General
Sharing Water: Another collaborative effort from Makerere & Bergen
The Makerere University Guest house compound played host to yet another book launch on Tuesday 17th November 2009. The newly published book is titled Sharing Water: Problems, Conflicts and Possible Solutions – The case of Kampala (2009) and authored by P. Larsson , E. Kirumira , A. Steigen & A. Miyingo-Kezimbira.
The Makerere University Guest house compound played host to yet another book launch on Tuesday 17th November 2009. The newly published book is titled Sharing Water: Problems, Conflicts and Possible Solutions – The case of Kampala (2009) and authored by P. Larsson , E. Kirumira , A. Steigen & A. Miyingo-Kezimbira.
In his remarks, Prof. E. Kirumira welcomed the gathering to the book launch and thanked all the contributing authors for their input into this book, which discusses how nature, people and society in Kampala handle water issues. This book is a result of a multidisciplinary research project on the theme Nature, Society and Water funded under the Norwegian Research councils’s programme “Development Paths in the South”.
Prof. Petter Larsson, Professor at the Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Norway and co-author of the book emphasized the importance of packaging such information into books that can be used as a Future reference.
In giving an overview of the book Andreas L. Steigen, Associate Professor at the Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Norway thanked all the contributing authors for their efforts in making this book a diverse resource covering a wide range of societal issues from planning, conflict management to Ecology. He however challenged them to advance from contributing chapters to books to writing entire books that can be published.
Dr. Robert Kabumbuli , Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology in the Faculty of Social Sciences Makerere University remarked the challenges in Planning, conflicts and management as covered by the book. Citing the fluctuating population of Kampala, which more than doubles during the day, he noted that the unplanned nature of the city inevitably puts a strain on available resources like piped water. Some of the residents have to make do with protected springs, where conflicts are unavoidable due to growing numbers competing for the scarce resource. He concluded by challenging all stakeholders involved to use concept papers and research findings published in books such as these to manage conflicts that are bound to arise.
Prof. Kirumira then invited Dr. Luyiga Susan from the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science Makerere University to remark on the Ecosystem challenges as covered by the book. Focusing on the Nakivubo Channel, Dr. Luyiga revealed how city planning had led to the eventual widening, deepening and cementing of the channel, which though aimed at preventing floods in the city, led to the deposition of silt and sediment in wetlands downstream. This eventually leads to increase in suspended solids in the Murchison Bay, where NWSC collects water for treatment.
Odong Robinson reviewed the Health Challenges addressed by the book noting that although colonial plans of the city had designated the hills for settlement and the wetlands uninhabitable, population growths had led to the eventual reclamation of wetlands for settlement. This inevitably increased the likelihood of human to vector interaction and easier spread of diseases like Malaria and Bilharzia.
The Guest of Honor and Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba thanked the University of Bergen representatives and Makerere University Staff for their collaborative efforts, which led to the publishing of a rich and diverse book covering pertinent issues like water. He then challenged the team to tackle other contentious issues like Land.
Furthermore, he thanked the media for covering the event and publicizing the launch of such books, which can act as guides for policy makers. He then challenged the Academic staff of Makerere to not only carry out research and write books but also launch them so as to disseminate information to the public. He then officially launched the book and received a copy signed by all the authors.
General
Are We Giving Enough Attention to the People Around Us Who Quietly Influence Lives Every Day?
By Marion Apio
On March 21, 2026, I felt a strong urge to reconnect with a close colleague and passionate leader, Owekitinisa Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki. We had not spoken since I moved to the United States to pursue my dream of becoming a journalist. The following day, I learned that he had been quietly undergoing treatment in and out of the hospital. True to his character, he had chosen to keep his condition private. I was shocked and saddened, wishing I had known earlier so I could offer support.
At first, reports from family and friends were encouraging. He had been diagnosed with malaria and low blood platelet counts and was receiving treatment. Respecting his wish for confidentiality, members of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community at Makerere University rallied discreetly around him.
However, on April 29, his condition worsened. He was transferred between medical facilities and underwent extensive tests, including a biopsy, as doctors searched for answers. Sadly, on May 29, Sylas passed away.
