First Lady launches program to raise young transformational leaders

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The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Museveni, has launched the iLead Uganda Program with a vision to cultivate a new generation of transformational leaders who will shape the nation and beyond.

The iLead Program, led by the John Maxwell Leadership Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports, focuses on developing value-based transformational leaders among Uganda's youth.

A release from her office states that the program, which started in 2024, has been piloted across 29 secondary schools and one primary school in the Wakiso and Kampala districts. So far, it has equipped over 12,000 students with essential values and leadership skills.

The launch ceremony took place on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at State House, Nakasero.

Dignitaries at the events included:  Dr JC Muyingo, Minister of State for Higher Education; Dr Jane Egau, Under Secretary of the Education and Sports Ministry; Mr John Griffin, Vice President of Global Programs at the John Maxwell Foundation; Mr Hassan Kibirango, Director of iLead Africa; and Bishop Joshua Lwere, Chairman of iLead Uganda Advisory Council. Head teachers, students, and representatives from participating schools joined the event, along with Vision Group's CEO Don Wanyama and Editor in Chief Barbara Kaija.

At the launch, Mrs Janet Museveni, who serves as Patron of iLead Uganda, expressed gratitude to the John Maxwell Foundation for their investment in Uganda's youth.

"This program has the potential to revolutionise the lives of our young people and shape the future of our country. We cannot thank God enough for it," said Mrs Museveni.

She celebrated the pilot program's achievements since 2024, recognising the contributions of the National Advisory Council, led by Bishop Joshua Lwere, along with the educators and students driving its success.

Mrs Museveni praised iLead's peer-led approach, which enables students to lead roundtable discussions and maintain accountability for practising learned values. She noted how this aligns with Uganda's new learner-centred Lower Secondary Curriculum.

The First Lady emphasised the urgent need to strengthen the moral fabric of Uganda and Africa, calling for united efforts to cultivate values, integrity, and responsible leadership.

"This generation of our young people is growing up in a world where role models are rare and our moral values are being eroded daily. Indeed, now more than ever before, every child in Uganda requires our support to shape their character and values," she stated.

She urged parents and guardians to reinforce iLead's leadership values at home, highlighting their fundamental role as primary role models. Citing Deuteronomy 6:6-7, she emphasised parents' divine responsibility in building their children's moral foundation.

"Let us all rise to the occasion and take on this journey of shaping the future generation together—at home, at school, in offices, in industries and wherever our young people are," she said. "May we all live to see the fruits of our labour, as God empowers our children to lead with distinction as they transform Uganda and beyond."

Mrs Museveni commended the pilot schools, particularly recognising Shekinah International School—Entebbe for including children as young as six years old. She invited the John Maxwell Foundation to extend iLead to primary schools, announcing Uganda's readiness to pioneer the program's primary school version.

She applauded all partners' dedication and encouraged more institutions to help expand the program nationwide, making it accessible to all Ugandan children.

Dr Muyingo welcomed the iLead program as a timely initiative, noting its relevance amid challenges of declining moral standards, corruption, materialism, violence, and behavioural issues in schools.

"As we begin implementation of the iLead program in our schools, we are confident that it will nurture a new generation of principled, value-driven leaders of our country. Young people who uphold integrity, inspire positive change and contribute meaningfully to our national development," Muyingo said.

Bishop Joshua Lwere, Chairman of iLead Uganda Advisory Council, thanked Mrs Museveni for championing youth development programs. He acknowledged iLead Uganda's partners and particularly praised Vision Group for printing and distributing program books to participating schools, as well as becoming iLead's media ambassador with free promotional content.

Dr Jane Egau confirmed that iLead complements the new lower secondary curriculum's practical and value-based approach. "We pray that its expansion takes place as fast as possible so that the entire country can benefit. Together with iLead, we are laying a strong foundation for a future led by principled and visionary Ugandans," Egau said.

John Griffin, Vice President of Global Programs at the Maxwell Leadership Foundation, reaffirmed his commitment to Ugandan youth and thanked the First Lady and the Ministry of Education for their partnership.

"Our founder, Dr John Maxwell, has said that the highest form of leadership is self-leadership, based not merely on skills, but on values. He believes values are the foundation of leadership," Griffin said. "We are confident that Ugandan students will experience profound transformation as they internalise and live out these values," he said.

Hassan Kibirango, Director of iLead Africa, outlined the program's structure: three modules and 46 lessons covering values, practical actions, and leadership principles. The peer-to-peer learning model promotes transformation through self-application, emphasising lived values such as choice-making, responsibility, self-discipline, character, and teachability.

Edward Kanoonya, Head Teacher of Kololo Secondary School and ASSHU–Kampala Chairperson, representing participating schools' leaders, lauded the program as "a gift to the present and future generations of this country." He noted how iLead addresses values often overlooked in traditional curricula.

"We have no reservations in recommending iLead to all schools in Uganda," he said. "It fills a critical gap in our education system by intentionally inculcating values among learners."

Kanoonya observed that iLead enhances both student development and teacher mentorship capabilities, predicting reduced student unrest and improved self-esteem in participating schools.

Kateete Michael, a Form One student from St Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK) and active iLead participant, shared, "There were two topics that changed me: Growth and Choice." He added, "I learned that we cannot allow our circumstances to define our lives. If you want a better result, all you have to do is make a better choice—we don’t get better by chance, but by choice." He advocated for making iLead mandatory at both O and A levels.

Kabahusha Hillunnisa, a Senior two iLead student facilitator from Kibuli Secondary School, shared how she learned to make better choices, manage time effectively, and control her emotions. "We are not just students; we are future leaders. And because of iLead, we are ready to lead," she said.

Students from Nsangi Secondary School and Shekinah International School – Entebbe also presented testimonials about iLead's positive impact on their lives.