Prof. Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, Makerere University Alumnus, MP and Minister of Medical Services, Government of Kenya, gave a keynote address at the Dinner, 3rd December 2011, Makerere University Main Hall.
It was befitting to dedicate the fourth lecture in the Makerere Africa Lecture Series to celebrating the life of Dr. Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi, a brilliant student, distinguished alumnus, member of faculty and who while still a student at Makerere in 1970, was a part of the group that conceived the idea of having the Africa Lecture Series at the campus.
The fourth lecture in the Makerere Africa Lecture Series, was held on 15th March 2012 marking exactly ten years since Joshua passed on. The lecture focused on paying tribute to the strong values that the late Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi stood for. This witnessed the launch of the Dr. Joshua B. Mugyenyi Social Transformation Foundation and the promotion of the Makerere University Female Scholarship Foundation.
Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, the Minister of Medical Services in the Republic of Kenya and also former Guild President of the Makerere University, gave the key note address.
“Let the spear of intellectual clarity burn wherever he is resting; let this foundation established in his memory spearhead excellence among students who will benefit from it; let the African people be liberated from political oppression and economic exploitation through the energies of the people as Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi would have wanted it,” he said in his speech.
Born on 27th May 1947 in Kajara County in Ankole Kingdom, Dr. Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi died on 15th March 2002, but his legacy is still lives on in the lives of individuals he worked with, associated with as well as those he mentored.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Professor Venansius Baryamureeba welcomed the Guest of Honour, Rt. Hon. Professor Apolo R. Nsibambi, a distinguished alumnus, and Former Chancellor of Makerere University to the public lecture and thanked him for graciously accepting to launch the Dr. Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi Social Transformation Foundation.
Professor Baryamureeba informed the congregation that Makerere University together with the family and friends, do remember Dr. Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi as a selfless individual, who gave his best at all times. “We chose this day, 15th March 2012 to remember a brilliant student, distinguished alumnus, former member of faculty and to commemorate a lifetime of achievements of a man who was brutally frank, stood for only the truth, and who fought for the rights of others even at the expense of risking his own life,” remarked Professor Venansius Baryamureeba.
“On this 15th day of March 2012, we join the nation in celebrating the life of an ever optimistic and passionate leader-transformer and eloquent discussant of the socio-economic transformation of Uganda and Africa,” he added.
Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi joined Makerere University in June 1968 and graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration. While at Makerere, Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi excelled in academics, he served as Vice President of the Students’ Guild who actively participated in fighting against all forms of injustices and threats to students’ welfare.
Through his teaching career, Josh, as he was fondly known, passionately shared his knowledge at the national and international levels. He was a Senior Lecturer at his alma mater, Makerere, in addition to teaching in other universities in Swaziland and Canada. Mugyenyi co-authored a number of books and published several peer reviewed papers in prominent journals. At the time of his death on 15th March 2002, he was a proactive member of the Makerere University Council-the top policy making organ and Chairperson of the Convocation. He mentored many and significantly contributed to the university motto: We Build for the Future.
In honour of the late Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi, the Ag. Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Professor Venansius Baryamureeba welcomed an exceptionally accomplished alumnus and former Guild President, and now Minister of Medical services in the Republic of Kenya, Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o to deliver a public lecture on “Social Transformation in Contemporary Africa: Reminiscences of Dr. Joshua B. Mugyenyi.”
As a token of appreciation and friendship, both families exchanged gifts. On unwrapping the gifts, they were pleasantly surprised to find that it was the same photo taken when they were members of the Guild in 1970. Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o described it as a “divine intervention” amidst laughter.
Professor Baryamureeba informed the congregation that while students at Makerere, the trio-Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi, Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o and Daudi Taliwaku conceived the idea of the Africa Lecture series.
“As the only surviving member of the Students’ Guild Executive 1969/70 trio that conceived the Africa Lecture Series, there is no greater way to celebrate the memory of our dearly departed Alumni, the late Dr. Joshua B. Mugyenyi and the late Ambassador Daudi Taliwaku than to have one of the original three present at this lecture. We are extremely grateful to you Hon. Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o for taking time off your demanding constituency and ministerial work to be with us today for yet another Public Lecture,” remarked the overjoyed Vice Chancellor.
