General
Youth empowerment key to sustainable development
On Tuesday, 17th September, 2013, the student leadership in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) in conjunction with World Youth Alliance held a public lecture to discuss and share ideas on how Africa can realise sustainable development.
The lecture was held under the theme “Re-thinking Africa’s Sustainable Development Agenda”. The key speakers were the Principal of CHUSS, Prof. Edward K. Kirumira, and Associate Professor Josephine Ahikire from the School of Women and Gender Studies.
Presenting a paper at the lecture, Prof. Kirumira, expressed concern over the continued neglection of the youth yet they make up the biggest percentage of the population. He informed the participants that 48% of the country’s population is below 15 years of age, only 3% above 65 years and 49% in the mainstream potential productive age hence the need to place young people at the centre of development. With reference to Corcoran and Osano, 2009, Prof. Kirumira noted that young people need education, political support, resources, skills and hope if sustainable development is to be achieved. “If young people’s resources of energy, time, and knowledge are misdirected towards violence, terrorism and socially-isolating technologies, civilization risks destabilization,” he stated.
Prof. Kirumira appealed to the government to focus on training and equipping young people with skills to manage the country’s affairs, noting that in five years’ time, most of the current managers will be retired. “The oil resource that is expected to greatly improve the economy of our country may turn out a curse if we do not train people to effectively manage it,” he advised.
Commenting on the contentious land question, he said most of the youth have resorted to selling off land left behind by their parents due to lack of adequate skills to develop it.
Prof. Kirumira emphasized the need to revamp the entire education system in a bid to equip students with skills needed for the job market.
He also pointed out the need to look at sustainable development in a broader perspective, noting that focusing on economic growth alone cannot drive development. “Sustainable development hinges on environmental, economic and socio-political sustainability,” he said.
Dr Ahikire underscored the need to focus on the human aspect of development and an all-inclusive approach to sustainable development. “If a family is in turmoil, the society too will be in turmoil,” she noted. Dr Ahikire called for the revival of cooperatives in a bid to address some of the vices like corruption that are eating up the African society. She noted with dismay that the Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) have been badly manipulated hence failing to achieve their intended goal.
The Head, Department of Philosophy and Developmental Studies, Prof. Edward Wamala, argued for a change of ideology for sustainable development to be achieved. He advised that the neoliberalism ideology, where service delivery depends on forces of demand and supply, does not support sustainable development.
The students too advocated for overhauling the education system in order to enable them acquire practical skills to fit in the job market. They also called for democratic governance in Africa as one of the pathways to the realisation of sustainable development.
Article by Hasifa Kabejja, Communication Officer, CHUSS
General
Makerere University, DFCU Bank Sign MoU to Advance Innovation, Student Leadership and Research
By Eve Nakyanzi and Atwenda Nancy
Makerere University and DFCU Bank have today signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster innovation, student leadership, research and community impact initiatives.
The collaboration which will see the equipping of the Disability Support center for students living with disabilities through the MAK run and more leadership trainings for students will begin this July.
“The MoU will strengthen research collaborations across sectors like agriculture and health and it will also support the Mutebile Centre to assist private sector growth, which is crucial in lifting Africa out of poverty,” said Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor.
Speaking during the event, Mr. Charles M. Mudiwa, the DFCU Bank Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the move, noting its alignment with the bank’s mission to transform lives and support national development through four pillars: funding, financial inclusion, enterprise development, and vocational education.
“This MoU crowns years of effort and shared intent between our institutions,” he stated.
Mr. Mudiwa highlighted the bank’s commitment to skilling youth through internships, curriculum development, and support for innovation hubs and centres of excellence at the university.
“We consume the graduates of Makerere. In our most recent graduate intake of 87, 60% were Makerere alumni. The bank allocates around 30 internship positions annually to equip young people with the skills necessary for future roles within the institution,” Mr. Mudiwa, noted.
Representing the student body, Guild President His Excellency, Sentamu Churchill James, commended the partnership as a timely intervention that will empower youth, support SMEs, and expand internship and leadership development opportunities.
“Students are the heartbeat of the university. This collaboration will empower youth and strengthen their role in national development,” His Excellency Ssentamu, said.
About MAK RUN 2025
The Makerere Run 2025 (#MakRun2025), hosted by the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MAKEF) on 17th August 2025, returns for its fifth edition as Kampala’s premier charity marathon, uniting 8,000+ runners—students, alumni, corporate teams, and elite athletes—to tackle the city’s iconic hills under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future.” This landmark event combines competitive racing with transformative impact, channeling proceeds to strengthen Makerere University’s community programs while offering unmatched branding opportunities for partners through Kampala’s largest university-led sporting spectacle.
The Mak Run, scheduled this year for August 17th, is a flagship initiative that mobilizes students, staff, alumni, and partners to raise funds for projects such as the Disability Support Unit and the Student Centre.
The Writers are Interns in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University
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