General
African Universities need to regain Social Change status
Community Based Research and Community University Engagement have been proposed as the most viable strategies for African Universities to salvage their much coveted position as agents of social change in society. This was the overwhelming realization of participants in a half-day workshop organized by the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), Makerere University on 28th October 2014 where the Fifth Global University Network for Innovation (GUNi) Report was also launched. The Fifth GUNi Report, ‘Higher Education in the World Report 5: Knowledge, Engagement and Higher Education: Contributing to Social Change’ is a product of three years’ research, consultations, academic seminars and an international conference, to which 73 authors from 34 countries have contributed.
Welcoming participants to the seminar, Dr. Alex Okot-Dean, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning (SoDLL), CEES noted that the Fifth GUNi Report Launch was preceded by a two-day workshop on Community University Engagement that drew Academics from Kenyan, Tanzanian and Ugandan Public Universities. Dr. Okot emphasized the need for Universities to move from the top-down mode of dissemination to reciprocally being engaged with the community to develop knowledge.
“From the meeting we had, we came up with resolutions to share with different universities and forge a critical community that will pursue avenues of working together with our respective universities and communities to develop modalities to improve Community University Engagement” shared Dr. Okot.
Dr. George Openjuru-former Dean, SoDLL and newly appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor of Gulu University and Dr. Janice Busingye, SoDLL both contributed chapters; “Knowledge, engagement and Higher Education in Africa” and “Knowledge, Engagement and Higher Education in Eastern Africa” respectively to the Fifth GUNi Report. In his presentation Dr. Openjuru noted that Makerere University through SoDLL was at the forefront of producing this report and it was therefore of great relevance that the report was launched at Makerere University. He also emphasized that Community University Engagement which was the gist of the 5th GUNi report was a participatory process that necessitated the involvement of the people on whom research was going to be undertaken in the knowledge creation process.
Dr. Openjuru paid tribute to the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere whose passion and love for the Community University Engagement model enabled it to withstand all the resistance and negative energy that threatened its implementation. He shared that Higher Education in sub-Saharan Africa predates colonialism although the advent and establishment of the male Eurocentric world view dominated and continues to dominate the African Higher Education sector even today.
He shared that Indigenous Education is a philosophy which is continuous in life and does not separate education from implementation but seeks to apply whatever is learnt at a particular stage of life to that very particular point in life. To this end, Dr. Openjuru said “Indigenous education goes on throughout life and is therefore existent as an organic piece and not as separate entities. It goes on throughout the different stages of life and is in tandem with the changing roles and responsibilities that one must fulfill. You do not learn to become an elder while you are still young but only when you attain that age. This goes on until you are dead, which is a concept which has been rebranded as lifelong learning” he explained. He concluded by noting that Community University Engagement entails dialoguing with the community as equal partners in knowledge creation, a very important aspect in ensuring that graduates remain relevant to community needs.
Dr. Budd Hall is a Professor of Community at the University of Victoria, Canada and co-Director of the UNESCO Chair on Community Based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education. His first contact with Africa was as an 18 year old and has for the last 50 years been engaged in the development of participatory research along with various stakeholders including the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. He noted that the launch of the 5th GUNi Report was particularly important because this issue was the first of its kind that provided a global picture of Community University Engagement, as previous text books and scholarly works produced focused on particular countries or only one area of research. “This is the first report that has attempted to drawn experiences, voices and studies from as many countries and regions of the world as possible” said Prof Hall.
Commenting on the source of the content, Prof. Hall shared that ironically most of the intellectual roots of the work published came from people like Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Kwame Nkrumah, and others from the region today referred to as the Global South although the last twelve years have played witness to its discovery by Universities and policymakers from the United Kingdom, USA and Canada. He noted that Community University Engagement is a movement that ought to have an impact and implications on not just outreach but teaching and research as well, which calls upon Higher Education to be more proactive and not just reactive.
“Our Students, Researchers and Administrative staff need to be on the lookout for what is going on in the community. We need to think about broadening our concept from simply just Knowledge Economy–the contribution of knowledge to a certain type of job creation to Knowledge Democracy which includes not only livelihood but also knowledge from different sources. We also need to continue to provide space for debate. Does the University still provide a public good or is it simply a place where our children go to get a degree and hopefully get a job?” challenged Prof. Hall.
