General
Makerere gives illegal occupants one month to leave her land
Makerere University has ordered the illegal occupants to vacate her land at Kabanyolo, Katalemwa, Makindye and Katanga in one month. In a letter dated 15th October 2015, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe instructed all persons who encroached on the University land to vacate it with immediate effect.
Touring the aforementioned land on 15th October 2015, the University’s Senior Legal Officer, Mr. Goddy Muhumuza said: “The letter indicates that upon receipt of the notice, they only have one month to leave the university land. We therefore expect the illegal occupants to have left these places by 15th November 2015.”
Mr. Muhumuza pointed out that Makerere University is facing a challenge of land encroachment, which has resulted into several land disputes.He added that the institution has been to court on several occasions to secure her land from the illegal claimants.
“We have a challenge with the illegal settlers; they come and occupy the institution’s land, develop businesses on it and also construct permanent structures. When time goes by, they claim to own it. I would like to emphasize that this is Makerere University land, bought purposely for expanding university activities as well as boosting students’ practical learning,” he stressed.
The Makerere University Chief Security Officer ASP Jackson Mucunguzi said that the University will tighten security on her land. Inspecting the Kabanyolo disputed land, ASP Mucunguzi noted that Makerere University will need to fence her land to avoid more wrangles. He observed that the best way the University would safeguard her land from further encroachment by Atlas High School would be fencing the said land. “If this land was covered with a fence, it would have been difficult for the School to make extensions towards it. I believe that putting a fence will be the first hand security. You need to protect the land to give a serious impression to people that you really do not need encroachers,” he said.
The Deputy Regional Police Commander Kampala North, SP Alfred Bangambaki said that Makerere University should collaborate with the claimants to open up land and re-demarcate the boundaries to understand the exact measurements of each party. According to him, this would bring consensus among the disputed parties.
Makerere University owns land in four places of Kampala suburbs of Katalemwa, Kabanyolo, Makindye and Katanga. This land was bought purposely to expand the university activities and boost student’s practical learning. The four places occupy 82, 551, 14, 38 acres of land respectively. The institution also owns land outside Kampala estimated to occupy more than 700 acres.
The team that inspected the land comprised: Makerere University Senior Legal officer Mr. Goddy Muhumuza, Makerere University Chief Security Officer, ASP Jackson Mucunguzi (ICSC), Deputy Regional Police Commander Kampala North SP Alfred Bangambaki (ICSC), Deputy Commandant Land Protection Unit UPF SP Charles Mutungi, OC Makerere University ASP Graciano Nkuruziza, Detective ASP Chelimo Robert OC CIID Makerere University , Land Surveyor Ms. Awor Catherine, Pastor Grace Kityo from Makerere University Directorate of Estates and Works and representatives from Makerere University Public Relations Office.
Written by: Proscovia Nabatte, Mak Public Relations Office
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
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