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Mak Immortalises Prof. William Senteza Kajubi

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The gathering had a definite aura of composure and respectability about it. Ladies and gentlemen, the majority of whom were well over their fifties gathered on this warm sunny afternoon of 20th December 2010 to witness the unveiling of a Bust of Professor William Senteza Kajubi.

The gathering had a definite aura of composure and respectability about it. Ladies and gentlemen, the majority of whom were well over their fifties gathered on this warm sunny afternoon of 20th December 2010 to witness the unveiling of a Bust of Professor William Senteza Kajubi.

This immortalization in the form of a Bust was done in honour of the good Professor’s contributions towards the development of Education in Uganda.

Prof. Lutalo-Bbosa gives his keynote address at the ceremonyAs true testimony to his influence on the lives of the many people he has interacted with, the entire lineup of speakers that afternoon consisted of either very great friends or former students of Prof. Senteza Kajubi.

In his keynote address, Prof. Lutalo-Bbosa, yet another seasoned and well known educationist gave a glowing tribute to his former Vice Chancellor and great friend. Having met him while still only a young man, Prof. Lutalo-Bbosa’s and Prof. Senteza Kajubi’s academic paths were to later cross at King’s College Budo, then Makerere University, where he rose from Lecturer to become Prof. Senteza Kajubi’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, and then at the Institute of Teachers Education Kyambogo (ITEK).

Professor William Senteza KajubiSome of the key milestones in Prof. Senteza Kajubi’s life were; in 1951 after reluctantly accepting his posting to teach at Kako Secondary School in Masaka, he was later to meet his late wife Princess Elsie Nabaloga and the couple tied the knot on 3rd May 1952. In August 1953, he was granted a scholarship as the first Fulbright Student from Africa, thanks to his late friend and mentor – Professor Emeritus Edwin Munger. Only the year before in 1952, frustrated by the inadequate access to higher education courtesy of a rigid Protectorate Government, he had embarked on a crusade to fight for expanded access to education at all levels in Uganda. In 1955, he returned to King’s College Budo as a Senior Geography Teacher, and later set a record in 1958 as the only teacher to have his entire class, save for one student, score distinctions in the Geography Cambridge School Certificate.

Hajji Mukwaya & his wife, whose children benefited from the Biological Children's Scheme of Makerere UniversityProf. Senteza Kajubi’s personality and professionalism greatly aided his impact on the Education system in Uganda. As a member of the Castle Commission on Education of 1963 and the Education Review Commission (Kajubi Commission) of 1989, he authored/co-authored reports which have acted as the blueprint for the Education System in Uganda since Independence. The impact of this strong foundation is still felt today. Of all government sectors, Education has expanded the most in the last two decades; Primary School enrollment has expanded to over 8million, and University and Tertiary Institutions have thrived. His advocacy for the Biological Children’s Scheme for Makerere University staff enabled government sponsorship for biological children of staff members, a feat that enabled them to access higher education and motivated staff members. Today, the scheme is used in all public universities in the country.

Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza who represented the Vice Chancellor at the occasion recognized the importance of honoring the contributions of Prof. Senteza Kajubi to Uganda’s Education Sector,

L-R Prof. Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi & Prof. Senteza Kajubi at the ceremony“Honouring those who’ve gone before us gives us a chance to reflect on where we have come from, where we are, and where we wish to be as an institution in the next ten years.”

She reiterated Makerere University’s commitment to supporting government educational programmes like UPE, USE and most recently Universal Advanced Level Education through continuing to strategically position itself produce enough teachers especially science teachers, so as to support government policies like the compulsory sciences at ordinary level.

Speaking as a former student of Prof. Senteza Kajubi, the Right Honourable Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, while reminiscing about his times as a student praised his former Geography teacher

“He mastered the subject of Geography so well that we were able to understand it very well. His delivery skills were very good. He was, therefore, able to capture and sustain our attention,” he added.

