By Sr. Anna Grace Alum – LSMIG………..
The All-Africa Conference Sister to Sister (AAC:SS) in partnership with the Association of Religious in Uganda (ARU) commenced the first phase of the second cohort of leadership training from February 15 – 21, 2026 at ARU Secretariat, Nsambya Kampala.
The program is intended to equip specifically women religious from various congregations and missions across Uganda with skills in human development, trauma recovery, and effective leadership to prepare them for the evolving demands of ministry and community services. It will help Sisters to have a firm grasp of how their actions impact others around them. Sisters will then apply this understanding to enhance their leadership efficacy and personal development.
Leadership training is particularly important at this time as Sisters face complex challenges in decision-making, communication, and team management. The training aims to enhance their ability to evaluate information, manage risks, communicate vision effectively, and motivate others within their communities and workplaces.
The 31 participants who attended the training were selected by their major superiors and representatives due to their leadership responsibilities within their congregations. The sisters also serve as representatives of their communities, making the training strategically important for broader institutional impact.
Key topics covered during the workshop include building self-esteem, healing childhood trauma and memories, emotional and social intelligence, human sexuality and celibacy, and conflict management through non-violent communication. Facilitators emphasized that these themes are essential for modern religious leadership, where interpersonal skills and emotional maturity are increasingly critical.
Participants are expected to apply the acquired skills in their daily ministries, congregations, and workplaces. Planned initiatives include community awareness activities, seminars, and workshops, as well as efforts to foster open communication, self-awareness, and harmony within communities.
Since the program began, there is visible positive impacts, including increased collaboration among sisters, improved communication, and a stronger focus on holistic well-being of mind, body, and spirit.
The workshop is important because it addresses contemporary leadership challenges like managing dispersed teams, integrating digital tools and artificial intelligence, navigating rapid technological change, maintaining staff motivation, and balancing mental health with performance expectations. Major superiors are encouraged to extend the program to sisters at all levels, including those in formation houses, emphasizing the importance of healing, self-awareness, and personal growth for effective community life and ministry.
