General
Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera installed as Makerere Chancellor
Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera has been installed as the Chancellor of Makerere University, in a highly colorful ceremony presided over by the Vice President of Uganda, His Excellency Hon. Edward Ssekandi on Thursday 12th January, 2012 . He will be serving for a second term spanning for the next four years. His first term run from October 2007 – October 2011.
In attendance at the University Main Hall were a number of Ministers, Foreign dignitaries, Makerere University Staff, the Lord Mayor of Kampala – Erias Lukwago and the press. The Department of Performing Arts and Film put up energetic performances that added colour to the event. The Chairperson of Council, Eng. Dr. Charles Wana Etyem revealed that members of the University Council unreservedly endorsed the candidature of Prof. Kagonyera because of his able leadership during his first term. In his acceptance speech Prof. Kagonyera, committed to serving the University unreservedly and called upon the University community to appreciate the uniqueness of Makerere University.
“Makerere University has a unique responsibility to offer leadership in academic excellence as well as participating in finding solutions to problems that affect the economic, social and political development – not only in Uganda but also in the East African region and Africa at large. I appeal to the Staff and Students of Makerere University not to take our unique position lightly. We must at all times endeavour to focus our minds and actions on issues that are relevant to our calling and values as a university,’’ he said.
The fresh Chancellor appealed to Government to revise the law stipulating that Chancellors are Titular Heads, without powers, to at least accord them responsibilities. He re-echoed his appeal for Government to use Makerere University and other Institutions of Higher learning for finding solutions to the development needs of the country. “Your Excellency, there are so many ideas at Makerere University in a range of fields, that would, if applied on an industrial scale, economically transform this country,’’ he emphasized. He thanked the Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Jessica Alupo, development partners, and Makerere University staff for the efforts in steering Makerere forward.
The Vice President, Hon. Edward Ssekandi described Prof. Kagonyera’s appointment as a reaffirmation of the trust the Management and Staff of Makerere University have in him as the Titular Head. He pledged continued Government support towards Makerere and the ongoing innovations.
“During His Excellency the President’s last visit to Makerere University on 24th November 2011, he noted with great pleasure the excellent work being done by the staff and students of Makerere University. He particularly appreciated the advances made by the Vehicle Design Project in coming up with the Kiira Electric Vehicle. The Government of Uganda has therefore agreed to allocate at least 50acres of land to house the Centre for Research in Transportation Technologies (CRTT) and provide additional funding directly through the Ministry of Finance (up to the tune of 154 billion Uganda Shillings) over the next five years. The Centre’s welfare will be overseen by a Board of Trustees,’’ he said amidst applause.
“I wish to reassure the Chancellor of the Government’s full support to Makerere University. Do not be in any way limited if we can help. The President noted your concern during his visit, requesting the President’s Office to take up the task of handling Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, so that brilliant projects from students are not frustrated at the implementation phase. We are considering this request and at an opportune moment, we will revert to you,’’ he added.
Education Minister Hon. Jessica Alupo challenged Makerere University to be the centre of change throughout East Africa and called upon the private and public sectors to focus on Makerere.
“Mr. Vice Chancellor, you are steering a University that has great potential, with a vibrant student base. One of the challenges before you right now is to see that this University continues to positively impact on our industrialization as a country. We all know that industrialization is key in driving world economies. I call upon the private and public sectors to look up Makerere and partner with her in advancing many of the ongoing innovations,’’ she said.
“Students on the other hand should seriously consider making use of the 40b put aside by government to address unemployment by financing innovative ideas. This is your money, go ahead and make use of it. We have now moved into regional cooperation and this means your innovations will have broader reach and relevance. I challenge you to think East Africa now. Here you will ride on the advantage of cohesion and compatibility to gain more ground with your innovations,’’ she advised.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, pointed out that Prof. Kagonyera was identified as a suitable candidate way back.
“My first time to meet him was in 2007 when he appeared before the ‘’Chancellor Search Committee’’ of which I was a member. In an interview that lasted about 40 minutes, he repeated the sentence I love Makerere University 14 times. He emerged the best candidate for the position of Chancellor of Makerere University. Professor Kagonyera has been providing constructive advice, which we as Management have taken seriously. We are grateful to H.E the President of the Republic of Uganda for having appointed Professor Kagonyera Chancellor of Makerere University for another term after Makerere University Council unanimously recommended him for re-appointment,’’ he asserted.