Dr. Martin & Mrs. Camile Aliker attended the ceremonyProf. Nsibambi who was later to join his former teacher as a colleague at Makerere University praised Prof. Senteza Kajubi for his dedicated and exemplary service to the East African Community and challenged him to write a book about his life.

In yet another glowing tribute to Prof. Senteza Kajubi, Dr. Martin Aliker, a fellow Budonian, thanked the Professor for his mentorship, which began in Budo and continued all the way to his Masters study in the University of Chicago, USA.

“Since then, we have been together as a family, we have shared in Senteza’s triumphs and trials, tragedies and successes, and I am probably the proudest person apart from his family to be here,” remarked Dr. Aliker.

Prof. Senteza Kajubi unveils the bust at the School of Education, Makerere UniversityAfter unveiling the bust in his honour, Prof. Senteza Kajubi expressed his sincere gratitude at being immortally put on a pedestal and allowed to bask in the limelight of approval by colleagues and friends in the highest seat of learning in Uganda.

Having started out as a humble boy from Kireku village, Singo, 84 years ago, Prof. Senteza Kajubi attributed his love for and pride in whatever he was assigned to do, to the family work ethic. His late Father Yoweri Kajubi was a driver for the Public Works Department and Post Office, and on his retirement on 12th June 1958, after more than 40years of service; he was awarded “The Certificate of Honour” from Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, for his dedicated service to the Uganda Protectorate. His late Mother, Bulanina Namukomya on the other hand was an entrepreneur, who run a shop, tailored dresses and wedding gowns and baked confectionaries. All this was further emphasized by the family motto “OMULIMU LYE LINNYA LY’OMUNTU” (ONE’S WORK IS ONE’S NAME)

Professor William Senteza Kajubi makes gives his acceptance speechProf. Kajubi’s first contact with higher education was in 1938 as a P.5 pupil, who after marching 7miles from Mackay Memorial School in Nateete with his schoolmates, was privileged to bear witness to the cutting of the first sod for the Main Administration Building (at the then Makerere College) by His Royal Highness, The Duke of Gloucester. The message from His Majesty King George VI on this occasion was

“The College will afford splendid opportunities for service and advancement especially for African men and women of which I am sure they will eagerly avail themselves”

Although he admitted to not having comprehended the message then, he is proud to have been one of those privileged men and women called for service and advancement in this country, and later on be recognized and immortalized with a bust in the oldest School of Education in Eastern and Central Africa.

In his words of wisdom to the gathering, Prof. Senteza Kajubi counseled, “If every man and woman in Uganda and the rest of Africa did his or her duty, we would be able to defeat the combined fleet of ignorance, poverty and disease in no time.”

We the members of the Makerere University Community congratulate Professor William Senteza Kajubi upon this worthy honour. As a multi-talented person of integrity with demonstrated commitment to duty, his ability to relate, entertain and socialize, combined with his inexhaustible sense of humour, not to mention his endless list of academic and service accolades impress upon our hearts and minds an unforgettable legacy. Professor William Senteza Kajubi – the “Friend-raiser” is the true embodiment of a mentor for us all.

 

Prof. Senteza Kajubi poses for a group photo after the bust unveiling ceremony. Fifth Left is former two-time Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Asavia Wandira

 

 

Downloads 

Rt. Hon. Prof. Apolo Nsibambi's Speech: PDF Version, Postscript Version

The Vice Chancellor's Speech: MS Word Version, PDF Version, Postscript Version

 

 

 

 

mwamai@admin.mak.ac.ug, Public Relations Office

Mark Wamai

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Scholars Discuss Techno-Colonialism and Decolonizing AI for African Identity at Makerere University

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Prof. Sarah Ssali (2nd Left) flanked by Prof. Eddy Walakira and other participants during the parallel session on Techno-Colonialism on 31st October 2025. Webinar on TECHNO-COLONIALISM: Decolonising AI for Africa's Transformation, Day 3 of the 5th African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Biennial International Conference on Research, Innovation and Artificial Intelligence, October 31, 2025 hosted by Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Betty Kyakuwa & Eve Nakyanzi

Scholars from across Africa and beyond convened at Makerere University for a workshop on “Techno-Colonialism: Decolonizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for African Identity.” The event formed part of the ongoing African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Conference hosted at Makerere University, under the ARUA Centre of Excellence in Notions of Identity.

