The Nnabagereka Development Foundation, in partnership with nine cultural institutions and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched the Obuntubulamu Programme aimed at revitalizing values and ethics in Uganda.
The programme seeks to harness the cultural principle of Obuntubulamu as a key tool for sustainable development, drawing inspiration from the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu, which emphasises community and shared humanity. Core values of Obuntubulamu include honesty, integrity, empathy, cleanliness, humility, civic responsibility, and engagement.
The concept of Obuntubulamu resonates across Uganda’s ethnic groups, where it is translated as Kura Matira in Alur, Kit Matir in Acholi, Tunga Nane in Teso, Kit Aber in Lango, Kura Maber in Jopadhola, Obuntu in Bunyoro, Obundu in Rwenzururu, and Obuntubulamu in Busoga and Buganda.
During the launch event at Sheraton Kampala Hotel, Her Royal Highness, the Nnaabagereka of Buganda, Sylvia Nagginda, highlighted the importance of restoring human values in light of contemporary challenges both locally and globally.
“The revival of Obuntubulamu is crucial for fostering a culture of ethics, integrity, peace, and sustainable development. Young people and communities look up to cultural and religious institutions for guidance on values. These institutions play a pivotal role in shaping positive behaviour within society,” said Nagginda, who is also the founder of the Nnabagereka Development Foundation.
She further noted that the principles of Obuntubulamu advocate for reconciliation, sharing, civility, responsibility, trust, and rehabilitation, which are vital for peace and development. These values, she emphasised, are crucial in addressing challenges such as corruption, violence, climate change, and environmental degradation, while promoting accountability, responsible citizenship, and inclusive development.
Elizabeth Lwanga, a board member of the Nnabagereka Development Foundation, added that with Uganda’s rich diversity of over 65 ethnic groups sharing these values, the programme is poised to make a significant impact.
“We have developed this programme to be implemented nationwide in collaboration with cultural institutions from Acholi, Alur, Buganda, Bunyoro, and Busoga. These institutions will play a critical role in its rollout. Our hope is for all cultural groups across Uganda to participate,” Lwanga said.
The programme will focus on education, mentorship, and sensitization, with a particular emphasis on instilling empathy, cooperation, and respect for diversity in children from an early age. This, Lwanga believes, will help foster non-violence and social equity in future generations.
Uganda’s Vice President, Jessica Alupo, in a speech delivered by the Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, praised the initiative, calling it a “gamechanger.”
“This programme is a valuable contribution to the implementation of government policies and plans. Cultural institutions have long been at the forefront of social transformation, promoting diversity, respect, and social cohesion,” Alupo said.
She also noted that these institutions play an essential role in education, cultural awareness, and fostering intellectual growth, as well as contributing to economic development through job creation in tourism, hospitality, and the creative arts.
Nwanne Vwede-Obahor, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative for Uganda, stated that the programme’s implementation would contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, enhancing Uganda’s social and economic well-being.
“This program speaks to SDG 16, which is about peace justice and strong institutions seeks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, ensure access to justice for all and build effective, accountable institutions at all levels,” she said.
“ UNDP looks forward to an enhancement of these and the forthcoming nd before on peace, we should work with a little bit of carefulness not to define peace as merely the absence of military or armed conflict or war. Through peace encompasses much more. It is about the harmony dignity and well being of all people, values that lie at the heart of Obuntubulamu values that also lie at the heart of the SDGs, values and ethics are critical in fostering peace and development within societies. They shape our individual and collective behavior, our attitudes, culture and social norms that we use in our day to day interactions, governance of our homes, communities and nations, when individuals and communities adhere to strong ethical standards, they are more likely to engage in peaceful interactions, promote social justice and work collaboratively towards sustainable development.”
