General
MasterCard Foundation Scholars at Mak Give Back to Community
On 24th February 2017, the MasterCard Scholars at Makerere University visited Muzinda Church of Uganda Primary School in Nsangi Sub-County, Wakiso District for an outreach programme aimed at giving back to the community.
Organized by the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Association at Makerere University under the theme; Encouraging maximum participation and entrepreneurship within the Scholars to make meaningful impact, the scholars together with their administrators; Mr. Tito O. Okumu, Mr. Bernard Buteera and Ms. Harriet Nakiryowa, swept classrooms, slashed the compound, dug the school’s rubbish pit and cleaned the community well.
They donated pens, pencils and Toto magazines to the pupils, engaged them in several health activities such as counseling and guidance and Physical education (PE). Scholars also offered free medical and health checkups to pupils and community members of Muzinda Village.
“I applaud the students experience in carrying out the health checkups and medical examinations. It is indeed heartwarming to be examined by a student I consider to be my daughter. I am really happy for this experience, these students are so young but they know what they do,” said Ms. Goretti Nakigudde-a parent of two pupils at Muzinda Church of Uganda Primary School.
With the help of the community members, the scholars renovated the floor of the school’s Main Hall, reconstructed the former class room currently used as a resting room for staff and students. They also restructured the barbed wire fence of the school to mitigate security threats.
In addition, scholars offered free information on reproductive health, provided counseling and guidance as well as mentorship to community members, visited homes and donated some items to the elderly people.
The Head Teacher of Muzinda Church of Uganda Primary School, Mrs. Namuddu Sarah Mukhadasi commended the wonderful job done by the scholars and encouraged them to continue with the spirit of helping communities. She said that the Scholars’ visit will create a positive impact on the school and the community at large.
“We are so privileged that among the schools in the country MasterCard Scholars at Makerere University selected our school for this community activity. It is indeed a great honor to our school for having been visited by Makerere University. This visit has not only inspired the pupils to read hard and reach Makerere University but also instilled the spirit of helping the community among the pupils,” she said.
The Head teacher called upon parents and pupils of Muzinda Church of Uganda Primary School to join hands and maintain the giving back to community project started in Muzinda Church of Uganda Primary School by the MasterCard Foundation Scholars. This, she said, would ensure that the project achieves its goal.
“The MasterCard Foundation Scholars at Makerere University will keep monitoring this project. So we have an obligation to see that this project creates its intended impact,” said the Head Teacher.
Ssematimba Jotham a Primary Six pupil of Muzinda Church of Uganda Primary Schools could not hide the excitement at his first ever association with university students. In an exclusive interview with Proscovia Nabatte, Ssematimba thanked the school Head Teacher Mrs. Namuddu Sarah Mukhadasi together with the school team for inviting guests who have changed their school.
“Our Main Hall has been cemented. I call upon my fellow students to imitate what the MasterCard Scholars have done and we help our community and the school at large,” said the jolly Ssematimba.
On behalf of MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, Mr. Tito O. Okumu thanked the Head teacher and entire school team of Muzinda Church of Uganda for hosting MasterCard Scholars for a community outreach. Mr. Okumu thanked the community for the cooperation during the outreach activities and their polite acceptance to come and carry out health checkups.
He commended the pupils of Muzinda Church of Uganda Primary Schools for the discipline they exhibited during and after the community outreach. He urged the pupils to take their studies seriously if they wanted to excel in life.
“Use the pen and pencil carefully, work hard and be focused on who you want to be in the future,” he advised the pupils.
Article by Public Relations Office
On 20th August 2026, Makerere University welcomed another cohort of 258 recipients of the prestigious Mastercard Foundation scholarship for the 2026/2027 academic year with pomp and fanfare. The colourful Scholarship Award Ceremony was presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who was represented by Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, the Dean of the School of Economics and the Chairperson of the Scholars Selection sub-committee of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
While addressing the gathering, Prof. Nawangwe reminded the Scholars that the scholarship was both an honour and a responsibility, and that they ought to make the most of it to improve their lives and communities.
“Now that you have stepped through the gates of Makerere University, remember that a scholarship is both an award and a responsibility. You have been chosen because we believe in your potential to lead, innovate, and serve. Makerere University offers you world-class academic resources, mentorship, and networks—but the impact you make with these resources will depend on your discipline, integrity, and vision,” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
A Call for Responsible Living
The Vice Chancellor further urged the new recruits to embrace university life responsibly and form lasting bonds that will support future networks.
