The Executive Director of Uganda National NGO Forum, Dr. Moses Isooba, has commended Uganda Rural Development and Training (URDT) for its unique approach to development as an NGO.
He made the remarks while visiting Uganda Rural development and training programme (URDT) Campus on October 17, 2023. Moses says URDT has a sense of community basing on its pathways of the community radio, the African Rural University, which is an all-women’s university, the education continuum, the 2-generations approach at URDT Girls School, prevention of cervical cancer, Mini Estate processing Enterprise MEPE and the Satellite Approach.
“You are changing the communities and they are seeing themselves as co-investors into this module which changes the dynamic hence trust which is development.” He notes
He also described URDT as a transformational laboratory, emphasizing that the institution’s farmer-like approach to development holds substantial value. In words, he said that, “You may know what you are doing but may also not know the value of what you are doing. It’s of immense impact. If we had 20 URDTs in this country, Uganda would be different”
Citing the 2-Generations Approach, in which URDT students and their parents/guardians learn together and develop a shared vision for their personal lives and homes, Dr. Moses noted that the uniqueness of this approach needs to be adopted nationally to foster development.
Furthermore, Dr. Isooba extended his appreciation to Dr. Mwalimu Musheshe, the Vice Chancellor of African Rural University, and founder of URDT for pioneering programs like the concept of traditional wisdom specialists which imparts special knowledge to students and not just teaching subjects.
According to Dr. Mwalimu Musheshe the vice chancellor African Rural University, traditional wisdom specialists are a depository of knowledge and information instead of wrong wise people with PHDs who are disconnecting us from our traditional knowledge, these specialists teach us how to do organic farming and how to manage our environment organically
Moses also graced the daily foundation course at the center for reflection and development where staff reflect on different issues. At this event, He shared a report highlighting the work of the Uganda National NGO Forum with URDT. Additionally, the Vice Chancellor of ARU, Dr. Mwalimu Musheshe, shared an annual report detailing ARU’s accomplishments in 2022 with Dr. Moses Isooba.
