Mulenge Positive Society
"We educate, uplift, and empower the Banyamulenge community by preserving our history, promoting our culture, and revitalizing the Kinyamulenge language. Through documentation, education, and cultural initiatives, we aim to build a strong, self-aware, and connected future for our people."
Mulenge Positive Society (MPS) is research-based organization founded on 24 November 2022, dedicated to the preservation and empowerment of the Banyamulenge people. Our mission is to protect, document, and promote the culture, history, and language of the Banyamulenge, ensuring that our heritage remains alive for future generations.
Our Focus:
1. Cultural Preservation
The Banyamulenge community continues to face serious challenges related to displacement, cultural erosion, and generational loss of traditions. At MPS, we actively work to preserve and promote Banyamulenge identity through the documentation of cultural practices, storytelling, and archival work that safeguards their unique heritage.
2. Historical Documentation
Much of the history of the Banyamulenge has been misrepresented or left undocumented. We are committed to researching, investigating, and publishing accurate historical records and reports to protect the legacy of our people and ensure future generations know where they come from.
3. Linguistic Advocacy
Kinyamulenge—the native language of the Banyamulenge—is under threat. We focus on reviving and strengthening the language by compiling grammar guides, writing books (including children's books), and creating learning tools to ensure it is spoken, read, and passed on for generations.
How the Idea of MPS Started
The idea to start Mulenge Positive Society (MPS) came during a very difficult time. Our country Democratic Republic of the Congo, was in war. Our community, the Banyamulenge was facing serious persecution and violence. Many elders who knew our history and culture were dying, and no one was recording what they knew. There were almost no books or good sources of real information about us. Our culture was being mixed with others and slowly lost. The Kinyamulenge language itself entered an apocalyptic age, vanishing from the tongues of the young, fading from the memory of the old.
These were all negative situations. But instead of giving up, we decided to respond in a different way — with something positive. That’s where the name “Positive” in Mulenge Positive Society comes from. It means that even though everything around us was broken and painful, we wanted to bring a solution. We wanted to save what was left — our language, our history, and our culture — and give hope to the next generation. " MPS was born to face the negatives with positives."
Why MPS Exists
Now that MPS has been created, our mission is clear. We work to protect and promote the unique identity of the Banyamulenge people. We focus on action — preserving culture, language, and history — and creating tools that help the next generation learn, grow, and stay connected to who they are.
While the idea of MPS was born out of pain, its purpose is all about building strength, and hope for the future.
Cultural and Historical Documentation and Archiving
We collect stories, traditions, and important historical facts from the Banyamulenge community. Many of these have only been passed down by word of mouth, so we work hard to write them down before they are forgotten. We talk to elders, visit communities, and record valuable knowledge about our people’s past. This information is organized, saved, and shared through books, videos, and digital archives. Our goal is to make sure that future generations know who they are and where they come from. This daily work helps protect the cultural identity of the Banyamulenge people. It also gives our youth something strong and proud to stand on.
Teaching the Next Generation
We create books and learning materials for Banyamulenge children to help them understand their language, culture, and history. We are also planning to organize camps, workshops, and special programs where young people can learn about their identity and build confidence in who they are. Our goal is to make sure the next generation grows up proud of their roots. We believe education is the key to a strong future. That’s why we support learning in both schools and community settings. We also work together with global organizations, individuals, and institutions to improve access to education. Through these efforts, we help prepare our youth for a better and brighter future.
Protecting the Kinyamulenge Language
We are working with our partners to save the Kinyamulenge language. Together, we are creating the first-ever Kinyamulenge dictionary to help people learn and use the right words. We are also developing clear grammar books for students, teachers, and anyone who wants to study the language. These resources will make it easier for the language to be taught in schools and shared with future generations. We believe that language is a big part of identity, and we want Kinyamulenge to be spoken with pride. Our work also includes sharing learning materials in print and digital formats. This way, the language can stay alive in both local communities and abroad.
Leadership Team
"Even if we don't have anyone to look up to, our goals still sound impossible, but our vision is more powerful than anything, and we will make it."
— Mugisha Steven, CEO & Founder of MPS
"The uniting force of youth, guided by wise decisions, is a catalyst for transformative power that paves the way for a better and sustainable future."
— Ndagiro Reponse, Chef human resource officer
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"A generation that dares to dream beyond limits becomes the foundation of a future that fear cannot shake."
— RUHUMURIZA Bonheur , Coordinator of research and data analysis
"A patriot is not just someone who loves their country, but someone who strives to make it a better place for all its citizens and has a forward-looking dedication to build a brighter future for generations to come."
— Muziranenge Providence, Broadcasting and social media manager
Mulengism
Mulengism
Mulengism is a cultural and moral philosophy developed by the Mulenge Positive Society (MPS) to preserve and promote the values, identity, and dignity of the Banyamulenge people.
It encourages every Munyamulenge, no matter where they live, to embrace their heritage with courage, truth, humility, and pride. Rooted in the example of their ancestors, Mulengism emphasizes ancestral pride, unity, moral character, peaceful resistance, and the importance of passing on cultural knowledge to the next generation.
It teaches that identity is not just inherited but must be lived out through honorable actions, community support, and resilience in the face of adversity. Mulengism is both a remembrance of who the Banyamulenge have always been and a vision for who they can continue to be—a united, dignified, and empowered people committed to protecting their roots and shaping a proud future. Everything MPS does is in line with Mulengism.