In her opening remarks, Prof. Sarah Ssali, Director of the ARUA Centre of Excellence in Notions of Identity, welcomed participants to what she described as a “thought-provoking engagement for early career researchers.” She noted that the Centre, hosted at Makerere University, now brings together over 10 universities across Africa and partner institutions in the Global North to examine evolving African identities in the face of global transformations.

“We don’t imagine a single African identity defined by class, tribe, or religion,” Prof. Ssali said. “We consider African identities as lived, negotiated, and continually reshaped by experiences such as colonialism, globalization, and technological change.”

The workshop was moderated by Dr. Kemi Kehinde, an ARUA–Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellow from Anchor University, Nigeria, who emphasized the need to critically examine the intersections between artificial intelligence, indigenous knowledge, and identity formation.

Dr. Kemi Kehinde. Webinar on TECHNO-COLONIALISM: Decolonising AI for Africa's Transformation, Day 3 of the 5th African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Biennial International Conference on Research, Innovation and Artificial Intelligence, October 31, 2025 hosted by Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Kemi Kehinde.

Dr. Kemi invited participants to reflect on a presentation by Dr. Sameen Musa on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and AI in the Context of Decoloniality and Sustainable Futures. She highlighted the importance of ensuring that AI systems recognize and integrate oral African traditions such as storytelling, proverbs, and performance arts—areas where current technologies often fall short.

“As young African scholars, we have a responsibility to shape the training models of AI so that future systems engage authentically with African oral traditions and worldviews,” Dr. Kemi noted.

The panel featured Prof. Aghogho Akpome from the University of Zululand, Dr. Isaac Tibasiima and Marvin Galiwango, a machine learning engineer at Makerere, and Dr. Nikolai Golovko from the Centre for African Studies at the Higher School of Economics, Moscow and Dr. Chongomweru Halimu, a lecturer at the Department of Information Technology, Makerere University.

Speaking from South Africa, Prof. Aghogho Akpome delivered a strong critique of what he termed “the intellectual dependency fostered by generative AI tools.” He cautioned that over reliance on artificial intelligence for writing and research risks eroding cognitive skills and perpetuating new forms of colonial dependence.

“The use of generative AI without critical engagement amounts to intellectual theft,” he said. “It replaces creative thought with algorithmic mimicry, and that is the essence of techno-colonialism.”

A lively Q&A during the parallel session. Webinar on TECHNO-COLONIALISM: Decolonising AI for Africa's Transformation, Day 3 of the 5th African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Biennial International Conference on Research, Innovation and Artificial Intelligence, October 31, 2025 hosted by Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
A lively Q&A during the parallel session.

Dr. Isaac Tibasiima, from Makerere University’s Department of Literature, offered a balanced view, arguing that while AI poses risks of cultural misrepresentation, it also presents opportunities for Africans to reclaim their agency by shaping the data that powers these systems.

“We need to feed our own knowledge into AI systems—honest, transparent, contextually grounded African knowledge,” Dr. Tibasiima said. “That’s the path to inclusion and authentic representation.”

From Moscow, Dr. Nikolai Golovko provided a global policy perspective, noting that while 11 African countries have adopted national AI strategies, implementation remains limited by resource and data inequalities. He warned that foreign-designed algorithms often ignore local contexts, reinforcing what he called “algorithmic colonialism.”

“African governments and universities must prioritize indigenous participation in AI design,” Dr. Golovko urged. “Otherwise, we risk reproducing colonial hierarchies in digital form.”

