Freedom Centre Uganda is a grassroots humanist and human rights organization based in Uganda and an Associate of Humanists International. Through its Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills project, the organization sought to address a longstanding challenge within Uganda’s education system: an overreliance on rote memorization and examination-focused teaching methods.
While critical thinking is increasingly recognized as an educational priority across sub-Saharan Africa, many teachers in Uganda lack access to the training and resources needed to foster the analytical skills students need to innovate and address real-world community challenges.
To help address this gap, the project worked directly with teachers and students across five secondary schools in Mbarara. The initiative targeted 10 teachers and 50 students through a combination of workshops, educational resource materials and an ongoing mentorship programme. The project aimed to equip teachers with practical tools to integrate critical thinking into their teaching while giving students the confidence to discuss their ideas openly.
One teacher who participated in the project, Robert Mugisha of Mbarara High School, said the training transformed his approach in the classroom. Before attending the workshops, he relied primarily on lecture-based teaching methods, with students expected to memorise notes and reproduce answers in examinations. Through the training, he said he gained practical skills in inquiry-based learning and that his students “no longer fear asking questions”. Mugisha introduced group discussions into his classroom and reported that students are now more confident and willing to express their opinions. Reflecting on the changes, he added: “Now I am learning from my own students.”
Aisha Ninsiima, a Senior Three student studying Islamic Religious Education at Global High School, said participating in debate sessions helped her become more confident in expressing her ideas in public. Through the programme, Ninsiima said she learned how to organise evidence-based arguments and engage with different viewpoints. She said the critical thinking training also helped her better understand religious and social issues without fear or bias.
A key component of the initiative was the creation of a network of “critical thinking ambassadors”, teachers committed to promoting open-minded discussion and problem-based learning environments within their schools.
The project contributed to a documented shift from rote memorization to active student engagement. By establishing a sustainable network of teacher ambassadors and a Humanist Leadership Training Toolkit, the project ensured that critical thinking remains a permanent fixture in the participating schools through ongoing debate sessions and peer mentorship.
Humanists International has now announced the recipients of its 2026 Grants Program. The Grants Program is open exclusively to Members and Associates of Humanists International and we encourage humanist organizations learn more about joining us.
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