Touching on the recommendations of the report, Prof. Hall noted the need for universities to recognize excellence in community-engaged scholarship, so that Scholars can advance their careers through ways that were more practical than publishing journal articles which very few members of the community read. He encouraged staff from other universities in the region who attended the seminar to hold similar forums with their respective leaders so as to bring them on board this discussion that has lately become very much part of our times.
The SPEDA (Skills for Production, Employment, and Development Project) Model under the African Institute of for Strategic Services and Development (AFRISA) in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) is one of Makerere University’s most profound experiences of Community University Engagement. Making a presentation on the model at the Seminar, Prof. John David Kabasa the Principal CoVAB shared that this Makerere alternative education model and community transformation scheme for Africa is an initiative that has been developed over the last seven years to contribute to the National Development Programme. He noted that because of the incapacity of our graduates, our Governments is forced to rely on foreign entities to use the land in Africa to feed and employ the Africans.
“If your children cannot feed themselves and the world, someone else will” lamented Prof. Kabasa before adding that as long as our countries continued producing and exporting raw materials, they were exporting jobs as well. “Our conventional education systems have failed to transform community and we cannot encourage an education system that fuels unemployment and sends supervisors of peasants; who themselves did not benefit from any form of education, onto the streets searching for jobs” he further stressed. He said that ideological barriers and an ineffective educational mould are barriers to societal transformation which had formed a shunt which needed to be operated upon and removed by the surgeons of Makerere.
“Take the University to the community, translate this education, science and technology into livelihood and health in a professional manner. This model actually sets out to create a new generation of Africans that is skilled, productive, entrepreneurial, developmental, accredited and nation transforming” shared Prof. Kabasa about the SPEDA model’s aspirations. He noted that by securing accreditation for this model, Makerere had set into motion a movement to liberate not only Uganda but Africa as a whole. He shared that by taking this model to the community, Makerere was taking cognisance of skills and competence value chains resident at all levels within our communities. “The key concept is to produce value, exchange it and get more value” said Prof. Kabasa as he concluded his presentation.
The days emcee Dr. Twine Bananuka-SoDLL, CEES thanked the presenters for their elaborate and informative presentations and admitted that Community University Engagement was indeed the way to break free from traditional bureaucratic knowledge ownership as fronted by the male Eurocentric model and its specific emphasis on disciplines. During the question and answer session that followed,
Dr. Anthony Mugagga Muwagga-Deputy Principal, CEES indeed admitted that our two biggest challenges in Education were the lack of knowledge and the fear of knowledge. He however noted that the SPEDA Model would be incomplete if it did not factor in the teaching disciplines and therefore encouraged Prof. Kabasa to consider partnering with CEES to impact a wider audience in society.
The Acting Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration (DVCFA) Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe welcomed all guests and presenters to the event and admitted that it had been his most educative seminar to date. He however called upon all those that heaped criticism upon today’s African Scholars to consider their working conditions and rigourous academic schedules.
“There is a need to examine our National and International policies on Education. A Professor at Makerere today has very limited time in between teaching, supervising students, marking scripts and looking for additional income to research and deliver public lectures like our compatriots in the former years. And so as we criticize today’s Scholars, we need to ask if we as a Country, Region and continent making higher education our priority” said Prof. Nawangwe.
He commended the Community University Engagement model as shared during the seminar for clearly outlining what Makerere University sought to achieve through the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and Networking pillar of her strategic plan. He thanked the School of Distance and Lifelong Learning particularly Dr. George Openjuru for taking the lead in producing the report, and Prof. Budd Hall for his contribution to spreading the Community University Engagement movement.
Mr. Patrick Muhinda, Assistant Commissioner in charge of Communication and Information Management, Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) who represented the Minister of State for Higher Education, Hon. John Chrysostom Muyingo thanked Makerere University and Prof. Budd Hall for the great effort that led to the production of the 5th GUNi World Report. He also commended Prof. Kabasa whose SPEDA model had “deeply moved” him. He noted that the Presidential Initiative for Science and Technology had gone a long way in enabling universities to conduct cutting edge research which is boosting Uganda’s technological advancement as we move towards the attainment of Uganda Vision 2040.
“The Government of Uganda is cognizant of the relevance of community based research to enhance academia. It envisions promoting collaborations through joint projects and programmes of mutual interest to research and development centres, SMEs and large farms to spark innovation and entrepreneurship” read Mr. Muhinda from the Minister’s speech. The speech further noted that the Government plans to support innovation financing by introducing special grants, loans and guarantees for startups and new firms as well as subsidies and tax incentives to stimulate development of research in the public and private sectors. Mr. Muhinda thereafter declared the report launched and officially signed a few copies of the report.
