By Gift Kalikulali
Dr. Patricia Adongo Ojangole, Managing Director of Uganda Development Bank Limited, has urged Ugandans to question information, examine evidence and think critically before making decisions.
She made the call on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, during Uganda Christian University’s annual public lecture held at Nkoyoyo Hall, Main Campus, Mukono, under the theme, “The Power of Thinking: Why Critical Minds Build Better Futures.”
“The future of individuals, organizations, and nations depends significantly on the quality of their thinking,” she said.
Dr. Ojangole explained that although technology has made information more accessible, many people struggle to distinguish facts from falsehoods. She warned that unverified information, misleading images and emotional arguments can influence decisions and harm individuals, businesses and communities.
She encouraged students to question what they read, examine the evidence and consider other explanations before making decisions.
Using a WhatsApp message announcing the closure of a university as an example, she said people should verify such information through official sources instead of believing or forwarding it immediately.
“Do not allow social media to think on your behalf, or do not allow public opinion to think on your behalf,” she said.
Dr. Ojangole also identified common barriers to critical thinking, including personal bias, groupthink, emotional reasoning and authority bias. She explained that people sometimes accept ideas because they agree with their beliefs, because others support them or because they come from people in positions of authority.
She urged students to remain curious, read widely, listen carefully and question ideas respectfully.
“Do not become passive consumers of ideas and a lot of information that you can access, but become active creators of ideas,” she said.
She added that critical thinking could help address youth unemployment by enabling young people to turn their ideas, talents and innovations into economic opportunities.
In his address, UCU Vice Chancellor Canon Professor Aaron Mushengyezi said the university aimed to develop graduates who could bring positive change to society through renewed thinking and practical action.
He described this approach as “business unusual, not business as usual,” calling for leaders who could transform education, infrastructure, businesses and other institutions.
He also encouraged the university community to move beyond discussing change and take practical steps towards achieving it.
In his closing remarks, the Chairperson of the UCU University Council, Rt. Rev. Professor Alfred Olwa, said critical thinking should be developed at home, in schools and in other institutions.
He warned that people risk losing their ability to make independent decisions when they rely entirely on information from social media and other sources without examining it.
“The danger of this generation is not that they will lack information. It is that they will stop thinking for themselves,” he said.
Prof. Olwa added that critical thinking should be guided by Christian values, explaining that faith and reason should work together rather than oppose each other.
The lecture attracted university leaders, staff, students and invited guests ahead of UCU’s graduation activities. It ended with a call for students and leaders to seek truth, exercise sound judgement and use their knowledge to serve society.
