General
Prof. Ali Mazrui launches Makerere Project
“May God Bless this Project and those who will sail through it in the future” These were the inspirational words Professor Ali.A. Mazrui used as he unveiled the foundation stone laid for the Makerere-Mazruiana Project that will help generate considerable resources to benefit the academia, boost research, business and technology innovations.
“May God Bless this Project and those who will sail through it in the future” These were the inspirational words Professor Ali.A. Mazrui used as he unveiled the foundation stone laid for the Makerere-Mazruiana Project that will help generate considerable resources to benefit the academia, boost research, business and technology innovations.
Professor Ali A. Mazrui was appointed lecturer at Makerere in 1963 and he became the first African Professor in Arts and Sciences in East Africa in 1965, he has over 22 publications, has written many pamphlets and booklets, monographs, has authored 33 books, attended various radio and T.V interviews and holds many awards and grants. However, Professor Ali. Mazrui still honors Makerere for granting him professorship that helped him shape his career. He paid his attribute to Makerere University Kampala’s main hall, which was a place where he learnt about speaking publicly on very important issues of the day.
The outgoing Vice Chancellor, Professor Livingstone Luboobi described the occasion as a great step forward for the academia, private and public sectors, which will participate hand in hand in the activities and mobilization of funds to support the project. Many alumni, friends and well-wishers of Makerere University Kampala turned up to see and listen to one of the top 100 intellectuals in the world, former lecturer and professor of Makerere University Kampala Ali.A. Mazrui speak. As many described him an intellectual, acting vice Chancellor Lillian Tibatemwa remembers him as a symbol and fountain of new ideas that used to draw crowds to public lectures, a fact that was confirmed by Uganda’s own Education Minister Hon. Namirembe Bitamazire, who admitted to sometimes missing her supper in order to be in time to attend Mazrui’s public lectures.
In his remarks, Professor Apollo Nsibambi, Uganda’s Prime Minister described Makerere University as an intellectual cradle for Ali.A. Mazrui. An African “throne” was presented to Professor Mazrui as a symbolic gesture of the Chair and Scholarship Endowment award bestowed upon him by the Chancellor of Makerere University Kampala, Professor Mondo Kagonyera.
Consisting of the Mazrui Chair and Scholarship Endowment and the Mazrui Center for Global studies the project is estimated to cost a sum of US$ 15 million, which is going to be mobilized by the alumni and friends of Makerere. Professor Mazrui proposed names of past and present African Presidents and statesmen totaling to 12 in number who will become patrons in support of the project. He also urged Makerere to catch up with the alumni to mobilize funds which he described as a major source of income.
Professor James Mulwana, Chairman, Private Sector pledged to garner support for Makerere both at home and abroad, “There are people out there who haven’t been approached about Makerere”, he said. On his part Al-Hajji Habib Kagimu pledged to give UShs50 million following his quote of a French saying “I may not agree with your opinion but I am willing to lay down my life to make sure that you express that opinion”. Makerere University Private Sector Forum on its part pledged to link up with Professor Mazrui’s networks especially foundations and development partners.
Through this project Makerere is expected to improve in its webometrics ranking since the project will provide role models to inspire and mentor current and future Makerere University. The Mazrui Chair and Scholarship award is expected to benefit students especially those pursuing postgraduate degrees. The Chancellor, Professor Kagonyera described postgraduate students as a high investment to the country, where they offer free labor and advice as they carry out research in fulfillment of their graduation requirements.
The project will strengthen partnership between the private and public sector and a Hall of Fame will be formed in the Centre for Global Studies which will be dedicated to all supporters and contributors of the Makerere-Mazruiana Project.
Makerere University staff have been urged to embrace servant leadership, integrity and compassion as they prepare to welcome students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The call was made during the Makerere University Staff Prayer Breakfast held on 31st July 2026 at St. Francis Students Centre Upper Hall under the theme “Faithful Stewards: A Servant Heart with Integrity and Wisdom,” drawn from Colossians 3:23–24 and Mark 10:35–45.
The prayer breakfast brought together members of Council, University Management, academic and administrative staff to dedicate the new academic year to God while reflecting on their responsibility of serving students with excellence, humility and integrity.
A Call to Seek God’s Wisdom
Host Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa reminded staff that no amount of professional experience or academic expertise can replace God’s guidance.
