General
President Museveni Launches Makerere at 90 years Celebrations
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
Makerere University staff have been urged to embrace servant leadership, integrity and compassion as they prepare to welcome students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The call was made during the Makerere University Staff Prayer Breakfast held on 31st July 2026 at St. Francis Students Centre Upper Hall under the theme “Faithful Stewards: A Servant Heart with Integrity and Wisdom,” drawn from Colossians 3:23–24 and Mark 10:35–45.
The prayer breakfast brought together members of Council, University Management, academic, and administrative staff to dedicate the new academic year to God while reflecting on their responsibility of serving students with excellence, humility and integrity.
A Call to Seek God’s Wisdom
Host Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa reminded staff that no amount of professional experience or academic expertise can replace God’s guidance.
She noted that the University’s mission can only be fulfilled when staff continually seek God’s wisdom in serving students and one another.
“There is no amount of experience or expertise that can replace God’s wisdom.”
Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed that students remain the reason universities exist and challenged staff to approach their work as a calling rather than merely employment.
“Without students, there is no university,” she said, encouraging members of staff to remain united, avoid unhealthy competition and trust God as they begin another academic year.
She further urged staff to become faithful stewards who work together in harmony, which she summed up as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research
In her remarks, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Members of Management to the breakfast, and reminded staff that a university’s value cannot be measured by research and innovation alone.
She described Makerere as a community held together by the spiritual as well as academic wellbeing of its people, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
Draw Inspiration From Stewardship
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Sarah Ssali told staff that this year’s breakfast carried special significance.
“This is the first prayer breakfast we are having ever since we launched our strategic plan,” she said, referring to the University’s new Strategic Plan, launched on 2nd July 2026.
She encouraged staff to hold on to the morning’s reflections as a guide for implementing the plan over the next five years, describing Makerere as an institution many families choose above all others for the vision and training it offers their children. She urged staff to see themselves as stewards of that trust rather than simply employees carrying out a job.
Compassion and Discipline Must Go Together
Delivering her remarks, Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara challenged staff to strike a balance between compassion and discipline when dealing with students.
She observed that many students face different personal and academic challenges, making encouragement and timely support essential throughout their university journey.
“A word of encouragement can restore hope and prevent costly mistakes,” she noted.
Dr. Lorna encouraged lecturers and administrators to respond promptly to students’ concerns, explaining that delays, insensitive decisions and abuse of authority can discourage students and negatively affect their academic experience.
She reminded staff that students often remember how they were treated long after they have forgotten what was taught in class.
“Students may eventually forget what we teach them, but they will always remember how we treated them.”
She added that education goes beyond transferring knowledge.
“Education is more than knowledge. We communicate life, character and values.”
Quoting Mark 10, Dr. Lorna called upon staff to embrace servant leadership by exercising authority with humility, integrity and accountability.
She encouraged members of staff to ask themselves whether they would treat every student the same way ashey would treat their own child.
“We may not always have all the answers,” she said, “but we can communicate honestly, take responsibility and treat every student with dignity.”
She concluded by urging different colleges and administrative units to work together instead of operating in isolation, noting that unity strengthens the University community.
Referring to Galatians 6:2, she reminded staff to carry one another’s burdens and remain faithful stewards of the responsibility entrusted to them.
Servant Leadership Begins with Faithfulness
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. James Magara, husband to Dr. Lorna Magara, called on members of staff to embrace servant leadership grounded in humility, faithfulness and service to others.
Drawing from Mark 10:35–45, Dr. Magara reflected on the account in which James and John asked Jesus for positions of honour in His kingdom, prompting discontent among the other disciples. He observed that despite walking closely with Christ, the disciples continued to struggle with the desire for status and recognition. He noted that such competition remained evident even during the Last Supper, where concerns over positions and prominence persisted.
Dr. Magara said that Jesus responded to these human tendencies by redefining leadership through service rather than authority. He described Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet as the ultimate demonstration of servant leadership, explaining that genuine leaders are willing to undertake even the humblest responsibilities in service of others.
Referencing Philippians 2, he urged staff to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness, contrasting it with the pride and self-exaltation illustrated in Isaiah 14. He emphasised that lasting influence and greatness are not measured by titles, positions or recognition, but by one’s willingness to serve faithfully and put the needs of others before personal ambition.
Drawing on his own leadership journey spanning several decades, Dr. Magara challenged leaders across the University to cultivate humility, integrity and a servant heart in the execution of their responsibilities. He cautioned that leadership driven by pride and personal ambition undermines both individual effectiveness and institutional progress, whereas servant leadership strengthens organisations and fosters lasting impact.
The prayer breakfast concluded with a call for unity and collective commitment as Makerere University prepares to begin a new academic year. Organisers noted that the reflections on stewardship, integrity and servant leadership would provide a strong foundation for the University community as it advances the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
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