General
NORAD Director General Visits Mak, Looks Forward Collaboration in Perpetuity
The Director General of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), Jon Lomøy has applauded Makerere University for maintaining strong ancient ties with the Royal Government of Norway as well as the Norwegian institutions through the Norwegian support, partnerships, research, innovations, knowledge sharing, and student-staff exchange. This was during his visit to the great institution on 21st November 2017.
The Director General, who was accompanied by the Norwegian Ambassador to Uganda, H.E Susan Eckey, and other delegates namely Marte Tokenaes, Tina Holtgaard Oulie, Jeanette Da Silva and Mary Mabweijano, referred to Makerere University as the hub of Norwegian cooperation in Uganda.
“I am impressed with the long term cooperation that is dated way back in the 1940s! We are happy to note that Norway has had a strong hand in the physical and academic developments of Makerere University. And we are glad to be partners during the time when Makerere University is achieving a lot in her diverse work,” he said.
Meeting the Makerere University Central Management, the Principal Investigators of Capacity Building in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED) Projects and a team from Institutional Development and Implementation Committee (NIDIC), the Director General extended his sincere gratitude to the Makerere University Management and the entire University community for their strong contribution towards research and human resources through capacity building programmes.
“Our major focus is to strengthen the institutional capacity and performance of higher education institutions (HEIs). I therefore recognise Makerere University’s efforts in enforcing capacity building programs in Uganda as well as leading the country in research developments,” he said.
Jon Lomøy is looking towards a sustainable cooperation between Makerere University and the Royal Government of Norway even at a time when Uganda becomes financially independent. “We should have a continued scientific collaboration in research and innovations. Makerere University is one of the major hope in the Norwegian collaboration and Uganda is the major recipient of the Norwegian support, therefore we should not break this strong ties we have built over decades,” said the Director General.
The Ambassador of Norway to Uganda H.E Susan Eckey appreciated the institutions efforts to continue developing projects and initiatives under the NORAD support. “I am pleased to know that Makerere University is expanding the School of Women and Gender Studies, initiated by Norwegian collaboration with Makerere University,” she said.
In a speech read by Dr. Eria Hisali, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe acknowledged Norway’s contribution towards transforming Makerere University in the areas of teaching and learning, research and innovation, knowledge transfer partnerships and networking. “With this collaboration we have not only developed in academics, physical infrastructures and expanding of the human resource capacity through training, but we have also improved in the area of poverty reduction,” said the Vice Chancellor.
He thanked the Royal Government of Norway, the Norwegian Institutions for prioritising Makerere University when securing research and support grants. “We have been on the fore front in winning these grants, we have implemented many of the Norwegian projects and the current one is the NORHED where Makerere University is implementing 9 out of the 13 projects. We are really grateful for this consideration and this partly explains why we rank as one of the best 10 universities in Africa,” he mentioned.
In an overview on “Government of the Royal Kingdom of Norway” support to Makerere University and 70 years Institutional collaboration between Makerere University and the Norwegian Institutions” the Director, Planning & Development Department Dr. Florence Nakayiwa highlighted the achievements of the collaborations, the different research projects at Makerere University supported by NORAD and other potential areas of support towards institutional development.
Amidst applause from the congregation, Dr. Hisali presented an admirably befitting Plaque to the Director General and the entire NORAD team, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor as a sign of appreciation for their invaluable contribution towards Makerere University’s transformation in the area of teaching and learning, research and innovations, knowledge transfer partnerships and infrastructure development. He also presented Makerere University Souvenirs to the delegates.
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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