Dr. Halimu Chongomweru discussed the theme “Techno-Colonialism and Decolonizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for African Ideas.” He argued that today’s global digital ecosystem mirrors historical patterns of colonial exploitation—only now, instead of natural resources, Africa’s data is being extracted to fuel AI economies controlled by others.

He described this as a form of modern colonialism, not through armies or flags, but through algorithms, cloud servers, and digital platforms that define African problems and solutions without African participation. These systems enrich others while disempowering African communities.

Dr. Halimu Chongomweru. Webinar on TECHNO-COLONIALISM: Decolonising AI for Africa's Transformation, Day 3 of the 5th African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Biennial International Conference on Research, Innovation and Artificial Intelligence, October 31, 2025 hosted by Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Halimu Chongomweru.

Dr. Chongomweru emphasized that AI without culture is not intelligence but extraction. When AI models are trained on Western norms, they impose Western values globally, leading Africans to adopt technology without shifting the moral and cultural lenses behind it.

He urged a shift in focus from access to ownership, arguing that access without control only deepens dependency — another form of digital colonialism. True equalization, he said, means determining who owns, benefits from, and governs African data and AI systems.

To decolonize AI, Dr. Chongomweru proposed several actions:

  1. Build African-owned data repositories hosted on African soil and governed by African laws.
  2. Invest in AI research in African languages, moving from translation (copying) to representation (originating ideas).
  3. Develop home-grown technological infrastructure, ensuring computation and innovation occur within the continent.

He concluded that Africa’s AI agenda must be rooted in cultural, linguistic, historical, and sovereign identity, drawing from African philosophical traditions to create ethical and inclusive AI systems.

Marvin Galiwango cautioned that Africa’s growing engagement with AI still relies heavily on foreign tools, funding, and servers, creating digital dependency rather than empowerment. He argued that so-called “inclusion” often leaves Africans creating within systems they don’t control. Drawing parallels with genomics, he noted that Africa provides data but lacks ownership of infrastructure and outcomes. He concluded that true technological independence requires Africans to build and govern their own digital systems.

The session closed with a lively discussion on the ethics of AI use in research, the need for inclusive data models, and the role of African universities in decolonizing digital technologies. Participants agreed that decolonizing AI is not merely a technological issue but a cultural, ethical, and identity-driven imperative for Africa’s future.

Betty Kyakuwa
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Building for the future: Makerere Vice Chancellor calls for collaborative research and innovation to drive human capital development in Africa

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Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe addresses the 5th ARUA Biennial Conference Opening Ceremony. The Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Information, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza has officially opened the 5th African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Biennial International Conference on Research, Innovation and Artificial Intelligence, held on October 29, 2025 hosted by Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

In an era defined by rapid technological disruption and a deepening knowledge economy, Africa stands at crossroads. The continent’s quest for transformation hinges not merely on resources or infrastructure, but on the strategic cultivation of its greatest asset, human capital. Universities, long recognised as the engines of progress, through their traditional primary roles of teaching, research and community engagement must now evolve to meet the demands of a digital and data-driven world. It is within this context that the fifth African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Biennial International Conference, convened at Makerere University under the theme “Research, Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence for Africa’s Transformation,” assumes scholarly significance. Bringing together hundreds of scholars, policymakers, and thought leaders from across the continent and beyond, the conference underscores a collective urgency to harness the power of artificial intelligence not as a distant frontier, but as a practical tool for addressing Africa’s most pressing developmental challenges, from food security and health to employment, conflict, and migration. As Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University aptly observed in his opening remarks that the responsibility before Africa’s universities is not only to generate knowledge, but to translate it into transformative action through research and community engagement.

