General
Thousands Run for Mak Students’ Centre
On Sunday 14th May 2017, thousands of participants comprising staff, students, alumni, friends and well-wishers assembled in the Freedom Square for the Makerere University Endowment Fund Run, aimed at mobilizing funds for the construction of the Students’ Centre.
The Mak Students’ Centre that will enhance the quality of students’ life and experience is estimated to cost UGX.15 billion. The Chief Runner, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga-the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda, who is an alumnus of Makerere University flagged off the 10km route runners while the Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Ezra Suruma flagged off the 5km route runners.
“Makerere University Endowment Fund selected the Students’ Centre as its premier project. The Centre reflects our unwavering commitment to improving the students’ academic experience and the quality of life generated by the conducive environment while at the University. The Students Centre will serve as the collective place that reflects dynamism of the 21st century student in the digital age. It will correct the imbalance in access to socio-cultural amenities that was created by the increase in student numbers,” remarked Dr. Martin Jerome Aliker, Chairperson-Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF).
The Students’ Centre will entail a one stop student information centre, state of the Art Auditorium worth 2000 seating capacity and Wall of Fame, Conference facilities, Internet Kiosks, Memorabilia Shop/Bookshop, Recreational/Sports Arena, commercial and shopping centres, as well as entertainment and social areas.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu applauded the Board of Trustees of the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF) for initiating the MakRun fundraising drive. He saluted 10km and 5km route runners for participating in the Makerere University Endowment Fund Run (MakRun 2017), a starting point of engagement with the stakeholders to mobilize resources for the Students’ Centre project.
“I am confident that together, we can set up a multipurpose facility for our students. We can demonstrate that what seems impossible to us as individuals can be achieved if we choose to set our hearts and minds to it. No contribution is too small or insignificant,” said the Vice Chancellor.
Fully aware that more financial contributions in form of donations, sponsorships and sale of tickets were still flowing in, Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu revealed that on the eve of the Makerere University Endowment Fund Run (MakRun 2017), the University had raised UGX.200million from volunteers and well-wishers across the country towards the Students’ Centre Project. The Students’ Centre will be constructed on the Makerere University Main Campus in the open space between the Senate Building and the Lincoln Flats.
The Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF) is an entity of Makerere University established in 2014. The Board is tasked with mobilising, receiving and growing the financial resources for the benefit of the University’s current and future generations; enhancing the learning environment in the University; and offering scholarships, research support and innovations.
Chaired by Dr. Martin Jerome Aliker, the Board comprises the following personalities: Ambassador Edith Grace Ssempala, Mr. Barnabas Tumusingize, Mr. Grace Isabirye, Mr. Martin Owiny, Hon. Gerald Karuhanga and Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu.
Rt. Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, who pledged UGX.40million towards the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF) and Students’ Centre Project on behalf of the Parliament of Uganda said the Run was a great milestone for the University and her alumni.
“I learnt that the Run will always be an annual event, so I would like to call upon all Ugandans to be part and contribute towards the University Endowment Fund. When we come together, we can improve the Fund for the good of Makerere University. This will continue to keep Makerere University in the lead not only academically, but through visibility and outreach,” Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga said.
She advocated for transparency and accountability for the funds mobilized, and urged the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF) and the Makerere University Planning and Development Department (PDD) to involve university alumni such as former Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, and former President of Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa.
Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem, the Chairperson of Makerere University Council, also an alumnus of Makerere University commended runners/participants, champions, sponsors, partners for their contribution towards the success of the inaugural Makerere University Endowment Run (MakRun 2017).
“You are all contributors towards this noble cause in various ways. I believe you will come forward to raise money to help in achieving the good causes of the University like the construction of the Students’ Centre. I thank you all for your contribution,” Dr. Wana-Etyem said.
The Chief Runner presented MakRun 2017 medals and certificates to the winners amidst applause from thousands of participants in the Freedom Square. For the 10km race, the winning team comprised Mr. Dick Muhiirwe (Overall), Mr. Mwesigwa David (1st Runner Up) and Mr. Oketch Lazarous (2nd Runner Up). For the 5km race, the winning team comprised Mr. Muhanguzi Oscar (Overall), Mr. Ndibanoha John (1st Runner up) and Mr. Amanya Gilbert (2nd Runner Up).
On behalf of the University Management, the Vice Chancellor applauded the MakRun 2017 Organising Committee chaired by Dr. Florence Nakayiwa-the Director, Planning and Development Department for organising a successful run.
