A delegation from Uppsala University led by the Vice Chancellor Professor Eva Akesson visited Makerere University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) to study the Mak-UiB Collaboration. The College Principal, Professor Edward K. Kirumira, and also the Coordinator of the Makerere-University of Bergen (Mak-UiB) Collaboration Programme welcomed the team and shared the humble and yet successful journey of the Mak-UiB collaboration based on an institutionalized approach.
This meeting held in the CHUSS Resource Centre was crucial for providing a framework for an institution-wide collaboration as Uppsala seeks to take its partnership with Makerere to the next level..
“We are glad to be here. We have several collaborations with Makerere, but we would like to go to another level-for an institutionalized approach,” said the Vice Chancellor, Uppsala University.
During the presentation, Professor Edward K. Kirumira emphasized the need to have champions in every collaboration. The Mak-UiB collaboration started in 1988, but at an individual level and he thus credited the late Professor Endre Lillethun who dedicated time and resources to overseeing the collaboration during its infancy. He highlighted that the Mak-UiB 15-year collaboration programme has significantly contributed to the development of human resources with 100 PhDs and Masters in Philosophy in varied fields; as well as expanding the collaboration to include administration, finance and libraries.
Continuing with his presentation, Professor Edward K. Kirumira pointed out factors that have led to a successful Mak-UIB collaboration as: • Establishment of collaboration offices at both universities • Multi-disciplinary approach to research problems • Multi-Department and Multi-disciplinary research with a diversified funding source • In 2004, the collaboration included an Addendum on student exchange programmes • Evaluation of the programme every four years and a re-commitment workshop within a long term Frame of Collaboration • Reaching out to regional institutions such as National University of Rwanda and training librarians and technicians in Juba.
On the future of the collaboration, Professor Kirumira said that although the 15 year programme ends in November 2013, he held discussions with the Rector of the University of Bergen, Norway, and they agreed on an extension to renew the collaboration.
“I have briefed the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu that the delegation from the University of Bergen, Norway will be coming to Makerere University next year to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for another phase of the institutional programme,” he remarked with a beaming smile.
The Vice Chancellor, Uppsala University, Professor Akesson thanked Professor Kirumira for an informative presentation. She shared that Uppsala University teaches 40 languages because it is a responsibility for the university to offer diversity. She expressed interest in a collaboration that would embrace teacher training and pedagogy.
Professor Kirumira explained that joint degree programmes (at the Masters and PhD levels) would help academic institutions to focus on pedagogical skills, which are crucial in the higher education sector.
The meeting noted that both institutions faced a challenge of attracting young academicians to undertake research in the collaboration a factor attributed to absence of clearly spelt out benefits for participants.
Professor Kirumira said that universities should re-visit their rewarding mechanisms for young academics. He further observed that although collaborations are self financing, there should be an institutional framework in universities.
Observing that there could be other underlying factors, the academicians agreed to dedicate more time to understand the factors responsible for the failure to attract young academics to collaborations, envisaging a research paper on how to overcome this challenge as an end result.
“The young academicians should be active participants for they are the next generation of academicians,” concluded Prof. Kirumira.
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.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta is received upon arrival at Makerere University by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
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.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (2nd Right) poses for a group photo during the courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor with Left to Right: Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Ms. Sarah Kagingo and Guild President-H.E. Churchill James Ssentamu.
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:
Left to Right: The Vice President-H.E. Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Emeritus-Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Hon. Matthew Rukikaire and other dignitaries follow proceedings.
“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.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Diploma holders admitted under the Government Sponsorship Scheme for the Academic Year 2025/2026.
Under the Diploma Holders Government Sponsorship Scheme admission does not exceed 5% of the intake capacity to the respective Degree Programme.
The list can be accessed by following the link below:
Are you a researcher or student working in protein-related research, structural biology, or bioinformatics?
The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences (ACE) Uganda with support from Google DeepMind, invites researchers and students seeking to integrate AlphaFold into their work to apply for the AlphaFold Workshop to be held at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University-Kampala, Uganda from 16th to 20th June 2025.