General
Mak Celebrates Mr. Mayanja Lumanyika’s Distinguished Service
Staff from the Directorate of Internal Audit and invited guests convened at Makerere University Guest House on Friday, 30th June 2017 for an evening full of celebration in honour of Mr. Mayanja D. Lumanyika’s virtuous and long-term service to Makerere University, spanning a period of over 30 years.
Amidst cheerful ululations, Mr. Mayanja who retired from the University Service in March 2017 introduced his wife of 36 years as well as 2 children who accompanied him to the celebration. The couple is blessed with six children. Mr. Mayanja who served Makerere University for 34 years; all spent in the Directorate of Internal Audit, thanked the Directorate for honouring him. He was humbled to realize that his long-term service was immensely appreciated.
“I joined Makerere University service in 1983 and was immediately posted to Internal Audit. At that time, the department had only four staff members. We were working just opposite the salaries office in the Main Building,” Mr. Mayanja recalled. He happily noted that the Department has since then transitioned into a Directorate with over 10 members of staff.
Sharing a touching story about his health, Mr. Mayanja recalled the day that he was diagnosed with kidney failure at Mulago Hospital in 2014, a condition which required a kidney transplant. He thanked Makerere University for having mobilized the money needed for surgery in India.
“I went for a kidney transplant in India and my lovely daughter Josephine Nakiberu donated one of her kidneys to me and thank God, the operation was successful. She is my greatest hero because she saved my life. The following year, I retired to my home in Kasangati,” said Mr. Mayanja.
He expressed gratitude to Makerere University, the Directorate of Internal Audit and his family for their support. He thanked the Almighty God for his life and what He has enabled him to do.
Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, the Vice Chancellor commended Mr. Mayanja for the dedication, commitment and resilience portrayed throughout his service to Makerere University.
“It’s not easy to serve an organisation for 34 years. He joined Makerere University during difficult times when Uganda was politically unstable, but he endured and served diligently. I greatly thank him for his commitment to serving this institution and ask him to always remember this great institution,” the Vice Chancellor said.
At the party, Prof. Ddumba-Ssentambu gladly revealed that their paths had once crossed while the two attended St. Mary’s College School Kisubi. Although he admitted to not knowing Mr. Mayanja then owing to the age difference, he expressed happiness at eventually interacting with him during his service at Makerere University.
The Vice Chancellor thanked the Directorate of Internal Audit for organizing the function in honour of their long-serving colleague and thanked the Acting Director, Mr. Benson Barigye for uniting both current and former staff. He urged them to uphold the spirit of teamwork as exhibited during the celebration. Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu similarly thanked Mr. Mayanja’s family for the love and care accorded to him under all circumstances.
On behalf of the Directorate, the Vice Chancellor awarded Mr. Mayanja a certificate of long term service to Makerere University as well as a gift which was termed as ‘a cow’. In the same spirit, Ms. Lydia Mugabirwe and Ms. Consolata Nakiyemba who previously worked as Secretaries in the same Directorate were awarded certificates of appreciation for the services rendered. The duo is still serving Makerere University, albeit under different departments.
The Acting Director-Internal Audit, Mr. Benson Barigye described Mr. Mayanja as a person who is very passionate about time management and professionalism. He in particular singled out the passion his retired colleague had for Crossword puzzles and Sudoku. He shared that Mr. Mayanja is a very knowledgeable and informed person who can always be depended upon to accomplish his assignments in a timely manner.
“When I came to Makerere University Internal Audit for the first time in 2013, I found Mr. Mayanja in office. He always reached the office in time and when it comes to time management, he has a distinction. He adored working together as a family and he was like a father to us all. We would still love to stay with him, but time has come for us to say goodbye.” Mr. Barigye remarked.
He expressed his appreciation to Mr. Mayanja for guiding and mentoring him in a professional perspective, which broadly shaped him into the person he is today. He recalled the times Mr. Mayanja advised him to do the right things at the right time. He always advised him that doing the right thing was the best thing to do.
In her tribute, Ms. Lydia Mugabirwe recalled Mr. Mayanja’s priceless help during the time they worked together. He taught her how to handle a number of activities.
“I joined Internal Audit in 2011 and discovered that the activities in my new department were so different from those of the previous one. I received a lot of orientation and guidance from Mr. Mayanja. He was always there for me to consult and was more like a parent to me. I really enjoyed working with him,” Ms. Mugabirwe said.
Mr. George Turyamureeba Mugabi thanked the guests for honouring the invitation to the farewell ceremony of their colleagues and appreciated the scrupulous services that Mr. Mayanja, Ms. Mugabirwe and Ms. Nakiyemba had offered during their time at the Directorate of Internal Audit. He thanked the Vice Chancellor for always supporting and working together with the Directorate.
Article: Mak Public Relations Office
Makerere University and the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (ND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University and Rev. Robert A. Dowd, the 18th President signed on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony, which was held at the University of Notre Dame campus at South Bend, Indiana was witnessed by Dr. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Council of Makerere University, who led the Mak delegation.
Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.
General
Press Release: Government of Uganda and Partners Launch SAY Plus+ to Scale Youth Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) Impact in Underserved Regions
USD 50 million national programme moves into full implementation, strengthening
adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to youth-responsive
services in 13 districts across five sub-regions
KAMPALA, 7 MAY 2026: The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda’s underserved regions.
The launch, held at Makerere University‘s Freedom Square under the theme “My Voice Matters: Youth Voices for SAY Plus+” and the tagline “Nothing for us, without us”, marks the programme’s transition into full implementation.
SAY Plus+, formerly known as Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment: Scaling Impact, is led by the Ministry of Health, in coordination with other Ministries, with UNFPA Uganda serving as the Managing and Technical Agency.
Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the initiative is scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. It is currently being rolled out across thirteen districts within five sub-regions, providing targeted assistance to regional referral hospitals in Jinja, Mbale, Moroto, Yumbe, Arua, and Gulu. Furthermore, the programme supports the Human Capital Development goals established in Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
“SAY Plus+ represents a shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated national effort that meaningfully places young people at the centre of both design and delivery. Through our partnership with the Government of Uganda, development partners, and implementing partners, we are investing not only in services, but in the systems, communities, and environments that enable adolescents and young people to thrive not only today but also in the future,” said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, Representative – UNFPA Uganda.
Officially launched by the Minister of State for Health Hon. Margaret Muhanga, the SAY Plus+ programme targets adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 years, with particular focus on adolescent girls and young women, refugees and host-community youth, out-of-school young people, those not in employment, education or training, adolescents with disabilities, and young people in humanitarian and post-conflict settings.
“For many of us, things like this one are designed without listening to what we go through every day, think or even feel. SAY Plus+ feels different because it starts with our voices and gives us a real role in shaping solutions. It is not just about information, it is about being supported to make decisions, access services, and build the future we want.” – Jovia Dranzoa, Young person.
SAY Plus+ operates through three pillars. First, it empowers youth to exercise their rights and make informed choices. Second, it engages families, communities, and leaders to address harmful social norms. Third, it strengthens youth-responsive SRHR, HIV, and gender-based violence services via health facilities and community platforms, aiming to reach over 2.3 million direct and indirect beneficiaries.
The SAY Plus+ initiative stands as a model of international cooperation and multi-sectoral synergy. Through the combined support of the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and the technical leadership of UNFPA, Uganda is now equipped to scale-up critical interventions in HIV prevention, gender-based violence response, and reproductive health. With implementation now in high gear through 2030, the programme is poised to make a lasting contribution to the nation’s human capital development goals.
— ENDS —
Photos from the event
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