General
Mak Immortalises Prof. 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.
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.
As 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).
Some 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.
Prof. 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,
“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.
Prof. 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.
After 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)
Prof. 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.
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
General
Makerere University and Xiangtan University Advance Strategic Partnership in Chemical Engineering
Makerere University and Xiangtan University are set to update their close to 20-year academic partnership, with a new focus on launching a joint Master’s degree program in Chemical Engineering and expanding student and staff exchange initiatives.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a recent visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University to Makerere University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in the company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively.
While addressing the delegation, Professor Nawangwe highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify academic offerings and contribute to national development through training in Chemical Engineering. Through this new initiative, the University will better prepare graduates for the petrochemical industry and support the country’s industrial growth.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated that the proposed collaboration aims to address Uganda’s growing need for industrial expertise, particularly as the country develops its petroleum sector. The two universities here are working toward a 1+2 training model, which will enable Makerere students to gain practical experience and access advanced laboratory facilities at Xiangtan University.
Professor Nawangwe further reiterated that “our relationship with the people of China, not just for Makerere but also for a big part of Uganda, has been opened wider by the establishment of the Confucius Institute, considering that many other collaborations like one being discussed now have come through this collaboration.”
The head of the Xiangtan delegation, Professor Dingyu Ou, expressed appreciation for the meeting, and acknowledged the history between the institutions. “As mentioned, we have a very long relationship and a very stable friendship between our two universities.”
Professor Ou extended appreciation for the support provided to the Confucius Institute at Makerere, the care shown to his colleagues, and looked forward to the successful start of the Chemical Engineering collaboration.
Assuring the delegation of Makerere’s readiness for the collaboration, Ms. Hawa Ndagire Kajumba the Lead, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, Makerere University Advancement Office, aligned with the Vice Chancellor’s emphasis of University goal to have both theory and practice imparted to the students.
She said “the curriculum of the university and Uganda as a whole is moving towards competence-based education training to ensure students are equipped to demonstrate those skills in the actual field, particularly regarding petroleum exploration.”
Ms. Ndagire Kajumba also emphasised a shift in strategy for the partnership office, saying, “we are moving away from just signing MOUs that collect dust, and moving towards those that are more collaborative to benefit our faculty and students, just like this one.”
Professor Gilbert Kumushabe aligned his remarks with those of the Vice Chancellor and Ms. Ndagire Kajumba, and described the method used at Xiangtan University as “actually competence-based teaching.”
Based on his recent visit, Prof. Gumoshabe shared that students in China are divided into groups with dedicated teachers to perform practical, hands-on work beyond the theoretical lecturers. He expressed gladness that the same was being adopted for the Ugandan context.
Both institutions are now working to finalise the specific agreements for the joint degree and exchange programs. Beyond academic training, the collaboration will advance cultural and professional exchange.
Makerere University on October 8, 2026 commemorated Nkrumah Day with a Public Lecture at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium. The Lecture gathered students, academics, historians and distinguished guests to discuss Kwame Nkrumah’s contribution and its relevance to Africa.
Organised by Nkrumah Hall under the theme “Leadership, Self-Reliance and Transformation: Reimagining Nkrumah’s Vision for the 21st Century African Youth,” the lecture explored how Nkrumah’s ideals of Pan-Africanism, self-reliance and African unity can guide the continent beyond political independence.
Endorsing Nkrumah’s Vision of Investing in Africa
The First Deputy Prime Minister and Chancellor of Makerere University, Rt. Hon. Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga, was the chief guest.
In remarks delivered on his behalf by Dr. Charles Kahigiriza, Dr. Kiyonga said the day was a moment to reflect on Nkrumah’s views on Pan-Africanism and the lessons on self-reliance still held for Africa today and emphasised the importance of keeping Africa’s young talent at home (in Africa).
He then discussed ways of encouraging young people to achieve Nkrumah’s vision, pointing out that Africa is losing skilled people to brain drain as many go abroad to work.
He encouraged young Africans to stay and contribute to the continent’s growth, describing Africa’s potential as a promising asset.
Transformation Requires Discipline
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Gerald Karyeija, a political analyst and Head of Quality Assurance at the Uganda Management Institute (UMI).
