Varsity students urged to embrace discipline, strategic positioning

KAMPALA - University students have been urged to embrace values that will lead to success in life. These values include discipline, integrity and strategic positioning, which can facilitate breakthroughs in their careers. 

The remarks were made by Stephen Asiimwe, the executive director at the Private Sector Foundation of Uganda (PSFU), who was the main speaker, while addressing over 400 students from Makerere and Kyambogo universities during a fi reside (Ekyoto) conversation. 

Asiimwe reminded the students that these values are not enough without a clear vision. 

“In anything you do, have a vision. Where do you want to see yourself in the next five to 10 years? Vision is what you want to see in your heart, your best thoughts when you dream. Do you see yourself next to a kiosk or supermarket? Do you see yourself near a small unit where the most one can get is an injection or a big hospital?” 

Asiimwe asked, encouraging students to aspire for greatness in business. Structured under the theme: Who says you can’t be the next big thing in Uganda’s business scene?, the fireside (Ekyoto) conversation was organised under the fourth pillar (financially faithful) of the Emerging Leaders Programme (ELP), an initiative by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, at Makerere University recently.

Launched 18 months ago, ELP is a national life skills capacity-building and behavioural change initiative targeting students at Uganda’s universities. 

The programme is currently in its pilot phase at Makerere University, with plans for expansion to other institutions. 

The programme aims at restoring values and character development in the country’s education system, highlighting knowledge and skills. 

Elon Katweheyo, Team leader, leader Strategies at LIFE Ministry Uganda remarks. (Credit: Colleb Mugume)

Currently, the youth are grappling with moral decay, drug abuse, sexual immorality and corruption. 

The initiative is implemented under four pillars: Sexually Fortifi ed, Addiction-free, Financially-fortifi ed, and Education-focused (SAFE), through a collaboration between Makerere University, Life Ministry Uganda, Global Leadership Summit and like-minded stakeholders for growth and impact. 

Business values 

Asiimwe delivered a lecture on how to manage business, emphasising that there are no shortcuts to success in this field. 

He thanked the ELP leadership for providing PSFU with a platform through Ekyoto to engage with young people on business matters. 

“Last year, we learned about something called the next generation of businesspeople. And I have come to sow the seeds for that next generation of businesswomen and businessmen, so that you are part of the $500b economy the President keeps talking about,” Asiimwe said. 

The PSFU executive encouraged the students to start their business journeys immediately, begin searching for opportunities and think outside the box. 

WATCH 👇

“My journey in business started when I was here at the university. There were some schools in Katanga, so I went there and met a guy who was the headmaster. I said, ‘Boss, I’m a student up here. Do you have some free lessons? I can teach English and some history.’ 

He said, ‘Okay, I’ll check through.’ He got me about two slots. Now those two slots were enough to buy sugar in my room and some mandazi,” he said. 

Encouraging the young people to seize every opportunity, Asiimwe shared his own experience of securing a job at New Vision after meeting the then CEO at a funeral in their village. 

Students from various universities attending the Ekyoto Fireside Conversation held at Makerere University on Saturday. (Credit: Colleb Mugume)

He explained that opportunities favour the prepared. 

“Principle number one: in whatever you do, be humble and take advantage of any opportunity. When opportunity meets preparedness, that is a breakthrough,” he said. He also shared his experience of pursuing a job at New Vision, despite initial setbacks. 

“I wanted to get to New Vision and become the next best journalist in Africa. So, I got to New Vision. I tried several times, but there was one receptionist who didn’t like my face. Every time I came, she said, ‘No jobs,’” he said. 

However, when one of his father’s aunties passed away, the New Vision CEO was among the mourners. Asiimwe took this opportunity to express interest in working there and was invited to join the company, securing his first media job as a proofreader. 

He urged the students to pay attention to the upcoming opportunities in the oil and gas industry. 

“I want you to be very attentive on this one, the next big thing that’s going to happen in Uganda is the opportunity in oil, gas, petroleum and minerals. They have massive opportunities that are coming. We are going to be employing close to three million people,” he said. 

Due to his talent in fine art, Daniel Mwine, a Bachelor of Industrial Art and Design student at Makerere University, walked away from the evening gathering with sh1m from Asiimwe. 

Dr Rodney Rugyema, the acting deputy dean of students at Makerere University, encouraged students to prioritise things that add value to their lives. 

“You are investing in your future. Thank you for choosing to sit here and receive words of wisdom instead of going to the movies and nightclubs,” he said. 

Elon Katweheyo, the leader of strategies at Life Ministry Uganda, who was part of the task force for ELP, said the First Lady started the programme to reach the youth and raise a morally upright generation. 

Students from various Universities attending the Kyooto Fireside Conversation held at Makerere University on Saturday. (Credit: Colleb Mugume)

Katweheyo mentioned that the programme has so far reached over 1,000 students, including freshers undergoing orientation. 

“We have been able to train over 150 student leaders, including guild leaders, and about 33 lecturers. The lecturers are being trained to teach the emerging leaders’ curriculum,” he said.

Objectives of ELP

• Build a team of resource persons among teaching and non-teaching staff who demonstrate and promote values across universities. 

• Empower a critical mass of students who demonstrate and promote values-driven lifestyles. 

• Enhance competencies and equip university students with skills for economic empowerment. 

• Leverage the power of social media to positively impact the morality, health and livelihoods of university students. 

• Ensure robust structures and systems to facilitate effective and efficient leadership and management of ELP. 

• Advocate policies that promote positive values in universities.