General
Mak Hosts Association of African Universities Advancement Workshop
The advancement workshop was held at Africa Suites Hotel, Mutungo from 27th -29th September 2016. The workshop brought together Academic Registrars, Human Resource Managers and directors and Chief Financial Officers from Western, Eastern and Southern Africa Universities that constitute the Association to discuss and dialogue on their roles as Registrars, Financial Officers and Human Resource Officers, articulating their needs in terms of the value adding services they need to provide in the 21st Century University.
In his opening speech, the Secretary General of the AAU extended his apologies for his inability to attend due to other developments at the Secretariat which required his attention and presence. He was however represented by the Vice Chancellor, Makerere University, Prof John Ddumba Ssentamu, who read his speech and also warmly welcomed the participants to the three-day workshop for Executives of African Universities Programme offered by the AAU and Stellenbosch Academy of Advancement.
”In line with our mission, we consider this theme “University Advancement – The Role of the Registrar, CFO and CHR in the 21st Century University” very timely for the topical issues it seeks to address.
Ladies and Gentlemen, all modern organizations today, aspire to sustainable excellence, and universities can surely not be left out of this current trend. Most importantly, those of us in various key positions of leadership have a major role to play in advancing our respective higher education institutions. Registrars, Chief Financial Officers and Chief Human Resource officers certainly form a major segment in piecing together efforts by the various sections of the university towards its transformation.
As leaders of your various institutions, departments and units, you hold the future of your institutions in your hands, providing strategic and critical direction and leadership to the University, and ensuring a coherent vision across all the constituent parts of the University.
It is our hope that through this platform, your needs, will be articulated in terms of the value adding services that should be provided to 21st century Africa HEI’s. I am confident that as we share and discuss through the carefully selected topics and planned session, we can together identify common issues across our universities and come up with their solutions thereof.
Whilst maintaining a good level of optimism about the outcomes of our meeting here, let me also say, that this workshop should not be seen to provide tailor-made solutions to the many challenges within HEIs, but as a collective opportunity to engage in a dialogue, facilitated by the Advancement Academy at Stellenbosch, and other resource persons towards strategic approaches to overcoming some of those common issues identified.
Distinguished guests, you would agree with me, that the classical university model has been challenged by massification, marketization, internationalisation, technology and globalisation among other key emerging issues in the the 21st Century.
All these factors do have a ripple effect on the governance structures of our universites, including the offices of Registrars, CFOs and CHRs in ensuring sustainability and relevance of higher education to society. And most importantly in advancing our institutions. The need to reflect on, and adapt to the changing times can surely not be overemphasised.
Your individual roles in assisting the university pursue its vision, makes you a unique group in the higher education circle whose actions and inactions can affect your institutions in a critical way.
This is why the AAU, has since 2007 been organizing several workshops on Leadership as well as Management Skills Development for senior executives and middle level managers of African Universities respectively. These are aimed at enhancing the leadership skills of university leaders, particularly in the promotion of innovation and management of change, as well as to strengthen collaboration, networking, and capacity building among this group”.
He went on to say that, in 2017, the AAU will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee at the next General Conference that will be hosted in Accra, Ghana and extended an invitation to all participants. 50 years of serving the African continent as its voice for matters on higher education and developmental issues, was indeed a great feat worth celebrating.
He reiterated the commitment and dedication of the AAU and its partners, to continuously engage in effective collaborations with Higher Education stakeholders to implement quality and strategic programmes targeted at improving the quality of education in Ghana and on the African continent as a whole.
I am confident that the various discussions and resolutions which will be reached at this conference will be fervently pursued to the letter.
The Workshop was facilitated by Professor Tobias De Coning of Stellenbosch Advancement Academy. This was done through presentations on different topics such as driving forces that will fundamentally affect the 21st century African universities. The forces singled out were competitive domestic and international student markets, challenges of government funding, competition for new sources of funding, use of digital technologies in campus based learning, blended learning, global student mobility, integration with industry, the scale and depth of industry-based learning, research partnerships and commercialisation, among others. This was followed by discussions on the practical impact of these driving forces. There was also a presentation on what Vice Chancellors and University presidents expect from their senior managers and how these managers meet those expectations through discussions of the challenges they face. Some of the challenges mentioned were, how to attract and sustain sufficient resources, how to attract the best staff and students, how to become the preferred recipient for external support, service delivery that satisfies their clients (staff, students and other stakeholders). There was also sharing of views on what should be done to ensure optimal functionality of Registrar’s, Financial Officers and Human Resource Officers from different perspectives of the various universities present.
Universities represented were University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Ezekiel Guti University, Zimbabwe; Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique; Kyambogo University; Bugema University; Busitema University; Islamic University in Uganda; Muni University; Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi and Ndejje University.
