General
Rt. Hon. Mbabazi launches Students Centre Project at Mak@90 Grand Finale
On Saturday 3rd August 2013, distinguished guests, alumni, partners, staff, students, friends and well-wishers filled the Makerere University campus to participate in the ‘Mak@90’ Grand Finale; a climax of the year-long celebrations to mark 90 years of Makerere University’s existence. Thanks to the heavens for the fine and cool weather!
As early as 9:00am, one would feel the celebratory mood in the atmosphere, as flags flew high and the proud alumni kept streaming in. A green and clean campus, people of all ages walking majestically to the Freedom Square; the Uganda Police band playing wonderful hymns; students wearing red gowns; and all invited guests elegantly and confidently walking in, with happy faces – clearly communicating that they have an inner untold joy to be at Makerere University!
By 10:30am, the Freedom Square was filled to capacity as they waited to receive the Chief Guest, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The jubilant congregation welcomed the composer of the Makerere University Anthem, Mr. Grace Wilson Mutekanga Igaga with a standing ovation as he was ushered in the VIP tent in the Freedom Square. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi, an alumnus of Makerere University represented His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda. The congregation also rose to their feet to welcome H.E Dr. Mwai Kibaki, former President of the Republic of Kenya, and a distinguished alumnus of Makerere University, to the historic celebrations.
Under the theme, “Leadership towards Africa’s transformation in the 21st century,” the staff and students exhibited the latest advances in research and innovations at this great institution. The Chancellor of Makerere University, Chairperson of Council, Vice Chancellor, the Prime Minister of Uganda, the Minister of Education and Sports; and other dignitaries toured the exhibition.
On behalf of the President, Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi laid a foundation stone for the Makerere University Students’ Centre. This project is expected to cost USD 30million with Phase 1 costing USD 15million, and total built-up area of 58,000sq.metres. The congregation was wowed by the magnificent artistic impression of the proposed storied Students’ centre. An excited member of the congregation blossoming with happiness was overheard exclaiming, “Oh dear Lord, I wish I live to see the completion of this wonderful Students’ Centre!” May the Almighty grant this wish.
“The need for Universities to devote more time to research, innovations and career guidance so as to help our children study courses that are relevant to the needs of society has never been greater than it is currently. We would therefore like to congratulate Makerere University for extending her innovations to economic self sustainability by seeking to construct the multi-facility Students Centre,” he said. He also re-emphasized Government’s commitment to supporting Makerere University.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, explained that the Students’ Centre will be a one-stop information centre for students with a multi-purpose auditorium. He called unto all stakeholders, including the alumni to support this cause.
“The role of Alumni in any Institution cannot be underestimated. You are core to the existence of any University. As you may be aware, most Universities, especially in the North, have mostly succeeded because of the support of their alumni. In times when Government funding for higher education is increasingly not enough, the Alumni have a great opportunity to make a substantial contribution. Makerere University has produced over 300,000 graduates. I would like to thank you, Alumni of Makerere University for your various contributions wherever you are in Uganda and all over the globe. I am now appealing to you – the Alumni – to come forward and make your contribution towards this great Institution,” he appealed. The VC also paid tribute to the development partners for supporting the institutional programmes of Makerere University. Professor Ddumba-Ssentamu, also the Chairperson of Mak@90 Main Organising Committee applauded the Members of Mak@90 Organising Committee, University of East Africa celebrations Committee and the Ceremonies Committee for the hard work and selfless service during the year-long Mak@90 celebrations.
H.E Mwai Kibaki, former President of Kenya who spoke as a distinguished alumni of Makerere University, challenged young Makerereans to make their contribution by breaking new ground in research.
“As old Makerereans, we have done our part. It is now the turn of young Makerereans to break new ground through research and innovations,” he emphasized.
Drawing examples of some of the prominent alumni that have gone through Makerere University like the late Julius Nyerere, President Kabila of DRC; President Kibaki congratulated Makerere University for giving the region and the entire world high quality human resource.
