General
Mak Hosts Academics Day as Uganda-France Mark Friendship Week
The Academics Day was one of the activities hosted by Makerere University on Wednesday, 22nd March 2017 to celebrate the Uganda-France Friendship Week 2017. The Academics Day was graced by H.E Stephanie Rivoal, France’s Ambassador to Uganda.
The Head, International Relations Office-Ms. Martha Muwanguzi welcomed the Ambassador, Panelists and Guests to the debate and highlighted the items for the day’s debate. The audience was composed of staff from the French Embassy in Kampala, Directors of French Companies in Uganda, Makerere staff and students, French men and women, the media and members of the general public.
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-Assoc. Prof. Ernest Okello Ogwang welcomed H.E Stephanie Rivoal and expressed his appreciation for the cordial relationship between Uganda and France. “As a University, we are very grateful for the support extended to us in form of scholarships for PhD studies, staff exchanges and support to the teaching of the French Language, to mention but a few.”
“Today, we are gathered to discuss the role of the youth in media on one hand and politics on the other hand. This is an important conversation given that the youth are the future of our world. Their place in shaping the agenda of tomorrow is therefore central and should be guided and harnessed for the best outcome.”
Assoc. Prof. Okello Ogwang thanked the French Embassy for taking a special interest in knowledge transfer partnerships and networking, which is one of the core functions of Makerere University. He pledged the University’s commitment to furthering this and other mutually beneficial activities.
H.E Rivoal welcomed everyone who had honored her Embassy’s invitation. She then went on to introduce Mr. Mwambutsya Ndebesa to give the keynote address of the day.
In his address, Mr. Mwambutsya Ndebesa, a political historian from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) quoted Edmund Burke (1729-1797), “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing”. He also quoted Frantz Fanon (1925-1961), “Each generation must discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it”.
He emphasized that if anybody thinks s/he is a good person but does not do something to avert evil, then s/he is an accomplice in that evil. “So what is the mission of your generation as youth today? Have the today’s youths defined their mission? Are they ready to fulfill it by participating in public affairs?” questioned Mr. Ndebesa.
He noted that many youth seemingly participate in public affairs when in actual fact they are “participated”. He elaborated that “participated” is to engage in a public exercise whose agenda you do not know and where your engagement has no influence or is of no consequence and you therefore do not shape the future in a positive way. “Are youths of Uganda citizens or subjects? A citizen actively participates in shaping his destiny and that of his country or community. Are youths merely occupied in private affairs only or are they also actively engaged in public affairs? Youths should not be subjects.”
Mr. Ndebesa said that the Uganda-France Friendship should be informed by the core values established by their forefathers during the 1789 revolution summarized in their motto of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. “This is shared between France and Uganda. In Africa, our forefathers established a universal principle and humanity core value of “Ubuntu” which stands for humanity towards others. Therefore youths of France and Uganda should be informed by the two principles of Ubuntu and Fraternity which promote universal cooperation and good living in a shared sense of humanity.
“The media has a role to play in promoting values of fraternity and Ubuntu and shun ideas of nationalisms and fundamentalism. The media should promote politics of justice, tolerance and accommodation among peoples of different races, creeds, nationalities and tribes. The media should have editorial policies that identify, expose and discourage any forms of xenophobic, hate speech and tribal politics alike” shared Mr. Ndebesa.
He noted that the media sometimes abuses its power and promotes interests of politicians and their political parties. He stressed that the media in France and Uganda just like the youth should identify its mission to humanity, fulfill it or betray it. “This mission should be guided by the core values which should be promoted together with culture” concluded Mr. Ndebesa.
The first debate was on ‘Youth and Media’ with panelists from the French and Ugandan media. The CEO Vision Group-Mr. Robert Kabushenga said that the objective of the media is to be as neutral and sincere as possible, educate people and empower them with knowledge. The media in the Ugandan context has is in most cases however been accused of not being neutral and leaning towards a certain political ideology.
