How Makerere University's First Critical Thinking and Social Intelligence Cohort Found a New Way to Question the World

Makerere University has celebrated the graduation of the inaugural cohort for its Critical Thinking and Social Intelligence course, a three-week program designed to foster deeper analytical skills among participants from diverse professional backgrounds.

The course, which ran from July 20 to August 7, focused not on what to think, but on how to think. Participants engaged in interrogating arguments, scrutinizing evidence, identifying underlying assumptions, and exploring logical fallacies. Discussions also covered propaganda, manipulation, disinformation, and the nuances of social intelligence, including empathy, emotional intelligence, and navigating difficult conversations.

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I no longer feel ashamed to take my side even if I am one out of many.

Ronald Wafula, a social scientist and political analyst, shared how the course transformed his approach. "I no longer feel ashamed to take my side even if I am one out of many," Wafula stated, highlighting a newfound confidence in holding his ground. He also noted a significant shift in his research methods, feeling empowered to challenge claims and demand robust justification, earning him the nickname "professor" among his peers.

Organized by the Department of Philosophy within the School of Liberal and Performing Arts, the program aimed to equip participants to better navigate the complexities of modern communication, particularly social media, where misinformation and "confident nonsense" can proliferate. The curriculum included understanding subtle social cues, managing personal biases, and recognizing how individual behavior impacts interactions, preparing graduates to engage more critically with the world around them.

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His peers, he said, have even nicknamed him "professor."