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Baganda Nkobazambogo students win Mak Annual Cultural Gala Competitions
The 2017-2018 Annual Cultural Gala was held on Sunday 29th October, 2017 in the ever green University Hall Quadrangle. Organised by the Dean of Students, Mr. Cyriaco M. Kabagambe and the Makerere University Students’ Guild, the major aim of the cultural gala is instilling love for our culture and identity while appreciating our rich cultural diversity.
Twenty student associations participated in the highly competitive Makerere University Annual Cultural Gala. The Baganda Nkobazambogo Makerere University Students Association emerged winner, beating the nearest rivals Bunyoro Kitara Makerere University Students Association, and Kasese Makerere Students Association came third.
The two-day competitions conducted on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th October 2017 attracted many students and well wishers from the nearby places, with some coming as early as 8:00am. The performances on each day started at 9:00am. On the first day, the presentations focused on four items namely; Makerere University Anthem, East African Anthem, Cultural Anthem and Original Composition while the presentation of drama, poetry, African solo and dance was done on the second day.
A team of six highly experienced and neutral adjudicators was carefully selected to ensure impartiality and objectivity. These included Mr. Kabunga Robert, Mr. John Paul Omunya, Ms. Rebecca Namakula, Mr. Bora Nobert, Ms. Amayo Hope and another, who preferred anonymity.
Before announcing the results, the adjudicators talked to students, applauding performers and highlighted several recommendations.
According to the results announced at 8:10 pm by adjudicator Ms. Rebecca Namakula, the Baganda Nkobazambogo students scored 651 points, followed by Bunyoro Kitara students with 635 points while those from Kasese came in the third position with 627 points.
Before announcing the results, Ms Namakula commended the participants for the high level of commitment throughout the rehearsals and for dedicating time to writing scripts.
Ms Namakula reiterated that the only languages considered during the competitions where local languages and Kiswahili. “We had a problem where some of you used English, and after switched back to local languages," she remarked.
Speaking at the same event, Ms Amayo Hope, who was also an adjudicator, faulted presenters for ig
noring the composition of poems that portray how strikes can be done away with at Makerere University.
“Strikes are a big challenge to this University and poems were supposed to focus on how this can be addressed," asserted Amayo, while speaking to students who had convened at the University Hall grounds to hear the results.
She advised the performers, to avoid too much violence in their performances, as it could lead to provocations and fights.
The overjoyed Dean of Students, Mr. Kabagambe thanked the performers for treasuring their cultures. With the successful conclusion of the Students Cultural Gala, the Dean of Students reminded the students to concentrate on their studies since the examination time tables had been displayed in the respective colleges.
In an exclusive interview, the Senior Public Relations Officer of Makerere University, Ms Ritah Namisango remarked that the Makerere University Students’ Cultural Gala was a true representation of the rich Ugandan culture. She was happy to note that the competitions brought together students from various parts of Uganda.
Some of the Cultural Associations that participated included; The Adhola University Students Association (AUSA) consisting of the Japadhola students, Acholi MAK students Association (AMSA), and Lango Students Association (LASA) among others.
Written by: MAK Public Relations Office
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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