Summary:

• Dr. Mwalimu Musheshe, founder of the Uganda Rural Development and Training Program (URDT) and Vice-Chancellor of African Rural University (ARU), highlighted the significance of URDT’s Feature Days. These events promote self-reliance, community collaboration, and spontaneous leadership by involving students, staff, and community members in collective efforts.

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KAGADI, (Examiner) – The Uganda Rural Development and Training Program (URDT) held another successful Feature Day, an event that underscores the institution’s commitment to self-reliance, community building, and integrated education. Dr. Mwalimu Musheshe, founder of URDT and Vice-Chancellor of African Rural University (ARU), shared insights into the origins and significance of Feature Days.

“Feature Day is intrinsic to URDT’s mission,” Dr. Musheshe explained. “From our inception, we emphasized self-help and self-reliance. These events are practical manifestations of our principles, enabling us to build and maintain our institution cost-effectively.”

URDT’s unique approach includes daily gatherings from Monday to Friday, where students, staff, and community members meet to foster collaboration and break down hierarchical barriers. “This daily interaction helps us work together as a family, promoting partnership and horizontal leadership,” Dr. Musheshe noted.

Feature Days and Feature Weeks are designated times for collective effort, celebrating significant themes such as Women’s Week, HIV/AIDS awareness, and World Food Day. These gatherings strengthen the community’s bonds and encourage spontaneous leadership.

“Our current project involves adjusting our campus to accommodate the growing needs of ARU,” said Dr. Musheshe. “The URDT board allocated more space to ARU, ensuring compliance with the National Council for Higher Education’s requirements and providing sufficient learning and teaching areas.”

To make room for ARU’s expansion, primary and secondary schools within the URDT framework have been relocated. “This strategic move allowed us to consolidate resources and focus on our core educational mission,” Dr. Musheshe explained to the media on Thursday. The community, including students and staff, is now actively involved in preparing bricks and constructing new facilities.

Dr. Musheshe’s hands-on involvement in these activities reflects his leadership philosophy. “Traditional hierarchical structures often isolate leaders from their teams. At URDT and ARU, we reverse this order. By participating in these community efforts, I practice what I preach, fostering a culture of shared vision and values.”

He emphasized the importance of social capital. “Building an institution is more than day-to-day tasks. It involves creating social bonds and learning to work together, transcending religious and tribal differences.”

Feature Days at URDT exemplify the institution’s holistic approach to education and community development. Dr. Musheshe’s active participation demonstrates the power of leadership through action, making URDT and ARU vibrant communities of learning and growth.

Watch Video Below As Dr. Mwalimu Musheshe shares experience of the URDT feature day

Background of URDT

URDT was established to bridge the gap in development initiatives by integrating functional education, consciousness raising, skills training, and rural development interventions, aiming to empower marginalized rural communities in Uganda.

Since its inception in 1987, URDT has refined its rural development methodology, emphasizing the creative process and systems thinking. Recognizing the need for catalysts and specialists in community development, URDT has pioneered innovative education institutions such as the URDT Schools (Primary and Secondary) and the URDT Institute for Vocational Training and Youth Leadership.

Additionally, it has embraced a two-generation approach in community schools, trained Epi Center Managers, operated a community radio station (KKCR 91.7 FM), and enhanced the capacity of non-state actors and local government, all geared towards fostering fundamental shifts in mindset and action.

URDT was established to provide a comprehensive development program that integrates functional education, training, and rural development interventions, aimed at empowering marginalized rural communities. The organization’s mission encompasses facilitating integrated, self-generating development through consciousness-raising, training, education, and information sharing.

URDT seeks to enable Ugandans, particularly in the Bunyoro Region, to unite around common vision and values to create peace, prosperity, health, freedom, and happiness. Central to their mission is empowering individuals to harness their innate abilities for personal and communal growth while recognizing the interconnectedness of various development concerns, from health and nutrition to governance and environment, for a holistic approach to development.

URDT envisions itself as a dynamic learning organization and hub for reflection and development, characterized by participatory and interactive professional management. Central to this vision is fostering strong support from communities, volunteers, professionals, donors, government, and other partners. The organization is committed to maintaining a team of creative, dedicated, and technically proficient staff members.

URDT aims to deliver high-quality education and training across various disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, development studies, and artisanal skills, catering to community members, voluntary organization leaders, government personnel, and development practitioners. Additionally, URDT strives to provide extension services, modern rural communication facilities, mediation, and operate resource centers to facilitate information exchange and learning. With a solid support and resource base both within and beyond the organization, URDT endeavors to fulfill its vision of sustainable development and empowerment in rural communities.

With extracts from: URDT (www.urdt.net), African Rural University (www.aru.ac.ug)