General
H.E Ssekandi launches Prof. Nsibambi’s book on national integration
In an interview on the day of the book launch, the author-Professor Apolo Robin Nsibambi said: “I have written this book on national integration to share ideas and knowledge with Ugandans and the world over. When the ideas are read world over, humanity will understand and appreciate what is in Uganda.”
The author is a former Prime Minister of Uganda (1999-2011), Minister of Public Service (1996-1998) and Minister of Education and Sports (1998-1999).
At Makerere University, Professor Nsibambi is respected for his enormous contribution to Makerere University’s transformation and continuity in building for the future. He is distinguished alumnus of Makerere University (Bsc Economics London at Makerere University) who served his alma-mater as member of faculty, Head of Department of Political Science and Public Administration (1978-1990); Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences (1978-1983, 1985-1987), and Director- Makerere Institute of Social Research (1993-1996), and Chancellor (2003-2007).
On Friday 26th September 2014, Professor Nsibambi presented to Ugandans and the world at large, another book titled, National Integration in Uganda 1962-2013, published by Fountain Publishers, Kampala, Uganda. Professor Nsibambi renown for encouraging people to publish has 54 publications including a book on decentralization and civil society in Uganda: The Quest for Good Governance,1998.
In his 337 page book, Professor Nsibambi examines the problems and prospects of national integration since 1962 when Uganda achieved independence to 2013. He presents seven chapters: Introduction: National Integration in Uganda (1962-2013); Definition of National Integration; Integrating Buganda into Uganda (1962-2013); Integrating Karamoja into Uganda; Integrating the Northern Region into Uganda; the Language Factor and National Integration in Uganda; the book ends with Chapter VI, which draws together the main themes of the work and provides some reflections by way of conclusion.
The book concludes by asking a question: ‘What is the main obstacle to the integration of Buganda,Karamoja and the Northern region into Uganda?’
To answer the question, Prof. Nsibambi provides historical evidence and lessons that can be learnt, uses the available literature/research on the evolution of Uganda, and he asserts that the Central Government has established central authority over Buganda, Karamoja and the northern region. He equally points out that the failure of the Government to take adequate deliberate steps to make English and Swahili, two official languages, to be widely understood national languages, has reduced the realization of trans-ethnic integration.
Launching the book, H.E Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda congratulated Prof. Apolo Nsibambi on yet another milestone in his very long and distinguished career as an Academician and a person who has made tremendous contribution in extending the boundaries of knowledge to a sizeable number of people.
“Prof. Nsibambi is eminently qualified to write this book because he is a not only strong academic but an experienced Political Leader. I discovered Prof. Apolo Nsibambi when he was a Member of the Constituent Assembly which made our Constitution. He was articulate on constitutional and political issues; and a wordsmith of sorts. You all remember words like “lugubrious,” said the Vice President drawing applause from Senior Citizens in this country, religious and political leaders, civil society, leaders of political parties, academia, media who attended the book launch at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala.
Arch Bishop Emeritus Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo thanked the Almighty God for blessing Professor Nsibambi with wisdom to write the book on national integration. He also appealed to the Almighty God to equally bless audience and all Ugandans with a reading culture.
The Managing Director, Fountain Publishers, Mr. James Tumusiime welcomed Prof. Nsibambi’s book as a timely addition to Uganda’s knowledge. Acknowledging Prof. Nsibambi as a great lover of knowledge and an advocate for the reading culture and publishing, Mr. Tumusiime thanked authors in Uganda and world over for writing books to bridge the knowledge gaps.
The Vice President, H.E Kiwanuka Ssekandi pointed out that the absence of national integration had caused Ugandans to fight religious and tribal wars. He reiterated the NRM Government’s commitment to the promotion and realization integration at National, Regional and Continental levels; for socio-economic transformation of our people, from Peasantry to Modernity.
“Government, therefore, will continue to emphasise the importance of unity and need for a common vision based on the desire to fight poverty, and improve the social wellbeing of the people. I, therefore, wish to take this opportunity to call upon all Ugandans to appreciate the importance of integration and unity if we are to overcome, the challenges of our times,” he said.
This valuable book published by Fountain Publishers Limited costs only Thirty thousand shillings only (30,000/=).
Written by: Ritah Namisango, Makerere University Public Relations Office
Makerere University staff have been urged to embrace servant leadership, integrity and compassion as they prepare to welcome students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The call was made during the Makerere University Staff Prayer Breakfast held on 31st July 2026 at St. Francis Students Centre Upper Hall under the theme “Faithful Stewards: A Servant Heart with Integrity and Wisdom,” drawn from Colossians 3:23–24 and Mark 10:35–45.
