General
Mak marks national breast cancer awareness month: Students join fight against breast cancer
Over 400 Makerere University students assembled in the Freedom Square on Sunday 23rd October 2016 to participate in the Breast Cancer Awareness Run.
The Breast Cancer Awareness Run kick started the “MAK Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign” organized by Makerere University 82nd Guild Cabinet to disseminate information on breast cancer screening and treatment in several parts of Uganda.
A renowned local artist Mr. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine together with his wife Barbra Kyagulanyi, flagged off the Runners. The Mak Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign is also aligned to the commemoration of the National Breast Cancer Awareness month.
According to the Makerere University Guild President H.E Roy Ssembogga, the Mak Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign which is aligned to the commemoration of the National Breast Cancer Awareness month provides a platform to Makerere University students to join the fight against breast cancer, encourage people to go for cancer screening and to train them on self breast cancer check up and monitoring.
“Statistics from the Uganda Cancer Institute supported by the World Heath organizations show that for every 1000 women, 45 do have breast cancer. The statistics show that the burden is going to continue and increase to the third world countries like Uganda with no strategic cancer treatment plan. Our aim therefore is to encourage people to go for the screening. Prevention is better than cure. It is important that people are diagnosed early and go for the treatment because cancer in its early stages is curable,” he said.
Highlighting the roll out of the screening exercise, the Guild President said: “We will carry out cancer screening at the National Cancer Institute and at Makerere University Hospital. We also hope to extend the screening activity to Halls of residence so as to reach everyone. Screening is free and we vehemently invite people from outside to come and check for cancer,” he said.
Ssembogga said that they will extend the campaign to reach different people in several areas of Uganda under the umbrella of FACE OF MUK when he said, “our target in this campaign is to reach out to 10,000 people in the next five years. Therefore through Face of MUK initiative, we want to select an Ambassador who will lead a team of selected and well trained people to traverse the country disseminating information on breast cancer. The team will also provide cancer screening services to the people.”
The Vice Guild President, H.E Maria Ledochowska Nattabi added that the Ambassador will lead an awareness campaign in secondary schools and higher institutions of learning in Uganda.
Speaking to the chummy audience, Mr. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu who was the Chief Runner, applauded Makerere University students for joining the rest of the world to create awareness on Breast Cancer.
“I have been invited to such activities and events by elderly guys, NGOs, Government but today I am delighted to have been invited by young and energetic people to join hands and fight for a good cause,” the happy Kyagulanyi said.
He urged the participants to utilize their youthful age and make a positive impact in their societies. “These are times when you are most passionate about what you believe in. These are the times when you look at the future, these are times when you still have the time to shape the future. I want to challenge you to be more of critical thinkers. The leaders that are leading us today, never sat back because they knew that the future was supposed to be set by them. They gave their best contribution during their youthful years. This is your time to give your contribution,” he said.
In an interactive interview with the Makerere University Public Relations Office, Barbra Kyagulanyi called upon women and men, girls and boys to go for cancer screening. This bold step would help them to know their status as early as possible and take up the right measures.
“You cannot hide from a disease. If you have it that is the truth and this will never change. The earlier you know the better. It is not true that when you are diagnosed of cancer you will die tomorrow. There are high chances of surviving if it is detected in its early stages. Cancer takes on several stages, there is a stage where it is treatable, there is a stage where you can have a surgery and there is a stage that is beyond, so the longer time you take to go for a screen and know your status, the worse it becomes,” she explained.
The event was sponsored by Africell Uganda, Brussels Air line, Care Hearts-Uganda, Firebase Entertainment, Uganda Female Muslim Students’ Initiative among others.
Article by: Mak Public Relations Office
General
Prof. Nawangwe urges young people to take up leadership in innovation for the transformation of Africa
By the Program Communication Team
On Sunday, February 2, 2025, Makerere University hosted the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council Representatives meeting, which brings together young people from around 45 partner universities of the Mastercard Foundation.
During the event, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe urged young people to prepare for leadership roles in innovation, especially starting with their communities, if they wish to see the positive transformation they desire in Africa.