“When we came into office on 1st November 2009, we pledged to improve University-Government relations through constructive projects/ interventions with the different government ministries/ departments. We have lived up to our pledge. Today the different colleges are highly involved with government ministries/ departments. As Acting Vice-Chancellor, every six (6) months I provide a comprehensive progressive report to Makerere University Council that is copied to all stakeholders including the Rt. Hon Prime Minister and the Minister of Education and Sports among others,” he added.
At the close of the function, the guests were treated to a delicious luncheon, befitting of such an installation.
Story by Marion Alina
Asst. Communications Officer, Public Relations Office
General
Makerere University Convocation Graduation Luncheon Honors CEDAT Staff and Outstanding Students
Several staff members from the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) were recognized for their exceptional contributions in research and teaching during the Makerere University Convocation 75th graduation luncheon, held on Friday, January 17th, 2025. The event celebrated the achievements of top students, teachers, and researchers, with special awards presented to CEDAT staff for their outstanding performance and dedication.
Assoc. Prof. Dorothy Okello and Mr. Ayor Andrew Semakula received the Teacher of the Year Award, acknowledging their exemplary contributions to education and their significant impact on students. The recognition highlights the commitment and excellence of CEDAT staff in advancing the fields of engineering, design, art, and technology.
The Senior Career Award went toProf. Kirabira John Baptist, Prof. Olupot Wilberforce and Assoc. Prof. Michael Luswataall from the Mechanical Engineering Department.
Dr.VianeyYiga, Dr. SemiyagaSwaib, Mr. Manga Musa got the Mid-Career Award, while Ms. Namuju Dona Lillian, Ms. Wesonga Racheal and Ms. NamakulaHidaaya received the Early Career Award. At the same event, thirty of the best performing students were also recognized.
The Makerere University Convocation 75th graduation luncheon celebrated outstanding achievements, with a strong emphasis on recognizing excellence through awards. Colonel Edith Nakalema, Senior Presidential Advisor and Head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, delivered a keynote address focused on integrity and creativity for graduates.Col. Nakalema stressed the need for graduates to uphold high moral standards and professionalism, urging them to focus on creativity and integrity, especially in the age of AI, to achieve true success.
The event, themed “Celebrating Excellence and Creating Path to Success,” honored the top performers from each college. Col. Nakalema congratulated the graduates and highlighted the importance of making positive contributions to society. Other speakers, including Dr. Monica Musenero, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, and Hon. Godfrey Baluku Kabyanga, Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, emphasized the role of universities in socio-economic transformation and the importance of research.
Written by Harriet Musinguzi, Principle Communication Officer, College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology
By the Program Communication Team
On Friday, January 17, 2025, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars celebrated a significant milestone as they graduated from Makerere University. The day was filled with enthusiasm and pride as 36 dedicated students completed their Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program journey. This achievement reflects their hard work and commitment and paves the way for new opportunities in their future endeavours.
At the event, Mr. Adrian Bukenya, the Country Director of Mastercard Foundation Uganda and the chief guest, encouraged the new graduates to create jobs for their peers rather than solely seeking employment for themselves.
“As fresh graduates, your first step shouldn’t be simply searching for jobs. Instead, focus on creating job opportunities for your peers. The university degree you have earned puts you in a unique position. The knowledge and skills you’ve gained and the experiences and connections you have made empower you to thrive in this country,” Mr. Bukenya remarked.
Mr. Bukenya further expressed his gratitude to Makerere University‘s leadership and acknowledged the profound relationship the University shares with the Foundation. He emphasized that the partnership with Makerere University was essential to the Foundation.
“The Mastercard Foundation values its partnership with Makerere University, as the university continues to produce exceptional talent essential for Uganda’s development. The country would struggle to achieve its national aspirations without this contribution,” noted Mr. Bukenya.
Mr. Bukenya emphasized the core mission of the Mastercard Foundation, which is to alleviate poverty in areas where it is most prevalent and to enhance access to education. He pointed out that the Scholars Program is a fundamental component of this initiative. He noted that earning a degree is a valuable tool and a testament to an individual’s ability to learn, perform tasks, and achieve results within structured and organized frameworks.
He further stressed the Foundation’s commitment to empowering young people to lead and transform Africa.
“The Mastercard Foundation has made a strategic commitment to focus uniquely on Africa, home to the world’s youngest population. Through its ‘Young Africa Works’ strategy, the Foundation supports entrepreneurship and enterprise development among young people, empowering them to shape the future of their communities and the continent.” emphasized Mr. Bukenya.
Speaking on behalf of the University Management, Professor Buyinza Mukadasi, the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Chairperson of the Steering Committee for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, congratulated the program for achieving an impressive 94% graduation completion rate.
