This week, a unique gathering of ethical leaders committed to transformative public service will take place in Kampala. Huduma Fellows Reunion Seminar, bringing together four cohorts of exceptional leaders who are public service champions from the prestigious Huduma Fellowship program.
The seminar, themed "Achieving Transformational Leadership: Actions Beyond Words," will serve as a critical platform for networking, reflection, and renewed commitment to value-driven leadership in Uganda's public service.
The Power of Ethical Leadership in African Society
When Esther joined the first cohort of the Huduma Fellowship five years ago, she was a mid-level civil servant frustrated by systemic inefficiencies. Today, she leads a department that has revolutionized public service delivery in her ministry. "Before Huduma, I saw problems as insurmountable obstacles," she reflects. "Now I see them as opportunities to demonstrate ethical leadership and create lasting change."
Stories like Esther's exemplify what the LéO Africa Institute and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) envisioned when they created the Huduma Fellowship. In a continent where leadership challenges have often hindered development, the fellowship—named after the Swahili word for public service—has been cultivating a different narrative: one where integrity, compassion, and courage stand alongside technical competence.
"African societies transform when their leaders transform," says Awel Uwihanganye, Co-founder at the LéO Africa Institute. "The power of the Huduma Fellowship lies not just in individual transformation, but in the collective impact of a network of ethical leaders working across sectors. This reunion seminar is designed to amplify that network effect."
Rekindling the Flame of Purpose
This week's reunion seminar brings together four cohorts of Huduma Fellows—nearly 70 change-makers who have been shaped by the program's emphasis on value-driven leadership.
For many fellows, the daily grind of institutional work can sometimes dim the bright flame of purpose that Huduma ignited. The reunion serves as a critical moment to rekindle that flame, to remember why they chose the often difficult path of ethical leadership in the first place.
"When you're surrounded by peers who share your commitment to integrity even in challenging environments, you find new strength," explains Edgar Mwine, a fellow from the first cohort who has been implementing transparency initiatives in his organization. "This reunion is like refuelling for the journey ahead."
Weaving a Tapestry of Cross-Sector Change
What makes the Huduma network particularly powerful is its cross-sectoral nature. The upcoming seminar will bring together leaders from government ministries, civil society organizations, and private businesses, creating a unique tapestry of perspectives united by a common thread of ethical leadership.
In one session, a government official might share challenges in policy implementation, while a civil society leader offers community-based solutions, and a private sector executive contributes efficiency strategies. This cross-pollination creates innovative approaches to Uganda's most pressing challenges.
"In a landscape where leadership is often measured by personal achievement and accolades, the Huduma Fellowship stands apart in its emphasis on lasting impact over fleeting success," says Anna Reissmann, Country Representative, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. "This reunion seminar reinforces that distinctive approach."
Recommitting to Africa's Transformation Agenda
Beyond networking and reflection, the seminar represents a deliberate recommitment ceremony. Fellows will participate in structured activities designed to help them reassess their leadership journeys and realign their professional trajectories with Huduma's core values: purpose, compassion, lifelong learning, and integrity.
For many, this recommitment comes at a crucial time in Uganda's development journey. As the country faces complex social, economic, and political challenges, the need for transformative leadership has never been greater.
"What we're talking about is creating a critical mass of ethical leaders who can tip the scales toward better governance across Africa," explains William Babigumira, the outgoing Head of Faculty and one of the fellowship's mentors. "When enough leaders choose integrity over expediency, transparency over opacity, and service over self-interest, entire systems begin to shift."
The Journey Forward
As the sun sets on the reunion seminar later this week, fellows will return to their respective sectors carrying not just new ideas and connections but a renewed sense of purpose and community. They will be reminded that they are not alone in their commitment to ethical leadership—that across Uganda and beyond, fellow torchbearers are advancing the same transformative agenda.
By strengthening these connections, facilitating knowledge exchange, and inspiring renewed commitment to service, the Huduma Fellows Reunion Seminar represents more than just a gathering. It symbolizes a milestone in Africa's journey toward leadership that truly serves its people—leadership that transforms not just institutions but entire societies.
For the continent's future, perhaps nothing could be more important.
For more information about the Huduma Fellowship and the upcoming reunion seminar, please contact the LéO Africa Institute.
