“He lived in Uganda-spent most of his time working in Karamoja. He worked in other places in Africa, but his love for Makerere University lived on, and will live on for eternity.”
On Monday 17th February 2014, it was a dream come true for Professor James Barber who wished that his rich collection of books be donated to no other institution, but Makerere University. The Makerere University Librarian, Professor Maria Musoke received the rich collection of books focusing on Africa, Uganda, history, politics, religion, social sciences, and governance among other disciplines.
Professor James Barber was a District Officer in the Uganda Colonial Service (1955-1963), serving mostly in Karamoja (where his sons were born). He finally acted as Secretary to the first post-independence Ugandan government for a transition year. Thereafter he moved into the academic world and specialized in international affairs and southern Africa in particular. He wrote a number of books but also accumulated a large academic library-much of it focused on ‘Africania.’
Handing over the books on behalf of Professor James Barber and family-the representative Mr. Peter Brown said: “So, as Director of the British Council in Uganda and on behalf of Professor Barber and his family, it gives me enormous pleasure to hand over his collection to the University Librarian, Professor Maria Musoke-I have no doubt that these books will serve to enrich your collection and it is my sincere hope that these books that have been gathered and treasured by the Barber family for so long will now serve to benefit and in turn be treasured by Ugandan students and academics for years to come!”
In her address, Professor Maria Musoke said that in March 2012, she received an e-mail from the Vice Chancellor informing her that there was a retired Professor who wanted to donate books to Makerere University. The University Librarian together with Mr. Fredrick Lugya responded that they were interested in the books and would be in the United Kingdom in August 2012.
“Fredrick and I, went to Cambridge. We noted that the books would enrich the Africana section. Professor Barber stressed that he wanted his books to find home in the Makerere University Library, and as such, would ensure that the books were delivered and handed over to Makerere University,” reported Professor Maria Musoke.
Facing the 29 large boxes containing the rich collection of books, Professor Musoke said: “We are glad to receive the books. We thank Professor James Barber and family for choosing Makerere University-as a home for his collection. The books are valuable. I assure Professor Barber and family that we shall process the books. The books will appear on our catalogue. The books will greatly enrich the Africana section.”
The representative, Mr. Peter Brown informed the audience that Professor Barber is now a very elderly man, suffering from Parkinson’s disease, but he knew that Professor Barber would be lifted by the news that his library’s odyssey has now come to a successful conclusion and that his invaluable collection has at last found an appropriate and a welcoming home.
The Librarians, Makerere University Senior Public Relations Officer and a team from the British Council witnessed the historic physical book donation held in the New Library Building Extension.
Story by: Ritah Namisango, Public Relations Office
72 undergraduate students of Makerere University have successfully been admitted to the Millennium Fellowship Class of 2026, an initiative of the Millennium Campus Network (MCN) and United Nations Academic Impact. Makerere’s Fellows were selected from a record-breaking 76,000 applicants from over 6,000 campuses across 174 countries to participate in the ambitious programme.
According to the Fellowship website, the programme aims to make the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UN Academic Impact Principles a reality on campuses, in classrooms and throughout communities. Millennium Fellows are university undergraduates selected for their leadership on sustainable development projects in their communities. As Fellows, they complete a semester-long leadership development programme that strengthens their student organizing, partnership-building and community-impact skills.
In his congratulatory message to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Sam Vaghar the Executive Director, MCN shared that Over 330 campuses across 60 nations have been selected to host 2026 Millenium Fellows. “Congratulations to you and Makerere University for having a cohort of Millennium Fellows from your student body again this year!”
Below is a sample of the work of the Class of 2026.
At Harvard University, a UN Academic Impact member institution in the United States of America, Millennium Fellows are expanding OpenDoor, an AI-powered platform that helps people navigate retraining, job opportunities and pathways into high-demand careers. The project grew from their work with people experiencing homelessness and from seeing how difficult workforce programmes can be to navigate even when support exists. Advancing SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, it expects to reach about 7,500 people during the Fellowship.
At the University of Ilorin, a UN Academic Impact member institution in Nigeria, Millennium Fellows are building what they describe as Africa’s first green AI policy framework, helping policymakers and developers understand how artificial intelligence can advance while reducing energy use, pollution and material waste. Aligned with SDG 13: Climate Action, it expects to reach about 75 people during the Fellowship.
At BRAC University, a UN Academic Impact member institution in Bangladesh, a Millennium Fellow is advancing SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production through a start-up replacing single-use products with environmentally friendly alternatives. Its current focus is a paper pen that uses roughly 90 per cent less plastic than a conventional pen, with a seed built in so it can grow into a plant when properly disposed of. The project expects to reach about 450 people.
At Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, a UN Academic Impact member institution in Moldova, a Millennium Fellow is advancing SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by studying how environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity may affect recovery after brain surgery. By bringing simple digital monitoring tools into postoperative care, the project aims to help doctors make timelier decisions.
We wish our Millennium Fellows an impactful fellowship.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released admission lists of candidates admitted under the Talented Sports Men & Women, Disability and District Quota Schemes with Government sponsorship 2026/27 Academic Year including appeals and remarked cases.
Other admission lists released include A-Level Applicants with Ugandan and those with Foreign Qualifications, Diploma in Performing Arts, Mature-Age Entry and Bachelor of Education (EXTERNAL Batch 2) for the Academic Year 2026/2027 under self sponsorship.
Makerere University‘s position in the July 2026 edition of the Webometrics Rankings has improved from 925th to 776th globally and from 13th to 11th on the Continent, compared to the January 2026 edition. Makerere remains the top-ranked University in Uganda and East Africa.
The new rankings are as a result of improved performance in the Impact Rank, which measures the number of external domains referring/linking to Makerere (from 1,593 to 1,185) and the Excellence Rank, which measures Research papers in the top 10% most cited between 2019 and 2023 (from 1,095 to 715).
Please see the attached screenshots for details or view Makerere‘s rankings online using the link below:
The Webometrics Ranking of World Universities aims to recognize and promote the digital transformation of higher education institutions by evaluating how effectively they reflect their academic, research, and societal contributions online.
We remain committed to ensuring that all our good work in teaching and learning, research, knowledge transfer, and partnerships continues to be reflected online through various journals and other platforms.
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