By Immaculate Tusingwire, MMS
The All-Africa Conference Sister to Sister (AAC:SS) Uganda Leadership Programme, was held from 23rd to 29th August 2026, bringing together religious sisters for an intensive week of reflection, learning, healing, personal growth and leadership formation.
The goal of (AAC:SS) leadership training is to form leaders who can build communities that are spiritually grounded, psychologically sound and ready for mission. At the heart of the training is the understanding that effective leadership begins with the person of the leader.
The 28 Sisters who attended this 2nd cohort of the 2nd phase explored five key areas: personality profiles, gifts and liabilities; taking stock of one’s life; getting out of the victim role; aging gracefully; and the challenges and opportunities of consecrated life.
These themes were deliberately chosen to help sisters lead from self-awareness rather than insecurity, examined lives rather than chaos, responsibility rather than blame, wisdom across generations rather than youthful energy alone, and a deep understanding of consecrated life rather than administration alone.
According to Sr. Anna Grace Alum, AAC: SS Programme’s Coordinator, the programme seeks to form servant leaders who lead from self-awareness, responsibility and a deep understanding of their consecrated vocation.
Several participants shared that the training helped them recognize how past experiences and traumas can influence their behaviour and relationships. Through this awareness, they began journeys of healing, forgiveness, self-acceptance and greater tolerance. Other sisters also learned to approach disagreements differently, recognizing that having different opinions does not make someone an enemy. Respectful dialogue, careful assessment and openness to others’ perspectives have helped them discover unity amid diversity.
The impact of this training among those who had the training already in the 1st phase is evident as echoed in the sharing of Sr. Consolee Tuhirirwe. She reflected on the importance of developing a healthy sense of self-worth and learning to recognize both her strengths and weaknesses.
“Following the training, I evaluated myself, identified my strengths and areas where I need to grow, and started the process of building a positive sense of self-worth.”
This transformation also changed the way she related to the people she works with. She began to appreciate her employees more deeply, recognizing that both the leader and those she leads have value and an important contribution to make.
The result has been a more participatory approach to leadership in her school. “It is no longer ‘Sister’s school,’ but rather ‘our school.’”
One of the fruits of the programme has been the development of strong working relationships among sisters from different congregations across Uganda. The participants’ experiences demonstrate that when women religious come together to learn, reflect and share openly, they discover that their differences can become a strength.
The programme therefore contributes not only to better individual leaders but also to a stronger network of women religious who can support one another in responding to the challenges facing consecrated life and mission today.
Looking ahead, AAC:SS hopes to continue the leadership programme with another cohort and expand the training to the Diocesan level, so that more religious women can benefit.
As these sisters return to their communities after the training, they carry with them not only new leadership tools, but also a deeper awareness of themselves, greater appreciation for others and a renewed commitment to serve.