Across the African continent, universities are grappling with meeting the heightened demand for higher education. In the decades post-independence, enrolment in higher education has expanded more than tenfold, reflecting both the aspirations of a young and dynamic population and the continent’s growing recognition of knowledge as a catalyst for development through expansion of access to tertiary education. Yet, this expansion has not been matched by a proportional growth in academic human resources, particularly at the doctoral and professorial levels. A significant proportion of Africa’s senior academics, many trained in the 1970s and early 1980s, are now approaching or have reached retirement, leaving institutions operating at roughly 60% of their optimal staffing capacity. This demographic shift poses a critical challenge to the sustainability and quality of higher education and research. Also, often-overlooked, is the shortage of skilled technicians, whose expertise is essential to sustaining effective teaching, research, and innovation. As Africa strives to assert its place in the global knowledge economy, strengthening the pipeline of qualified academics and technical professionals emerges not just as a priority but as an imperative for the continent’s intellectual and developmental future.

The future of work is already being rewritten, according to the World Economic Forum, an astounding 65% of children currently in primary school will work in jobs that do not even exist yet, a startling statistic that underscores the magnitude of transformation ahead. This projection challenges traditional education systems to evolve towards prioritizing skills, critical thinking, adaptability and creativity. This paradigm shift presents both an urgency and opportunity for Africa to leverage on the power of technology and collaboration. The coming decades will witness a profound shift in labour markets, as demand transitions from conventional white-collar roles to emerging fields in computing, scientific research, healthcare, and engineering. Therefore harnessing the continent’s youthful technological potential and vigor will be essential in shaping a distinctly African model of innovation-driven development.

The African Union’s ambitious goal of training 100,000 PhDs by 2035 reflects a recognition that sustainable development depends on the continent’s capacity to generate and apply knowledge for its own advancement. Yet, the current landscape reveals stark disparities: while Africa is home to nearly 19% of the world’s population, it contributes less than 3% to global GDP share, shoulders 25% of the global disease burden, and produces a mere 2% of the world’s research output, 1.3% of world research spending and holds less than 1% of patent application worldwide. These figures expose the continent’s underrepresentation in the global knowledge economy. The good news is that Africa has a robust entrepreneurial class thriving everywhere from technological hubs to telecentres and incubators creatively adapting solutions to uniquely African challenges. This momentum is a critical driver of the economy, both because it facilitates access to basic needs such as education, financial services and healthcare, but also represents a shift to the knowledge-based economy that will carry Africa into a prosperous future.

Those who innovate will achieve Africa’s transformation story and the universities stand at the centre of this transformation. They must continue to nurture new generations of researchers, thinkers, and innovators capable of confronting Africa’s complex challenges with creativity and purpose. The rise of artificial intelligence offers unprecedented opportunities to leapfrog effects of colonialism and historical barriers, provided education systems adapt to prioritise critical thinking, and innovation.

Maureen Agena.
Maureen Agena

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Makerere University & UNESCO Deepen Partnership to Strengthen Student Skills and Innovation

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A photo moment of the Visiting delegation in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor on 30th October 2025. Officials from the UNESCO Antenna Office in Uganda led by the Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, Ms. Louise Haxthausen courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University, 30th October 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Officials from the UNESCO Antenna Office in Uganda paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University, marking another chapter in a long-standing partnership focused on equipping students with industry-ready skills and advancing cross-disciplinary innovation.

Led by the Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, Ms. Louise Haxthausen, the delegation met with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe to review flagship partnership programmes and explore expansion across all ten colleges of the University. The discussions centered on the implementation of the Chinese Fund-in-Trust (CFIT) through the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), and the O-3Plus project, which addresses mental health, gender-based violence (GBV), HIV awareness, and other student-wellbeing priorities.

Ms. Louise Haxthausen signs the Vice Chancellor's Visitors' Book. Officials from the UNESCO Antenna Office in Uganda led by the Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, Ms. Louise Haxthausen courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University, 30th October 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Ms. Louise Haxthausen signs the Vice Chancellor’s Visitors’ Book.

