Underscoring trust as a central component of effective leadership, Ms Musisi urged leaders to act with integrity, respect other people’s values, and build relationships across political and ideological differences.

“Trust is the currency of leadership,” she said. She encouraged leaders to critically assess the people around them, particularly their closest advisers. According to Ms Musisi, effective leaders need people who can hold them accountable, support them during difficult moments, and share their core values.

Impressed by the exchange of ideas during the symposium, Ms Musisi advocated for the revival of Ekyooto—the traditional “fireplace conversation,” where young people interact with elders and experienced professionals. She encouraged the young leaders to seek mentors who could support them in their journey from success to significance.

Focusing on the importance of strategic planning, Mr Solomon Sserwanjja, Chairperson of LC1 in Bamutakudde Village, noted that leaders often enter office with manifestos and promises. However, these commitments must be translated into practical plans once they assume responsibility.

“When you come into leadership, it then becomes strategy. Have a plan which is subsequently translated into annual and quarterly work plans,” he said. He explained that this approach enables leaders to identify priorities, set targets, define activities, and establish a framework for monitoring progress.

Mr Sserwanjja further noted that organisation and effective systems can help communities attract resources and partnerships. “People want to give to an organised society. People want to contribute to an organised leader,” he said. He urged emerging leaders to move beyond making promises and demonstrate leadership through tangible results, accountability, and effective systems. Leaders who consistently deliver on their commitments, document their achievements, and establish structures capable of attracting resources are better positioned to build confidence among their communities and partners.

“Build the trust by delivering, document your wins as a leader, be accountable and create a system that attracts resources and impacts,” he advised. He also called upon participants to strengthen the LC system as a platform for accountability and representation. “The LC1 position should be the most powerful office in the public service system,” he stressed.

Panel Discussion Three: Insights on Unemployment

The third panel, moderated by Dr Julius Kiiza, Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Makerere University, brought together government officials, cultural leaders, and academics. The panellists were Mr Aggrey David Kibenge, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development; Owek. Robert Sserwanga, Minister for Youth, Sports and Arts in the Buganda Kingdom; and Dr Irene Esther Mutuzo Sevume, a member of faculty at Makerere University.

Mr Aggrey David Kibenge highlighted the need for a whole-of-government approach, noting that unemployment and skills development cannot be addressed by a single institution. “Education, labour, industry and youth programmes need to work together to ensure that the skills acquired in schools and universities correspond with labour-market requirements,” he said.

Owek. Robert Sserwanga underscored that leadership should be centred on service rather than personal interests. He called for a rethink of prevailing mindsets and approaches to addressing future skills gaps, observing that the knowledge acquired in school does not always translate into the practical abilities required in the modern workplace.

Mr Sserwanga also called for more flexible approaches to organising work around outputs and competencies. In his view, employability should not be defined solely by conventional office hours or traditional workplaces, but by an individual’s ability to deliver useful and marketable skills.

He emphasised the importance of leadership in addressing youth unemployment and other development challenges. He encouraged leaders to focus on solving problems within their communities and creating opportunities for the people they represent. He pointed to community-based initiatives and partnerships as potential mechanisms for promoting self-help, skills development, and local economic activity.

Contributing to the discussion, Dr Irene Esther Mutuzo Sevume explained that smartphones and internet access have opened up opportunities that were not available to previous generations. Young people can now access international employers, fellowships, training programmes, and business opportunities without necessarily relocating.

Dr Mutuzo Sevume encouraged young people to move beyond the traditional perception that a “good job” must involve a suit, an office, and a conventional nine-to-five schedule. She advised graduates to explore remote work, digital careers, fellowships, entrepreneurship, and other opportunities available through online platforms.

She also encouraged young people to use emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to develop and refine business ideas, build relevant skills, and identify opportunities, rather than relying on technology primarily to complete academic assignments.

Build Credibility through Strategic Communication

During her presentation on “Strategic Communication and Personal Branding,” Ms Mildred Tuhaise, a media and strategic communications consultant, emphasised that leadership should be driven by purpose rather than position. She noted that titles are temporary, while a leader’s reputation, influence, and impact can endure for generations.

Ms Tuhaise said that leaders should deliberately build their professional identities around three key qualities: character, competence, and consistency. She explained that character is demonstrated through a leader’s conduct in both public and private settings, while competence requires leaders to understand their areas of responsibility and communicate with knowledge and authority.