In his closing remarks, The Vice Chancellor, Makerere University, Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu said, “I am certain that this workshop has expanded your thinking of the different roles of technical staff in a University and especially the African University within the dynamic global higher education setting. It is no doubt that the roles of the Registrar, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resource Officer are the backbone of the University and the thrusts upon which a successful Vice Chancellor operates”. You know the work you do in your institutions and its level of importance. It is crucial that your services are performed with diligence, precision and above all excellence if African Universities are to reach global competitive standards.
This workshop has equipped you with the required mindsets and strategic tools to help you rethink, redesign and realign your various functions to be able to function effectively serve the Vision and Mission of the University.
As member of the Governing Council of the Association of African Universities, the Association of African Universities and its partners are committed and dedicated to continuously engage in effective collaborations with Higher Education Stakeholders to implement quality and strategic programmes targeted at improving the quality of higher education on the African continent.
He thanked Prof. Tobie De Coning for successfully facilitating the workshop and thanked all the participants for engaging in this important conversation that will help us improve our universities. In a special way, he thanked the participants from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ghana and Mozambique for attending the workshop.
Lastly, he extended his sincere thanks to the Association of African Universities Secretariat, particularly the Secretary General for supporting the workshop and Ms Yvette Quashie (from AAU) and Ms Martha Muwanguzi on behalf of Makerere University for organizing the workshop successfully.
He awarded certificates to the participants and officially closed the workshop.
Article by:
Martha Muwanguzi
Head International Office
In a landmark event symbolizing Uganda’s stride towards sustainable transportation, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, commissioned the first Electric Fast-Charging Station at Makerere University on Friday 13th March 2026. The ceremony, held at the Senate Building Parking Lot, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s e-mobility journey, blending academic innovation with industrial application and governmental support.
The station, a DC Fast Charger C6-180 installed in collaboration with Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC), is designed to power electric vehicles efficiently, supporting Uganda’s shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. This setup ensures high-power DC charging ideal for fleet operations.
Hon. Dr. Musenero, in her keynote remarks, highlighted the profound significance of the occasion, tracing its roots back to 2011 when Makerere unveiled the Kiira EV – Uganda’s first electric vehicle prototype. “This infrastructure is the physical manifestation of a journey that began on this very hill nearly two decades ago,” she stated, emphasizing how the university’s initial proof-of-concept challenged skepticism about Africa’s role in automotive technology.
The event, she noted, completes a narrative full circle, with the birthplace of the Kiira EV now hosting the infrastructure to sustain a modern electric fleet. The commissioning aligns seamlessly with Uganda’s National E-Mobility Strategy, which aims to localize 65% of the e-mobility value chain by 2040 and create over 500,000 high-quality green jobs.
Hon. Dr. Musenero underscored the strategy’s focus on reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels while enhancing environmental well-being. “We are transforming Uganda into a net source of e-mobility solutions,” she declared, pointing to the potential for Ugandan intellect to produce vehicle parts and charging systems domestically.
In his remarks at the event, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe described the launch as a “multi-faceted achievement,” not only advancing the institution’s inclusive agenda but also setting an example for public institutions in adopting e-mobility. In so doing, Makerere University has positioned itself at the forefront of this transition.
On September 26, 2025, President Yoweri Museveni commissioned the Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja and handed over three Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) buses to Makerere University to enhance staff and student mobility. The fleet included two diesel-powered Kayoola Coaches and one electric Kayoola EVS 8.5m bus donated by KMC specifically to aid the movement of differently-abled staff and students. This move demonstrates academia’s capacity to integrate home-grown solutions into daily operations, impacting the economy through practical science.
The commissioning of the fast-charging station is rooted in a long history of collaboration. The Kiira Electric Vehicle Project, hatched in the former Faculty of Technology, has evolved into a national movement for automotive manufacturing. Hon. Dr. Musenero praised this progression: “We have moved beyond proving that an electric vehicle can be built in Uganda. We are now ensuring our electric vehicles are deployed across the continent, solving Africa’s mobility problems.”
Academia’s role remains central, as Hon. Dr. Musenero elaborated. While government provides policy frameworks and the private sector offers capital, universities supply the essential knowledge. The E-Mobility Skilling Programme at Makerere University‘s Innovation Pod (Mak-UniPod) is training the next generation of electric vehicle engineers, who are tackling “moonshot projects” to redefine urban transport. Research into optimizing local resources, such as Uganda’s lithium and cobalt deposits for battery production, is also underway.
A key environmental highlight of this development is Uganda’s renewable energy advantage. With over 95% of the national grid powered by hydroelectric dams, every charge at this station utilizes clean energy. “We are using our own water to power our own vehicles, keeping our wealth within our economy rather than exporting it to purchase foreign oil,” Hon. Dr. Musenero remarked, framing the launch as Uganda plugging into the global renewable shift. She pledged the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Secretariat’s continued collaboration with Makerere University, KMC, and partners to proliferate such stations across Kampala and beyond.
Addressing Makerere students, Hon. Dr. Musenero issued a challenge: “See this charging station as a symbol of your own potential. The engineers who built the first Kiira EV were once sitting exactly where you are. They did not wait for permission to be great.” She urged them to leverage available resources to innovate, building on a legacy that has shifted national conversations.