During the meeting, the discussion highlighted several key elements:

  • The CFIT initiative at CEDAT has enabled students to access equipment, industry exposure, and practical training, aligning academic curricula with workplace demands.
  • The O-3Plus project has delivered transformative activities beyond classrooms, facilitating mental-health dialogues, HIV awareness, and GBV prevention campaigns, thereby supporting the holistic development of learners.
  • UNESCO emphasized the importance of scaling these interventions beyond CEDAT across all ten colleges of Makerere University.
  • Collaboration with the University’s alumni mentorship network was identified as a key strategy to connect previously trained students with current cohorts, strengthening peer-learning, internships, and pathways to job creation.

Applauding Faculty Leadership at CEDAT

The Vice Chancellor commended Professor Dorothy Okello, Dean of the School of Engineering at CEDAT, for her exceptional leadership in coordinating and implementing these initiatives. Prof. Okello has been instrumental in steering UNESCO-supported projects such as CFIT, ensuring that Makerere students not only gain technical expertise but also develop the soft skills and professional readiness needed in today’s evolving job market.

Her leadership demonstrates the power of faculty-led partnerships in translating institutional collaborations into tangible outcomes that directly benefit students. By aligning global partnerships with Makerere’s teaching and research agenda, faculty leaders like Prof. Okello are helping bridge the gap between academia and industry, creating graduates who are innovative, adaptable, and ready to lead.

Partnerships for a Job-Creating Future

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe applauded UNESCO’s longstanding collaboration with Makerere, recalling that the organization played a foundational role over fifty years ago in establishing the University’s Engineering Department.

“UNESCO has been a key partner of Makerere for over five decades. They helped us lay the foundation for engineering education. Today, the CFIT programme is helping our students acquire industry-ready skills. Our goal is not to send out job-seekers but job-creators,” he said.

Prof. Nawangwe also emphasized the need to broaden attention to the creative arts and industries, which hold untapped potential for entrepreneurship and job creation. He further highlighted the importance of building African capacity in artificial intelligence (AI) and programming to ensure that Africa is not left behind in future technological economies.

Ms. Louise Haxthausen receives a gift from Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. Officials from the UNESCO Antenna Office in Uganda led by the Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, Ms. Louise Haxthausen courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University, 30th October 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Ms. Louise Haxthausen receives a gift from Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.

In her remarks, Ms. Louise Haxthausen, the Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, commended Makerere University for its outstanding implementation of the Chinese Fund-in-Trust (CFIT) project and the broader collaboration with UNESCO. She noted that Makerere’s model anchored in strong faculty leadership and student-centered innovation stands out as a best practice within the region.

“We are deeply impressed by the impact the CFIT project has achieved at Makerere University, particularly in equipping students with the skills and confidence they need to succeed beyond the classroom,” Ms. Haxthausen said. “Our hope is to replicate this success in other universities across the region.”

She further inquired about opportunities to expand UNESCO-supported initiatives beyond the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) to other colleges within the University, noting that such expansion would ensure that all Makerere students benefit from the programs’ holistic approach to learning, innovation, and personal development.

Prof. Henry Alinaitwe from CEDAT, emphasized the need to strengthen technical capacity within the program to sustain and scale its success. He highlighted the importance of bringing in more experts to work closely with students, as well as improving infrastructure for data storage, management, and digital learning systems. Prof. Alinaitwe further noted that enhancing programming and coding skills among students is essential for preparing them to engage with emerging technologies and contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s and Africa’s digital transformation.

The meeting reaffirmed Makerere University and UNESCO’s shared commitment to strengthening higher-education partnerships, closing the gap between academia and industry, and ensuring that scientific knowledge translates into real-world impact.

As both institutions prepare to expand initiatives across all colleges and deepen alumni-led mentorship, the collaboration sets a strong foundation for nurturing graduates equipped for the future world of work and innovation.

Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.

Caroline Kainomugisha
Caroline Kainomugisha

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