Before moving a vote of thanks Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi the Principal, CEES announced that his college would in October 2015 host a regional conference on Community University Engagement which would bring together key stakeholders in Government, Academia and Civil Society to discuss their lessons and experiences. He particularly thanked Dr. Openjuru and Dr. Busingye for the respective contributions to the production of the report and noted that the College’s contribution to the 6th GUNi Report would be even more detailed. He stressed the need for all Higher Education Institutions’ involvement in identifying and coming up with solutions to community problems, noting that “Universities have all the capacity to influence and interact with the communities to find solutions to problems affecting them” he added.
Article by Public Relations Office
General
Makerere University and Xiangtan University Advance Strategic Partnership in Chemical Engineering
Makerere University and Xiangtan University are set to update their close to 20-year academic partnership, with a new focus on launching a joint Master’s degree program in Chemical Engineering and expanding student and staff exchange initiatives.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a recent visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University to Makerere University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in the company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively.
While addressing the delegation, Professor Nawangwe highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify academic offerings and contribute to national development through training in Chemical Engineering. Through this new initiative, the University will better prepare graduates for the petrochemical industry and support the country’s industrial growth.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated that the proposed collaboration aims to address Uganda’s growing need for industrial expertise, particularly as the country develops its petroleum sector. The two universities here are working toward a 1+2 training model, which will enable Makerere students to gain practical experience and access advanced laboratory facilities at Xiangtan University.
Professor Nawangwe further reiterated that “our relationship with the people of China, not just for Makerere but also for a big part of Uganda, has been opened wider by the establishment of the Confucius Institute, considering that many other collaborations like one being discussed now have come through this collaboration.”
The head of the Xiangtan delegation, Professor Dingyu Ou, expressed appreciation for the meeting, and acknowledged the history between the institutions. “As mentioned, we have a very long relationship and a very stable friendship between our two universities.”
Professor Ou extended appreciation for the support provided to the Confucius Institute at Makerere, the care shown to his colleagues, and looked forward to the successful start of the Chemical Engineering collaboration.
Assuring the delegation of Makerere’s readiness for the collaboration, Ms. Hawa Ndagire Kajumba the Lead, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, Makerere University Advancement Office, aligned with the Vice Chancellor’s emphasis of University goal to have both theory and practice imparted to the students.
She said “the curriculum of the university and Uganda as a whole is moving towards competence-based education training to ensure students are equipped to demonstrate those skills in the actual field, particularly regarding petroleum exploration.”
Ms. Ndagire Kajumba also emphasised a shift in strategy for the partnership office, saying, “we are moving away from just signing MOUs that collect dust, and moving towards those that are more collaborative to benefit our faculty and students, just like this one.”
Professor Gilbert Kumushabe aligned his remarks with those of the Vice Chancellor and Ms. Ndagire Kajumba, and described the method used at Xiangtan University as “actually competence-based teaching.”
Based on his recent visit, Prof. Gumoshabe shared that students in China are divided into groups with dedicated teachers to perform practical, hands-on work beyond the theoretical lecturers. He expressed gladness that the same was being adopted for the Ugandan context.
Both institutions are now working to finalise the specific agreements for the joint degree and exchange programs. Beyond academic training, the collaboration will advance cultural and professional exchange.
Makerere University on October 8, 2026 commemorated Nkrumah Day with a Public Lecture at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium. The Lecture gathered students, academics, historians and distinguished guests to discuss Kwame Nkrumah’s contribution and its relevance to Africa.
Organised by Nkrumah Hall under the theme “Leadership, Self-Reliance and Transformation: Reimagining Nkrumah’s Vision for the 21st Century African Youth,” the lecture explored how Nkrumah’s ideals of Pan-Africanism, self-reliance and African unity can guide the continent beyond political independence.
Endorsing Nkrumah’s Vision of Investing in Africa
The First Deputy Prime Minister and Chancellor of Makerere University, Rt. Hon. Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga, was the chief guest.
In remarks delivered on his behalf by Dr. Charles Kahigiriza, Dr. Kiyonga said the day was a moment to reflect on Nkrumah’s views on Pan-Africanism and the lessons on self-reliance still held for Africa today and emphasised the importance of keeping Africa’s young talent at home (in Africa).
