General
International Students Tipped on Life at Mak
“Uganda is very peaceful. There is no need to move around with your passport as is the case with other countries… There is no discrimination from Ugandan Lecturers and the ground is level in as far as academics are concerned,” counseled Francis, a South Sudanese 4th Year Bachelor of Petroleum Geoscience & Production Student Representative from the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS).
This was the uplifting mood as Full-term, Short-term and Exchange Students of non-Ugandan descent listened to speaker after speaker at their orientation organized by the International Office on 7th September 2016. Welcoming students to the event, the Office Head, Mrs. Martha Muwanguzi Ngobi, commended the attendees for choosing to complete part or all of their studies at Makerere University.
“At Makerere University, you will not only be rewarded with the best education and world-class qualifications, but will also be enriched with the cultural diversity and experience,” shared Mrs. Ngobi. She commended their courage and commitment in choosing a foreign country with a foreign culture and committed to support their respective academic and personal journeys.
Representing the Dean of Students’ Office, Ms. Magdalene Kalungi thanked the students for choosing Mak and hoped that as Ambassadors, they would encourage students from their countries and universities. So noted that most universities in the world have embraced student and staff exchanges as an aspect of Internationalization and urged them not to drop the ball.
She outlined the various departments under the Dean of Students and regarding Sports and Recreation, encouraged them to register with their respective Halls of Attachment so as to be able to participate in Inter-Hall Games Competitions. “Most of the students at Makerere University are non-resident, with only 4,300 accommodated on campus. Should you desire to stay in the Halls of Residence, please contact the Warden’s Office at your Hall of Attachment,” shared Mrs. Kalungi.
Mrs. Kalungi then advised Students to acquire appropriate visas and passes so as to make the most of their stay in Uganda by enjoying the privileges accorded to students. “Please visit our offices in Room 204 and 218 in the Senate Building and we shall write you a letter of introduction to the Directorate of Immigration” she advised.
International students were also urged to abide by the University rules and regulations so as to enjoy their stay at Makerere. “It doesn’t stop at being admitted. You ought to pay tuition fees for the respective course chosen and officially register for all the courses selected” cautioned Mr. William Serunjogi, Office Assistant in the International Office. He further encouraged students to read for their exams and ensure that they acquire examination permits prior to the start of the exam period.
The Orientation would not have been complete without representation from the Students Guild. The External Affairs Minister, Hon. Shema Emmanuel introduced his colleagues present who included Hon. Production and Employment Minister, Hon. Musherura Daniel, Social Affairs Minister, Hon. Were Salim and the School of Social Sciences Guild Representative Council (GRC), Laban Kiringi.
Hon Shema reiterated that Makerere is a welcoming community and Uganda is a welcoming country. “I therefore urge you all to get involved in student politics and the International Students Cultural Festival,” he said.
Article by 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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