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State Building and Political Order key to lasting peace in South Sudan

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For the world’s youngest nation, the fact that reports of violence regularly dominate international news headlines speaks volumes of the work that remains undone in as far as achieving lasting peace is concerned. Points of disagreement often escalate into violent clashes that lead to loss of precious lives. The Symposium and Public Dialogue at Makerere University jointly organized by the University Forum on Governance (UNiFOG), the Makerere University Convocation (MUC) and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) was therefore a breath of fresh air in as far as creating a forum to discuss peace in South Sudan is concerned.

“Instability in South Sudan is a loss to Uganda. We shall continue to provide this space on a monthly basis until peace in South Sudan is achieved,” reassured Mrs. Diana T. Nyago, Vice Chairperson, Makerere University Convocation as she welcomed participants and kicked off the day’s presentations.
R-L: Prof. Edward Kirumira-CHUSS, Dr. Deus Kamunyu-MUC, Mrs. Diana T. Nyago-Dep. Chair MUC and MUC Members at the Public Dialogue
Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) has been greatly involved championing women’s political involvement in South Sudan in partnership with other organizations and is currently developing a strategy on involving women in political conversation and dialogue. Speaking on behalf of KAS, the Programme Officer Mr. Donnas Ojok called upon his audience to consider such public dialogues as an opportunity to not only let the world know about the war in South Sudan but also about the possibility of peace.

To tackle the day’s topic “Transcending the Shadow of Violence: Alternatives for Fostering Inclusive State Building and Sustainable Peace in South Sudan”, the organizers couldn’t have chosen a better candidate to give the Keynote address than Prof. Mahmood Mamdani. The current Director of the Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR), Prof. Mamdani was a member of the five-person African Union Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan that traversed the country for over seven months investigating human rights violations committed during armed conflict.

In his address, Prof. Mamdani noted that historically, colonial rule in Sudan led to the politicization of ethnicity which in turn led to fragmentation of South Sudan along tribal lines. So ingrained was this politicization that both Churches and Chiefs had been developed along ethnic lines. Tracing the lines of history into the present day causes of armed conflict led Prof. Mamdani to disagree with his fellow African Union Commission panelists and write a minority view entitled A Separate Opinion. In this, he argued that the cause of armed conflict had been more of political; requiring a constituency in which it is hard to isolate the perpetrators from the supporters, than criminal; committed by individuals who are easy to identify, judge and punish.
Prof. Mahmood Mamdani-MISR delivers the keynote address at the South Sudan Dialogue
Professor Mamdani further argued that two groups should be held responsible for the violence that literally exploded in December 2013 and left thousands dead in its wake. Firstly the troika comprised of the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and Norway and secondly the Cabinet of the Government of South Sudan.

As a way forward to foster inclusive state building and sustainable peace, Prof. Mamdani recommended that “A political process leading to political order needs to precede any attempt at the call for criminal accountability.” In response to all the post-December 2013 efforts to usher in peace, he further noted that South Sudan does not need another quick fix, but rather another transition. “South Sudan should not be seen as a failed State, but rather as a failed transition,” summed up Prof. Mamdani.

Hon. Thomas Tayebwa is the Member of Parliament for Ruhinda North who has had extensive business dealings in South Sudan. As the day’s first panelist, he appreciated Prof. Mamdani’s keynote address and recognized the presence of Senator David Amor Majur, a Member of the SPLM National Liberation Council. He commended the work done by organizations such as KAS in South Sudan but reiterated that in order to guarantee sustainable peace and political accountability “you need to build the capacity of local South Sudanese to be able to challenge their leaders.”
Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, MP Ruhinda North
Biel Boutrous Biel as the second panelist of the day urged the symposium to embrace the practice of talking beyond any preconceived perspectives of South Sudan that they might have garnered from media reports. As Executive Director of the South Sudan Human Rights Society for Advocacy (SSHURSA), Biel urged all warring parties to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), “How? Curb the violence in South Sudan using an intervention force.” He however noted that the intervention force should not be constituted by countries that have interests in South Sudan.
Mr. Biel Boutrous Biel, ED SSHURSA
In the true spirit of academic debate, upon taking the podium, Assoc. Prof. Julius Kiiza from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, CHUSS started by commending his former teacher Professor Mamdani for his address and shortly after, sought to identify what he thought was glaringly unaddressed. “What we seem to be having in this analysis/paper is an oversupply of ethnicity and an undersupply of nationalism.” Dr. Kiiza then went on to highlight that the problem with South Sudan lay not in a failed political transition but in a failed state building project. “What we are seeing in South Sudan is a fundamental problem of declaring the westphalia state recognized internationally without building the fundamental s of stateness.” In his opinion, owing to the proliferation of arms in the hands of numerous groups each with their own leadership, South Sudan as a Nation did not meet the basic measure of stateness, “to have dominant control of the tools of coercion.”
Assoc. Prof. Julius Kiiza, Department of Political Science & Administration, CHUSS
The day’s discussion would not have been complete without a gender perspective, and what better candidate to present that than Dr. Sarah Ssali from the School of Women and Gender Studies. Whereas she agreed with previous discussants that the war in South Sudan was not a tribal war, she reminded the audience that tribe/ethnicity has provided the constituencies around which certain interests had been nurtured. “What we should do is look beyond what we always know as politics and institutions,” she said, further noting that “violence is not a thing which just comes up and goes because you have pronounced yourself as independent. But it invites us to look at what are the norms and values and structures that are driving that violence.”

