Manyama Majogoro

In November 2025, our delegation, including doctoral researchers Gasper Kabendera and Manyama Majogoro, together with UHasselt’s Internationalisation Officer, Brigitta Bijloos, travelled to Fort Portal, Uganda, to participate in a ten-day Connecting Communication (Akiiki) workshop held from November 14 to 24. The gathering brought together local Ugandan citizens, including a community leader from Local Council 1 (LC1), the lowest administrative unit in Uganda, comparable in role and community proximity to the Mtaa Government Office (MGO) in Tanzania, as well as participants from Belgium. This diverse composition created a rich environment of shared learning and cross-cultural exchange.

A memorable highlight, shown in the first photo, was the moment our doctoral researchers presented their work on land-use conflicts in Tanzania. This sparked meaningful dialogue on how principles from Nonviolent Communication, such as needs-based communication, emotional regulation and tension-holding, can deepen understanding of the relational dynamics underlying land-use tensions and grassroots governance.

The second photo captures the heart of the Akiiki practice: participants gathered in a connecting circle, a relational space where learning naturally unfolds. Through song, rhythm, silence and deep listening, the circle fostered an atmosphere of trust, inclusion and emotional safety. This connecting space became the foundation for meaningful engagement throughout the workshop.

Through the Dance Floor framework and the symbolic pathway from giraffe to hippo, turtle and elephant, we explored how leadership deepens when communication is grounded in presence rather than reaction. The principle of connection before correction stood out as a transformative lesson, reminding us that relational safety forms the foundation for meaningful dialogue and effective problem-solving.

Our time in Uganda reaffirmed the importance of relational leadership in community work and linked us to a growing international movement centred on reconnection, emotional grounding and collective presence. We return inspired and committed to integrating these insights into our ongoing research and engagement.