“I urge you to connect and network with your peers and discuss how you can form inter-university teams to innovate solutions that will address the development challenges in our communities for the transformation of the African continent.” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
Prof. Nawangwe applauded the Mastercard Foundation for its partnership with Makerere University and Uganda in general, which has uplifting effects on many young people.
“Makerere University and Uganda have made remarkable strides in providing Higher Education to Young People, thanks to the generous support of the Mastercard Foundation, which has contributed significantly to educating the next generation of African leaders. Through valuable initiatives and partnerships, such as the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Makerere University is poised to continue educating young individuals who will significantly impact Uganda’s and Africa’s economic growth.” Prof. Nawangwe noted.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nawangwe, further urged young people to seize the opportunities the Mastercard Foundation and other like-minded development partners presented to improve their lives and communities.
“The Mastercard Foundation has given you the platform and opportunity to be leaders and beacons of change. Embrace this responsibility with courage. Let the core values of the Scholars Program—humility, listening, kindness and respect, co-creation, and impact—guide your actions,” Prof. Nawangwe emphasized.
While speaking at the same event, the Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, enumerated high-level achievements the Program had accomplished for the last decade at Makerere University. She pointed out that in terms of scholarship enrolment, the Program had recruited 1,032 Scholars, of which 76% were Females, 7% were Internationals, 4% were Refugees, and about 1% were Youth with Disabilities.
Prof. Namaalwa further pointed out other post-graduation achievements, including a 94% completion rate of the total number of Scholars enrolled in the Scholars Program. She pointed out that between 2018 and 2025, the Program had graduated 964 Scholars, of which 37% were employed, mainly in the private sector.
Prof. Namaalwa revealed that beyond the Scholars Program, the Mastercard Foundation had put other initiatives supporting the university in numerous ways. She pointed out other initiatives such as the e-learning initiative, a COVID-19 Response measure to ensure continuity of Teaching and Learning at Makerere University and the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative: Makerere University, in collaboration with the University of Ghana, the University of Cape Town, and the University of Cambridge, is implementing a new initiative that addresses one of the world’s most significant challenges in recent times—climate change.
Prof. Namaalwa revealed that the Research Collaborative would provide opportunities for MSc and PhD scholarships to African students and encourage young people to enrol as graduate students starting in the academic year 2025/2026.
The event was punctuated with fireside chats, during which young people had an opportunity to discuss a number of topical issues related to entrepreneurship and Transformative leadership. Thereafter, the visiting students were taken on a guided tour around Makerere University.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council comprises student leaders from partner Universities. Each Partner University has one Council Representative. They represent the needs of Scholars and work with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program teams at each institution, the Mastercard Foundation, and Alumni.
On Monday 3rd February 2025, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe handed over three (3) university buses to the respective leadership in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), the College of Health Sciences (CHS), and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB).
The new buses mark a significant improvement in mobility and learning for Makerere University students and staff, furthering the institution’s commitment to practical education and community service.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the University’s Freedom Square, Prof. Nawangwe highlighted the significance of the new buses in enhancing teaching and learning. “These buses will play a crucial role in improving students’ practical learning experiences by ensuring reliable transportation for fieldwork and community outreach,” he said.
Prof. Nawangwe expressed gratitude to the Parliament and the Government of Uganda for providing the resources for the new buses, emphasizing their importance in replacing the old fleet, which frequently breaks down. The new 2023 model buses, with a 67-seater capacity, were secured at a cost of UGX 626million each and are expected to save the university significant maintenance costs and improve the learning experience for students.
Principals from the respective colleges expressed their appreciation for the new buses. Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, Principal of CoVAB, emphasized the importance of the buses for practical training at locations such as Lake Mburo National Park. Associate Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, Principal of CAES, and Associate Prof. Bruce Kirenga, Principal of CHS, highlighted the buses’ role in facilitating community engagement and outreach.
He explained that the decision to purchase Isuzu buses instead of those manufactured by Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) a Makerere University partner, was based on prior engagement with the former, as well as the need to utilize the allocated funds promptly within the Financial Year, which couldn’t be accomplished at KMC due to their high demand.
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