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MAK-MCF Scholars tipped on leadership and career development
MAK-MCF Scholars tipped on leadership and career development
Over 250 students on the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme at Makerere University are participating in the Summer Leadership Camp running from 25th to 29th June 2017 at Katomi Kingdom Resort Hotel.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu officially opened the 3rd Annual Summer Leadership Camp 2017 under the theme: Positioning the scholars for leadership, career and commitment for change.
Addressing participants at the official opening ceremony, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu applauded the MasterCard Foundation for their tremendous efforts in not only educating the African child, but also empowering the child to become an inspired African leader of the next generation.
“On behalf of Management and Makerere University community, I extend sincere appreciation to the MasterCard Foundation Program for this remarkable initiative that offers Scholars with extra skills to enable them succeed in the competitive world they live. As Makerere University, we are committed to supporting The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program to be able to achieve both the vision and mission of Makerere University and that of The MasterCard Foundation,” he remarkably said.
Prof. Ddumba urged students to take the camp seriously and actively participate in the activities. He encouraged students to always have a point of focus in their life that will help them to meet the expectations of their funders.
“You are being trained to be the next generation of achievers and leaders, who will be committed to service in your community, country and even continent. My advice to you Scholars, is: Be grateful every day for having received this comprehensive scholarship that gives you such extra trainings to enable succeed in life,” said the Vice Chancellor.
The Vice Chancellor thanked Dr. Florence Nakayiwa and her team for organizing a wonderful and successful camp that was going to practically benefit the scholars in both their academic and career life.
According to the Coordinator of MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University Dr. Florence Nakayiwa, the third Summer Leadership Camp is aimed at equipping scholars with the requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes to have a competitive edge in the world of work. The scholars will enhance their leadership abilities, critical thinking and ccommunication skills, team work, time management as well as commitment to transform or change their communities, country and continent.
“We are focusing at providing relevant and quality information to the Scholars to make informative decisions on further education, employment and entrepreneurship. All these are very good skills, if put in practice, they will give scholars a leverage over their peers and enable them to succeed in this competitive world,” she said.
During the camp facilitated by reputable trainers from Full Bridge, the MCF Scholars together with the Mentors and Project Implementation Team developed norms that would guide their interaction and flow of events during the leadership camp. The norms included: Time management, being present in body and mind, creating new friends, a friendly interaction among scholars, considering a descent dress code, wearing nametags and among other.
One of the MCF Scholars Ms. Tushaba Winnie, thanked MasterCard Foundation Program for the opportunity they granted African children to receive the best education ever. Recapping on the day’s program, Tushaba informed the Vice Chancellor and the entire congregation that the Summer Leadership Camp shall always remain the best incubation and mind setting activity to the scholars.
“We have learnt a lot. We have been able to relax our minds through different interesting activities. These are some of the days we will always remember,” she said amidst applause from other Scholars.
The MCF Scholars also appreciated the learning approach in a relaxed style organized in form of families/households with coaches and mentors saying, this enhanced team work, bonding and ignited their creative potential.
The former Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera is expected to close the workshop on 29th June 2017 with an awarding ceremony.
Mr. John Osuna, the Coordinator of the Summer Leadership Camp said scholars are expected to participate in different trainings and activity engagements facilitated by reputable trainers from Full Bridge.
“At the end of the camp, scholars would have gained knowledge on how to manage time and stress, be able to apply design thinking in their life as well as learning tactical ways of engaging with the community,” he said.
Article: Mak News Reporters
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.”
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.”
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:
“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.
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