The 83rd Makerere University Guild has acquired valuable knowledge and skills aimed at enhancing their leadership abilities and service delivery to students.

Officially opened by the Dean of Students, Mr. Cyriaco Kabagambe on Saturday 21st October 2017, the two day Student Leaders’ Induction and Training workshop highlighted the: Governance Structure of Makerere University, Prospects and opportunities of a student leader, Financing procedures and regulations in the University, Team Building, Leadership experiences, public speaking as well a presentation on effective public relations and communication.

Delivering a presentation titled, “Public Speaking-A skill for effective leadership,” on Sunday 22nd October 2017, Mr. Ronald Mayanja, the Chief Executive Officer of Ability Explored and an alumnus of Makerere University urged the participants comprising the Dean of Students, Deputy Dean of Students, Wardens of Halls of Residence, and student leaders to adopt public speaking as a great tool in executing their duties and responsibilities.

Student leaders at the University have been encouraged to take on several strategies which they should employ in order to be good public speakers who have the ability to arouse interest in their audience especially the fellow youths whom they serve.

Mr. Mayanja, who is also a motivational speaker advised student leaders to learn the push and pull aspect in order to persuade your audience, exercise optimism and confidence coupled with directing their attention and sight to their audience in order to defeat objections and criticisms, and to focus on their dressing code and appearance before the audience.

Mr. Mayanja finalized by asserting the leaders need to always use attention attracting stories, use gestures wisely to engage and captivate the audience.

Speaking at the same workshop, Ms. Ritah Namisango, the Senior Public Relations Officer of Makerere University emphasized the need for the student leaders and the entire students’ body to use the right Makerere University logos when executing official duties. She added that the leaders should take lead since they are the best ambassadors of the University.

“You are the right ambassadors to tell the good story of Makerere University. Communicate to fellow students and the public about the innovations and milestones in research in the different colleges. Even when we face challenges, always focus on what the University Administration is doing to solve the issues at hand,” Ms. Namisango noted.

Seeking the support of the student leaders in popularizing the policies at Makerere University and activities that help to promote the University, Ms. Namisango requested them to always work with the respective College Communication Officers.

She concluded by thanking the 83rd Students’ Guild for choosing to dialogue with the University Management to resolve some of the issues of concern raised by the students.

The Guild President, H.E Kato Paul advised his counterparts to be good listeners, analytical in order to avoid politicizing Makerere University matters, and to always be professional when handling student oriented matters/issues of concern.

Closing the workshop, the Dean of Students commended the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe for supporting the Student leaders’ Induction and Training workshop. He thanked the Wardens of the respective Halls of Residence for organising a successful workshop as well as the Student Leaders for actively participating in the workshop.

Written by: Student Volunteers- Marion Apio, Namagembe Eva, Ndyabawe Waswa Myres