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 Director of Makerere University Jinja Campus, Associate Professor Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, has urged students to familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding policy aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment.
Speaking during the safeguarding policy sensitization meeting held today Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, emphasized the importance of awareness and adherence to the policy, which seeks to protect students, staff, and other stakeholders from all forms of abuse, harassment, exploitation, and discrimination.
“As Management we want every student to enjoy their stay at the University without being tormented and that can only happen, if students know their rights by reading about different policies on our website. You are meant to be living in a safe environment. We do not want anybody’s dream to be shattered or somebody to drop out from University,” Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, said.
In his speech, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, also called upon students who have complaints but do not know the reporting lines, to approach staff safeguarding champions to make sure that they live in a safe environment.
Addressing guests, Emmanuel Muchake, the Guild Administrator at Jinja Campus, pointed out that the launch of the safeguarding policy is timely because as a University, without creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, they will not have students graduate.
On Friday, April 4,2025, the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Right Honourable Lukia Isanga Nakadama, officially launched the Safeguarding Policy and commended Makerere University for crafting a policy that lays out the University’s framework for embedding viable safeguarding measures into its ethos and all institutional activities and processes to: Identify, detect, and act swiftly on safeguarding risks.
The Safeguarding Policy was developed in response to the growing need for institutions of higher learning to implement proactive measures that address concerns related to student welfare, mental health, gender-based violence, and power imbalances in academic settings.
Some of potential safeguarding risks in Institutions of higher learning include emotional distress, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH); material loss, financial exploitation, discrimination and neglect, unfair and illegitimate response to civic engagements, cyber security/threats, psychological and emotional harm, substance abuse and physical assault. Discrimination and neglect which are often high risks for students with disabilities and international students.
The safeguarding policy sensitization meeting in Jinja Campus brought together students and staff in a meaningful dialogue on safeguarding issues affecting learning.
The event was graced by Dr. Rodney Rugyema, from the Dean of Students Office, who emphasized the University’s commitment to the well-being of all its members. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of safeguarding policies in preventing abuse, harassment, exploitation, and other forms of misconduct within the Jinja Campus community.
“Safeguarding is not a one-time action, but a continuous culture of care and accountability. We all have a role to play in ensuring a safe and respectful space for learning and growth,” Dr Rugyema, said.
The sensitization session covered key topics including; recognizing signs of abuse, understanding reporting procedures on the MakSafeSpace and fostering mutual respect among peers.
Participants were encouraged to actively engage and reflect on their roles in upholding safety standards both on and off campus.
Students who attended the sensitization welcomed the initiative, with many expressing optimism that the policy would improve campus safety and encourage victims to come forward without fear of retaliation.
“We have seen issues go unreported in the past because students didn’t know where to turn. This policy provides clarity and assurance that the university is taking these matters seriously,” noted, a third-year student.
The University plans to conduct a series of sensitization workshops and distribute printed copies of the policy to ensure that every member of the campus community is well-informed. This initiative is part of Makerere University‘s broader strategy to reinforce its values of integrity, respect, and protection for all.
The Safeguarding Sensitization Meeting concluded with a collective pledge to uphold safety, dignity, and mutual respect within the University community.
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