She encouraged young leaders to establish a niche and develop expertise in specific areas rather than attempting to speak on every subject without sufficient knowledge. On public speaking, Ms Tuhaise stressed the importance of preparation, clear messaging, an audible voice, and confident body language. She advised leaders to read widely and fact-check information before making public statements. She also encouraged them to request time to consult when they do not have sufficient information, rather than providing misleading answers.

She underscored the importance of ensuring that communication on every platform is both timely and accurate. Ms Tuhaise cautioned young leaders about the permanence of their digital footprints, noting that posts, photographs, and statements shared online can resurface years later and affect how they are perceived professionally. She urged leaders to remain authentic, uphold integrity, and recognise that their personal conduct is often associated with the institutions and positions they represent.

Embrace AI for Responsible and Effective Leadership

In a presentation titled “Artificial Intelligence, Digital Technology and Data-Driven Decision-Making,” IT practitioner and digital expert Mr Andrew Jombwe argued that artificial intelligence should not primarily be viewed as a threat, but as a tool for augmenting human capabilities.

Mr Jombwe stressed that technological advancement must go hand in hand with ethics, integrity, and human responsibility. While technology can enhance human intelligence and productivity, he noted that it cannot replace human judgement, contextual understanding, values, and character.

He urged leaders and young people to move beyond fear of artificial intelligence and acquire the knowledge necessary to understand and use emerging technologies responsibly. Highlighting some of the risks associated with AI, Mr Jombwe called upon the newly elected leaders to apply it ethically in addressing everyday challenges and improving service delivery.

Promote Mental Health and Personal Wellbeing

During her presentation on mental health and wellbeing, Hon. Obiga Rose, Chairperson of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum, noted that financial difficulties, unemployment, academic pressure, relationship challenges, social media, substance abuse, and other life stresses can negatively affect mental wellbeing.

She urged young people to remain positive, build resilience, and seek support when facing difficult situations, rather than allowing setbacks to lead to hopelessness or self-harm. She recommended healthy habits such as regular exercise, proper nutrition, adequate water intake, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and drug use.

Hon. Obiga also emphasised the importance of self-reflection, meditation, positive relationships, and avoiding negative influences, particularly on social media. Drawing on her own experiences, she encouraged young people to remain determined, trust in their abilities, and recognise that failure and setbacks do not define their future.

Turn Training into Community Impact

The Chairperson of Local Council Five in Namisindwa District, Mr Emmanuel Bwayo, noted that young leaders who receive training and mentorship have a responsibility to apply the knowledge gained to serve their communities effectively and build public confidence in the younger generation.

He encouraged young leaders to be patient with their growth, respect experienced leaders, and work constructively with public servants and other stakeholders.

Mr Bwayo commended the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre for providing leadership training and called for more leaders, including Members of Parliament, to receive similar training in order to strengthen leadership and governance in the country.

Govern with Integrity and Evidence

Ms Annet Mpabulungi Wakabi, Team Leader for Governance and Peace at UNDP Uganda, urged elected and aspiring young leaders to lead with integrity, use evidence to inform decision-making, and embrace digital competencies to improve governance and public service delivery.

She commended the leadership programme and the mentors who had contributed to preparing young leaders at the national, municipal, and local government levels. “Communities depend on them to address challenges. Use the knowledge gained from experienced leaders to serve effectively,” she said.

Ms Wakabi reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting governance transformation in Uganda and urged the young leaders to work closely with their communities to contribute to the achievement of the country’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Put Dignity at the Centre of Leadership

Delivering the closing remarks, Dr Nansozi K. Muwanga, Executive Director of the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre, advised the young leaders to put people and their dignity at the centre of leadership.

She called upon them to uphold integrity, embrace innovation, and use technology responsibly to develop solutions and strengthen their connection with the communities they serve.

Dr Muwanga also expressed appreciation to UNDP Uganda for supporting the leadership programme and helping to extend training and continued mentorship to young leaders across the country.

Moderated by Mr Henry Kasacca and Mr Sebastian Ssegawa, staff members of the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre, the symposium marked a significant step towards equipping newly elected young leaders with insights from experienced leaders.

The discussions underscored the importance of service, integrity, accountability, competence, continuous learning, mental wellbeing, evidence-based decision-making, and the responsible use of technology in effective leadership.