Iganga, Uganda: Musana Community Development Organization (MCDO) Friday conducted its 11th Musana Leadership Development Program (MLDP), bringing together managers from schools, health centres, recreation facilities and empowerment centres to strengthen leadership capacity, emotional wellbeing and personal resilience.
The training, held at Musana’s headquarters in Iganga District, attracted leaders from Musana-supported institutions across Iganga, Kamuli, Kaliro, Mayuge and Budaka districts.
Held under the theme “Personal Growth and Resilience, Emotional Wellbeing Strategies, Self-Discovery and Personal Values Mapping,” the program focused on equipping leaders with practical tools to navigate workplace challenges while maintaining strong personal and professional values.
Speaking during the training, Prof. Dr. Sam Kirya, a counselling psychologist from Bugema University and partner at Perfect Evolvers Limited, challenged leaders to uphold integrity and seek support before challenges escalate.
“You need to have integrity and be a person of moral fibre, and engage support. You have to work out solutions to challenges before they go out of hand. It’s always not good to wait until the engine blacks out before looking for a solution. Actually, don’t wait until you feel thirsty before drinking water,” Dr. Kirya advised.
He also emphasized the importance of self-motivation and emotional wellbeing in leadership. “Always remember to appreciate yourself after doing a good job. Don’t wait for people to motivate you. You need to first motivate yourself for a tremendous job, and others will know intrinsically, and you will be able to go far,” he said.
Dr. Kirya noted that while it is normal for leaders to experience moments of difficulty, it becomes dangerous when they ignore their emotional and mental wellbeing for prolonged periods.
Executive Director of Perfect Evolvers Limited, Ms. Patricia Agarukire Mulumba, encouraged participants to embrace resilience, cultivate personal values and remain passionate about their work.
She commended Musana Community Development Organization for its commitment to transforming lives and urged leaders to position themselves as trusted service providers within their communities. “Communities are looking for leaders and institutions they can trust. Building strong personal values and resilience enables leaders to create lasting impact wherever they serve,” Ms Mulumba said.
Speaking on behalf of Musana CDO, co-founder Mr. Haril Isabirye Kazindra said the organization is committed to nurturing leaders who can think creatively, solve problems and drive sustainable transformation.
“As Musana Community Development Organization, we want to see leaders emerging from here not only to work in Musana entities but across different parts of the world. We need people who think creatively and bring ideas that help us build strategy and create impact,” Kazindra said.
Mr. Mike Nalugodha, Coordinator of Musana Schools, told DailyExpress that the leadership development programs are held three times annually—in February, June and October—to continuously strengthen leadership effectiveness and improve institutional performance.
“The purpose is to refresh our leaders, build their capacity and ensure they remain equipped to serve communities effectively,” Nalugodha said.
The 11th Musana Leadership Development Program forms part of the organization’s broader mission to build a network of values-driven leaders capable of transforming communities across Eastern Uganda and beyond through education, healthcare, economic empowerment and community development initiatives.
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