Schools to benefit from one million books for mind reset
“Our mission today is not all about delivering one million books in schools. It is about opening up one million opportunities,” Rwakiseta said. The campaign is built around three books authored by the foundation, which are designed to complement formal education by addressing skills that Rwakiseta says are often overlooked in the traditional education system.
Speaking at the media launch on August 20 at Makerere University, foundation’s founder, Gardner Rwakiseta Herbert, said the initiative goes beyond putting books in schools, describing it as a movement to create one million opportunities for young Ugandans.
Several schools across Uganda are expected to benefit from the distribution of one million books.
The initiative by My Heritage (MH) African Foundation is part of a drive to transform learners’ mindsets, build human capital and equip young people with practical life skills.
Speaking at the media launch on August 20 at Makerere University, foundation’s founder, Gardner Rwakiseta Herbert, said the initiative goes beyond putting books in schools, describing it as a movement to create one million opportunities for young Ugandans.
“Our mission today is not all about delivering one million books in schools. It is about opening up one million opportunities,” Rwakiseta said.
The campaign is built around three books authored by the foundation, which are designed to complement formal education by addressing skills that Rwakiseta says are often overlooked in the traditional education system.
The books— Education Without Walls, Mind Reset and a third book focusing on balance, pressure and recovery—are intended to serve as a mirror, window and map for learners.
According to the organisers, they hope to raise an estimated sh3.5b to produce over one million books and to facilitate logistics, facilitators, Trainer of Trainers (ToT), teachers, among others across the country. The NGO hopes to unveil a research study report by 2030.
Rwakiseta said the aim is to help young people understand their history and overcome self-limiting beliefs by learning from people who have made an impact in different fields.
The initiative was inspired partly by Rwakiseta’s encounter with a rural primary school pupil carrying two old and damaged books while walking several kilometres to school.
The experience prompted him to question whether learners were being equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate a rapidly changing world.
Beyond reading, the programme will train teachers before distributing the books to schools.
The foundation also plans to introduce annual national competitions for learners and recognition awards for teachers who demonstrate outstanding mentorship and commitment to developing students beyond the formal curriculum.
Rwakiseta said the programme will later be subjected to research to assess its impact on learners and generate evidence that could inform government policy and future human development programmes.
The foundation will officially launch the three books on August 28, 2026, at the School of Public Health auditorium at Makerere University. It is also planning a national walk in November, followed by regional boot camps targeting teachers in 2027.
Rwakiseta said the campaign will require the participation of government, the private sector, teachers, parents, philanthropists and individual Ugandans.
“One mind can change, the nation will change,” he said, urging stakeholders to view the one-million-book target as a collective responsibility.
Former General Duties Minister Prof. Tarsis Bazana Kabwegyere, a renowned sociologist, has rooted for prioritisation of mindset change among Ugandans and described the initiative as God-sent.
“This awakening is going to challenge many people; this program is transforming everyone, not only in Uganda or Africa alone. This calls for a new mental architecture,” he said at the launch.