He discussed Nkrumah’s role in championing Pan-Africanism and the formation of the African Union. He acknowledged that “his legacy was also very complex” due to a number of challenges.
Regarding leadership, the professor argued, “leadership does not begin with the title. It begins with responsibility,” adding that “leadership is not only about power, privilege, entitlement, or status. It’s about service. It’s about stewardship.”
He encouraged attendees to emulate Nkrumah by using their knowledge and power for good.
“Don’t get the intellectual power from Makerere to become evil,” he cautioned, stressing that transformation requires discipline.
Universities Turn Knowledge into Action
Associate Professor Gorettie Nabanoga, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, represented Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University.
She aligned herself with the previous speakers and urged participants to move beyond simply celebrating Kwame Nkrumah’s memory and begin implementing his vision.
She called for practical action, urging the mobilisation of Pan-Africanism beyond slogans. “Perhaps the Pan-Africanism of this generation must therefore move from solidarity to capacity, from rhetoric to institutions, from potential to production, and from aspirations to implementation,” she said.
On the role of universities, she reiterated that Makerere University is a hub for innovation rather than just a degree-granting institution.
“We are building for the future when we develop people who can think critically, when we generate knowledge, when we challenge perceived knowledge and wisdom, and when we innovate,” she said.
Addressing the students present, she said, “You are not simply the leaders of tomorrow; you are citizens of Africa today. The opportunity you enjoy at Makerere University comes with responsibility.”
Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, the Dean of Students at Makerere University, set the tone at the 2026 Nkrumah Day Public Lecture.
She revealed that this lecture organised under Nkrumah Hall highlights its significance as a symbol of Makerere University‘s commitment to Pan-Africanism. “The name Nkrumah Hall has stood the test of time and sounds like a horn beautifully over the African continent and beyond,” she said.
She elaborated on the lecture’s theme of leadership, self-reliance and transformation, noting its alignment with the university’s mission to nurture future leaders.
Direction of Pan-Africanism
During a panel discussion, speakers questioned how far Africa has come. Associate Professor Zahara Napeewo, Deputy Dean of the School of Law at Makerere University, stated that the continent was still lagging behind the progress Nkrumah would have wanted.
She shared that while educational institutions provide knowledge, they must go further and encourage graduates to become problem-solvers who can create employment for themselves rather than wait to be employed.
Dr. Zaid Sekitto, a Lecturer in the Department of History, Archaeology and Heritage Studies at Makerere, added that the structures of colonialism that Nkrumah fought against were still in place. “They must be addressed”, he said, or Africa would remain trapped in colonialism and lose sight of Nkrumah’s vision.
The Youth and the Unfinished Struggle
The students also had an opportunity to share their perspectives on the unfinished struggle for Pan-Africanism.
Nkrumah Hall Chairperson Joseph Sekabira noted that the Africa Nkrumah fought for was not the Africa that exists today.
He urged young people to take up leadership now rather than wait until they were older.
Mark Kwikiriza, a final-year Bachelor of Arts in Music student and resident of Nkrumah Hall, said Nkrumah’s legacy remained relevant because the problems he faced in Ghana were similar to those society faces today.
He recommended that society could rejuvenate the spirit of “Osagyefo,” the title meaning “redeemer” by which Nkrumah was known.
Honouring 13 Years of Service
The event also recognised Mr. John Kamya for his 13 years of outstanding service as Warden of Nkrumah Hall, a position he held from 2007 to 2020.
He received an appreciation award presented by the Chief Guest’s representative in the presence of the Hall Chairperson and other dignitaries.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Kamya noted that the 2018 visit to the Hall by Kwame Nkrumah’s daughter, Ms. Samia Yaba Nkrumah, was one of the fondest memories of his time in office. He thanked Makerere for the opportunity to serve the University community and its stakeholders.
At the peak, the event concluded with tree planting and cake-cutting activity in front of Nkrumah Hall. The audience was left contemplating one message of Kwame Nkrumah’s vision of a united, self-reliant Africa, freed first in the mind, that remains unfinished and in the words of some speakers, has been handed to the current generation as a task to accomplish.
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