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KAMPALA - Former vice president of the Gambia, Fatoumata Tambajang is in Uganda for several engagements in which she is expected to inspire young female leaders on transformative leadership.

Tambajang, 73, who served as the West African country’s second in 2017-2018, will share knowledge with young leaders during the annual Presidential Lecture Series, hosted by Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC).

The three-day engagements started on Tuesday afternoon with a roundtable one on one with the media, student and youth leaders at Kampala Sheraton Hotel.

Themed “Celebrating Women, Pan-Africanism and Community,” the series will culminate in a public lecture at Makerere University, where Tambajang will deliver a keynote address.

JNLC executive director Dr. Nansozi K. Muwanga remarks during the media roundtable. (Courtesy Photos)

African Unity

Answering various questions at the media roundtable, the former Vice President said the series create an opportunity to not only reflect on the works of great Africans but also share her leadership experience to inspire young women to contribute to the transformation of the African society through leadership.

“The purpose of my visit is to celebrate our father, Julius Nyerere who had a vision not only for Tanzania but for Africa, which is African Unity. For Africa to transform, Africans must be united and allowed to be in the driving seat in national building agenda,” she said.

Tambajang also encouraged young female leaders to be resolute in leadership skills that will enable them to contribute to the governance of the continent. This, she said, is possible through working together, supporting each other and building partnerships across the borders of the continent.

She said dialogue between the old generation and the young ones will enable the former to know the aspirations of the latter to create a body of knowledge necessary for the transformation of people’s lives.

She also rallied young people to support peace and security, without which, she said, Africa cannot have developed.

Tambajang thanked President Museveni for allowing her to visit the country without a Visa, a gesture she said is a testament to efforts to create a borderless Africa.

JNLC executive director Dr. Nansozi K. Muwanga said the lecture series aims to encourage cross-generational dialogues that mentor present and future leaders for effective and accountable leadership.

Makerere University guild president, Robert Maseruka speaks as Fatoumata listens during the media roundtable.

“This lecture will highlight the systemic changes needed for women to become transformative leaders to effectively shape inclusive, equitable societies that humanity needs and deserves. Her Excellence Tambajang is somebody that doesn’t only have a passion for the youth, but also understands them, and has a story to tell,” she said.

The series will also have a panel discussion on breaking stereotypes and youth inclusivity in leadership, led by Kenyan President William Ruto’s daughter, Charlene Chelagat Ruto. 

Continuity

Associate Professor Sarah Ssali, the dean School of Women and Gender Studies at Makerere University said the engagements with young leaders are meant to further the conversation of how they can become the transformational leaders the continent desires.

“Age is a factor. This is a way of ensuring that the continent has continuity. The keynote speaker has a dream of Africa having young leaders who are competent, knowledgeable, inspirational, who care about the challenges the continent has, and are inspired enough to take on leadership,” she said.

Makerere University guild president, Robert Maseruka said that based on the keynote speaker’s knowledge, the students hope to learn how young Africans can be able to build a strong sense of community across the continent.

The PLS is an annual event that exposes students and the broader community to inspiring ideas, courageous leadership and models of civic engagement and civil discourse. It brings prominent speakers, great leaders and thinkers across a wide variety of disciplines.

The Presidential lecture series for 2023 is presented in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and Makerere University’s School of Woman and Gender Studies.

Launched in 2018 by President Yoweri Museveni, JNLC is a presidential initiative focused on developing leadership skills in Uganda and on the African Continent as a centre for knowledge and research.