General
Mak Opens Korea Corner to Enhance Multilingualism
At a highly colorful ceremony, the Ambassador of Korea to Uganda H.E Park Jong Dae launched the Korea Corner at Makerere University Main Library on 6th August 2014. The launch was as a result of long term relationship between Makerere University and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Uganda, to enhance the learning and teaching of Korean language in the institution.
According to the University Librarian Prof. Maria Musoke, the corner was set up to promote cultural and academic exchanges between Makerere University and South Korea. To achieve this, Prof. Musoke said, the corner will be stocked with reading materials computer facilities to help the students to acquire knowledge and skills on Korean language and culture.
“I thank the members of the Korean Embassy and the School of Languages Literature and Communication, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) for coming up with such a fruitful initiative of setting up a Korea corner in the Main Library. I do believe that this corner will be instrumental in enhancing the students’ skills in the language. Makerere University started teaching Korean language in 2012 and I am grateful that the corner will be a source of information and data to our students” Prof. Musoke remarked.
The University Librarian emphasised that the Library Management was not privatizing portions of the library by setting up the Korea Corner, but instead noted that, “This is going to help in renovation, expansion and development of Library,” she added.
Through his speech read by the Dean of Students Mr. Cyriaco Kabagambe, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, said that the presence of the Korea Corner as the specialized section in the Main Library, will give Makerere an opportunity to establish strong ties with other academic institutions in Korea for purposes of capacity building.
“As the leading institution in the region, Makerere University is passionate about innovations through knowledge, transfer partnerships and networking. We are keen to use every opportunity available to us, to embrace new frontiers of innovation. Makerere University is set to host the First Foreign Languages Conference later this month and I am glad that this corner will be operational by then for the conference participants to see the depth we have gone in embracing multilingualism,” read the Vice Chancellor’s speech.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Uganda H.E Park Jong Dae said that, opening up a corner in the Makerere University Main Library, is one of the activities lined up to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties between South Korea and Uganda this year.
“We had this idea of introducing Korean language, culture and education in Uganda, as a way of strengthening the diplomatic ties between Uganda and South Korea. We had to look for a place where the public can better access the information and data on Korean culture. After several meetings with my colleagues we agreed that Makerere University Main Library was the best place because students here have free access to the library and I am very happy that the University has provided us with some space,” said the Ambassador.
Located on Level Two of the Makerere University Main Library, the Korea Corner will comprise of a well stocked Korean bookstore, wall hangings (Paintings/pictures), Korean cultural wear, movies, Korean educational information, computer facilities and class room for conducting lectures on Korean language. The corner will be manned by a Korean teacher (KOICA Volunteer) to teach the Korean language course as well as guide and assist all those who come to the corner.
By Prossy Nabatte, Intern, Public Relations Office
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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