General
Vet to improve National Diagnostic Capacity for Animal Disease Control
The Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) , and the government of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) and Makerere University, have agreed to implement a national project in animal diseases control with Makerere University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (MAK-FVM) as a key government authority and central service provider.
The Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) , and the government of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) and Makerere University, have agreed to implement a national project in animal diseases control with Makerere University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (MAK-FVM) as a key government authority and central service provider.
In a brief background to the project, The Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Prof. John David Kabasa appreciated the support previously provided by JICA that witnessed the re-stocking of Buyana Stock Farm, eventually making it the largest producer of Boer goats in Uganda. He noted that during this second phase of support, a node will be established at the Faculty of Veterinary medicine as a secondary node to the one at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. He pledged that with this support, Makerere would use its students and staff to build capacity in Animal Disease control, specialized human resource and Laboratory facilities. Prof. Kabasa then thanked MAAIF and JICA for recognizing Makerere as a reputable choice, for developing this National Diagnostic Center.
Dr. Kauta Nicholas, Commissioner for Livestock Health and Entomology, MAAIF noted that as the National Veterinary Service is broken down into sections like Training Institutes and Researchers, the output of Makerere is unavoidably linked to the growth of Veterinary services in the country. Therefore, anybody who cared about the welfare of the service would ensure that the entry level component to this service (training) was superb, especially with improved laboratory capacity. As a representative of MAAIF, he recognized that this was very good area of engagement, because if Makerere was strengthened, her output was also automatically strengthened. He thanked the JICA representatives for their Government’s support and stressed MAAIF’s willingness to continue collaborating with institutions such as Makerere to get all the necessary support so as to ensure that the country moves ahead.
The Vice Chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba assured the officials of Makerere’s commitment towards this project and support for all University-Government partnerships, noting that the University plans to have every unit partnered with a respective Government body by the end of May 2010. He foresaw that through such partnerships, the University would gain a lot from Government while contributing towards the Country’s socio-economic development. He thanked the Japanese government for this support and called on more Japanese Universities to partner with Ugandan Universities, as Nihon University; the largest private university in Japan, had already done with Makerere University.
The Chief Representative of the JICA Uganda Office, Mr. SEKI Tetsuo , expressed his most sincere and heartfelt gratitude in signing this Memorandum of Understanding at Makerere, a regional Center of Excellence. Phase one of JICA’s support started in 2007 and concluded in 2008 at a cost of USD $1million. Phase two will consist of JICA’s support to this comprehensive collaboration between Makerere and the Uganda Government through MAAIF, to a tune of USD $4.5million over a period of 3 years towards the establishment of A National Animal Disease Diagnostic Centre.
The parties then proceeded to sign and exchange copies of the Memorandum of Understanding at a ceremony held on 25th January 2010.
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
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