President Yoweri Museveni hoisted the ‘Mak@90’ flag at the Makerere University Main gate, on 4th August 2012, to launch the year -long celebrations of Makerere University‘s existence. A jovial Makerere University community cheered this key moment of the launch as the flag went up and the prisons band played. The Mak@90 flag now stands alongside the Makerere University flag, the National flag and the East African flag at the Main gate entrance.

After the hoisting, the Head of State then proceeded to officially open the New Library Extension, at the Makerere University Main Library. As part of the celebrations, he toured a number of exhibitions from the different Colleges of Makerere University at the Freedom Square. He then laid four foundation stones for the construction of more laboratories and lecture rooms at proposed sites in CHUSS, CoBAMS, Food Technology and Business Incubation Centre (FTBIC), and a multi-disciplinary research laboratory complex at CoNAS. Before addressing the congregation, His Excellency attentively listened to a song composed to chronicle the 90 years of Makerere University, by the Makerere University Department of Performing Arts and Film.

“I congratulate you for celebrating 90 years. Makerere has produced very useful people for this country; surgeons, medical people, engineers, and science teachers who have formed the base for human capital for Uganda and we are very grateful,” he said.

“When I see the exhibitions, I think we are coming out and we are finally launching ourselves on the right path to have Makerere University and other universities in Uganda as the cradle of transformation. People who remain backward in science and technology do not survive. This time, the Africans must guarantee their own future. We must guarantee our own future and the way to guarantee our future is to develop science and technology. This is the real insurance, therefore I am happy whenever I come here I find that you are on this road,” he said amidst a cheering crowd.

The President promised to work on a revolving fund to support both student innovations while at the University, and to also help them start their own companies after University education. He suggested that this money could be lent to the students at a low interest rate or no interest at all.

President Yoweri Museveni also cut a spectacular cake in the shape of the Makerere University Main Building as part of the celebrations. A section of the audience was heard marveling at the beauty and magnificence of this cake!

The Makerere University Chairperson of Council, Eng. Dr. Wana Etyem, presented a plague to the President inscribed with the words, ‘Makerere since 1922,’ in commemoration of his visit and subsequent launch.

The State Minister for Higher Education, Honourable John C. Muyingo, thanked the President for gracing the occasion. “Your presence confirms how much importance the government attaches to higher education in Uganda and we thank you. As a Ministry, we are happy with everything that is going on in Makerere University especially the efforts by Management to increase the quality of higher education,” he said.

The Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, advocated for more funding to the entire university.

“The role of a university in the development of our country is clear, but the money in which this role is achieved remains debatable. There is the issue of funding, the salaries of university teachers and workers and other conditions of service are wanting. For example, should Makerere University be a centre for mass production of graduates or a centre for academic excellence where a few persons who are privileged are schooled to the highest level of learning comparable to any other in the world? It is a healthy thing to continue debating this subject,” he asserted. 

The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, commended government for its support to Makerere.

“Your Excellency, as a University we have benefited from your immense experience and knowledge in higher education and innovation systems. With your continued support and guidance, Makerere University shall be the leading University for academic excellence and innovations in Africa by 2016. As John F. Kennedy said, and I quote ”A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers”. Your Excellency, you are one of those Makerere University has honored and will always remember, as we build for the future,” he said.

The launch of the Makerere at 90 years celebrations was successful, and other activities scheduled within the year are expected to go on as planned.

Story by Public Relations Office

Speeches

Opening Prayer By Rev. Dr.. Canon Johnson Ebong
Reflections of Mak@90-Prof. Asavia Wandira, Former Vice Chancellor (1973-1975, 1979-1986)
Speech by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba
Speech by the Chancellor, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera