General
Two students scoop Bernard Onyango Ace Award
The Bernard Onyango Academic Excellence Ace (B.O Ace) Awards were successfully kicked off with two students from St. Peters College Tororo as first beneficiaries. Isaac Munu, the best O-level student in this school sat for UCE exams in 2013, scoring distinctions in all eight subjects. The best A-level student Ernest Wandera scored 21 aggregates in his U.A.C.E exams. In their acceptance speeches during an award ceremony held at Silver Springs Hotel, both students pledged to stay committed to their studies. They were presented with plaques, certificates and cash prizes to cater for school fees and pocket money.
The historic day started with a memorial public lecture at Makerere University, presented by Uganda's former Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi on 'Promoting Academic Distinction, Administrative Excellence and Enduring Integrity in Contemporary Uganda.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, commended the late Bernard Onyango for laying a firm foundation for the Academic Registrar's Department. "During his tenure as Academic Registrar, the late Bernard Onyango put a lot of emphasis on effectiveness and efficiency of the management of records, particularly students' records. Through him, the team in the Academic Registrar's Department learnt the value of efficiency, customer satisfaction and integrity. The late Bernard Onyango is also remembered as a strong force in the process that led to the highly successful affirmative action scheme for girls joining Makerere University," he said.
He was grateful to St. Peters College Tororo Old Boys Association, SPECTOBA, for initiating the memorial lecture and the inaugural Bernard Onyango Academic Excellence Awards' adding that Makerere University, through the Department of the Academic Registrar, is committed to hosting the lecture annually.
Speaking at the dinner, a representative of the Bernard Onyango family, Prof. Joseph Oloka-Onyango challenged SPECTOBA to see to the sustainability of the awards so that they do not come to an end prematurely.
The Chairman SPECTOBA, Wilbrod Owor, was grateful to all sponsors and well-wishers who have so far supported the cause. Makerere University pledged 5m shillings towards the BO Ace Awards. Bernard Onyango was the first Academic Registrar at the time this Institution became a fully-fledged University in 1970.
By Marion Alina
Makerere University and the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (ND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University and Rev. Robert A. Dowd, the 18th President signed on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony, which was held at the University of Notre Dame campus at South Bend, Indiana was witnessed by Dr. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Council of Makerere University, who led the Mak delegation.
Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.
General
Press Release: Government of Uganda and Partners Launch SAY Plus+ to Scale Youth Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) Impact in Underserved Regions
USD 50 million national programme moves into full implementation, strengthening
adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to youth-responsive
services in 13 districts across five sub-regions
KAMPALA, 7 MAY 2026: The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda’s underserved regions.
The launch, held at Makerere University‘s Freedom Square under the theme “My Voice Matters: Youth Voices for SAY Plus+” and the tagline “Nothing for us, without us”, marks the programme’s transition into full implementation.
SAY Plus+, formerly known as Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment: Scaling Impact, is led by the Ministry of Health, in coordination with other Ministries, with UNFPA Uganda serving as the Managing and Technical Agency.
Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the initiative is scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. It is currently being rolled out across thirteen districts within five sub-regions, providing targeted assistance to regional referral hospitals in Jinja, Mbale, Moroto, Yumbe, Arua, and Gulu. Furthermore, the programme supports the Human Capital Development goals established in Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
“SAY Plus+ represents a shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated national effort that meaningfully places young people at the centre of both design and delivery. Through our partnership with the Government of Uganda, development partners, and implementing partners, we are investing not only in services, but in the systems, communities, and environments that enable adolescents and young people to thrive not only today but also in the future,” said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, Representative – UNFPA Uganda.
Officially launched by the Minister of State for Health Hon. Margaret Muhanga, the SAY Plus+ programme targets adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 years, with particular focus on adolescent girls and young women, refugees and host-community youth, out-of-school young people, those not in employment, education or training, adolescents with disabilities, and young people in humanitarian and post-conflict settings.
“For many of us, things like this one are designed without listening to what we go through every day, think or even feel. SAY Plus+ feels different because it starts with our voices and gives us a real role in shaping solutions. It is not just about information, it is about being supported to make decisions, access services, and build the future we want.” – Jovia Dranzoa, Young person.
SAY Plus+ operates through three pillars. First, it empowers youth to exercise their rights and make informed choices. Second, it engages families, communities, and leaders to address harmful social norms. Third, it strengthens youth-responsive SRHR, HIV, and gender-based violence services via health facilities and community platforms, aiming to reach over 2.3 million direct and indirect beneficiaries.
The SAY Plus+ initiative stands as a model of international cooperation and multi-sectoral synergy. Through the combined support of the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and the technical leadership of UNFPA, Uganda is now equipped to scale-up critical interventions in HIV prevention, gender-based violence response, and reproductive health. With implementation now in high gear through 2030, the programme is poised to make a lasting contribution to the nation’s human capital development goals.
— ENDS —
Photos from the event
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