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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
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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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