Young Africans challenged to shift mindsets for transformation

Young people in Uganda and Africa have been challenged to embrace a critical shift in their mindsets to be able to lead the positive transformation of Uganda and the continent.

The challenge was presented by a wide array of experts in different fields during the Africa Wisdom Summit which was held on May 17 to 18, 2024 at MoTIV.

While delivering a high-level message via video on the first day of the summit, First Lady and Minister for Education, Janet Kataaha Museveni  said it is high time Africans got solutions for their own problems

“Let us explore solutions to our challenges from within ourselves as we all contribute to strengthening value-based leadership as a key to fighting poverty and advancing sustainable development. We need a radical change in the way we think as Ugandans and as Africans if we are to confront the critical challenges of poverty and unemployment - especially among our young population.”

She added that she looked forward to interacting with the outcomes and recommendations from the summit that would enable the finding of solutions to the challenges concerning the young people on the continent.

The Africa Wisdom Summit is a two-day inter-generational gathering of thinkers from the driving sectors of African society – media, family, religion, education, entertainment, religion, business, and government – to crystallize a mind-shift for transformation.

Dr. Denis Sempebwa the founder of the Africa Wisdom Summit gave a keynote address on the theme: “The Need for a Mindshift for Africa’s Transformation”.

He encouraged the proactive crafting of an Afro-centric value system to protect and preserve rich African heritage as they  boldly write the next chapter of the continent’s story.

“My prayer is that in our lifetime, Africa will experience of mind shift , an intellectual awakening that will see the creation of a new fireplace which will ignite an unstoppable and inextinguishable renaissance of thought.”

The summit featured a series of rich discussions and submissions from several public and private sector leaders, including HRH Sylvia Nagginda, the Nnabagereka of Buganda Kingdom, Allan Kasujja - Broadcaster, BBC World Service, Dr. Dorothy Kisaka - Executive Director, KCCA, Joe Kigozi - Deputy Group CEO of Next Media Services, Japheth Kawanguzi – Founder, MoTIV and Innovation Village, Dumi Lopang - Group Managing Director, YMH Ltd., Botswana and many more.

The first edition of the Africa Wisdom Summit took place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in 2023 as a platform to prioritise the propagation and dissemination of wisdom to equip Africa’s young and fast-growing population to withstand adversity and advance into prosperity while preserving Africa’s cultural heritage and maintaining a strong sense of identity.