Mr. Samson Kasumba who moderated the debate then put the panelists to task as to whether the media was context specific or international? Ms. Rosebell Kagumire, a Ugandan journalist and blogger said the main role of the media is to inform and create a level ground that fosters discussion. “These days, the media has become too commercialized to allow a level ground. The one with more money gets more time to air his views and also use it to campaign. The media tends to give more coverage to the one who pays them to and deny others a chance of airing an opponents’ views and ideology.”
“There are cases where some radio and television stations were shut down or threatened with closure when they hosted prominent opposition politicians. In other words, neutrality in the media is not there. It was agreed and pointed out that, every country must invest money in a public media platform that can be used by all regardless of one’s ideology. This way, the media will be serving humanity instead of being used by narrow minded politicians” noted Ms. Kagumire.
She also stressed the need for media houses to facilitate their staff with the right equipment and other necessary tools. “Their personnel should have transport to reach different places and get first hand information and make responsible reporting to the public instead of hearsay which might tarnish peoples’ personalities,” she advised.
The Second session on ‘Youth and Politics’ featured two Ugandan and two French panelists. The Uganda panelists were Ms Isabella Akiteng-Director, Uganda Youth Network and Mr. Ivan Rugambwa. The Ugandans made a case for what is important to the Youth and what shapes their lives. They both shared that the youth are eager to see that they make a contribution to society and that the programs they put across are relevant to society. In the Ugandan context, Youth are those between 15 – 35 years although many above 35 and below 50 years also consider themselves as youth. These different categories make different contributions to society.
The first French panelist, Ms. Claire Sergent had a different view; freedom is more important for one to do as s/he pleases. The second French panelist Mr. Steve Coudray said that learning was more important to him and any obstacle to learning would destabilize his life and planning for his life. Youths should not just be used at the time of voting but should learn from older people how to engage in politics that benefits society. He believed that it is not only older people that can make successful leaders such as Presidents, “even the youths can spire for such positions provided they have the knowledge and can deliver services to the citizens.”
Mr. Coudray threw the audience into a bout of laughter when put to task by the moderator, Mr. Kasumba whether at 26 years, he could contest for the French Presidency in the next elections slated for July, and he replied in the affirmative. He defended his position by stating that it was not age but the ideas that he will bring forward that will convince people to elect him as their President.
Youth have to change and have a positive attitude towards life. First and foremost, they should acquire as much knowledge as possible. It is only an informed and knowledgeable person who can bring about change. Ms. Akiteng emphasized the importance of youths being knowledgeable and gave an example of the hundreds of child mothers in Teso area where she comes from. “They know nothing about reproductive health and how to prevent early pregnancies.”
Ms. Akiteng went on to say that if people are not informed, then they will have no knowledge. “Services have to be taken to the people and explain to the populace the importance of those services in a language they understand. Many of the ills we are facing today in our society is a failure of government implementing policies it puts in place and educating its citizens about their importance. Politics has become so commercialized to the disadvantage of the youths many of whom are unemployed and therefore hang around politicians who do not lobby for services to their constituencies but can pay the youths to campaign for them.”
Mr. Rugambwa on the other hand said, “Youth always follow old people and hang around old politicians because of what they learn from them and what they can get from them monetary-wise. It is difficult for youths to start new political parties when they are unemployed, so they use existing institutions (political parties). The older people construct ideologies which young people follow until when they mature and are able to take over from their mentors.”
All in all, the youth should get ready to participate in public affairs without expecting any returns. The youth, regardless of country or environment, should identify their mission, fulfill it or betray it. Instead of complaining about what the government has failed to do, the youth should get involved and play their role in serving humanity in the best way possible, guided by the core values of ‘Ubuntu’ and ‘Fraternity’.
Article by Martha Muwanguzi, International Relations Office
General
Are We Giving Enough Attention to the People Around Us Who Quietly Influence Lives Every Day?
By Marion Apio
On March 21, 2026, I felt a strong urge to reconnect with a close colleague and passionate leader, Owekitinisa Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki. We had not spoken since I moved to the United States to pursue my dream of becoming a journalist. The following day, I learned that he had been quietly undergoing treatment in and out of the hospital. True to his character, he had chosen to keep his condition private. I was shocked and saddened, wishing I had known earlier so I could offer support.