His death sparked an extraordinary outpouring of love and solidarity. Friends, colleagues, and former scholars mobilised to support his family, settle medical expenses, organise virtual vigils, and plan a dignified farewell. Hundreds gathered at St. Augustine Chapel to pay their respects. Within three days, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community raised approximately UGX 11 million, a testament to Sylas’ impact on countless lives.
In the days that followed, I found myself wrestling with difficult questions. In a world where we spend so much time following people online, are we paying enough attention to those quietly transforming lives around us? Why do we invest so much emotional energy in distant personalities while overlooking the people God has placed right in front of us?
Sylas lived with humility and served with grace. His death left more than 1,500 Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni grieving, alongside many others around the world who knew him. Yet his passing also exposed a contradiction in modern life.
We live in an age of unprecedented connectivity. Uganda has millions of internet users and WhatsApp subscribers, while globally, people spend hours each day on social media. We have more tools than ever to stay connected, yet many of us are becoming increasingly disconnected from the people who matter most.
Sylas resisted this trend. Through mentorship, service, and community-building, he remained deeply present in others’ lives. While many people retreat into individual pursuits, he consistently chose connection.
This challenge is especially relevant for Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni. Every year, young Africans leave home to pursue education and professional opportunities abroad. Distance, time zones, visa restrictions, and rising travel costs make it difficult to maintain relationships and remain actively involved in the communities that helped shape us.
For Sylas, the answer was simple: show up. Celebrate others. Offer support. Stay connected.
He never allowed geographical or personal barriers to become excuses for disengagement. Even while facing his own struggles, he invested in others. He embodied the values the Mastercard Foundation seeks to cultivate—ethical leadership, service, and community empowerment.
Sylas did not wait for a perfect platform to create change. He simply served where he was. He helped build bridges between education, culture, and professional development while remaining grounded in his values. He dreamed of creating a stronger alumni ecosystem and brought both passion and compassion to every initiative he touched.
Since his passing, social media has been filled with memories of his infectious smile and unwavering commitment to others. Those tributes reveal an important truth: people gave generously because Sylas had first given himself generously to them. People from different backgrounds, generations, and communities showed up because he had spent his life showing up for them. His legacy now challenges all of us.
The greatest tribute we can offer is not simply to mourn his loss but to continue his work. That means supporting the causes he cared about, helping the children whose education he championed, strengthening alumni networks, and pursuing the dreams we discussed with him.
The tragedy of modern life is not that we follow people online. It is that too often our attention to distant lives comes at the expense of meaningful relationships nearby. Yet strong relationships are as essential to our well-being as physical health.
As Ugandans, we take pride in our faith, culture, and sense of community. We contribute to fundraisers, attend ceremonies, and support family members in times of need. But increasingly, genuine connection is being replaced by passive digital interaction. Families and communities cannot thrive on likes, retweets, and emojis alone.
They require presence—phone calls, visits, conversations, and the willingness to notice when someone is struggling.
Before spending another hour immersed in the lives of strangers online, look around. Call the friend you have not spoken to in years. Check on a family member. Reach out to a colleague who seems withdrawn. Communities are not built by algorithms or celebrities. They are built by ordinary people who choose, day after day, to care for those within their reach.
Uganda needs more people like Sylas. At just 32 years old, he achieved what many spend a lifetime striving for. He served as Minister of Information in the Toro Kingdom and as President of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Association in Uganda. More importantly, he dedicated himself to serving others.
While his death is deeply painful, his life remains a powerful example of how we should live. My prayers and condolences go to his family, friends, and the entire Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community.
Rest in perfect peace, Owek. Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki.
The author is a Mastercard Foundation Alumna from Makerere University and the University of California, Berkeley. She is a journalist based in Southern California and the CEO of the Debunk Media Initiative.
-
General2 weeks agoFreshers’ Joining Instructions 2026/2027
-
General2 weeks agoAre We Giving Enough Attention to the People Around Us Who Quietly Influence Lives Every Day?
-
Health2 weeks agoThe silent teachers: why body donation matters
-
Agriculture & Environment1 week agoPolicy Brief: Strengthening Climate Resilience and Livelihoods in Uganda’s Refugee and Host Communities
-
Business & Management2 weeks agoGovernment Strengthens Public Investment Management Capacity Through Intensive Training at Makerere University