28 Dec
The Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC), a Presidential Initiative established in 2018 to honour the legacy of Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, continued to expand its impact throughout 2025 through leadership development, policy dialogue, research, and cross-generational engagement. Guided by the ideals of unity, community, servant leadership, and Pan-Africanism, the Centre strengthened its role as a platform for nurturing transformative leaders and advancing conversations on peace, governance, and social change.Through partnerships with institutions including Makerere University, Uganda Management Institute, UNDP, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, JICA, Rotary Peace Center, and several regional and international collaborators, the Centre implemented a wide range of programmes that reached young leaders, local councillors, scholars, students, policymakers, and development practitioners.
Leadership development remained at the core of JNLC’s work. The Centre organized leadership programmes for Rotary Peace Center Fellows, Makerere University student leaders, Mastercard Foundation Scholars, youth, young women, and local government leaders. These initiatives focused on ethical leadership, self-leadership, communication, governance, emotional intelligence, and community transformation while reinforcing the values championed by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.
Peace and security constituted another major pillar of the Centre’s activities. In collaboration with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), JNLC organized multiple Peace and Security Leadership Trainings and facilitated cross-generational Ekyooto Conversations that brought together experienced leaders and young people to discuss regional peace, security, and governance challenges. These engagements promoted dialogue and strengthened youth participation in peacebuilding initiatives.
Throughout the year, JNLC also served as an important platform for intellectual engagement and policy discourse. The Centre hosted the launch of the edited publication Reviewing the Form and Substance of the 2021 Elections, providing an opportunity for scholars, policymakers, and civil society actors to reflect on Uganda’s democratic processes and electoral reforms. Discussions on governance, political participation, and democratic accountability further reinforced the Centre’s commitment to evidence-based dialogue.
International collaboration and knowledge exchange remained central to the Centre’s activities. JNLC welcomed distinguished visitors and delegations, including Professor Emi Kaburagi and students from Tottori University, Dr. Tshilidzi Ratshitanga, Ms. Helena Nyerere, continental delegations, and representatives from various partner institutions. These engagements strengthened Pan-African solidarity and expanded opportunities for learning and cooperation beyond Uganda.
One of the highlights of the year was the Julius Nyerere Youth Festival 2025, held to commemorate the birthday of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. The two-day event brought together youth leaders, scholars, artists, policymakers, and activists to reflect on servant leadership, Pan-Africanism, and the role of young people in shaping Africa’s future. The participation of members of the Nyerere family underscored the enduring relevance of Mwalimu Nyerere’s ideals across generations.
Beyond leadership and governance, the Centre promoted holistic wellbeing and community engagement. Activities such as the CEDAT Mental Health Symposium, MakNkrumah Day celebrations, the Makerere Run, and the Community Innovation Showcase and Alumni Workshop highlighted the importance of wellbeing, innovation, and social responsibility in leadership. These initiatives encouraged young people to develop practical solutions to local challenges while fostering inclusive development.
The year also demonstrated the growing impact of JNLC’s leadership ecosystem, with alumni achieving significant milestones including the award of fully funded postgraduate scholarships at the Rwanda School of Governance. These achievements reflected the Centre’s long-term contribution to cultivating a new generation of ethical and transformative leaders for Uganda and Africa.
As the Centre looked ahead to 2026, it reaffirmed its commitment to advancing leadership grounded in integrity, service, humility, and collective responsibility. Supported by strong partnerships and an expanding network of alumni and stakeholders, JNLC continued to build platforms that inspire principled leadership and contribute to peace, democracy, and sustainable development across the continent.
Read the full Bulletin of Activities to explore the programmes, dialogues, partnerships, and milestones that shaped the work of the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre throughout 2025.
Key Sections (Table of Contents Highlights)
- End of Year Message from the Executive Director
- Board of Directors of the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre
- Leadership Training for Rotary Peace Center Fellows
- CEDAT Mental Health Symposium
- Launch of the Book Reviewing the Form and Substance of the 2021 Elections
- International and Courtesy Visits
- 91st Guild Leadership Induction Training
- Julius Nyerere Youth Festival 2025
- Empowering Emerging Leaders
- Comprehensive Youth and Young Women Leadership Training
- Roundtable Conversations with JNLC Facilitators
- Local Councillors’ Leadership Training Programme
- JNLC Participation in the Makerere Run 2025
- Youth Leadership Training on Peace and Security
- Cross-Generational Ekyooto Conversations
- MakNkrumah Day Celebrations
- Rotary Peace Fellows Leadership Training
- Community Innovation Showcase and Alumni Workshop
- Comprehensive Youth, Young Women and Local Councillors’ Leadership Training – Fort Portal
- JNLC-JICA Symposium
- Second Peace and Security Leadership Training for Youth Leaders
- Climate Action and Leadership Initiatives
- Appreciation to Partners and Sponsors
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Bulletin of Activities reflects JNLC’s continued dedication to nurturing ethical leadership, promoting peace and democratic dialogue, and strengthening Pan-African values. Through leadership training, policy engagement, research, and cross-generational conversations, the Centre continues to honour the legacy of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere while preparing a new generation of leaders committed to service and transformation.
Read the Full Report