Dr. Sarah Ssali therefore urged Professor Mamdani to provide a gender analysis in his proceeding edition of his paper, arguing that “A society that does not mind the minorities therein is also very unlikely to be a democratic society; build institutions that respect the minority.” She however expressed optimism that “South Sudan provides us with an opportunity to rethink state building. It is providing us with the opportunity to form a Nation State in the 21st Century.”  
Dr. Sarah Ssali, School of Women and Gender Studies, CHUSS
The symposium was moderated by Yusuf Kiranda, Fellow at the Centre for Development Alternatives, a well-known academic research centre in India. The Public Dialogue was preceded earlier in the day by an Experts’ Symposium that tabled topics on why state capacity is key to sustainable peace and outlooks for sustainable peace, inclusive development and prosperity for all.

Article by Public Relations Office

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Aptitude Test Results for the Mature Age Entry Scheme 2024/2025

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Senate Building

The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released Aptitude Test Examination results for the Mature Age Entry Scheme Examinations held on Saturday 24th February, 2024.

The Candidates who scored 50% and above in the aptitude test passed the aptitude examination and will have their programme -specific examination paper marked. Those who scored less than 50% failed.

Access the links below for the lists categorised under Science-based and Humanities based programmes respectively:

Below is the list for Full Results for Candidates who sat Mature Age Entry Examinations 2024/25 for Bachelor of Laws. Note: All candidates who scored a final mark of 50% and above should prepare for the Bachelor of laws pre-entry examination:

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Strengthening Partnerships: Makerere University Welcomes Delegation from Western University, Ontario, Canada

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The Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (Centre) and UWO President-Dr. Alan Shepard (3rd Left) show off the signed MoU as Left to Right: UWO's Dr. Opiyo Oloya and Dr. Lily Cho as well as University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, UWO's Dr. John Yoo and Head of Advancement-Mr. Awel Uwihanganye witness on 21st March 2024. Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

By Carol Kainomugisha

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and the University Management, welcomed a delegation from Western University, Ontario, Canada (UWO), marking an important milestone in the strengthening of international partnerships and collaborations. The week-long visit, characterized by insightful discussions and exchanges with various colleges, departments and units of the University, highlighted various areas of mutual interest and potential collaboration between the two esteemed institutions.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd Right) and Dr. Alan Shepard (2nd Left) sign the MoU as Mr. Yusuf Kiranda (Left) and Dr. Lily Cho (Right) witness. 21st March 2023, Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd Right) and Dr. Alan Shepard (2nd Left) sign the MoU as Mr. Yusuf Kiranda (Left) and Dr. Lily Cho (Right) witness.

The delegation was led by President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Alan Shepard and accompanied by Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Dr. Lily Cho, the Associate Vice-President, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Dr. Opiyo Oloya and the Dean, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Dr. John Yoo.

The visit culminated with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will most certainly strengthen the already existing relationship between Makerere University and Western University.

The meeting between Makerere University and Western University commenced with the University Management which discussed collaborative opportunities, particularly in engineering, design, and technology, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Mr. Opio Oloya addressed issues of Inclusivity and diversity in academia, focusing on integrating indigenous knowledge, combating global anti-blackness, and promoting social integration within university communities.

Members of the University Management and the delegation from Western University, Ontario, Canada pose for a group photo at the Makerere@100 Monument. 18th March 2024, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Members of the University Management and the delegation from Western University, Ontario, Canada pose for a group photo at the Makerere@100 Monument.

Makerere‘s academic excellence and capacity-building initiatives were showcased, with plans to expand graduate training opportunities and enhance capacity through student and faculty exchanges.

 The meeting concluded with a shared vision for future collaborations, including research projects, academic programs, and student exchanges, reaffirming the commitment to fostering excellence and addressing global challenges through collaborative efforts.

Fostering Global Academic Partnerships: Western University meets Makerere University Colleges and Units.

In a meeting at the School of Law, led by the Principal, Associate Prof. Ronald Naluwairo, the delegation held lengthy deliberations to explore avenues for academic collaboration, embodying the power of international partnerships in academia.

