By Lookman Miraji
More than 200 leaders from across Africa have successfully completed various leadership training programmes organized by the Uongozi Institute, a regional centre committed to nurturing capable and ethical leaders for sustainable development.
The graduates participated in a range of leadership programmes, including postgraduate diplomas and certificate-level courses, all designed to strengthen leadership qualities, human resource management, and institutional governance.
The programmes were tailored to allow participants to learn effectively without disrupting their daily responsibilities.
The training was conducted in collaboration with Aalto University Executive Education from Finland and included the Leadership Programme for Women, which is jointly funded by the European Union (EU) and UN Women. All initiatives operate under the patronage of the Governments of Tanzania and Finland.
The graduation ceremony was held today, May 16, in Dar es Salaam. The event attracted senior government officials from various African countries, development partners, and representatives from higher learning institutions.
Speaking as the guest of honour, the First Lady of Finland, Suzanne Innes-Stubb, emphasized the importance of integrity in leadership. She warned against making decisions based on emotions or tradition, as such choices may negatively impact the people being led.
"Truth and ethics should be the foundation of your work. Leaders must understand that their decisions have the power to affect the lives of many," she said.
Tanzania’s Minister of State in the President's Office for Public Service Management and Good Governance, George Simbachawene, urged the graduates to apply the knowledge they had gained in the course of the programme to become better and more responsible leaders.
Several development partners present at the event reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the growth of future leaders across the continent.
This year’s event marks the eighth graduation since the Uongozi Institute was officially established in 2010. The institute continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing leadership capacity throughout Africa.