General
TIKA Donation takes Mak-Turkey Partnership to Higher Level
At a highly colourful ceremony, the Ambassador of Turkey to Uganda, H.E Ayşe Sedef Yavuzalp handed over equipment worth UGX 100M to Makerere University Peace and Conflict Studies Centre on 14th September 2015. The equipment was donated by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) to enhance the smooth running of the Peace and Conflict Studies program at Makerere University.
According to the Project Coordinator, Dr. Helen Nkabala, the equipment will help the project to fulfil its role of contributing to culture of peace through teaching, learning, research, publication and community outreach in the Great Lakes Region.
“We have received eight PC computers, four laptops, a power projector, one photocopying machine, one digital camera, four printers and a scanner among others. It is therefore my pleasure to thank the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, the Government of Turkey and Sabanci University for the efforts you have put in to make this project a success,” said the Project Coordinator.
Dr. Nkabala thanked the Ambassador for initiating the collaboration between Makerere University and TIKA, as well as between Makerere University and Sabanci University. With great honour, she also commended Haji Abdu Katende, a Memeber of Staff in the Mak Peace and Conflict Studies Centre for playing an instrumental role in the Mak-TIKA Partnership which resulted into fruitful donation.
Addressing the audience in the Main Hall, the Ambassador of Turkey to Uganda said that Turkey has profound expectations of her long term collaboration with Makerere University; one of the most prestigious and renowned universities in the world.
“As you know knowledge is power. With the aim of empowering African people, Turkey contributes to his African brother in the academic area both theoretically and practically such as giving scholarships and donating relevant equipment. Today we are witnessing another one of Turkey’s steps in its contribution efforts through Sabanci University’s Istanbul Policy Centre, to share its experience and assist its Ugandan counterparts," she explained.
Her Excellency also mentioned that Istambul Policy Centre (IPC) has taken its first step towards the improvement of bilateral academic relations between Uganda and Turkey, with their team of academicians from Turkey set to hold fruitful panel discussions with Makerere University.
“Turkey also extends her hand in humanitarian and development assistance, especially in the area of education which is a priority, as we believe that highly qualified and well-educated human resources are indispensable for spearheading growth on the continent. Currently over 3000 students are studying in Turkey through these scholarships with 151 students coming from Uganda,” she said.
In a speech read by the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs (DVCAA), Assoc. Prof. Okello Ogwang, the Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu acknowledged the mutual relationship Makerere University has with TIKA which is in alignment with the Makerere University core function of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and Networking.
“We value partnership, and we thank you for choosing to partner with Makerere University, as we continue to reflect on the University Vision, to be the leading institution for academic excellence and innovations in Africa. In the spirit of partnership, I am confident to mention that the equipment we have received today, Monday 14th September 2015, will greatly advance teaching and learning as well as the research capacity for students and staff,” the Vice Chancelor said.
He further noted that Makerere University operates in a globalised world hence the need for implementation of her internationalisation agenda, aimed at ensuring that Makerere remains relevant and visible in the global arena.
“In the pursuit of this agenda, we enter into partnership with reputable universities; we offer joint degree programmes; undertake staff and student exchanges; participate in capacity building opportunities in form of scholarships and seminars among other initiatives. Your Excellency, The Ambassador, together with the TIKA team, and the delegation from Sabanci University, we once again, invite you to be key partners in the implementation of the Makerere University internationalisation agenda,” he urged.
Speaking on behalf of TIKA, Mr. Selahattin Cansiz noted that Turkey’s relations with African countries have in recent years gained momentum in many spheres ranging from trade to political dialogue, as well as from education activities to economic investments and development cooperation.
“Sharing common values such as democratic governance, boasting young and promising population, having strong potential and independence, African countries and Turkey are the rising stars of the world today,” he said.
In the framework of developing relations on the principles of “equal partnership and mutual benefit,” Mr. Selahattin said Turkey aspires to mold her experience in the same melting pot with the potential of African countries. Today Turkey’s main operations in Africa include; Health, Social infrastructure and services, Production sector, Capacity building, Water and sanitation and Vocational training.
The Principal College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Prof. Edward Kirumira said that Makerere University Peace and Conflict Studies Centre is multi-disciplinary unit that brings together different departments and units in the Humanities.
“The centre plays a fundamental role in national development. We are therefore pleased with your support towards a program which so vital to national growth and expansion. We are also grateful to TIKA which came to us in the partnership and not in the donation way. We hope to develop this partnership further,” he said.
The Dean of School of Liberal and Performing Arts, Assoc Prof. Patrick Mangeni commended TIKA team together with the Government of Turkey for enabling the university to extend the horizon of capacity through the support they rendered to the Peace and Conflict Studies Centre.
The Makerere University Peace and Conflict Studies Centre is an academic unit of Makerere University established to contribute to the culture of peace through teaching, training, research, publication and community outreach in the Great Lakes Region. The programme brings together a pool of experts: primarily lecturers and other academic staff from all conflict-related disciplines such as Law, Social and Political Sciences, Economics, Psychology and Religion, The aim of this is to contribute to efficiency and effectiveness in the analysis and response to conflict transformation processes undertaken by government, the UN, NGOs, cultural institutions, religious organizations, and the private sector.
Makerere University Peace and Conflict Studies Centre through partnerships seeks to enhance and facilitate the ability of stakeholders to transform violent conflicts through efficient, effective and sustainable events and processes. As such, the Centre provides expertise in the area of peace building and conflict transformation.
