General
Xiangtan University hails Makerere University for promoting multilingualism
The President of Xiangtan University Prof. Huang Yunqing has appreciated Makerere University for teaching and promoting Chinese language in Uganda.
President Prof. Yunqing made the remarks when he paid a courtesy call on the Acting Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang on Tuesday 15th December 2015 in the Office of the Vice Chancellor from 10:30am to 11:20am. The Courtesy Call preceded the celebrations of the one year Anniversary of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University scheduled to take place on the same day in the Main Hall.
Accompanied by Eight (8) delegates from China, Prof. Huang thanked Makerere University for being a spring board for Chinese language and culture in Uganda.
“The support you have rendered to the Confucius Institute at Makerere University has enabled us to promote and teach Chinese language and culture, as well as developing and strengthening the China-Uganda political, social, cultural and business relationship in Uganda,” said Prof. Huang Yunqing.
Since its inauguration on Friday 19th December 2015, the Confucius Institute at Makerere University has opened up various branches in Uganda to offer courses to the general public interested in learning Chinese. The Institute is also well known for promoting cultural and business ties between the people of Uganda and China.
On behalf of Makerere University, Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang equally thanked the Government of the People’s Republic of China and Xiangtan University, for supporting the Confucius Institute at Makerere University.
“Many of our students and staff have greatly benefited from learning Chinese language at the Institute. They have attained knowledge and information on Chinese culture, won scholarships to study in China and some of them have been employed in Chinese companies in Uganda,” he said.
Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang who is also the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) added that Makerere University would work hand in hand with the Xiangtan University and the Chinese Embassy in Uganda to ensure that the Confucius Institute achieves its objectives of spreading Chinese culture, promoting the Chinese language as well as the Uganda-China friendship.
In the same spirit, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe applauded the Government and People of China for the reception and support always accorded to Ugandans who pursue studies in China.
The Ugandan Director-Confucius Institute at Makerere University Prof. Oswald Ndoleriire highlighted that Makerere University has benefited from the long term collaboration with a number of Chinese Universities, engaged and interacted with several experts to promote the learning of international languages.
In memory of the continued collaboration, the delegates from China and Makerere University officials exchanged souvenirs and gifts.
Other officials who attended the Courtesy Call include: Prof. Hong Yonghong, Chinese Director-Confucius Institute at Makerere University; Prof. Oswald Ndoleriire, Ugandan Director- Confucius Institute at Makerere University; Mr. Rodney RugyemaAdministrator-Confucius Institute at Makerere University, Mrs. Mary Tizikara, Director-Human Resources Makerere University; Mr. Goddy Muhumuza-Senior Legal Officer; and Ms Ritah Namisango, Senior Public Relations Officer.
After the Courtesy Call, Prof. Oswald Ndoleriire and Prof. Hong Yonghong led the Xiangtan University delegates, to tour the premises of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University. The Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Edward K. Kirumira together with his family then hosted the Xiangtan University delegates and the team from the Confucius Institute to a sumptuous luncheon at his official residence.
Written by: Charles Iga and Proscovia Nabatte, Interns-Mak Public Relations Office.
Edited by: Ritah Namisango,Senior Public Relations Officer, Makerere University
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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