On 24th March 2017, students under the umbrella of Makerere University East African Community Students Association (MUEACSA) organized a Public Assembly under a theme Youth participation is fundamental for the realization of East African Integration.
Held in the Makerere University Senate Conference Hall, the Public Assembly aimed at creating awareness of the East African Community (EAC) integration process among university students and other stakeholders as well as discussing ways of engaging the youth in the East African integration process. Students also discussed ways on how youth can be empowered to be vibrant and significant in their communities.
A number of University students from East African States, representatives from Makerere University and the Government of Uganda and well wishers attended the Public Assembly.
It triggered participating students’ zeal to go forth sensitizing their fellows on the East African Community Integration process, its benefits and challenges. As well, the Public Assembly sparked off the students’ courage to carry the banner and become ambassadors of the East African Community (EAC) integration process in their home countries.
Representing the Second Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda and Minister of East African Affairs,Hon. Kirunda Kivejinja, Mr. John Ngabirano-the Personal Assistant to the Minister for East African Affairs said structures should be put in place to attract youth engagement in peace building processes and security maintenance. According to Mr. Ngabirano, enhancing structures that promote the participation of youths in peace building and security protection will actively contribute to their engagement with decisions and activities that affect their wellbeing.
Mr. Ngabirano also mentioned that youth should be given a vibrant platform upon which they can fully mobilize and sensitize their fellow youth on matters concerning the integration process of the East African Community.
“Theres is a need to fully involve the young people and utilize their potentials to ensure their effectiveness and relevancy in the regional and global economic development. The youth, constituting the biggest percentage of East African population, the East African Community (EAC) can become more feasible if it involves and empowers them into active participation in its deeds for social, economic and political development,” he said.
He applauded the work of Makerere University East African Community Students' Association (MUEACSA) as a fundamental tool in empowering youth in creating awareness on the role and importance of youth towards the East African Integration process.
Highlighting its significance, Mr. Ngabirano said that Makerere University East African Community Students Association (MUEACSA) is a place to be especially for intellectuals at the level of students. He reminded the students of their great obligation to the society and urged them to actively participate in the East African Community (EAC) activities and drive what their predecessors started with priority.
“The East African Community (EAC) is a very important initiative our current leaders have given to us. It is about our prosperity. East Africa has a future, it’s your future so you must therefore drive it and participate. We need relevant youths whom the Elders will empower, therefore, use this platform to identify you, get mentors and link up with the right people.” Mr. Ngabirano mentioned.
“However to succeed in this, you must be knowledgeable, informed, organized, useful and disciplined. Always remain relevant to your society and have a proper style of presenting yourselves if you are to influence others,” he added.
The President Makerere University East African Community Students Association (MUEACSA) Mr. Tsonga Joseph said that the Association has embarked on training responsible leaders of tomorrow and creating platforms for holding dialogues that are presented to the Cabinet. It has also established a foundation for future East Africa and leadership youth that will render important lessons and mentor roles to the young generation.
“Being a member in this Association presents you with direct linkage to East African authorities since the Patron of the Association is the Speaker of East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). We also have a linkage to the Minister of East African Affairs who can present our views to the Cabinet. We can socialize with others and have great exposure,” he said.
The International Students Coordinator, Mrs. Martha Muwanguzi Ngobi encouraged more students to register and join Makerere University East African Community Students Association (MUEACSA).
According to Mrs. Muwanguzi Ngobi, many students have received scholarships opportunities, invitations for summer schools, internship placements and job opportunities because of their membership to the Association.
“We make the Association visible through the actions we undertake. Our Association is recognized and honored by the Minister for East African Affairs. If we have a strong and functional East African Community Students Association at Makerere University, other universities will learn from us,” she said.
Currently, Makerere University East African Community Students Association (MUEACSA) has over 300 registered members from member states of East African Community (EAC). Members are expected to submit in their views, ideas and be willing to serve without discrimination. A number of platforms on social media have been put in place to be used by members to mobilize students and disseminate information about the East African Community (EAC) and its activities.
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta is received upon arrival at Makerere University by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (2nd Right) poses for a group photo during the courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor with Left to Right: Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Ms. Sarah Kagingo and Guild President-H.E. Churchill James Ssentamu.
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
Left to Right: The Vice President-H.E. Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Emeritus-Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Hon. Matthew Rukikaire and other dignitaries follow proceedings.
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Diploma holders admitted under the Government Sponsorship Scheme for the Academic Year 2025/2026.
Under the Diploma Holders Government Sponsorship Scheme admission does not exceed 5% of the intake capacity to the respective Degree Programme.
The list can be accessed by following the link below:
Are you a researcher or student working in protein-related research, structural biology, or bioinformatics?
The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences (ACE) Uganda with support from Google DeepMind, invites researchers and students seeking to integrate AlphaFold into their work to apply for the AlphaFold Workshop to be held at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University-Kampala, Uganda from 16th to 20th June 2025.