Hon. Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o moved to the podium, but there was a sudden moment of silence, a reflection of a person re-calling a past history, and an audience ready to listen to an oratory of a man who had touched people from all walks of life.
With nostalgia, Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o delivered a moving public lecture on Dr. Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi whom he met in 1968 at Makerere University, but remained very close until when death robbed him 10 years ago.
“Joshua was a brave and courageous individual who used the mighty power of the pen and the written word to fights all forms of social injustices at Makerere, in Uganda and beyond. The fearless Joshua also risked his life to engage President Apolo Milton Obote on policies that he felt were undermining democracy,” stressed Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o during the public lecture.
One Sunday in January 1971, Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o and Joshua woke up at Makerere only to observe that Radio Uganda was playing martial music all day, Uganda Television was showing cartoons all day and by the end of the day a rough voice came on both radio and television to say that the government of Apolo Milton Obote was no more: “It is now a military government,” announced Smart Gwedeko, a mere warrant officer.
Mrs. Mary Mugyenyi (R) shows off a picture of the 1970 Guild Cabinet that she received as a gift during the lecture.
Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o said Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi never gave up his disgust with the military regime. Although Joshua stayed at Makerere for some time as a tutorial fellow in the Department of Political science, continued as a Lecturer at the Institute of Public Administration, did his post graduate work in Manchester, came back as Senior Lecturer; his spirit was always urging him to do something about this military menace in Uganda. At the beginning of the eighties, after the debacle of the general elections of 1980, Joshua became a founder member of the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) which eventually metamorphosed into the National Resistance Movement.
Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o informed the friends of Joshua gathered in the Main Hall that he had told the stories to describe the world Joshua lived in and the world he sought to change. “I have told these stories not to re-count the personal relations and experiences, but to shade light on the African world Joshua lived in and tried to change for the better; to get some insight into issues related to social transformation in contemporary Africa,” he stressed.
Joshua took theory to point of practice, and was always ready to engage in auto-criticism. “I remember in 1996, Joshua was very determined that the NRM should have a political transition in which the leaders of the NRM revolution would democratically pass the torch to a new generation so as to avoid tendencies towards authoritarianism,” Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o added.
Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o also observed that the challenges to democratic governance and social transformation in Africa remain pertinent today as they were then. But they cannot be known or practised without such piercing analyses and scholarship as was the case with Joshua. And scholarship, within and outside academic institutions, is always a social engagement. It is not confined to those of us who have degrees, it is the enterprise of those ready to think, write and speak on social issues without the cloud of dogma, bias and various forms of chauvisim.
Paying tribute to Joshua, Dr. Ezra Suruma, Senior Presidential Advisor on Finance and Economic Planning, said Joshua’s number one quality was courage. Dr Suruma was optimistic that if in every generation, we have one man or woman of Joshua’s intellect and courage, Uganda’s freedom would be fundamentally advanced. “As we remember Joshua, let us pray that God will raise men and women of his quantum of intellect and courage,” remarked Dr. Suruma who met Joshua in September 1979 at Makerere University and who together with Joshua agreed to form the Uganda National Movement (UNM). According to Dr. Suruma, Joshua’s life, his works and his example can be summarised as: “I will declare the truth. And I will fight for what is right, even though it is dangerous. And if die, I die.”
Mr. Fred Guweddeko, a researcher, at Makerere Institute of Social Research, informed the audience that Dr. Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi had a dream to become the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University. Mr. Fred Guweddeko together with Dr. Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi embarked on gathering data aimed at instituting reforms at Makerere when latter become the Vice Chancellor after Professor P.M.J. Ssebuwufu’s reign. Mr. Guweddeko said this is a dream he never lived to see.
Professor Mahmood Mamdani, a renowned scholar and Director of the Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR), said the best of all independence is the independence of thought. He advocated for the need to turn Makerere into a research led university, and a purely public university not to benefit only the state, but society at large.