She noted that the University’s mission can only be fulfilled when staff continually seek God’s wisdom in serving students and one another.
“There is no amount of experience or expertise that can replace God’s wisdom.”
Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed that students remain the reason universities exist and challenged staff to approach their work as a calling rather than merely employment.
“Without students, there is no university,” she said, encouraging members of staff to remain united, avoid unhealthy competition and trust God as they begin another academic year.
She further urged staff to become faithful stewards who work together in harmony which she started as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research.
Speaking on behalf of students, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson and the Deputy Vice Chancellor to the breakfast, and reminded staff that a university’s value cannot be measured by research and innovation alone.
She described Makerere as a community held together by the wellbeing of its people, spiritual as much as academic, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
A Season to Draw Inspiration From.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who sent his greetings but could not attend in person, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Sarah Ssali told staff that this year’s breakfast carried special significance.
“This is the first prayer breakfast we are having ever since we launched our strategic plan,” she said, referring to the University’s new Strategic Plan, launched on 2nd July 2026.
She encouraged staff to hold on to the morning’s reflections as a guide for implementing the plan over the next five years, describing Makerere as an institution many families choose above all others for the vision and training it offers their children. She urged staff to see themselves as stewards of that trust rather than simply employees carrying out a job.
Compassion and Discipline Must Go Together.
Delivering her remarks, Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara challenged staff to strike a balance between compassion and discipline when dealing with students.
She observed that many students face different personal and academic challenges, making encouragement and timely support essential throughout their university journey.
“A word of encouragement can restore hope and prevent costly mistakes,” she noted.
Dr. Lorna encouraged lecturers and administrators to respond promptly to students’ concerns, explaining that delays, insensitive decisions and abuse of authority can discourage students and negatively affect their academic experience.
She reminded staff that students often remember how they were treated long after they have forgotten what was taught in class.
“Students may eventually forget what we teach them, but they will always remember how we treated them.”
She added that education goes beyond transferring knowledge.
“Education is more than knowledge. We communicate life, character and values.”
Quoting Mark 10, Dr. Lorna called upon staff to embrace servant leadership by exercising authority with humility, integrity and accountability.
She encouraged members of staff to ask themselves whether they would treat every student the same way they would treat their own child.
“We may not always have all the answers,” she said, “but we can communicate honestly, take responsibility and treat every student with dignity.”
She concluded by urging different colleges and administrative units to work together instead of operating in isolation, noting that unity strengthens the University community.
Referring to Galatians 6:2, she reminded staff to carry one another’s burdens and remain faithful stewards of the responsibility entrusted to them.
Servant Leadership Begins with Faithfulness.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. James Magara, husband to the Chairperson of the University Council, Dr. Lorna Magara, called on members of staff to embrace servant leadership grounded in humility, faithfulness and service to others.
Drawing from Mark 10:35–45, Dr. Magara reflected on the account in which James and John asked Jesus for positions of honour in His kingdom, prompting discontent among the other disciples. He observed that despite walking closely with Christ, the disciples continued to struggle with the desire for status and recognition. He noted that such competition remained evident even during the Last Supper, where concerns over positions and prominence persisted.
Dr. Magara said that Jesus responded to these human tendencies by redefining leadership through service rather than authority. He described Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet as the ultimate demonstration of servant leadership, explaining that genuine leaders are willing to undertake even the humblest responsibilities in service of others.
Referencing Philippians 2, he urged staff to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness, contrasting it with the pride and self-exaltation illustrated in Isaiah 14. He emphasised that lasting influence and greatness are not measured by titles, positions or recognition, but by one’s willingness to serve faithfully and put the needs of others before personal ambition.
Drawing on his own leadership journey spanning several decades, Dr. Magara challenged leaders across the University to cultivate humility, integrity and a servant heart in the execution of their responsibilities. He cautioned that leadership driven by pride and personal ambition undermines both individual effectiveness and institutional progress, whereas servant leadership strengthens organisations and fosters lasting impact.
The prayer breakfast concluded with a call for unity and collective commitment as Makerere University prepares to begin a new academic year. Organisers noted that the reflections on stewardship, integrity and servant leadership would provide a strong foundation for the University community as it advances the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
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