“The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University has graduated 964 scholars—78% female and 22% male—representing 94% of the 1,032 recruits from Phase One. We expect to achieve 100% graduation for all Phase One scholars at the 76th Graduation Ceremony next year.” Prof. Buyinza remarked.
Prof. Buyinza expressed gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation for its ongoing support of the university, which has significantly added value, particularly in educating young people from vulnerable communities.
“We sincerely thank the Mastercard Foundation for partnering with Makerere University to educate and empower the next generation of leaders and change-makers. The statistics regarding the number of young people supported and the impact that the program’s alumni have made in society are a testament to the energy and potential of young individuals when provided with the right education, guidance, and support.” Prof. Buyinza pointed out.
Program Director Prof. Justine Namaalwa emphasized her team’s commitment to ensuring the successful operation of the Scholars Program at Makerere University for years to come.
“Makerere University and the nation greatly appreciate the Mastercard Foundation for its generosity and foresight, which continue to transform human capital in Africa. There is no doubt that your vision for Africa is being realized. We are committed to this mission, even as we enter phase two of the program,” noted Prof. Namaalwa.
Prof. Namaalwa expressed gratitude to the University Management, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Nawangwe, for their support and commitment to the Scholars Program. She pointed out that the strong backing from the university management has enabled the Program to meet its goals and succeed at the University.
“I sincerely thank the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, and the entire University Management and the governing structures of the Program for their effective leadership, which continues to yield positive results from our strong partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.” Prof. Namaalwa pointed out.
Prof. Namaalwa equally appreciated the graduates for helping achieve the Mastercard Foundation’s goals, which aims to educate and empower the next generation of African leaders. She noted that Makerere University has begun implementing the second phase of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, which will span the next ten years. In this phase, the Mastercard Foundation has committed to providing scholarships to 1,000 academically talented youth facing economic hardships, enabling them to access quality education at Makerere University.
She asserted that the Mastercard Foundation prioritizes three key transition pathways: formal employment, entrepreneurship, and further education. She urged the graduates to remain active on all the program’s social media platforms, especially the Alumni WhatsApp platform, as it will be a vital channel for sharing ongoing opportunities from the Mastercard Foundation and other partners.
Ms Aida Aol, the mother of graduate Mr Okello Godfrey, expressed gratitude on behalf of parents and guardians. She thanked the Mastercard Foundation and Makerere University for providing her son and other vulnerable young people with the opportunity to study at one of the best universities in Uganda. Ms. Aol highlighted that she had lost hope for her son’s university education due to financial constraints.
“I cannot thank Mastercard Foundation and Makerere University enough for providing our children with the opportunity to attend one of the best universities in the country. Many of us parents could not afford to send our children here because we did not have the resources to pay for their education,” Ms. Aol remarked.
Ms. Aol stated that she lost her husband when her son was only four years old, and she had since committed herself to ensuring he completed both elementary and high school. However, she reached a critical point where she could no longer afford to support his university education.
Graduates speak out
Awien Rose Madot, a Journalism and Communication graduate, expressed her gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for transforming her life. The program enabled her to achieve her academic goals and instilled in her a strong sense of responsibility to use her degree to create positive change in the world.
“Accessing higher education can often feel like a distant dream for refugees like me. However, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has served as a powerful beacon of hope. It clearly demonstrates that education is a vital tool for empowerment and transformation, even in the face of adversity. The Program has provided us with financial resources, as well as invaluable mentorship, guidance, and a strong support network for all the scholars involved,” said Madot.
Dr. Raphael Kasuku, a dental surgery graduate, pledged to continue the spirit of giving back to his community by offering dental services. He urged his fellow graduates to utilize the knowledge and skills they acquired through their education to uplift their communities.
“To my fellow graduates, this moment marks not just the end of a chapter but the beginning of an exciting new journey. The world ahead is vast and brimming with opportunities that we are ready to seize. It won’t always be easy, but we must remember that the resilience, determination, and passion that brought us here will continue to propel us forward as we strive to serve our communities.” Dr. Kasuku remarked.
The colourful event was a vibrant gathering held in the gardens of the University Guest House, bringing together a diverse community of program stakeholders. Attendees included members of the University management and the Steering and Selection Committees. Mentors of the Scholars Program, parents and guardians, and alumni also contributed to the inspiring atmosphere. Additionally, representatives from the Mastercard Foundation and program partners joined the celebration, along with numerous well-wishers who continue to support the Program’s mission.
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