General
Mak holds Dua for Prof. Ali Mazrui
The Makerere University Community held a Dua in commemoration of renown Scholar, Prof. Ali Mazrui at the main campus. The event, which took place at the University Mosque on 17th October 2014, was a collection of powerful and moving tributes from all who stood to speak about the Prof. Mazrui.
Former Executive Director of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), Prof. Abdu Kasozi, commended Prof. Mazrui for his humility and commitment to the search for knowledge. “He was interested in the search for knowledge and was not compromised by the search for money throughout his academia life. He pursued his life as a debater and refined ideas through debate. His integrity is comparable to that of Socrates,” said Prof. Kasozi. He further appealed to the Makerere University community to honour and push forward Prof. Mazrui’s legacy.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu was represented by the Principal of
the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Prof. Edward Kirumira, who described Prof. Mazrui as a person of great humility. “Prof. Mazrui demonstrated to the academia that one can be scholarly acclaimed but still lead a simple life on the streets. Greatness lies in simplicity,” he advised. Prof. Kirumira further challenged Makerere University staff to be judged by their contributions to community, as opposed to their numerous publications. He confessed that his “little” contribution to Makerere University and to the community was because he looked up to a great person like Prof. Mazrui. He pledged that Makerere University would carry on Prof. Mazrui’s legacy through the Mazruiana projects comprised of the Ali Mazrui Chair and Endowment Fund. A memorial lecture will be held in the Main Hall to eulogize Prof. Mazrui.
This Dua attracted a number of dignitaries, Makerere University community and the general public. Former Nkumba University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Paul Mugambi, pointed out that Prof. Mazrui championed the movement against discrimination of the African race. Former Makerere University Guild President, currently JEEMA Party President Asuman Basalirwa referred to the deceased as an exceptional academic. “He was not intellectually dishonest and that distinguished him from many other scholars. He was not an academic entrepreneur,” he said. Basalirwa praised him for being a true Pan-Africanist who was proud of his origin. “Prof. Mazrui is the only Muslim who came up to say Islam was not about terrorism and the West believed. He lived his life with dignity and distinction.”
The Head of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Dr. Suzie Nansozi Muwanga, said Prof. Mazrui was an Afrocentric Pan-Africanist who promoted African scholarship internationally. “He travelled across Africa to intensify the idea of intellectualism. His works are still informative to a new generation of African scholars and our students in Political Science. He put Makerere University and the Department of Political Science and Public Administration on the international scene. We pledge to carry on his legacy.”
The Imam of the Makerere University mosque, Sheikh Ahmed Ssentongo, spoke of Prof. Mazrui as a person who fulfilled one of the fundamental duties of Islam; of seeking knowledge. “In Islam seeking, applying and spreading knowledge is a duty upon everyone and it is a lifetime obligation. It is a sign of mischief to hide knowledge. Knowledge generated should be applied in practical life and this is what Prof. Mazrui did.” He praised him for his social and moral integrity and condemned those who sell knowledge for cheap gains; noting that it is punishable to do so.
Makerere University Muslim Students Association Patron Hajji Abdu Katende said the Muslim community looked
up to Prof. Mazrui as their role model because he lived a perfect life as a Muslim and academician. The Deputy Principal of CHUSS, Prof. Abasi Kiyimba, who was in charge of the day’s proceedings, observed that Prof. Mazrui put Islam at a coveted pedestal. “He used all the accumulated political and academic capital to promote Islam and for this, the Muslim community will continue to benefit from his legacy.”
Prof. Mazrui was pronounced dead on Monday 13th October, 2014 in Binghamton, New York, in the United States. He will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Mombasa, Kenya on Sunday, 19th October, 2014.
Prof. Mazrui was a leading Pan-Africanist whose academic research focused on African politics, North-South relations and political Islam. He authored numerous books, including The Africans: A Triple Heritage and Christianity and Islam in Africa’s Political Experience: Piety, Passion and Power.