At first, reports from family and friends were encouraging. He had been diagnosed with malaria and low blood platelet counts and was receiving treatment. Respecting his wish for confidentiality, members of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community at Makerere University rallied discreetly around him.
However, on April 29, his condition worsened. He was transferred between medical facilities and underwent extensive tests, including a biopsy, as doctors searched for answers. Sadly, on May 29, Sylas passed away.
His death sparked an extraordinary outpouring of love and solidarity. Friends, colleagues, and former scholars mobilised to support his family, settle medical expenses, organise virtual vigils, and plan a dignified farewell. Hundreds gathered at St. Augustine Chapel to pay their respects. Within three days, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community raised approximately UGX 11 million, a testament to Sylas’ impact on countless lives.
In the days that followed, I found myself wrestling with difficult questions. In a world where we spend so much time following people online, are we paying enough attention to those quietly transforming lives around us? Why do we invest so much emotional energy in distant personalities while overlooking the people God has placed right in front of us?
Sylas lived with humility and served with grace. His death left more than 1,500 Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni grieving, alongside many others around the world who knew him. Yet his passing also exposed a contradiction in modern life.
We live in an age of unprecedented connectivity. Uganda has millions of internet users and WhatsApp subscribers, while globally, people spend hours each day on social media. We have more tools than ever to stay connected, yet many of us are becoming increasingly disconnected from the people who matter most.
Sylas resisted this trend. Through mentorship, service, and community-building, he remained deeply present in others’ lives. While many people retreat into individual pursuits, he consistently chose connection.
This challenge is especially relevant for Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni. Every year, young Africans leave home to pursue education and professional opportunities abroad. Distance, time zones, visa restrictions, and rising travel costs make it difficult to maintain relationships and remain actively involved in the communities that helped shape us.
For Sylas, the answer was simple: show up. Celebrate others. Offer support. Stay connected.
He never allowed geographical or personal barriers to become excuses for disengagement. Even while facing his own struggles, he invested in others. He embodied the values the Mastercard Foundation seeks to cultivate—ethical leadership, service, and community empowerment.
Sylas did not wait for a perfect platform to create change. He simply served where he was. He helped build bridges between education, culture, and professional development while remaining grounded in his values. He dreamed of creating a stronger alumni ecosystem and brought both passion and compassion to every initiative he touched.
Since his passing, social media has been filled with memories of his infectious smile and unwavering commitment to others. Those tributes reveal an important truth: people gave generously because Sylas had first given himself generously to them. People from different backgrounds, generations, and communities showed up because he had spent his life showing up for them. His legacy now challenges all of us.
The greatest tribute we can offer is not simply to mourn his loss but to continue his work. That means supporting the causes he cared about, helping the children whose education he championed, strengthening alumni networks, and pursuing the dreams we discussed with him.
The tragedy of modern life is not that we follow people online. It is that too often our attention to distant lives comes at the expense of meaningful relationships nearby. Yet strong relationships are as essential to our well-being as physical health.
As Ugandans, we take pride in our faith, culture, and sense of community. We contribute to fundraisers, attend ceremonies, and support family members in times of need. But increasingly, genuine connection is being replaced by passive digital interaction. Families and communities cannot thrive on likes, retweets, and emojis alone.
They require presence—phone calls, visits, conversations, and the willingness to notice when someone is struggling.
Before spending another hour immersed in the lives of strangers online, look around. Call the friend you have not spoken to in years. Check on a family member. Reach out to a colleague who seems withdrawn. Communities are not built by algorithms or celebrities. They are built by ordinary people who choose, day after day, to care for those within their reach.
Uganda needs more people like Sylas. At just 32 years old, he achieved what many spend a lifetime striving for. He served as Minister of Information in the Toro Kingdom and as President of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Association in Uganda. More importantly, he dedicated himself to serving others.
While his death is deeply painful, his life remains a powerful example of how we should live. My prayers and condolences go to his family, friends, and the entire Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community.
Rest in perfect peace, Owek. Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki.
The author is a Mastercard Foundation Alumna from Makerere University and the University of California, Berkeley. She is a journalist based in Southern California and the CEO of the Debunk Media Initiative.
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