“I am grateful to be a witness to the ninety year celebrations. It is not the number of years that count but rather the institution’s illustrious story of transformation,” he added. President Kibaki, a proud alumnus of Makerere University was grateful to the Institution for contributing to making him what he is today.
The celebrations were heightened with the fresh news of Makerere University’s improved ranking from 9th to 4th position on the continent, as per the July 2013 webometric rankings.
“In the next few years, Makerere should become a World Class University. The Task Force on Job Evaluation and Re-organisation of Staff Structure of Makerere University has already made path finder recommendations that are being scrutinized and we shall soon be able to set Makerere on the path to World Class categorization and this is a sure possibility,” re-assured Hon. Jessica Alupo, the Education Minister.
On behalf of the Student community, the Guild President, H.E Anna Adeke-Ebaju, appealed to the Government of Uganda to increase funding to public universities. She requested Government to re-consider the beneficiaries of the Students’ Loan Scheme, which currently caters for only science students, and excludes humanities and social sciences. In response to her request, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister explained that the Students loan is still in its infancy, Government is aware of its challenges, but that it will improve as time goes by.
A key highlight of the celebrations was the recognition of Mr. Grace Wilson Mutekanga Igaga, the composer of the Makerere University Anthem. The police band played and the congregation joined in giving this illustrious alumnus a highly deserved standing ovation as he walked to receive an award from the Chancellor, Professor George Mondo Kagonyera, in recognition of his genius contribution to Makerere University.
“As we celebrate the 90 years of Makerere University, I take this singular honour of recognizing the composer of one of the most beautiful anthems, I have ever listened to,” remarked the joyful Chancellor. He then presented the well-worded and beautiful plaque to Mr. Grace Wilson Mutekanga Igaga and a dummy cheque of Five Million shillings, as a token of appreciation from the Makerere University.
Mr. Grace Wilson Mutekanga Igaga, in recognition of your ingenious efforts in composing the Makerere University Anthem – a timeless and eternally inspiring masterpiece – read part of the plaque.
The 70 year old Grace Wilson Mutekanga Igaga thrilled the congregation when he melodiously and articulately opened his vocal cords to sing a stanza of the coveted Anthem; in a manner that only the original composer could have done. He was extremely natural, original and fully in control, as the audience looked on in awe, fighting back tears of joy! Mutekanga was in the company of his dear wife, Mrs. Frances Mutekanga. The applause that followed was thunderous!
In his address to the congregation, the jovial alumnus, Mutekanga said, “With big humility, I stand before you, to thank you Mr. Vice Chancellor and your administration for every effort. I thank the Makerere University community for accepting my commodity. I say to the entire world, I feel honoured. I have never imagined that I would receive this honour when I am still alive. I am very grateful for the Award.”
In the same spirit, Gen. Elly Tumwine, the Patron of the Great Lakes Students’ Union presented a medal to H.E Dr. Mwai Kibaki in recognition of his outstanding political, economic and life achievements and also for promoting good governance in the region.
The guests were treated to a photographic memory lane of Makerere University and a video tour of the great Institution. They were served mouth-watering snacks and bull-roasting. The celebration attracted artists who are also alumni of Makerere University. Key among them was Herbert Segujja, a popular comedian, excellent at mimicking President Museveni. The audience broke into uncontrollable laughter when the comedy version of President Museveni in the person of Segujja, drove into the Freedom Square with full V.I.P escorts and glamour. He went ahead to give remarks that sent the audience into further laughter. By press time, (10:00pm) the guests were still dancing to the tunes of these artists, in a highly interactive dance floor. The event was updated online (facebook and twitter) as it happened, and was also covered live on UBC. As estimated 900 guests attended the grand finale, close to the expected 1,000.
The event was majorly sponsored by Makerere University. Other sponsors included Bank of Uganda, Centenary Bank; Stanbic Bank; dfcu Bank, Crane Bank; Coca-Cola Sabco, Crown Beverages Limited, UBC Television, NTV, sms one and the Daily Monitor.
