Makerere University Political Science don, Professor Yasin Olum has rooted for prioritization of people’s mindset change if Uganda is to attain required development.
Prof. Olum was on Thursday afternoon delivering a lecture on “Mindset change for development” during the weekly NRM ideological clinics at the party headquarters in Kampala.
He said that over the years most of the Third World countries have put too much emphasis on micro and macro-economic models to solve socio-economic problems of their people but has not been helpful.
“Many third world countries focus exclusively on either leadership or macro and microeconomics without putting much emphasis on mindset change. Because many government programs and projects tend to treat mindset change in a lukewarm manner, many times their outcomes have been failures,” Prof. Olum said, giving an example of countries like South Korea whose economic miracle began with the mindset change campaigns conducted at a national level.
Quoting a Greek philosopher Aristotle who said that “A nation is not built by mountains and trees, but it is built by its citizens’ characters” Mr Olum reiterated that “If development and socio-economic development, in particular, is to be achieved in developing countries, Uganda inclusive, mindset change should be viewed as a critical ingredient”.
“Without first transforming people’s minds, there will be no development. Even if you introduce as many governments programs as you can they cannot achieve anything without having people well prepared in the mind.” He adds.
He said that the mindset factor influences employees’ productivity, citizens’ work habits, and use of technology and market habits. He said advising people to embrace the productive mindset rather than a defensive mindset that is counterproductive.
“There are two groups of individuals one group having growth mindset which is productive and another one with a fixed mindset which is defensive and counterproductive,” Prof Olum explained, “People with a growth mindset see learning as the best part of their life and they don't fear failure. They easily correct themselves and move on,” he adds.
He also said that the link between development and mindset change is because the change of lives of people relies on the thinking of the citizens.
“Improving the quality of lives of people is an indicator of development. Create employment and increase the incomes of the people. You must reduce poverty, unemployment and inequality, then you are realizing development,” he stressed.
Mr Olum, therefore, says that people’s minds have to be transformed to enable them to participate in programs meant for them. “Education, training and development are key in that respective order, you need to have all the three to realize your goals.
The NRM party Secretary-General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong said that everything we do starts with our mind. He advised Ugandans to think positively to be progressive.
“Nature is never constant, so your mind should never be fixed. You are biologically growing day by day, let your mind grow as well,” Todwong said, adding that,
“Your mind is the first employer, not the papers you have”.
Referring to the inspiring story of the three Ghetto graduates who live a hustling life to survive, the Secretary-General promised to extend the ideological clinic classes to the downtown to change the thinking of people living in a low-income environment.
“These ideological clinics are not only beneficial to elites or people with big incomes but they are for every Ugandan. Therefore we are keeping you ideologically oriented for your benefit. We are going to extend these ideological clinic classes to you downtown, so embrace them,” he concluded.