In a landmark event symbolizing Uganda’s stride towards sustainable transportation, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, commissioned the first Electric Fast-Charging Station at Makerere University on Friday 13th March 2026. The ceremony, held at the Senate Building Parking Lot, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s e-mobility journey, blending academic innovation with industrial application and governmental support.
The station, a DC Fast Charger C6-180 installed in collaboration with Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC), is designed to power electric vehicles efficiently, supporting Uganda’s shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. This setup ensures high-power DC charging ideal for fleet operations.
Hon. Dr. Musenero, in her keynote remarks, highlighted the profound significance of the occasion, tracing its roots back to 2011 when Makerere unveiled the Kiira EV – Uganda’s first electric vehicle prototype. “This infrastructure is the physical manifestation of a journey that began on this very hill nearly two decades ago,” she stated, emphasizing how the university’s initial proof-of-concept challenged skepticism about Africa’s role in automotive technology.
The event, she noted, completes a narrative full circle, with the birthplace of the Kiira EV now hosting the infrastructure to sustain a modern electric fleet. The commissioning aligns seamlessly with Uganda’s National E-Mobility Strategy, which aims to localize 65% of the e-mobility value chain by 2040 and create over 500,000 high-quality green jobs.
Hon. Dr. Musenero underscored the strategy’s focus on reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels while enhancing environmental well-being. “We are transforming Uganda into a net source of e-mobility solutions,” she declared, pointing to the potential for Ugandan intellect to produce vehicle parts and charging systems domestically.
In his remarks at the event, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe described the launch as a “multi-faceted achievement,” not only advancing the institution’s inclusive agenda but also setting an example for public institutions in adopting e-mobility. In so doing, Makerere University has positioned itself at the forefront of this transition.
On September 26, 2025, President Yoweri Museveni commissioned the Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja and handed over three Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) buses to Makerere University to enhance staff and student mobility. The fleet included two diesel-powered Kayoola Coaches and one electric Kayoola EVS 8.5m bus donated by KMC specifically to aid the movement of differently-abled staff and students. This move demonstrates academia’s capacity to integrate home-grown solutions into daily operations, impacting the economy through practical science.
The commissioning of the fast-charging station is rooted in a long history of collaboration. The Kiira Electric Vehicle Project, hatched in the former Faculty of Technology, has evolved into a national movement for automotive manufacturing. Hon. Dr. Musenero praised this progression: “We have moved beyond proving that an electric vehicle can be built in Uganda. We are now ensuring our electric vehicles are deployed across the continent, solving Africa’s mobility problems.”
Academia’s role remains central, as Hon. Dr. Musenero elaborated. While government provides policy frameworks and the private sector offers capital, universities supply the essential knowledge. The E-Mobility Skilling Programme at Makerere University‘s Innovation Pod (Mak-UniPod) is training the next generation of electric vehicle engineers, who are tackling “moonshot projects” to redefine urban transport. Research into optimizing local resources, such as Uganda’s lithium and cobalt deposits for battery production, is also underway.
A key environmental highlight of this development is Uganda’s renewable energy advantage. With over 95% of the national grid powered by hydroelectric dams, every charge at this station utilizes clean energy. “We are using our own water to power our own vehicles, keeping our wealth within our economy rather than exporting it to purchase foreign oil,” Hon. Dr. Musenero remarked, framing the launch as Uganda plugging into the global renewable shift. She pledged the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Secretariat’s continued collaboration with Makerere University, KMC, and partners to proliferate such stations across Kampala and beyond.
Addressing Makerere students, Hon. Dr. Musenero issued a challenge: “See this charging station as a symbol of your own potential. The engineers who built the first Kiira EV were once sitting exactly where you are. They did not wait for permission to be great.” She urged them to leverage available resources to innovate, building on a legacy that has shifted national conversations.
The event drew distinguished guests, including Members of Management, Eng. Paul Isaac Musasizi, KMC’s CEO and his management team, private sector partners, development agencies, and university faculty.
Looking ahead, this launch propels Uganda towards a “Qualitative Leap” in its economy, as Hon. Dr. Musenero described. By fostering innovation and investing in young minds, the nation aims to lead in technological advancement. The station not only powers vehicles but ignites progress, ensuring Uganda remains at the forefront of Africa’s e-mobility revolution.
As the ceremony which was intermittently “blessed” by drizzles drew to a close, the feeling of hope for a cleaner, self-reliant future – one charged by Ugandan ingenuity, was unmistakable.
General
Makerere University and International Partners Sign MoU for the 9th Kampala Geopolitics Conference
Makerere University, on 10th March, 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Embassy of France in Uganda, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), and Alliance Française de Kampala to organize the 9th edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference (KGC), scheduled to take place on 15–16 April 2026 at Makerere University.