The event drew distinguished guests, including Members of Management, Eng. Paul Isaac Musasizi, KMC’s CEO and his management team, private sector partners, development agencies, and university faculty.
Looking ahead, this launch propels Uganda towards a “Qualitative Leap” in its economy, as Hon. Dr. Musenero described. By fostering innovation and investing in young minds, the nation aims to lead in technological advancement. The station not only powers vehicles but ignites progress, ensuring Uganda remains at the forefront of Africa’s e-mobility revolution.
As the ceremony which was intermittently “blessed” by drizzles drew to a close, the feeling of hope for a cleaner, self-reliant future – one charged by Ugandan ingenuity, was unmistakable.
General
Makerere University and International Partners Sign MoU for the 9th Kampala Geopolitics Conference
Makerere University, on 10th March, 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Embassy of France in Uganda, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), and Alliance Française de Kampala to organize the 9th edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference (KGC), scheduled to take place on 15–16 April 2026 at Makerere University.
The signing formalizes the continued partnership that has established the Kampala Geopolitics Conference as one of the region’s leading platforms for dialogue on global affairs, bringing together scholars, policymakers, civil society leaders, and students to debate the major geopolitical and socio-economic transformations shaping the world.
The conference, inspired by the Nantes Geopolitics Conference in France, was first launched in Kampala in 2018 and has since grown into a unique intellectual space for cross-continental exchange between Africa and Europe.
A Platform for Ideas, Dialogue, and Youth Engagement
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, emphasized the importance of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference as a platform that connects academic discourse with global policy conversations while empowering students to engage with the complex challenges shaping the international system.
The Vice Chancellor noted that hosting the conference reflects Makerere University’s long-standing commitment to fostering intellectual exchange and positioning the institution as a hub for regional and global dialogue.
“Makerere University is proud to host the Kampala Geopolitics Conference because it creates an important platform for debate and exchange on the global issues shaping our world, while giving our students the opportunity to engage directly with leading thinkers and policymakers,” said Prof. Nawangwe.
Prof. Nawangwe further commended the Embassy of France in Uganda, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and Alliance Française de Kampala for their continued collaboration with Makerere University in organizing the conference over the years. He expressed confidence that the 2026 edition will once again provide a dynamic platform for dialogue, bringing together scholars, policymakers, and students to examine the geopolitical trends shaping Africa and the wider world.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, H.E. Virginie Leroy, Ambassador of France to Uganda, highlighted the significance of the conference as a platform that encourages dialogue on global issues while empowering young people to participate in shaping the future.
Since its inception, the Kampala Geopolitics Conference has created opportunities for students, researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to engage with some of the most pressing global debates. The Ambassador noted that the curiosity and engagement of Ugandan students have become one of the defining features of the conference.
“This conference has become a unique space where students, researchers, policymakers and civil society exchange ideas on the major transformations shaping our world,” Ambassador Leroy said, adding that the event demonstrates the intellectual vitality of Uganda’s youth and the strength of the partnerships that sustain it.
Strengthening Partnerships for Global Dialogue
The Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a long-standing partner in the initiative, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting platforms that foster meaningful discussions on international affairs and regional dynamics.
Speaking during the ceremony, Anna Reismann, Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Uganda, emphasized the importance of the conference in connecting local perspectives with global debates.
She noted that Africa has increasingly become a focal point in global geopolitics, attracting engagement from a wide range of international actors through investments, trade, security cooperation, and diplomatic partnerships. While these engagements create new opportunities for economic growth and technological advancement, they also raise important questions about sustainability, governance, and the terms of international cooperation.
According to Reismann, the conference provides an important forum to examine these issues and to encourage dialogue that bridges academic perspectives with practical policy considerations.
The 2026 edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference will focus on key global and regional issues shaping international relations and development.
Among the themes to be explored are the future of development cooperation, particularly as global aid dynamics evolve and countries explore more sustainable and balanced partnerships. Another panel will examine youth and public policy in Africa, recognizing the critical role that young people play in shaping governance, innovation, and development across the continent.
With Africa home to the youngest population in the world, discussions will highlight the importance of ensuring that young people are not only beneficiaries of public policies but also active contributors to their design and implementation.
Makerere University at the Centre of Global Conversations
Hosting the conference reflects Makerere University’s continued commitment to fostering intellectual exchange and positioning the institution as a hub for regional and international dialogue.
Through its partnerships with global institutions such as the Embassy of France, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and Alliance Française de Kampala, Makerere continues to create platforms that connect academic knowledge with policy discussions and real-world challenges.
The Kampala Geopolitics Conference is expected to once again bring together leading experts, scholars, and practitioners from across Africa and Europe, while providing students with a rare opportunity to engage directly with global debates.
As preparations for the 2026 edition gather momentum, the partners expressed confidence that the conference will continue to inspire critical thinking, encourage dialogue across disciplines and generations, and strengthen cooperation between Africa and its international partners.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.
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