Dr. Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi worked at the Bank of Uganda for 14 years. The Deputy Governor, Bank of Uganda, Dr. Louis Kasekende said many members of staff at the Bank of Uganda remember him for his open management style.
He initiated reforms aimed at improving the welfare of workers and respected all people regardless of their rank. “It was during his tenure that the Bank of Uganda launched the pension scheme. He revamped the training scheme, improved the appraisal system and initiated the House Advance and Building Loan scheme,” he said. “We in the Bank of Uganda feel proud to be associated with this noble cause of spearheading social transformation.”
Mrs. Mary Mugyenyi, the widow, thanked all the people who had filled the Main Hall to capacity for honouring their invitation. In a special way, she thanked the Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, the Bank of Uganda and their consultant, Mr. George Piwang-Jalobo for the tremendous support towards the success of the public lecture and launch.On behalf of her siblings, one of the daughters of the late Joshua said that their father loved nature, loved children and he always brought joy, values that they will seek to emulate. “We shall be exemplary. We shall love each other. We shall always remember what our father stood for,” she said.
She said her husband was a family man, dedicated father and a person who encouraged free thinking in the family. She said that her husband encouraged and supported her to pursue her career and political aspirations.
“Today, 15th March 2012, marks the celebration of the past and also the launch of the future of Joshua immortalised through the- Dr. Joshua B. Mugyenyi Social Transformation Foundation. The best way to celebrate his life was to focus on his passion for education and knowledge. This Foundation will focus on the bright, but disadvantaged youth to access education,” she said.”The Makerere University Female Scholarship Foundation, which supports girls from disadvantaged socio-economic background, will be the first beneficiary of the Grant from the Dr. Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi Foundation.”
Mrs. Mugyenyi added that the foundation will also support research and increase funding for the treatment of cancer and other non-communicable diseases.
Launching the Foundation, the Guest of Honour, Professor Apolo R. Nsibambi, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda said: “I am honoured to launch the Dr. Joshua Baitwa Mugyeni Social Transformation Foundation to keep the memory of my student, colleague and friend alive. I pray that the Foundation will be blessed and prosper to advance the ideals, values and convictions for which Dr. Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi lived and worked.”
Professor Apolo Nsibambi contributed Shs1 million towards the Dr. Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi Social Transformation Foundation.
The Chancellor of Makerere University, Professor George Mondo Kagonyera, and also a very close friend of the Mugyenyi family thanked Mrs. Mary Mugyenyi for looking after the children and continuing to advance the principles that her husband, the late Dr. Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi held dearly.
Written by: Ritah Namisango, Public Relations Office
The results for the 2025/2026 special entry examination for the Diploma in Performing Arts held on Saturday 17th May, 2025. Candidates who scored a final mark of 50% and above passed the Examination and have been recommended to the university’s Admissions Committee for consideration.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released full results for the Mature Age Entry Scheme Examinations for the Academic Year 2025/2026 held on Saturday 14th December, 2024.
The Candidates who scored a final mark of 50% and above passed the examination and have been recommended by the Pre-Entry & Mature Age Committee to the University’s Admissions Board for Consideration.
Context: Natural resources in Africa are being depleted at an alarming rate due to several factors, including unsustainable human activities, climate change, and population growth. A primary condition of sustainable development is to ensure that the pressures do not exceed the environmental limits, and that demand for the resources does not exceed levels that can be sustainably provided by nature. Therefore, there is a pressing need for transformative, systems-thinking approaches and tools that can tackle the diverse challenges facing these systems. In Africa, this need is compounded by a lack of data and monitoring, which significantly hinders sustainable decision-making.
Investing in young scientists who are committed to take lead in sustainable management of Africa’s natural resources is very important. Capacity building of young scientists will enhance their knowledge and skill on sustainable natural resources and their involvement for implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDG’s) in Africa. To this effect, SNRM summer schools have been implemented in three sessions in 2019, 2020, and 2022 with support from Volkswagen Foundation; to build a critical mass of skilled and competent young natural resource scientists in Africa through training, capacity building and mentorship. Session 4 (2025) will target competent young scientists (MSc and PhD students) in Africa and Germany to further develop their knowledge and skills in systems thinking, advanced data collection and analysis, and application of emerging digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), internet of things (IoT), and embracing transdisciplinary approaches. In addition, we include an ideation workshop where students can work on real problems to come up with solutions for sustainable transformations in natural resource use.