The signing formalizes the continued partnership that has established the Kampala Geopolitics Conference as one of the region’s leading platforms for dialogue on global affairs, bringing together scholars, policymakers, civil society leaders, and students to debate the major geopolitical and socio-economic transformations shaping the world.
The conference, inspired by the Nantes Geopolitics Conference in France, was first launched in Kampala in 2018 and has since grown into a unique intellectual space for cross-continental exchange between Africa and Europe.
A Platform for Ideas, Dialogue, and Youth Engagement
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, emphasized the importance of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference as a platform that connects academic discourse with global policy conversations while empowering students to engage with the complex challenges shaping the international system.
The Vice Chancellor noted that hosting the conference reflects Makerere University’s long-standing commitment to fostering intellectual exchange and positioning the institution as a hub for regional and global dialogue.
“Makerere University is proud to host the Kampala Geopolitics Conference because it creates an important platform for debate and exchange on the global issues shaping our world, while giving our students the opportunity to engage directly with leading thinkers and policymakers,” said Prof. Nawangwe.
Prof. Nawangwe further commended the Embassy of France in Uganda, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and Alliance Française de Kampala for their continued collaboration with Makerere University in organizing the conference over the years. He expressed confidence that the 2026 edition will once again provide a dynamic platform for dialogue, bringing together scholars, policymakers, and students to examine the geopolitical trends shaping Africa and the wider world.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, H.E. Virginie Leroy, Ambassador of France to Uganda, highlighted the significance of the conference as a platform that encourages dialogue on global issues while empowering young people to participate in shaping the future.
Since its inception, the Kampala Geopolitics Conference has created opportunities for students, researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to engage with some of the most pressing global debates. The Ambassador noted that the curiosity and engagement of Ugandan students have become one of the defining features of the conference.
“This conference has become a unique space where students, researchers, policymakers and civil society exchange ideas on the major transformations shaping our world,” Ambassador Leroy said, adding that the event demonstrates the intellectual vitality of Uganda’s youth and the strength of the partnerships that sustain it.
Strengthening Partnerships for Global Dialogue
The Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a long-standing partner in the initiative, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting platforms that foster meaningful discussions on international affairs and regional dynamics.
Speaking during the ceremony, Anna Reismann, Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Uganda, emphasized the importance of the conference in connecting local perspectives with global debates.
She noted that Africa has increasingly become a focal point in global geopolitics, attracting engagement from a wide range of international actors through investments, trade, security cooperation, and diplomatic partnerships. While these engagements create new opportunities for economic growth and technological advancement, they also raise important questions about sustainability, governance, and the terms of international cooperation.
According to Reismann, the conference provides an important forum to examine these issues and to encourage dialogue that bridges academic perspectives with practical policy considerations.
The 2026 edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference will focus on key global and regional issues shaping international relations and development.
Among the themes to be explored are the future of development cooperation, particularly as global aid dynamics evolve and countries explore more sustainable and balanced partnerships. Another panel will examine youth and public policy in Africa, recognizing the critical role that young people play in shaping governance, innovation, and development across the continent.
With Africa home to the youngest population in the world, discussions will highlight the importance of ensuring that young people are not only beneficiaries of public policies but also active contributors to their design and implementation.
Makerere University at the Centre of Global Conversations
Hosting the conference reflects Makerere University’s continued commitment to fostering intellectual exchange and positioning the institution as a hub for regional and international dialogue.
Through its partnerships with global institutions such as the Embassy of France, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and Alliance Française de Kampala, Makerere continues to create platforms that connect academic knowledge with policy discussions and real-world challenges.
The Kampala Geopolitics Conference is expected to once again bring together leading experts, scholars, and practitioners from across Africa and Europe, while providing students with a rare opportunity to engage directly with global debates.
As preparations for the 2026 edition gather momentum, the partners expressed confidence that the conference will continue to inspire critical thinking, encourage dialogue across disciplines and generations, and strengthen cooperation between Africa and its international partners.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.
-
General2 weeks agoCall for Applications: Diploma Holders under Government Sponsorship 2026/2027
-
General2 weeks agoAdvert: Admissions for Diploma/Degree Holders under Private Sponsorship 2026/27
-
General2 weeks agoExtension of Application Deadline for Diploma/Degree Holders 2026/2027
-
General1 week agoMakerere University and World Bank Sign Partnership to Strengthen Environmental and Social Sustainability Capacity
-
Natural Sciences2 weeks agoMakerere University Researchers Awarded UCIF Grant to Tackle Maize Contamination with Innovative Plant-Based Fungicide