General
Makerere Volleyball Team set for Inter-University games
Makerere University Volleyball Team is in high spirits ahead of the November 2014 inter-university games. The team, comprised of a male and female wing, has been 
participating in an ongoing tournament that kicked off in June 2014 in Kumi district. While in Kumi, the male players in the Mak team (both staff and students of Makerere University) secured victory over Nkumba and Ndejje teams. In progressive matches, these players triumphed over Air force Entebbe, UCC, Loria and Old Kampala Volleyball teams.
This ongoing tournament brought together a total of 21 teams from around the country, playing against each other in clusters of six. Over the weekend on 4th Oct. 2014, the Mak male team played Jinja Volleyball Club (JVC) at Uganda Christian University; scoring 20 points against JVC’s 25. The Makerere team later beat Old Kampala Volleyball team 3 to 2. Sky volleyball team emerged overall winner of this tournament.
The vibrant female wing, comprised of 18 students, equally demonstrated zeal and skill by whacking Mulago Volleyball team in the weekend match. The Mak ladies scored 2 against 0 for Mulago; before finally succumbing to Uganda Christian University Volleyball team.
Although the Makerere University Volleyball team has not made it to the National finals, Coach Eric Kawoya is convinced that the momentum built can only get better. “We assembled this team in January this year and their performance, given the short period of practice, is impressive,” he says. “This team is getting more and more competence by the day. There is no need to hire mercenaries anymore. We should instead support and facilitate our team comprised of students and members of staff of Makerere University. We are now getting ready for the inter university games this November in Mbarara and Nairobi. I am confident we shall bring victory home,” adds Kawoya.
Kawoya reveals that the Mak Volleyball team is financially constrained, with the female wing lacking appropriate sports gear. “For this tournament we received facilitation from the University but for friendly matches we have to deep into our pockets,” he says.
Dr. Chris Bakuneeta from the College of Natural Sciences has been the Chairperson of the Competition Organizing Committee for close to two years. He is passionate about reviving the vibrancy of sports among members of Staff. “We initiated a lot of sports for Staff like swimming, football and volleyball. The turn up was initially promising, but of late we could do with a little more enthusiasm because sports is good for us all. I therefore encourage more members of Staff to get involved in a sport of their choice. I play volleyball myself,” he says.
Now Dr. Bakuneeta is organizing a sports-filled day, during which interested members of staff will participate in a variety of sports with prizes to be won for the top performers. This, he says, will be before the close of 2014.
Story by Marion Alina
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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