General
49 Mak students receive MasterCard Foundation Scholarships
On Saturday 12th September 2015, anyone who dared to enter the Makerere University Senate Building Conference Hall in the afternoon hours, could not help but sense the exuberance that exuded from the 49 academically bright, but economically disadvantaged first year students who assembled to receive their Letters of Award. Appropriately named The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme at Makerere University, the scholarship was nothing short of music to the ears of this beaming group of freshmen and women.
The MasterCard Scholars programme at Makerere University started in the 2014/2015 academic year, with the 1st Cohort comprising 49 students who are currently in their second year of study. The 2nd Cohort also comprises 49 students admitted to Makerere University this academic year (2015/2016) to pursue different academic programmes.
Makerere University signed a contract worth approximately US$20.9million with the MasterCard Foundation to sponsor 1,000 academically bright but economically disadvantaged youth from Africa to study at Makerere University for the period 2013 to 2023. The contract was signed by Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu and Peggy Woo, Chief Financial Officer of MasterCard Foundation.
Upon arrival at the Award Ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu was treated to a standing ovation by the MasterCard Scholars, complete beaming smiles and some tears of gratitude. It was indeed a great and memorable day in the lives of the MasterCard Foundation Scholars at Makerere University!
The Programme Coordinator of the MCF Scholar Programme at Mak, Dr. Florence Nakayiwa officially introduced the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu and invited him to address the enthusiastic audience.
Blending with the warm audience, Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu recalled his student days and quickly shared his love for Makerere University with the MasterCard Scholars.
“I am an old student of St. Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK). Indeed Makerere University was my first choice university. I attained my first degree and PhD from here and I am now the Vice Chancellor of this great institution. Makerere University has nurtured very many prominent alumni including Presidents who have served this country, Kenya, Tanzania and Africa in general, and Vice Chancellors- namely John Ddumba-Ssentamu. Makerere University has nurtured me to be the person that I am today and I am very proud to be associated with it,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor officially welcomed the new MCF Scholars to Makerere University, and congratulated them upon being selected for the scholarship programme.
“I welcome our new Cohort of Scholars who have been admitted to different programmes for the academic year 2015/2016. I congratulate you upon being selected to join Makerere University. I congratulate the second year Scholars upon the achievements this far. As MasterCard Foundation Scholars, you have a rare gift of resources, both financial and moral, at your disposal. The MasterCard Foundation Scholars programme will give you a wholesome experience that will open pathways to a bright future,” he said.
In appreciation of the comprehensive and extremely generous package provided under the MCF Scholarship, the Vice Chancellor emphasized the need for excellence.
“Dear Scholars, you have been given everything to enable you excel. Both Makerere University and our partner, The MasterCard Foundation, expect continued academic excellence from you. We are training you to be the next generation of achievers and leaders who will be committed to service and giving back to the community,” he said.
He advised both the 1st and 2nd Cohort of MCF Scholars to: Be grateful everyday for having received this comprehensive scholarship; be prayerful; associate with people who will add value to their life both academically and socially; participate in the leadership and take on leadership opportunities at the University. He also stressed that anyone who wishes to transform this nation, should start now-while still at Makerere University.
After sharing words of wisdom, the Vice Chancellor presented Award letters to the 2nd Cohort of the MCF Scholars at Makerere University amidst applause from the congregation comprising their colleagues from the 1st Cohort of Scholars, the MasterCard Foundation Project Implementation team, and invited guests.
The following members of staff witnessed the remarkable award ceremony where beaming smiles, jubilation and tears of gratitude as the MCF Scholars received their Letters of Award were commonplace: The Dean of Students, Mr. Cyriaco Kabagambe; the Academic Registrar, Mr. Alfred Masikye-Namoah; the Deputy Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, Dr. Anthony Mugagga; the Manager-Counselling and Guidance Centre, Mr. Henry Nsubuga; and the Senior Public Relations Officer, Ms Ritah Namisango.
The Vice Chancellor thanked Dr. Florence Nakayiwa together with her Project Implementation team namely Ms. Jolly Okumu, Mr. John Osuna, Mr. Tito Okumu, Ms Harriet Nakiryowa and Ms Sharon Nabukalu for organizing the Award Ceremony. He also commended the University Management and the Steering Committee for supporting the programme’s implementation.
The Vice Chancellor reiterated his dedication to the success of the MCF Scholars Programme at Makerere University. “I commit myself to supporting the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme to be able to achieve both the vision and mission of Makerere University and that of the Programme,” he said.
Written by: Ritah Namisango, Mak Public Relations Office
Photos by: John Osuna, MCF Project Implementation Team
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.
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