General
Director Estates and Works Hands Over Office
The outgoing Director, Estates and Works Department (EWD)-Eng. Fred Nuwagaba has today Thursday, 30th November 2017 handed over office to his newly-appointed counterpart Eng. Christina Kakeeto. The brief handover ceremony was held at the EWD Offices, Makerere University and witnessed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. William Bazeyo, University Bursar-Mr. Augustine Tamale, Manager Records and Information, Human Resources Directorate (HRD)-Mr. Ssanyu Lawrence, who represented the Acting Director-Mrs. Dorothy Sennoga Zake, Mr. Patrick Akonyet-Internal Audit as well as staff from EWD.
In his handover speech, Eng. Nuwagaba thanked the University Management and EWD staff for all the support rendered to him throughout his tenure, “I have had a lot of achievements but it would not have been possible without your support,” he emphasised.
Some of the critical achievements highlighted by the outgoing Director included: successful development of the University Infrastructure Master plan for the Main Campus, Mulago and Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK); Increasing the teaching and learning space by 15,000square metres, which was way above the 10,000square metres target envisaged by the Mak Strategic Plan 2008/2018; Instituting controlled access at all Makerere gates which has generated approximately UGX 20million in revenue per month over the last six months; total rehabilitation of the University Road Network; managing loss through introduction of metering units for water and electricity at household level, among others.
Eng. Nuwagaba however pointed out some projects that need to be fast tracked such as; completion of decorative works and reopening of the Main Gate, renovation of old buildings such as the first Administration block at CCE for purposes of academic tourism, implementing the outdoor advertising and campus beautification project, recruitment of senior staff to strengthen the EWD team, completing the digitisation of all physical infrastructure and instituting biometric access to Makerere buildings.
In his remarks, Prof. William Bazeyo congratulated Eng. Nuwagaba upon all the projects completed throughout his tenure. “Thank you for the very detailed handover report whose summary you just presented to us. I am satisfied with it and particularly happy that there is an Infrastructure Development Master plan for the University. You have laid a good foundation for the incoming Director,” he noted.
He also urged the EWD staff present at the ceremony to accord the incoming Director all the support she needs, noting that, “when the Director fails, you all fail. Just as the outgoing Director said that he succeeded because of your backing, I urge you to give the incoming Director the same support,” urged Prof. Bazeyo.
In her acceptance speech, Eng. Christina Kakeeto thanked the DVCFA for his wise counsel and thanked Eng. Fred Nuwagaba for his detailed handover report. “I will continue to rely on Fred as I familiarise myself with all EWD’s operations so please, don’t tire whenever I have to consult you” she said, further adding “I am happy to be here working with all of you. It is a big task but I am looking forward to taking the next steps and I think it is going to be fun.”
Eng. Christina Kakeeto is a BSc Civil Engineering graduate of Makerere University. She also holds an MSc in Strengthening & Maintenance of Civil Engineering Structures from the University of Leeds and an MBA (Construction & Real Estate) from the University of Reading both in the UK. She is a registered Member with the Engineers Registration Board (ERB) and a Corporate Member of the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE). She brings extensive exposure in real estate development appraisal and strategy from both the private sector and government parastatals.
Article by 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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