The prayer breakfast brought together members of Council, University Management, academic and administrative staff to dedicate the new academic year to God while reflecting on their responsibility of serving students with excellence, humility and integrity.
A Call to Seek God’s Wisdom
Host Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa reminded staff that no amount of professional experience or academic expertise can replace God’s guidance.
She noted that the University’s mission can only be fulfilled when staff continually seek God’s wisdom in serving students and one another.
“There is no amount of experience or expertise that can replace God’s wisdom.”
Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed that students remain the reason universities exist and challenged staff to approach their work as a calling rather than merely employment.
“Without students, there is no university,” she said, encouraging members of staff to remain united, avoid unhealthy competition and trust God as they begin another academic year.
She further urged staff to become faithful stewards who work together in harmony which she started as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research.
Speaking on behalf of students, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson and the Deputy Vice Chancellor to the breakfast, and reminded staff that a university’s value cannot be measured by research and innovation alone.
She described Makerere as a community held together by the wellbeing of its people, spiritual as much as academic, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
A Season to Draw Inspiration From.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who sent his greetings but could not attend in person, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Sarah Ssali told staff that this year’s breakfast carried special significance.
“This is the first prayer breakfast we are having ever since we launched our strategic plan,” she said, referring to the University’s new Strategic Plan, launched on 2nd July 2026.
She encouraged staff to hold on to the morning’s reflections as a guide for implementing the plan over the next five years, describing Makerere as an institution many families choose above all others for the vision and training it offers their children. She urged staff to see themselves as stewards of that trust rather than simply employees carrying out a job.
Compassion and Discipline Must Go Together.
Delivering her remarks, Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara challenged staff to strike a balance between compassion and discipline when dealing with students.
She observed that many students face different personal and academic challenges, making encouragement and timely support essential throughout their university journey.
“A word of encouragement can restore hope and prevent costly mistakes,” she noted.
Dr. Lorna encouraged lecturers and administrators to respond promptly to students’ concerns, explaining that delays, insensitive decisions and abuse of authority can discourage students and negatively affect their academic experience.
She reminded staff that students often remember how they were treated long after they have forgotten what was taught in class.
“Students may eventually forget what we teach them, but they will always remember how we treated them.”
She added that education goes beyond transferring knowledge.
“Education is more than knowledge. We communicate life, character and values.”
Quoting Mark 10, Dr. Lorna called upon staff to embrace servant leadership by exercising authority with humility, integrity and accountability.
She encouraged members of staff to ask themselves whether they would treat every student the same way they would treat their own child.
“We may not always have all the answers,” she said, “but we can communicate honestly, take responsibility and treat every student with dignity.”
She concluded by urging different colleges and administrative units to work together instead of operating in isolation, noting that unity strengthens the University community.
Referring to Galatians 6:2, she reminded staff to carry one another’s burdens and remain faithful stewards of the responsibility entrusted to them.
Servant Leadership Begins with Faithfulness.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. James Magara, husband to the Chairperson of the University Council, Dr. Lorna Magara, called on members of staff to embrace servant leadership grounded in humility, faithfulness and service to others.
Drawing from Mark 10:35–45, Dr. Magara reflected on the account in which James and John asked Jesus for positions of honour in His kingdom, prompting discontent among the other disciples. He observed that despite walking closely with Christ, the disciples continued to struggle with the desire for status and recognition. He noted that such competition remained evident even during the Last Supper, where concerns over positions and prominence persisted.
Dr. Magara said that Jesus responded to these human tendencies by redefining leadership through service rather than authority. He described Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet as the ultimate demonstration of servant leadership, explaining that genuine leaders are willing to undertake even the humblest responsibilities in service of others.
Referencing Philippians 2, he urged staff to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness, contrasting it with the pride and self-exaltation illustrated in Isaiah 14. He emphasised that lasting influence and greatness are not measured by titles, positions or recognition, but by one’s willingness to serve faithfully and put the needs of others before personal ambition.
Drawing on his own leadership journey spanning several decades, Dr. Magara challenged leaders across the University to cultivate humility, integrity and a servant heart in the execution of their responsibilities. He cautioned that leadership driven by pride and personal ambition undermines both individual effectiveness and institutional progress, whereas servant leadership strengthens organisations and fosters lasting impact.
The prayer breakfast concluded with a call for unity and collective commitment as Makerere University prepares to begin a new academic year. Organisers noted that the reflections on stewardship, integrity and servant leadership would provide a strong foundation for the University community as it advances the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
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