General
DVC Okello Ogwang to advocate for Library Funding
The Fresh-in-office Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Academic Affairs (DVC AA), Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang (Pictured Right) has started his duties with a promise to advocate for more funding for the University Library. Dr. Okello Ogwang was appointed DVC AA effective 1st Dec.2013 for a five year term. He was speaking at the Library End of year party on Friday 13th Dec. 2013 at the Forest Park Resort – Buloba.
His remarks followed a speech by the University Librarian, Prof. Maria Musoke, who pointed out that the Library was constrained in its plans partly due to limited resources.
“Makerere University Library has automated most of its functions amidst challenges of limited bandwidth and unstable internet and challenges of a sustainability budget for equipment that will go obsolete after a few years,” she explained.
Prof. Musoke (Right) also pointed out that the Library grapples with an inadequate budget to power the generator when needed. She however expressed confidence that the Library will be in position to handle these constraints when the Development fees are released to it.
“In 2011/12, we had planned that after the extension to the Main library, the next extension will be the Medical Library which we had put in our financial year’s budget. However, the Library Development fees, which are expected to build the library, are not yet released. We request the Guest of Honour to assist us on this matter,” she said.
Guidelines set by the National Council for Higher Education recommend that 10% of the University’s budget should be spent on the Library. In his response, Dr. Okello Ogwang vowed to make this issue one of his priority areas since Libraries are a key factor to ensuring quality teaching, learning and research. “Today’s libraries are not only repositories and access points for electronic, print, audio and visual materials; they are the foundations of the evolution of the world,” he said.
“I pledge my support to the Library concerning the budgets for weekend duty, evening transport, maintenance of equipment and facilities, generator fuel and renovation of the old library building,” he added.
He also promised to look into the Council Resolution (2007) in relation to the Library Development fees. The DVC AA congratulated all Library Staff for the hard work exhibited, especially in demystifying the belief that Information Systems have not worked in Makerere.
As part of the celebrations, the different sections of the Library were rewarded for their outstanding performance, which saw the Africana Section (Pictured Above) take lead with 70.85% overall performance, followed by the Digitalization Unit at 70.3%. Amongst Colleges, the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS)–Pictured Left, took lead as the College whose performance was based on the submitted activity plan. Mr. Brian Wamala (Pictured Below) took home the Library's Dedicated Staff Award 2013.
The University Library Staff celebrated a number of achievements for the year including a working information system, a functional new Library extension building and the Makerere University Institutional Repository that has contributed the highest number of richfiles. These files have enabled Makerere University’s webometric ranking to progressively improve to the 4th position in Africa as of Aug 2013.
The Library Staff were grateful to all internal and external stakeholders who have contributed to betterment of the Library including Makerere University Staff, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Sida SAREC project, the University of Bergen and the Mortenson Center – U.S.A.
Article by Marion Alina, Public Relations Office
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
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