Congratulations to Makerere University for successfully celebrating the 90 years of existence.
Looking forward to the Centennial celebrations!
Story By Ritah Namisango and Marion Alina
Photos by Elias Tuhereze and Joseph Buwule
General
The 19th RUFORUM AGM in Yaoundé calls for consolidated efforts towards transforming higher agricultural & tertiary education to contribute to sustainable development & food security in Africa
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), a consortium of 163 universities in 40 African countries held its 19th Annual General Meeting at the Palais De Congres in Yaoundé, Cameroon from 28th October to 2nd November 2023. The first of its kind in West and Central Africa, the RUFORUM AGM 2023 provided an opportunity for over 600 delegates from Africa and beyond including; Ministers, Development Partners, University leaders, students, private sector leaders; farmers and farmer representatives; emerging and early career researchers as well as other key stakeholders in agriculture and higher education to share experiences and chart a way forward for transforming higher agricultural and tertiary education to contribute to sustainable development in Africa under the theme: Transforming Higher Education to Sustainably Feed and Create Prosperity for Africa.
Officially opened by His Excellency Paul Biya, President of the Republic of Cameroon, represented by Professor Jacques Fame Ndongo, Cameroon’s Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education, the 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting in Yaoundé provided a platform for participants to deliberate on key strategies for transforming higher agricultural and tertiary education to contribute to national, continental and global development as well as building consensus among key stakeholders in agriculture and higher education on the actions required to strengthen the role and/or integration of universities in agricultural and national development processes in line with the aspirations of the African Union Agenda 2063 ‘The Africa We Want’.
In a speech presented by Professor Jacques Fame Ndongo at the official opening ceremony, His Excellency Paul Biya, President of the Republic of Cameroon stressed RUFORUM’s significant efforts to support the African Union Agenda 2063 when he said, “RUFORUM’s vision 2030, makes the body a significant contributor to transformation of Africa and vehemently seeks to harness the discovery, engagements and learning of vibrant transformative universities to catalyze sustainable, inclusive agricultural development to feed and create prosperity for Africa.”
According to him, it is worth indicating that agriculture in Africa should be understood in its broadest sense to include but not limited to animal and crop production, livestock, wild life, fisheries and forestry. Hence RUFORUM’s mission since its inception in 2004, of strengthening the capacities of universities to foster innovation responsive to demands of small holder farmers through the training of higher quality researchers, the output of impact-oriented research and maintenance of collaborative working relations among researchers, farmers, national agricultural research institutions, the Private sector and government is worthy prioritizing.
He called upon participants to use the meeting forum to change the face and image of the African continent through constructive and fruitful deliberations on agricultural production, food safety research and better health food security. To him the RUFORUM AGM is a bigger opportunity to think and act, make proposals, formulate recommendations and necessary resolutions which if acted on can change the face of the African continent.
“This is the turning point for the African continent to think big and have the courage to dream big. This is our opportunity to make a difference in our world. This is the opportunity Africa needed to change the target of its demand of action. We have to mutualize and federate our actions and voices in the interest of a united, strong and prosperous Africa,” he said.
The 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting carried a unique vibrant turn as being the first to be held in West and Central Africa. The weeklong event broke the record as the most and well attended ever with over 600 participants across the region as well as international delegates. The colorful event was embroiled with informative, constructive, edutainment activities in form of pre-AGM events, side events, Business Meetings, capacity building and mentoring sessions, scientific conferences, poster sessions and exhibitions well aligned to key thematic areas as well as the AGM theme: Transforming Higher Education to Sustainably Feed and Create Prosperity for Africa.
Additionally, high-level policy dialogues with Ministers, Senior Government Leaders and Development Partners were held to review the finance and other resource mobilization strategies as well as following up on the actualization of the available national, regional and global policies geared towards higher education transformation and ensuring of food security in Africa.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Prof. Theresia Nkuo-Akenji, the RUFORUM Board Chair and Vice Chancellor University of Bamenda thanked His Excellence Paul Biya and the Government of Cameroon for accepting to host the 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting and equally appreciated the financial support towards the same cause.
