By Our Reporters.
National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) two – year leadership training course ended February this year with a total of 13 union leaders graduating.
The course conducted by the Netherlands based Mondiaal FVN was a hands on Professional and Personal Development Program dubbed “Executive Leadership Program on Sustainability and Alliance Building (ELSA) and covered a period of two years 2020 to 2022.
Ugandan trainers included Mr Augustine Mwanje and Ms Hilda Hakiza and coordinated by NOTU Programmes Officer Mr Yazidi Baligasiima.
Senior trainers Ms Petra Bosse and Ms Tendayi Matimba Philis conducted training covering more than half the programme online and later came to Uganda for physical sessions after COVID – 19 pandemic had subsided
There were lecturers conducted online via Zoom with experts in Africa and Europe making presentations on each topic with experts giving best practices on trade unions’ challenges and solutions in Africa.
Students were taken through the objectives for the program how effective leaders should understand change – Management and Alliance building so that they are capable of guiding their people or members towards sustainable organisations.
Trainees were thrust to Leadership model that provides direction strategy, drives results on sustainable performance that develops people’s management .
Students were also taken through practical exercises on “understanding “yourself and others” using various styles in leadership by knowing “your ” strengthen and weaknesses.
Participants were also taught different styles in leadership with practical sessions on coersive/authoritarian, affiliative, democratic, pacesetting and coaching, building alliances (partners and stakeholders) among others.
There were also lectures on how to effect financial management and sustainability, organizing, recruitment, negotiations, union development, road map to union financial sustainability, different leadership types and qualities of leaders.
All the students agreed in unison that the course broadened their scope of understanding leadership, trade union financial management and sustainability to a broader perspective. They believe the knowledge derived from the training would be used not only on improving their various labour unions but the overall trade union fraternity in the country.
Graduands include Mr Stephen Abima (Amalgamated Transport Workers Union), Mr David Musoke (Amalgamated Transport Workers Union), Ms Shanita Birungi (Amalgamated Transport Workers Union), Mr Peter Bendo (Textiles Union), Mr Juma Mwamula (Uganda Private Teachers Union, Ms Anita Sseruwagi Nannozi (Creative Artists Union), Mr Stephen Ouma Bwire
(Journalists Union), Ms Jenepher Nassali (Horticulture Union), Ms Barbara Badaru (Plantation Union), Mr Phillip Duruga (UNATU), Ms Jane Katushabe (Hotels union), Dr Geoffrey Musanje and Ms Brenda Oyuga (NOTU).Foreign guests included FNV lead trainers Ms Petra Bosse and Ms Tendayi Matimba Philis based in the Netherlands. There were also special foreign guests from the Netherlands that included Ms Weringen Rosa Maria,Frank Maris, Ms Margaretha Maria, Ms Martine Maria Mathea, Ms Anne Margreet, Lucas Lauren, Ms Isabelle Susanne and Sebastian Okiki plus Ms Eutropia Ngido from Tanzania ■