He then discussed ways of encouraging young people to achieve Nkrumah’s vision, pointing out that Africa is losing skilled people to brain drain as many go abroad to work.
He encouraged young Africans to stay and contribute to the continent’s growth, describing Africa’s potential as a promising asset.
Transformation Requires Discipline
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Gerald Karyeija, a political analyst and Head of Quality Assurance at the Uganda Management Institute (UMI).
He discussed Nkrumah’s role in championing Pan-Africanism and the formation of the African Union. He acknowledged that “his legacy was also very complex” due to a number of challenges.
Regarding leadership, the professor argued, “leadership does not begin with the title. It begins with responsibility,” adding that “leadership is not only about power, privilege, entitlement, or status. It’s about service. It’s about stewardship.”
He encouraged attendees to emulate Nkrumah by using their knowledge and power for good.
“Don’t get the intellectual power from Makerere to become evil,” he cautioned, stressing that transformation requires discipline.
Universities Turn Knowledge into Action
Associate Professor Gorettie Nabanoga, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, represented Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University.
She aligned herself with the previous speakers and urged participants to move beyond simply celebrating Kwame Nkrumah’s memory and begin implementing his vision.
She called for practical action, urging the mobilisation of Pan-Africanism beyond slogans. “Perhaps the Pan-Africanism of this generation must therefore move from solidarity to capacity, from rhetoric to institutions, from potential to production, and from aspirations to implementation,” she said.
On the role of universities, she reiterated that Makerere University is a hub for innovation rather than just a degree-granting institution.
“We are building for the future when we develop people who can think critically, when we generate knowledge, when we challenge perceived knowledge and wisdom, and when we innovate,” she said.
Addressing the students present, she said, “You are not simply the leaders of tomorrow; you are citizens of Africa today. The opportunity you enjoy at Makerere University comes with responsibility.”
Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, the Dean of Students at Makerere University, set the tone at the 2026 Nkrumah Day Public Lecture.
She revealed that this lecture organised under Nkrumah Hall highlights its significance as a symbol of Makerere University‘s commitment to Pan-Africanism. “The name Nkrumah Hall has stood the test of time and sounds like a horn beautifully over the African continent and beyond,” she said.
She elaborated on the lecture’s theme of leadership, self-reliance and transformation, noting its alignment with the university’s mission to nurture future leaders.
Direction of Pan-Africanism
During a panel discussion, speakers questioned how far Africa has come. Associate Professor Zahara Napeewo, Deputy Dean of the School of Law at Makerere University, stated that the continent was still lagging behind the progress Nkrumah would have wanted.
She shared that while educational institutions provide knowledge, they must go further and encourage graduates to become problem-solvers who can create employment for themselves rather than wait to be employed.
Dr. Zaid Sekitto, a Lecturer in the Department of History, Archaeology and Heritage Studies at Makerere, added that the structures of colonialism that Nkrumah fought against were still in place. “They must be addressed”, he said, or Africa would remain trapped in colonialism and lose sight of Nkrumah’s vision.
The Youth and the Unfinished Struggle
The students also had an opportunity to share their perspectives on the unfinished struggle for Pan-Africanism.
Nkrumah Hall Chairperson Joseph Sekabira noted that the Africa Nkrumah fought for was not the Africa that exists today.
He urged young people to take up leadership now rather than wait until they were older.
Mark Kwikiriza, a final-year Bachelor of Arts in Music student and resident of Nkrumah Hall, said Nkrumah’s legacy remained relevant because the problems he faced in Ghana were similar to those society faces today.
He recommended that society could rejuvenate the spirit of “Osagyefo,” the title meaning “redeemer” by which Nkrumah was known.
Honouring 13 Years of Service
The event also recognised Mr. John Kamya for his 13 years of outstanding service as Warden of Nkrumah Hall, a position he held from 2007 to 2020.
He received an appreciation award presented by the Chief Guest’s representative in the presence of the Hall Chairperson and other dignitaries.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Kamya noted that the 2018 visit to the Hall by Kwame Nkrumah’s daughter, Ms. Samia Yaba Nkrumah, was one of the fondest memories of his time in office. He thanked Makerere for the opportunity to serve the University community and its stakeholders.
At the peak, the event concluded with tree planting and cake-cutting activity in front of Nkrumah Hall. The audience was left contemplating one message of Kwame Nkrumah’s vision of a united, self-reliant Africa, freed first in the mind, that remains unfinished and in the words of some speakers, has been handed to the current generation as a task to accomplish.
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