Article by Hasifah Kabejja (CHUSS) and Marion Alina, Public Relations Office
Related articles:
http://news.mak.ac.ug/2014/10/makerere-staff-pay-tribute-prof-ali-mazrui
The Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has today, Friday, 26th June 2026 handed over the CCE (Complex) Hall of Residence Site to National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) Managing Director and CEO, Lieutenant General James Mugira for renovation and overhaul works. The UGX 12billion Government of Uganda-funded works, expected to be completed within a year, are the fourth project to be undertaken by NEC. They were preceded by; construction of the University Perimeter Wall, Renovation of Lumumba Hall, and Renovation of Mary Stuart Hall.
NEC’s Record Lauded
Prof. Nawangwe in his remarks at the handover ceremony lauded these projects. “The quality of work done by NEC makes us proud because we can finally say that we have Ugandans who can do the things, which we previously depended on foreigners to do.” He therefore thanked the Government of Uganda for fully funding the projects and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Museveni, whose visit set the renovation projects in motion.
The Vice Chancellor added that as the Alma mater for most members of both the Contractor and Project Management Teams, this was a moment of great pride as their expertise and skills have saved the country billions of taxpayers’ money. “Thank you for being patriotic”, he commended.
Prof. Nawangwe concluded by noting that CCE Hall, by virtue of its location, provides a first impression of Makerere University as a whole. He therefore urged the contractor to ensure that upon renovation, CCE Hall would create a memorable and lasting first impression, exceeding even that of the renovated Mary Stuart Hall.
A Project Fueled by Nostalgia
Speaking of impressions, Lt. Gen. Mugira, with nostalgia recalled that close to 42 years ago, he not only attended his first lectures in Hall 1 of the CCE Complex but also, on a more personal note added, “my wife was a resident, and so I have every motivation to put in a lot of effort and make sure that I deliver more than was done with Mary Stuart and Lumumba.”
He therefore extended heartfelt appreciation to his Alma mater Makerere University for the trust and confidence bestowed in NEC, which underscored their ability to deliver. “Trust is earned through performance, through integrity and consistency, and your decision to engage us motivates us to work even harder to exceed your expectations.”
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) Prof. Henry Alinaitwe reechoed the need to ensure that the project is executed with adherence to the cost, quality, specifications and safety related issues as earlier shared by the Acting (Ag.) Chief Engineer of Estates and Works, Eng. Ezra Sekadde.
“NEC has already demonstrated this (with previous projects), and that is why we have all the confidence that you can deliver this project within 12 months” remarked Prof. Alinaitwe. He equally lauded the Project Management Team (PMT) led by Arch. Dr. Kenneth Ssemwogerere whose supervision ensures timely project completion.
Relatedly, Arch. Dr. Semwogerere was on 25th June 2026, the eve of the handover, promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, a milestone Prof. Alinaitwe attributed to his track record as Head of PMT. He therefore, on a light note, urged him to keep up the good work as this could equally contribute to his promotion to the rank of full Professor.
Also present at the handover ceremony was the Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES) Prof. Anthony Mugagga, whose unit will be greatly affected by the renovations. He nevertheless welcomed and reiterated his full support for the project, noting that just as renovation of Lumumba and Mary Stuart Halls had resulted in many alumni revisiting, the CCE Complex would upon renovation attract former residents and teaching professionals to give back or forge new partnerships.
Student Welfare at the Forefront
On her part, the Dean of Students Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli lauded the renovations of Halls of Residence as a clear demonstration of Government’s dedication to the improvement of student welfare, and creating an environment conducive for nurturing responsible citizens who can contribute to national development. She pledged her Office’s and the Student Leadership’s readiness to ensure that the renovated facilities used responsibly for the benefit of future generations.
As a resident of the recently renovated Mary Stuart Hall, 92nd Guild President H.E. Kadondi Gracious could not help but appreciate how impactful the renovation of CCE Hall would be to student welfare. “The female students will be very excited (to occupy CCE Hall) but the male students will be left complaining – so we shall be expecting more renovations, not just for the female but also the male students,” she amiably concluded.
-
General6 days agoUndergraduate Admission Lists 2026/2027
-
General6 days agoMakerere Hands Over CCE Hall to NEC for Renovation
-
General1 week agoFees Waiver Female Scholarship 2026/2027
-
General1 week agoMakerere University Set to Develop Curriculum to Transform Graduate Supervision and Mentorship
-
Education1 week agoMakerere University Signs MoU with Fukui University to enhance Research, Teacher Development and STEM Education