General
Mak beats odds to emerge Second Runner Up in Inaugural Insurance Quiz
Makerere University Bachelor of Commerce Students beat all odds to emerge as second runners up in the inaugural Inter-University Insurance Quiz held on Friday 20th October 2017 at the Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala. The students who only learned of the competition on the eve of the event through their mentor Dr. Godfrey Akileng-Head, Department of Accounting, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), however took the last minute preparations to heart and emerged triumphant.
“There is no module on insurance under the Bachelor of Commerce (B.COM) programme but our students did well, despite my initial hesitation owing to the short notice. We are very proud of them as a College” said Dr. Akileng. He however added that in future, insurance would be taught as a core course under the new curriculum currently under review. “This will equip our students with the basics of underwriting” he added.
The inaugural quiz was jointly organised by the Uganda Insurers Association and the Insurance Institute of Uganda (IIU) and the Makerere University team took home a trophy, certificates of participation and recognition and a brand new Tecno Spark smart phone for each of the five participants. Additionally, one of the team members Ms. Ankunda Nisa won herself a fully sponsored Certificate of Proficiency in Insurance from IIU in recognition of her excellent oral performance during the quiz. Other members of the team were; Katungi Andrew, Namutebi Zurah, Kirumira Julius and Ndekezi Bernadine.
Commenting on the selection criteria for participation in the quiz, Dr. Akileng said “Owing to the demanding preparation schedules for the quizzes coupled with other academic demands, we choose 3rd Year students with the highest CGPAs in the B.COM class to participate. This year, we selected the top 15 students and split them into teams of five to prepare for the: Ethics Challenge and the CFA Institute Research Challenge both organised by the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute of Uganda and the recently concluded Insurance Quiz.”
In Dr. Akileng, the students have found a supportive and knowledgeable mentor. He personally participated in the CFA Institute Research Challenge of 2009 and his team emerged as global runners up. “For my efforts, I won a cash prize, trophy, certificate and books that I still use to teach my students. I also had the opportunity to meet CEOs of top global brands like Apple’s late Steve Jobs.”
The next CFA Institute Research Challenge for the East African local chapter is scheduled to take place in February 2018 and the team is confident that they will do well. “The Insurance Quiz was a way to build up your question approach and answering skills for the next level. Participation gives you the opportunity to open yourself up and meet people you have never met and gain experience you never had. I received heartwarming report from the IIU CEO-Mr. Saul Sseremba that Makerere had the most decent students in the competition. I encourage you to uphold this” lauded Dr. Akileng.
Other teams that participated in the inaugural Insurance Quiz were drawn from Makerere University Business School (MUBS), Bugema University, Kyambogo University, Mutesa I Royal University and Buganda Royal Institute.
Article by 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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