Officiating at the camp at Makerere University on Sunday 30th July 2017, the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, launched the Mindset Education Programme aimed at developing citizens with positive attitudes and correct mindsets for national development and assured total government support towards achieving its objectives.

With research, it has come to the notice that some of the key national constraints to development and social transformation are the citizens’ mindsets. In pursuit for creating a system that delivers a radiant mindset and competencies amongst the labor force, responsive to the demands of the country, the Ministry of Education and Sports signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) in August 2016 to implement a Mind Education Programme in Uganda.

With an objective to sensitize the youth, educators and other stakeholders on the importance and necessity of mindset education in the country, the two together with Makerere University, school of Psychology and the Mininstry of ICT and National Guidance organized a four day Camp at the nation’shighier institution of learning.

In a speech read by the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hon. Beti Kamya, 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 letter further read; “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.”

He asked that the Mindset Education Programme should awaken the youth and other Ugandans to realize their potential since their ability to be lazy or to work depends on what and how they think.

Museveni also 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 (Finance and Administration) of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe who represented the Vice Chancellor Prof John Ddumba-Ssentamu 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.

Noting that they are the future of the nation, Prof. Nawangwe advised that the young people to 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.

He also 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.

The founder of International Youth Fellowship, Rev. Ock Soo Park 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.

He asked all members in attendance to help in spreading the good news from the camp at all people especially the Youth in their aeas.

”I am sure that our nation will prosper if the youth who constitute the biggest part of our population are well propelled with good behavior and practices. 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 consists of programmes and trainings directed towards enabling the youth overcome their challenges and get a positive mindset through various mind lectures. This time, the participants were taken through self-control training, diverse cultural presentations and music performances.