In a special way, Prof. Theresia Nkuo-Akenji thanked the Ministry of State for Higher education and all the sister ministries of Government of Cameroon that worked hard to see to it that the 19th RUFORUM AGM is a success. Equally, the Board Chair, extended her sincere gratitude to the people of Cameroon for the warm reception and support.
“My special tribute goes to the members of AGM 2023 Sub committees. You have indeed done a great job throughout the ten months of organizing this significant event. On behalf of RUFORUM Network, I thank you. To the RUFORUM Secretariat under the dynamic leadership of Prof. Patrick Okwori, accept our immense gratitude for your strong determination and dedication,” she gratefully said.
She recognized the tremendous achievements and developments aligned to RUFORUM’s nineteen years (19) of existence noting that the strong network has wisely selected its priority areas of focus to transform higher education and agricultural sector in Africa as;
- Reform the training agenda for Africa to meet the development needs
- Entrepreneurship and business incubation for wealth creation
- Research for Development and wealth creation
- Partnerships for scale and impact
“As African people, permit me to use the adage of a broom; it is easy to break a single broom piece but when you combine several small brooms together they then make a broom stack that will not be easy to break. The collective power that RUFORUM has put together through 163 universities from across 40 countries bears such strength. The Vice Chancellors gathered here today remain committed to the core values and foundations of the network. To illustrate this Your Excellency, each of the Vice Chancellors meet their own costs of participation.” She happy said.
In the same spirit the RUFORUM Executive Secretary Prof. Patrick Okori deeply thanked the host Universities that is, University of Bamenda, University of Ngaoundere, University of Dschang, University of Buea and University of Maroua under the strong and able leadership of the RUFORUM Board Chair, Prof. Theresia Nkuo-Akenji for successfully hosting the 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting.
He also recognized the Former Vice Chancellor of University of Ngaoundere Prof. Florence Uphie Chinje Melo who heavily supported the AGM preparations. He was astonished with the presence of the Africa Development Bank, MasterCard Foundation, research international communities, RUFORUM for Agricultural Research in Africa, the Africa Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services, sub regional Agricultural organizations such as the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) and the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF).
“You have all provided support for this engagement, thank you very much. Together we will continue this journey of transforming Africa’s Agricultural and higher education to produce human resources and development solutions that Africa and indeed the world needs,” he said.
Reflecting on the AGM’s theme, Prof. Okori emphasized the need for Africa to become food secure when he said, “Africa must be an equal opportunity creator for the young generation, it must create wealth for its people and provide opportunities for the present and future and these are well summarized in agenda 2063. It is our collective duty therefore to turn these opportunities and actions into investment.”
According to him, the RUFORUM Network remains strong in building capacity and providing the necessary development solutions and opportunities. He noted that Africa generates about 10-12 million job entrants annually but the continent’s economy in its current configuration can only produce 3 million jobs. To him, for Africa to therefore reap from its demographic dividends, there is need to strengthen the paths to demographic transition of keeping young girls in school.
Prof. Okori also mentioned that RUFORUM is currently intensifying its inclusion and diversity targets. From 45%, the network has an ambitious target of at least 70%. “We must slow the rate at which girls give birth when young. It is the only way we are going to benefit from our population dividend,” he said.
According to him, the higher degree needs for Africa is pretty dire. The World Bank recommends 10,000 PhDs to Africa. This can be compared to India whose signal population of 1. 4 billion registers 24000 PhDs a year. The pressure therefore on Africa’s side to intensify graduate training is real.
“Our graduate training in sciences therefore is one of the drivers to achieve this and it is the immense reason as to why in this meeting we have social and development partners. We are launching a journey with the Africa Development Bank that will bring us together as apex organizations in Africa to work together and solve our own challenges. However, as we do all these, we need to celebrate Africa. We should be recognizing and celebrating people who made what Africa is today,” he said.