Central to the dialogue was Western University’s interest in global engagement, particularly in internationalization, aligning with Makerere‘s ethos of interdisciplinary collaboration. The meeting highlighted joint research opportunities, staff, and student mobility programs, showcasing a commitment to academic excellence and the potential for cross-cultural learning and growth.

The Principal-Associate Prof. Ronald Naluwairo (5th Left), Deputy Principal-Dr. Zahara Nampewo (3rd Left), Principal CHUSS-Associate Prof. Josephine Ahikire (3rd Right), Head PAF-Dr. Benon Kigozi with other officials and the UWO delegation at the School of Law. 19th March 2024, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The Principal-Associate Prof. Ronald Naluwairo (5th Left), Deputy Principal-Dr. Zahara Nampewo (3rd Left), Principal CHUSS-Associate Prof. Josephine Ahikire (3rd Right), Head PAF-Dr. Benon Kigozi (Right) with other officials and the UWO delegation at the School of Law.

During the meeting between the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) and Western University, the Executive Director Dr. Andrew Kambugu outlined IDI’s evolution from an academic venture to a multifaceted institution driving service delivery, research, and capacity building in Africa.

Highlighting existing partnerships, particularly in data management with the Faculty of Medicine at Western University, President Alan Shepard underscored the tangible outcomes of cross-border collaboration, with data-driven research initiatives making significant contributions to healthcare and public health interventions. Future collaboration prospects, including exchange programs, joint initiatives, and equipment donations, emphasized a shared commitment to innovative approaches and collaborative problem-solving to address pressing challenges in Africa.

Dr. Andrew Kambugu (4th Left) with other officials and the UWO Delegation during their visit to IDI. 19th March 2024, Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Andrew Kambugu (4th Left) with other officials and the UWO Delegation during their visit to IDI.

Celebrating Collaboration: Farewell Luncheon Honoring Western University Delegation

A farewell luncheon, hosted by Mrs. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson, Makerere University Council, marked the poignant conclusion of the exchange visit with Western University, Ontario, Canada, celebrating the enduring spirit of collaboration and friendship between the two institutions.

Mrs. Lorna Magara (Left) shakes hands with Dr. Opiyo Oloya as Dr. Alan Shepard (Rear Right) and other officials interact. 21st March 2024, Golden Tulip Hotel, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mrs. Lorna Magara (Left) shakes hands with Dr. Opiyo Oloya as Dr. Alan Shepard (Rear Right) and other officials interact.

 As farewells were exchanged, participants left with cherished memories and a renewed commitment to nurturing the partnership for future endeavors, underscoring the power of collaboration to transcend boundaries and create opportunities for growth and learning.

As Western University and Makerere University look ahead, the memories of the week-long strategic visit will serve as a beacon of inspiration, guiding their continued efforts to collaborate, learn, and grow together.

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CTCA Request For Expression of Interest: Finance and Accounts Assistant

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CTCA is seeking the services of a Finance and Accounts Assistant whose overall responsibility will be to provide finance and administrative support to ensure efficient operation of the office. Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa (CTCA), School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Institution: Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa (CTCA)
Project Title: Enhance Tobacco Control Institutional Capacity in Africa
Expression of Interest Number: CTCA/EOI/G339/2024

1. Introduction:

The Centre has received funding from the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) for the
2024-2026) to implement a project on institutional development. The project investments are
geared towards sustaining human resource capacity and knowledge generation to reduce use of all forms of tobacco products in Africa.

Specifically, the project aims to:

  1. Enhance training opportunities for African governments and relevant actors in tobacco
    control in the continent.
  2. Increase access to knowledge for guiding tobacco use prevention and control in Africa.
  3. Reinforce the institutional development of CTCA for an optimal performance of its
    functions and processes.

Therefore, CTCA is seeking the services of a Finance and Accounts Assistant whose overall responsibility will be to provide finance and administrative support to ensure efficient operation of the office. The Assistant will support management and other employees on a variety of tasks related to administration, finance, procurement, and communication.

2. Scope of Work

The specific duties include:

  1. Providing support to the accounting and procurement functions through preparing journals and loading payments for review by the budget and finance officer for authorization
  2. Maintain supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies.
  3. Administer and manage logistics and contracts for services with service providers such as travel agents, hotels, translations and interpretation agencies, office supplies
  4. Maintaining a clean electronic and manual filing system.
  5. Handling communications – Receiving, storing, retrieving, dispatching, organizing documents and other correspondence of the Centre.
  6. Provide secretarial services to CTCA technical meetings.
  7. Assist in the preparation of regularly scheduled reports.
  8. Assist in logistics preparations for meetings, workshops, and missions.
  9. Oversee and supervise the work of junior staff.
  10. Maintain up-to-date employee records.
  11. Any other duties as may be assigned.

See Downloads for detailed advert.

Application deadline: Not later than 17:00 hours on 8th April, 2024.

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