General
Makerere-East China Normal University sign MoU
Makerere University and the East China Normal University (ECNU) yesterday, 22nd February 2010 signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation aimed at strengthening the cooperation in education, science, engineering and technological transfer between the two universities.
Makerere University and the East China Normal University (ECNU) yesterday, 22nd February 2010 signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation aimed at strengthening the cooperation in education, science, engineering and technological transfer between the two universities.
Prior to the signing ceremony, Prof. Nelson Sewankambo, Principal, College of Health Sciences chaired a session, where the two parties both made presentations profiling their respective universities with Dr. William Bazeyo, Dean, Makerere University School of Public Health (MUSPH) and Prof. Lizhong Yu, President, East China Normal University (ECNU) presenting on behalf of Makerere University and ECNU correspondingly.
In his presentation, Dr. Bazeyo thanked the ECNU team for their hospitality and keenness to work with Makerere University. After giving a brief background of the institution, he informed the team of Makerere’s ardent plan to transform into a new era through Academic and Financial reforms; Infrastructural development; Reaching out to the communities; Gender Mainstreaming and Strategic planning.
Prof. Lizhong Yu, who presented on behalf of ECNU outlined the University’s constitution of 19 Colleges and 44 Departments offering 122 Doctoral Programs, 178 Masters Programs and 65 Undergraduate Programs. He also shared that ECNU is home to 13 national or key research bases and houses over 100 research institutes and research centers. With regard to development strategies, ECNU takes the 3 I’s approach of Innovation, Interdisciplinary study and Internationalization, with the latter responsible for over 2000 foreign scholars visiting ECNU each year, for joint research, lecturing and other exchange programs. In concluding his presentation, Prof. Yu encouraged Makerere to join its community of overseas campuses and teaching centers like the New York University Shanghai Center, University of Virgina Center in Shanghai and the EM Lyon Shanghai Campus.
Representing the Government of the Peoples Republic of China, Chinese Ambassador to Uganda H.E. Sun Heping expressed his pleasure at witnessing the signing of the MoU between Makerere and ECNU, especially as both institutions are well known in their respective countries and the world over and have the direct auspices of each government. Taking into consideration previous years of fruitful cooperation at both governmental and people-to-people level, the Ambassador said “I am confident that the excellent relationship and cooperation between China and Uganda will continue to be further consolidated and developed” as he concluded his speech .
Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, Ag. Vice Chancellor Makerere University thanked the President ECNU and his team for honoring his invitation and visiting Makerere University to sign the landmark MoU. He thanked Dr. Bazeyo for successfully coordinating the team’s visit as well as following up on the progress of events. He thanked the Government of the Peoples Republic of China, whose initial donation of Computers and Accessories saw the former Institute of Computer Science grow into the largest Faculty of Computing in East and Central Africa. He therefore hoped that this new collaboration would lead to opening of a new gateway for Makerere in China and for ECNU in Uganda and the rest of Africa.
The ECNU delegation also consisted of Professor XU Jianguo, First Secretary, Chinese Embassy, Kampala; Professor Youqun Ren, Vice President, East China Normal University; Assoc. Prof Like Wang, Associate Professor, International Centre for Teacher Education, East China Normal University; Professor Zhang Jing, Academician of China Academy of Sciences, Professor, State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University; Professor Nanzhao Zhou, President-APNIEVE, Director, International Centre of Teacher Education, East China Normal University and Professor Zhiting Zhu, Professor, Dean, Distance Education College, East China Normal University
Click here for Dr. Bazeyo's full presentation
Click here for Prof. Lizhong Yu's full presentation
Click here for Ambassador Sun Heping's full speech
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 summed up as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research
In her remarks, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Members of Management 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 spiritual as well as academic wellbeing of its people, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
Draw Inspiration From Stewardship
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (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 ashey 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 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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