Africa is informed by a number of important mutually interacting factors that collectively, are affecting the growth and progress of the continent. The economic outlook of the African continent in 2023 by the African Development Bank and other global apex development financial institutions was positive. However, Africa’s economic growth has since then decelerated, and is now projected to be lower than the previously projected rate of 4.1%.
Agriculture a key sector, continues to be affected by both natural and human induced factors. It continues to face serious threats from climate. Studies by the United Nation’s Convention to Combat Desertification show that Africa accounts for 44% of severe droughts recorded globally in the last 50 years, causing economic losses of more than USD 70 billion. In 2022, an estimated loss of US$ 8.5 billion in economic damages was experienced due to climate change. Clearly, climate change and weather variability, remains one of the grand challenges of the 21st century for Africa and the World, because it affects key livelihood and strategic areas of emerging economies.
Unemployment facing Africa’s dominant demographic-the youth, raises questions about education, skilling and jobs creation while inclusion and diversity, the underpinning for an equal society, remains challenging. The question then to academia, researchers, development practitioners and policymakers is, “what step must we take right now to address the challenges to our current and future generations?”
“Our resounding response as RUFORUM is in line with what Malcolm X said many years ago, “Education and research for development are the passports to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today,” said Prof. Partick Okori.
According to the Deputy Minister for Education in Malawi, Her Excellence Mdooko Nancy Chawola who represented the visiting ministers of RUFORUM partner countries, African countries should put in place vibrant resource mobilization mechanisms to collectively finance Africa’s education and support governments that are battling with competitive budgetary demands.
“For the universities to offer solutions for the challenges the continent is facing, there is need to rebuild the curriculum that responds to our current needs and not what we needed yesterday. Our respective countries are grappling with higher levels of unemployment, can investors assist by producing graduates with entrepreneurial skills so that they are able to employ themselves and others. Of course there will be need to put in place support mechanism for such graduates to take over,” she said.
She equally acknowledged the national regulatory frameworks such as the Malawi Regulation Framework 2063 developed inline with the African Union Agenda 2063 the Africa we want, in which the continent aspires to be prosperous by 2063 through various means such as modernizing agricultural for increased production and productivity there by making people food secure.
She applauded RUFORUM’s efforts towards zero hunger in Africa through its vision 2030. According to Mdooko Nancy Chawola, food security is supposed be prerogative as well highlighted in the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) that is geared towards ending hunger, attaining food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable development.
In Cameroon, Agriculture and Education have been prioritized as drivers for economic growth and transformation. Through an agricultural flagship program initiated by His Excellence Paul Biya, science programmes and financial services as well as favorable ways of accessing market have been introduced in the country with the aim of transforming agricultural sector into a value added industrialized and integrated system engine of economic growth.
According to Prof. Ngomo Horace Manga- Vice Chancellor, University Buea, the government of Cameroon has resolved to grant its people with education that can help them manage their personal, national and Africa’s present and future economic destiny. In 2022, His excellence Paul Biya endorsed the recruitment process of 2000 lecturers in universities to ensure the quality of higher education in Cameroon.
“Collectively these education reforms and investment actions affordably can transform the people of Cameroon into a strong emerging market. Cameroon carries the highest science female adoptive rate in sub-Saharan Africa at 73%. This is a strong result of government delivery of United Nations SDG 5 of achieving education and build human capital for the country,” he noted.
The Opening Ceremony for the 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting unlocked the floor for critical discussions and meetings throughout the week. At the same function, RUFORUM presented a contemporary painting to His Excellence Paul Biya, President of the United Republic of Cameroon in recognition of his outstanding, selfless and patriotic services s to the people of Cameroon and Africa at large.
On 25th October 2023, the RUFORUM Network equally participated in the Cameroon Higher Education Day, the first of its kind in the country.
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