General

Baganda Nkobazambogo students win Mak Annual Cultural Gala Competitions

Published

4 years ago

October 30, 2017

Baganda Nkobazambogo Makerere University Students Association performing their traditional dance.

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. Students showcase Gishu culture at the gala

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. One of the groups at the competition performing the Anthems.

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. The team from the Dean of Students Department following proceedings at the Gala. (L-R) Mr Steven Kateega- Deputy Dean of Students, Mr Cyriaco Kabagambe - Dean of Students, Mr Rivan Peter Muhereza -Warden Kabanyolo and Galloway Hall, and Mr Edward Lukabara - Warden Livingstone Hall of Residence

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. Some of the judges evaluating performances at the gala.

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 Students from Karimajong performing at the gala 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. The cultural gala attracted members of the public from the neighbourhood including children.

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

General

Veteran Professor changed Makerere and Higher Education

Published

1 day ago

June 21, 2021

Mark Wamai

Professor Pancras John Mukasa Ssebuwufu (L) receives a plaque and citation from RUFORUM Board Member and Vice Chancellor Ndejje University-Professor Eriabu Lugujjo (Right) on 6th May 2021 at the RUFORUM Secretariat, Plot 155 Garden Hill, Makerere University Main Campus,

When Professor John Ssebuwufu ambled up to receive a certificate of recognition for his ‘exceptional’ contribution to higher education from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) at Makerere University (MU), he was thinking of many things, such as rewarding staff, that he could have done differently to impact university education more.

But he did what he could have done, under the circumstances.

He presided over MU (in 1993) when student enrolment was 5,000 and left in 2004 when the population was surging to more than 15,000.

He emphasised the use of information communication technologies in almost all the institutions he had been involved in and sent many academic staff on exchanges to boost research and innovation. Now, more African universities engage in ground-breaking research.

So, he proceeded to accept his recognition and make his acceptance speech, which was mostly about gratitude.

Ssebuwufu, 74, who is currently the chancellor at Kyambogo University and the vice-chancellor of the University of Kisubi, is credited for his exemplary leadership and pragmatic methods that have shaped higher education in Uganda and Africa as a whole.

General

Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2021/2022

Published

1 day ago

June 21, 2021

Mark Wamai

Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2021/2022. Photo credit: AfDB

The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program is a capacity building project by the AfDB and Japan which was initiated in 2017 with the aim of providing two-year scholarship awards to highly achieving African graduate students to enable them to undergo post-graduate studies (i.e. a two-year Master’s degree program) in selected priority development areas on the continent and Japan. The overarching goal the AfDB and the Government of Japan seek to attain is to enhance skills and human resources development in Africa in under the Bank’s High 5s agenda (i.e. “Feed Africa”, “Light up Africa”, “Industrialize Africa”, “Integrate Africa” and “Improve the quality of life of the people of Africa”) and key Japanese development assistance initiatives. JADS core areas of study focus include energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, and engineering. The program also seeks to promote inter-university collaboration and university-industry partnerships between Japan and Africa. Upon completion of their studies, the JADS scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate their newly acquired knowledge and skills in the public and private sectors, and contribute to national and continental socio-economic development.

About the JADS program

The JADS Program is open to applicants from AfDB member countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a graduate degree program in energy development and related discipline. The program does not provide scholarships to any other graduate degree program.

The scholarship program provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.

Upon completion of their studies, the beneficiary scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate their newly acquired knowledge and skills, and contribute to the promotion of sustainable development of their countries.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

The program is open to those who have gained admission to an approved Masters degree course at a Japanese partner university. Candidates should be 35 years old or younger; in good health; with a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the energy area or related area; and have a superior academic record. Upon completion of their study programs, scholars are expected to return to their home country to contribute to its economic and social development.

Application Procedures

Applicant requests for information and application forms and procedures from the chosen JADS partner university. For any inquiries, please contact JADS@AFDB.ORG
Applicant completes required documents and sends them to the university.
University evaluates and selects applicants.
University sends selected candidates to the AfDB.
AfDB reviews submissions from universities, prepares and approves the final list.
AfDB contacts selected awardees, and informs the universities.