Organizers: Leibniz Universität – Hannover (Germany), University of Antananarivo, University of Abomey Calavi (Benin), Makerere University (Uganda), University of Ghana (Ghana), University of Parakou (Benin), The Technical University of Kenya, with financial support from the Volkswagen Foundation (Germany).
Venue and dates: Nairobi, Kenya, 16-28 November 2025
Target: MSc and PhD students, early in the program of less than 35 years of age from any university/research institution in either sub-Saharan Africa or Germany with an interest in natural resources management.
Participants and Scholarships: The course is fully funded and open to 20 MSc and PhD students from Africa, and 5 from Germany. Funding will cover the costs of air ticket, accommodation, meals, visa, and transportation. However, participants will cover the cost of their travel health insurance.
Topics
SNRM Summer School Session 4: Transformative pathways in biodiversity management and conservation. This summer school is designed to deliver four modules over a two-week period. The modules are designed to enable the students to acquire new ways of designing data collection protocols and analysis for transformative sustainable natural resources management.
Module 4.1: Data collection I Skills in data collection for a transformative and sustainable management of natural resources (water, wildlife, forest, land, livestock, crops) monitoring and data collection techniques; remote monitoring tools, earth observation system data, e.g. satellite data sources, LIDAR, and UAV aerial images. Collect and analyse In-situ data on biotic and abiotic parameters, map and analyse data using R or Google Earth Engine, field data collection and retrieving data from online databases.
Module 4.2 Data management and processing Introduction to tools and methods of managing large and diverse data sets of natural resources such as time series, spatial, directional, and multivariate data. Practicals will include data storage, organization and conversion into various formats using databases such as PostgreSQL and statistical programming software such as R and Python; scripts.
Module 4.3 Ecological monitoring, modelling and management This module aims to teach participants how to anticipate and validate trends that can be observed in various ecosystems. Lectures include ecological monitoring and its design; population monitoring studies; metrics in population monitoring; methods for monitoring and assessing marine ecosystems; human ecology to socio-ecological systems; climate change impact of ecosystems; suitability assessments; overview of the principles underlying wildlife monitoring and prediction systems for climate change adaptation. Practicals will include field data collection (individual and group); ecological data analysis using R or PAST; modelling and experiencing the behaviour of complex systems using Vensim.
Module 4.4 Natural habitat restoration ideation lab This module is designed to spur students’ innovation and creativity, and to help students comprehensively identify interdependencies across the 17 SDG goals. Participants will be trained on ideation processes for solutions and intervention for transformative natural resource management. They will work collaboratively in small groups on case studies and develop pathways of transformative sustainable natural resource management. Examples of projects include forest (mangrove) ecosystem and habitat restoration, improved technologies for agricultural production, nature-based solutions for improving water quality, and reversing land degradation.
Language: The course will be delivered in English. Participants are expected to be fluent in writing and speaking the English language.
How to apply
Applicants are kindly requested to fill in the application form available from https://snrmafrica.com/ and submit the following documents in English through the system.
a curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages)
a letter of motivation (maximum 1 page)
a confirmation of university enrolment
a reference letter from the academic supervisor
project summary of MSc/ PhD project (1 page including objectives, methodology and key findings or expected outcomes).
Important dates Application deadline: 30th June 2025. Announcement of accepted applicants: 15th August 2025. Confirmation of attendance by selected participants: 12th Sept 2025. Summer school held: 16 – 28 Nov 2025.
Further information is available from
The secretariat info@snrmafrica.com Dr Lydia Olaka lydiaolaka@tukenya.ac.ke Prof. Dr. Hartmut Stuetzel stuetzel@gem.uni-hannover.de