L-R Ms. Catherine Kanabahita, Kenyan High Commission Official, Chairperson of Council Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem, Dr. William Kalema, Rt. Hon. Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, Mrs. Anyang' Nyong'o and Prof. Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, pay courtesy call to Ag. Vice Chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba (R) prior to the Re-launch of the Makerere Africa Lecture Series on 2nd December 2011 at Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
Makerere University successfully launched the Re-birth of the Makerere Africa Lecture Series organized by the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD), on 2nd December 2011. The series, last held 40 years ago, were kick started with a powerful presentation from Hon. Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, MP and Minister of Medical Services – Republic of Kenya, on “Ending the Servitude of Life Givers: the Liberation of East African Women since Nyerere’s Equality Call.” The lecture held in the famous Makerere University Main Hall attracted dignitaries from across the region, and was discussed by Dr. Thelma Awori – Honorary Consul General of Liberia in Uganda.
Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o highlighted the importance of women in development across nations, emphasizing that they needed all the support in changing mindsets about their potential. He referred to the late Nobel Peace Prize Winner Prof. Wangari Maathai, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, the late Alice Lakwena of Uganda, as some of the women who have left a lasting mark and demonstrated the potential of the supposed ‘weaker humans.’ He challenged Makerere University to do more research on masculinity and review the curriculum to address the existent stigma towards women. Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o urged more men to champion the cause for Gender equality.
Dr. Thelma Awori revealed that women from across East Africa used to gather in the then Faculty of Education at Makerere University as early as the 1960s and hold seminars on a range of topics including independence. These seminars were however not recognized as part of what was happening at Makerere. She emphasized that education was the first big push and was seen as the key to women’s empowerment. She congratulated Makerere University upon setting up the Female Scholarship Foundation to further this cause.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, noted that with the re-birth of the lecture series, intellectualism was visibly returning to Makerere University and would spread to the rest of East Africa.
The Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera emphasized that the African culture glorified women and they had a special place in homes, a trend that changed with the onset of colonization.
The Guest of Honour Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, congratulated Makerere University upon bringing back the Africa Lecture series and called upon the organizers to ensure electronic dissemination of the same for the legacy to live forever.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Successful appeals and supplementary lists. Below is a list arising from appeals of Government Sponsored candidates who have been admitted:
Makerere University and DFCU Bank have today signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster innovation, student leadership, research and community impact initiatives.
The collaboration which will see the equipping of the Disability Support center for students living with disabilities through the MAK run and more leadership trainings for students will begin this July.
“The MoU will strengthen research collaborations across sectors like agriculture and health and it will also support the Mutebile Centre to assist private sector growth, which is crucial in lifting Africa out of poverty,” said Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) flanked by Mr. Charles Mudiwa (L) makes his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony.
Speaking during the event, Mr. Charles M. Mudiwa, the DFCU Bank Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the move, noting its alignment with the bank’s mission to transform lives and support national development through four pillars: funding, financial inclusion, enterprise development, and vocational education.
“This MoU crowns years of effort and shared intent between our institutions,” he stated. Mr. Mudiwa highlighted the bank’s commitment to skilling youth through internships, curriculum development, and support for innovation hubs and centres of excellence at the university. “We consume the graduates of Makerere. In our most recent graduate intake of 87, 60% were Makerere alumni. The bank allocates around 30 internship positions annually to equip young people with the skills necessary for future roles within the institution,” Mr. Mudiwa, noted.
Representing the student body, Guild President His Excellency, Sentamu Churchill James, commended the partnership as a timely intervention that will empower youth, support SMEs, and expand internship and leadership development opportunities.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd L) presents a framed portrait of the Main Building to Mr. Charles Mudiwa (C) as L-R: University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta witness.
“Students are the heartbeat of the university. This collaboration will empower youth and strengthen their role in national development,” His Excellency Ssentamu, said.
About MAK RUN 2025
The Makerere Run 2025 (#MakRun2025), hosted by the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MAKEF) on 17th August 2025, returns for its fifth edition as Kampala’s premier charity marathon, uniting 8,000+ runners—students, alumni, corporate teams, and elite athletes—to tackle the city’s iconic hills under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future.” This landmark event combines competitive racing with transformative impact, channeling proceeds to strengthen Makerere University’s community programs while offering unmatched branding opportunities for partners through Kampala’s largest university-led sporting spectacle.
The Mak Run, scheduled this year for August 17th, is a flagship initiative that mobilizes students, staff, alumni, and partners to raise funds for projects such as the Disability Support Unit and the Student Centre.