“I encourage you to engage fully and responsibly in University life, build lasting bonds with your peers, and, equally important, keep your home communities close to your heart. Let the knowledge and skills you gain here become the seed for innovative solutions to the challenges facing your communities, our country, Uganda, and the African continent.” Prof Nawangwe emphasised.
Prof. Nawangwe further expressed his gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation for recognising Makerere University as a worthy partner and pledged to continue supporting all the Mastercard Foundation’s initiatives at Makerere University.
Leadership starts with self
Mr. Adrian Bukenya, the Senior Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program globally and the Country Director for Uganda, urged Scholars to embrace leadership, particularly through self-leadership. He emphasised that the Scholars Program is fundamentally a leadership development program.
“The Scholars Program offers more than just a scholarship; it is a leadership development Program. I encourage you, Scholars, to embrace leadership, and leadership starts with leading yourself, then your community, your country and the continent,” Mr. Bukenya emphasised.
Mr. Bukenya expressed his gratitude to the Management of Makerere University for partnering with the Mastercard Foundation on various initiatives. He emphasised that the Foundation is committed to continuing this partnership to educate young people and nurture the next generation of leaders on the African continent.
Selection Process Highlights
On his part, the Chairperson of the Scholars Selection Committee, represented by Mr Charles Ssentongo, the Deputy Academic Registrar responsible for Undergraduate admissions, congratulated all the Scholars who had made it through a very competitive and watertight selection process. To illustrate how tight the selection process had been, he shared compelling statistics that clearly demonstrated its competitiveness.
“We received 3,664 Applications for the Scholarship; 2,904 Undergraduates and 760 master’s students. Of these scholarship applicants, 1,440 Undergraduates and 280 Master’s students were admitted to Makerere University on private sponsorship, and they were all eligible for the Scholarship,” Mr Ssentongo pointed out.
Mr Ssentongo informed the attentive audience that one of the biggest challenges the Committee faced was the very high number of applicants, while the number of scholarships available was always very small. Mr Ssentongo then highlighted further statistics that characterised the tedious selection process.
“For the Undergraduates, 650 applicants were shortlisted for interviews, while 58 Master’s applicants were also shortlisted. Of these, 245 undergraduates and 13 Master’s students were selected for the final award,” Mr Ssentongo highlighted.
Celebrating A Diverse Cohort
The Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, used the occasion to highlight achievements made in the years gone by.
“Today, we are overjoyed to have successfully recruited 258 Cohort 9 Scholars—bringing us to the mark of 546 Scholars, 54.6% of the target recruitment of 1,000 Scholars under Phase II of the Program. To date, a total of 1,596 Scholars have been recruited since 2013, when the Scholars Program started at Makerere University,” Prof. Namaalwa announced.
Prof. Namaalwa showcased the diversity created by the Scholars Program, highlighting the arrival of international students from across the African continent at Makerere University through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
“For Cohort 9 Scholars, it’s time to celebrate our diversity in the Program. Let me call out the nationalities represented in the room: Lesotho (1 Scholar), Malawi (1 Scholar), Ghana (1 Scholar), D.R. Congo (13 Scholars), Cameroon (7 Scholars), Burundi (3 Scholars), Rwanda (10 Scholars), South Sudan (40 Scholars) and Tanzania (1 Scholar).” Prof. Namaalwa revealed.
Scholars Speak Out
Nathan Tamba, an international student from Cameroon, conveyed his enthusiasm regarding the opportunities afforded by the scholarship, particularly the prospect of pursuing his studies at Makerere University, recognised as one of the leading institutions on the continent.
“On behalf of my fellow scholars, I would like to express our gratitude to Makerere University and the Mastercard Foundation for awarding us this scholarship. It has given me the opportunity to study at this prestigious university and to experience Uganda for the first time.” Tamba remarked.
Tamba, clearly delighted like his fellow scholars, committed to using the scholarship opportunity to gain knowledge and skills he will use to benefit himself and his community.
The function was punctuated by entertainment from the Makerere University Choir, networking, and plenty of joyous celebration.
Bernard Buteera is Principal Communications Officer for the Scholars Program at Makerere University.
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