The Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) – DVC AA has established a programme for nurturing the next generation of academics. Under this programme, recent Graduates of PhD studies will be availed the opportunity to make public, findings from their doctoral research.
The Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) – DVC AA has established a programme for nurturing the next generation of academics. Under this programme, recent Graduates of PhD studies will be availed the opportunity to make public, findings from their doctoral research.Apart from knowledge sharing, the seminars seek to enhance networking among intellectuals both within and outside Makerere University. Furthermore, it is believed that research findings provide a rich ground for policy reviews and enhancement of national development goals.
The PhD Seminar Series Programme was launched on 2nd September, 2010 with Dr. Euzobia Baine, who made a presentation on "Gender and Teaching Education in Uganda: Responses to Contemporary Changes"
Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, DVC AA welcomed The Chief Guest Dr. Abel Rwendeire and the audience to the launch of the dissemination series. She acknowledged the progress made during the last five years, where fifty-one out of the total one-hundred sixty-nine members of staff who attained PhDs were women. Prof. Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza further recognized the role played by dissemination of research in not only providing accountability to the university, but also according the Makerere community an opportunity to take notice of research conducted at the university.
“The whole Nation should be informed about the relevance of Makerere as a leading research institution” she said. Professor Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza then paid tribute to the Makerere-media partnership, through which the latter successfully disseminates information to the public, keeping it up-to-date with groundbreaking research findings.
Dr. Baine in her dissemination noted the central role played by teachers towards the successful implementation of all education reforms, hence her focus on Teacher Training Institutions (TTIs). She observed some reforms like: affirmative action, the 1992 white paper on education, UPE and later USE, girls and the education movement as undertaken by the Government since 1989, all aimed at reducing gender disparities in education
To make a proper assessment on the impact of the reforms, Dr. Baine chose to assess the ways in which teacher education has responded to contemporary changes in education sector regarding promotion of gender equality in education. In so doing, her aim was to contribute to the nurturing of a more gender responsive teacher training system for Uganda.
She also observed that much of what is learnt at school is acquired informally through daily social practices and procedures through interaction with teachers, peers and role models, a process that is highly gender-based. As such, a school is one of the important centers of socialization and one of the key influences on the state of gender relations in later years, and teachers can as well enforce gender equality policies in schools as part of their responsibilities.
However, sexual harassment in the teaching and learning environment was identified by Dr. Baine as one of the key causes of persistent gender inequalities, especially high drop out rates for girls. She further discovered that whereas institutions acknowledged the existence of sexual harassment and instituted programmes to address it, they oftentimes considered preserving the reputation of the harassers, who are usually colleagues, an act that only serves to compound the problem.
Dr. Baine concluded her dissemination by passing the proposals for improving gender responsiveness in Teacher Training Institutions and these included;
Mainstreaming gender in all functions and expanding horizons regarding what it means and is required to promote gender equality.
Networking and support among gender equality advocates in TTIs. Institutions are driven by collective individual action.
Ideological re-orientation (both a need and a strategy) for example, affirmative action must be linked to historical advantages accorded to males, not the deficit view of women.
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.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta is received upon arrival at Makerere University by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
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.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (2nd Right) poses for a group photo during the courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor with Left to Right: Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Ms. Sarah Kagingo and Guild President-H.E. Churchill James Ssentamu.
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:
Left to Right: The Vice President-H.E. Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Emeritus-Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Hon. Matthew Rukikaire and other dignitaries follow proceedings.
“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.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Diploma holders admitted under the Government Sponsorship Scheme for the Academic Year 2025/2026.
Under the Diploma Holders Government Sponsorship Scheme admission does not exceed 5% of the intake capacity to the respective Degree Programme.
The list can be accessed by following the link below:
Are you a researcher or student working in protein-related research, structural biology, or bioinformatics?
The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences (ACE) Uganda with support from Google DeepMind, invites researchers and students seeking to integrate AlphaFold into their work to apply for the AlphaFold Workshop to be held at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University-Kampala, Uganda from 16th to 20th June 2025.