General
Mak Team No Sexual Harassment to lead Students’ Campaign
Makerere University students have formed an Anti-Sexual Harassment body to fight against sexual harassment among staff and students.
This was during the Students’ Sensitization and Feedback workshop on the Makerere University Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment held on Tuesday 19th April 2016.
Addressing the students, the Acting Director, Gender and Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD), Ms. Frances Nyachwo said the Students’ Sensitization and Feedback Workshop aimed at sensitizing students on the Makerere University Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment and to re-align the policy to the Makerere University Collegiate System.
The Team No Sexual Harassment at Makerere University will be a proactive platform for students to actively engage in creating awareness, sensitizing fellow students on the policy and regulations on sexual harassment well as fighting against sexual harassment actions.
“With this body, it will be easy for us to monitor the activities of the Anti-Sexual Committees, participate in outreach programmes to sensitize our fellow students on the anti-sexual harassment policy. It is an umbrella which will bind us together as students and empower us for a common cause of fighting for our rights,” said Sharon Barigye, a student of Makerere University Business School (MUBS).
One of the facilitators, Prof. Sylvia Tamale from Makerere University School of Law reiterated the fact that women have always been more vulnerable to sexual harassment/sexual abuses compared to men. Prof. Tamale revealed that 98% victims of sexual harassment are female. She attributed this to the societal segregation which creates power imbalances among male and female as well as the patriarchal systems.
Prof. Tamale advised students to ensure that sexual harassment cases are backed by evidence. Sharing case studies and day-to-day incidents, Prof. Tamale equipped students with knowledge and tactics of gathering/documenting evidence on sexual harassment tendencies/incidents/cases.
Sharing her experience in handling sexual harassment cases, Prof. Tamale said the Anti-Sexual Harassment Committees face a challenge of bringing the harassers to book due to lack of evidence and unwillingness of some people to appear as witnesses.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. Timely decisions are very crucial. Therefore students should always report cases of sexual harassment to the concerned individuals in time. Avoid anonymous complaints because we will not have a complaint. Always tell the truth, equip yourself with evidence, be bold, clear and ready to fight for your rights,” she advised.
During this interactive workshop, students proposed approaches and mechanisms they could use to fight against sexual harassment. In the session facilitated by Mak Senior Public Relations Officer-Ms Ritah Namisango, the students noted that their active engagement in the Anti-Sexual Harassment Drive would empower them to fight against sexual abuses. Some of the ideas suggested included;
- Continuous sensitization of students and staff on the Makerere University Policy and Regulations on Sexual Harassment
- A proposal to include a Religious leader on the College/Unit Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee
- In Units/Colleges where Anti-Sexual Harassment Committees are non-existent, the students (Team No Sexual Harassment at Makerere University) will use official channels to demand for the formation of such Committees.
- To revitalize the Gender Mainstreaming Student Peer Trainers’ programme to support the Anti-Sexual Harassment agenda University wide.
- Students from the College of Computing and Information Sciences together with the Quality Assurance Directorate to develop an Application to sensitize staff and students on sexual harassment.
- Use of the social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter to sensitize students, staff and the wider University community on the Makerere University Policy and Regulations on Sexual Harassment.
- GMD in conjunction with Colleges/Schools should organize/ conduct debates against Sexual Harassment at School/ College Level.
- The Gender Mainstreaming Directorate to involve students (Team No Sexual Harassment and Makerere University) to develop messages against Sexual Harassment that would be circulated to Colleges/Units.
The Manager of Academic Affairs, at Quality Assurance Directorate-Makerere University Dr. Euzobia Baine encouraged students to read and understand the policy and regulations on Sexual Harassment to fully understand the approaches/processes of seeking help and/or helping those who are sexually harassed. She informed students that each College should have a functional Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee, and encouraged students to liaise with the College leadership to ensure that they prioritize the Anti-Sexual Harassment Agenda in the University.
Dr. Baine also advised students to remain bold, say NO to sexual harassment and report cases to the Anti-Sexual Harassment Committees. “Have confidence that when you lodge a complaint, it will be listened to. Do not be intimidated and do not allow the harasser to take advantage of you. Carefully document the acts of the harasser. The Anti-Sexual Harassment Committees will always handle cases backed by evidence. Always avoid false accusations in your complaint because they will fail you and destroy your life totally,” she said.
Closing the workshop on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, the Acting Director, Gender and Mainstreaming Directorate Ms. Frances Nyachwo, called for a close collaboration between students and the Gender and Mainstreaming Directorate to seriously fight against sexual harassment in the University. 
The Senior Public Relations Officer of Makerere University, Ms Ritah Namisango who facilitated the Session that culminated in the Way/Forward/Action Points thanked the students for the roactive and constructive idea of creating an Anti-Sexual Harassment Body which she said would be a driving tool to kick sexual harassment out of Makerere University.
Important notes: In 2015, Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate organized a related Sensitization and Feedback workshop for staff.
Article: 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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