Please see Downloads for the Turkish Ambassador's Remarks
Article by: Mak Public Relations Office
General
Are We Giving Enough Attention to the People Around Us Who Quietly Influence Lives Every Day?
By Marion Apio
On March 21, 2026, I felt a strong urge to reconnect with a close colleague and passionate leader, Owekitinisa Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki. We had not spoken since I moved to the United States to pursue my dream of becoming a journalist. The following day, I learned that he had been quietly undergoing treatment in and out of the hospital. True to his character, he had chosen to keep his condition private. I was shocked and saddened, wishing I had known earlier so I could offer support.
At first, reports from family and friends were encouraging. He had been diagnosed with malaria and low blood platelet counts and was receiving treatment. Respecting his wish for confidentiality, members of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community at Makerere University rallied discreetly around him.
However, on April 29, his condition worsened. He was transferred between medical facilities and underwent extensive tests, including a biopsy, as doctors searched for answers. Sadly, on May 29, Sylas passed away.
His death sparked an extraordinary outpouring of love and solidarity. Friends, colleagues, and former scholars mobilised to support his family, settle medical expenses, organise virtual vigils, and plan a dignified farewell. Hundreds gathered at St. Augustine Chapel to pay their respects. Within three days, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community raised approximately UGX 11 million, a testament to Sylas’ impact on countless lives.
In the days that followed, I found myself wrestling with difficult questions. In a world where we spend so much time following people online, are we paying enough attention to those quietly transforming lives around us? Why do we invest so much emotional energy in distant personalities while overlooking the people God has placed right in front of us?
Sylas lived with humility and served with grace. His death left more than 1,500 Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni grieving, alongside many others around the world who knew him. Yet his passing also exposed a contradiction in modern life.
We live in an age of unprecedented connectivity. Uganda has millions of internet users and WhatsApp subscribers, while globally, people spend hours each day on social media. We have more tools than ever to stay connected, yet many of us are becoming increasingly disconnected from the people who matter most.
Sylas resisted this trend. Through mentorship, service, and community-building, he remained deeply present in others’ lives. While many people retreat into individual pursuits, he consistently chose connection.
This challenge is especially relevant for Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni. Every year, young Africans leave home to pursue education and professional opportunities abroad. Distance, time zones, visa restrictions, and rising travel costs make it difficult to maintain relationships and remain actively involved in the communities that helped shape us.
For Sylas, the answer was simple: show up. Celebrate others. Offer support. Stay connected.
He never allowed geographical or personal barriers to become excuses for disengagement. Even while facing his own struggles, he invested in others. He embodied the values the Mastercard Foundation seeks to cultivate—ethical leadership, service, and community empowerment.
Sylas did not wait for a perfect platform to create change. He simply served where he was. He helped build bridges between education, culture, and professional development while remaining grounded in his values. He dreamed of creating a stronger alumni ecosystem and brought both passion and compassion to every initiative he touched.
Since his passing, social media has been filled with memories of his infectious smile and unwavering commitment to others. Those tributes reveal an important truth: people gave generously because Sylas had first given himself generously to them. People from different backgrounds, generations, and communities showed up because he had spent his life showing up for them. His legacy now challenges all of us.
The greatest tribute we can offer is not simply to mourn his loss but to continue his work. That means supporting the causes he cared about, helping the children whose education he championed, strengthening alumni networks, and pursuing the dreams we discussed with him.
The tragedy of modern life is not that we follow people online. It is that too often our attention to distant lives comes at the expense of meaningful relationships nearby. Yet strong relationships are as essential to our well-being as physical health.
As Ugandans, we take pride in our faith, culture, and sense of community. We contribute to fundraisers, attend ceremonies, and support family members in times of need. But increasingly, genuine connection is being replaced by passive digital interaction. Families and communities cannot thrive on likes, retweets, and emojis alone.
They require presence—phone calls, visits, conversations, and the willingness to notice when someone is struggling.
Before spending another hour immersed in the lives of strangers online, look around. Call the friend you have not spoken to in years. Check on a family member. Reach out to a colleague who seems withdrawn. Communities are not built by algorithms or celebrities. They are built by ordinary people who choose, day after day, to care for those within their reach.
Uganda needs more people like Sylas. At just 32 years old, he achieved what many spend a lifetime striving for. He served as Minister of Information in the Toro Kingdom and as President of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Association in Uganda. More importantly, he dedicated himself to serving others.
While his death is deeply painful, his life remains a powerful example of how we should live. My prayers and condolences go to his family, friends, and the entire Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community.
Rest in perfect peace, Owek. Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki.
The author is a Mastercard Foundation Alumna from Makerere University and the University of California, Berkeley. She is a journalist based in Southern California and the CEO of the Debunk Media Initiative.
-
General2 weeks agoFreshers’ Joining Instructions 2026/2027
-
General2 weeks agoAre We Giving Enough Attention to the People Around Us Who Quietly Influence Lives Every Day?
-
Health2 weeks agoThe silent teachers: why body donation matters
-
Agriculture & Environment1 week agoPolicy Brief: Strengthening Climate Resilience and Livelihoods in Uganda’s Refugee and Host Communities
-
Business & Management2 weeks agoGovernment Strengthens Public Investment Management Capacity Through Intensive Training at Makerere University