General
Makerere Main Gate Reopens to Traffic
The Makerere University main gate has today Thursday 14th December 2017 been officially reopened for use after renovations that gave the primary entry and exit point a massive facelift. The penultimate opening was presided over by the Chairperson of Council Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem and witnessed by Members of Council, University Management, Kampala Capital Authority (KCCA) representatives; the supervisors of the project, Key partners, media and well-wishers.
The Chairperson of Council said that the newly constructed, wider and redesigned entrance was relocated last year in 2016 to pave way for Chinese Communications Construction Company (CCCC) to reconstruct a new structure that depicts the stature of the university.
“We wanted to have a main entrance that portrays the value, beauty and stature of Makerere University and I believe that this main gate once finished, is going to be the Face of Makerere we want to have,” he said.
To bring out the value and beauty of the face of Makerere, the road to the main gate has also been widened to six lanes and fitted with traffic lights at the junction with Makerere hill road, to regulate traffic flow. The road also has walkways for enhanced safety of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
“We are also planning to make this gate accessible to the people with disability. The gate will enable smooth entrance and exit to the general public, however, we expect them to follow the instructions that have been put in place,” he said.
According to Eng. Kibuuka Stephen, a specialist in Engineering Project Management- Directorate of Engineering and Technical Services KCCA, the gate will be fully ready for use in one month, after the final process of the designs and finishing that fit the taste of Makerere University. “As you can see we are in the final stages, within one month this gate will be communicating what Makerere really is. We want to finish it with marble and designs that communicate its prestige,” he remarked.
The Acting Vice Chancellor Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang, encouraged students to protect and keep the prestige of the gate as it appears in the Makerere University Anthem. “We should be proud of our own institution, this is a legendary gate, many prominent people have gone through this gate, so we should keep its prestige,” said Dr. Okello Ogwang.
The Newly appointed Director of Estates and Works Eng. Christina Kakeeto thanked KCCA and the Chinese Communications Construction Company (CCCC) for the quality work. She also thanked the Makerere University community for the patience exhibited during the construction. She also thanked the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe for being at the forefront of the project since its inception.
Artilce by Public Relations Office
General
Prof. Nawangwe urges young people to take up leadership in innovation for the transformation of Africa
By the Program Communication Team
On Sunday, February 2, 2025, Makerere University hosted the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council Representatives meeting, which brings together young people from around 45 partner universities of the Mastercard Foundation.
During the event, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe urged young people to prepare for leadership roles in innovation, especially starting with their communities, if they wish to see the positive transformation they desire in Africa.
“I urge you to connect and network with your peers and discuss how you can form inter-university teams to innovate solutions that will address the development challenges in our communities for the transformation of the African continent.” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
Prof. Nawangwe applauded the Mastercard Foundation for its partnership with Makerere University and Uganda in general, which has uplifting effects on many young people.
“Makerere University and Uganda have made remarkable strides in providing Higher Education to Young People, thanks to the generous support of the Mastercard Foundation, which has contributed significantly to educating the next generation of African leaders. Through valuable initiatives and partnerships, such as the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Makerere University is poised to continue educating young individuals who will significantly impact Uganda’s and Africa’s economic growth.” Prof. Nawangwe noted.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nawangwe, further urged young people to seize the opportunities the Mastercard Foundation and other like-minded development partners presented to improve their lives and communities.
“The Mastercard Foundation has given you the platform and opportunity to be leaders and beacons of change. Embrace this responsibility with courage. Let the core values of the Scholars Program—humility, listening, kindness and respect, co-creation, and impact—guide your actions,” Prof. Nawangwe emphasized.
While speaking at the same event, the Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, enumerated high-level achievements the Program had accomplished for the last decade at Makerere University. She pointed out that in terms of scholarship enrolment, the Program had recruited 1,032 Scholars, of which 76% were Females, 7% were Internationals, 4% were Refugees, and about 1% were Youth with Disabilities.
Prof. Namaalwa further pointed out other post-graduation achievements, including a 94% completion rate of the total number of Scholars enrolled in the Scholars Program. She pointed out that between 2018 and 2025, the Program had graduated 964 Scholars, of which 37% were employed, mainly in the private sector.
Prof. Namaalwa revealed that beyond the Scholars Program, the Mastercard Foundation had put other initiatives supporting the university in numerous ways. She pointed out other initiatives such as the e-learning initiative, a COVID-19 Response measure to ensure continuity of Teaching and Learning at Makerere University and the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative: Makerere University, in collaboration with the University of Ghana, the University of Cape Town, and the University of Cambridge, is implementing a new initiative that addresses one of the world’s most significant challenges in recent times—climate change.
Prof. Namaalwa revealed that the Research Collaborative would provide opportunities for MSc and PhD scholarships to African students and encourage young people to enrol as graduate students starting in the academic year 2025/2026.
The event was punctuated with fireside chats, during which young people had an opportunity to discuss a number of topical issues related to entrepreneurship and Transformative leadership. Thereafter, the visiting students were taken on a guided tour around Makerere University.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council comprises student leaders from partner Universities. Each Partner University has one Council Representative. They represent the needs of Scholars and work with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program teams at each institution, the Mastercard Foundation, and Alumni.
On Monday 3rd February 2025, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe handed over three (3) university buses to the respective leadership in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), the College of Health Sciences (CHS), and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB).
The new buses mark a significant improvement in mobility and learning for Makerere University students and staff, furthering the institution’s commitment to practical education and community service.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the University’s Freedom Square, Prof. Nawangwe highlighted the significance of the new buses in enhancing teaching and learning. “These buses will play a crucial role in improving students’ practical learning experiences by ensuring reliable transportation for fieldwork and community outreach,” he said.
Prof. Nawangwe expressed gratitude to the Parliament and the Government of Uganda for providing the resources for the new buses, emphasizing their importance in replacing the old fleet, which frequently breaks down. The new 2023 model buses, with a 67-seater capacity, were secured at a cost of UGX 626million each and are expected to save the university significant maintenance costs and improve the learning experience for students.
Principals from the respective colleges expressed their appreciation for the new buses. Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, Principal of CoVAB, emphasized the importance of the buses for practical training at locations such as Lake Mburo National Park. Associate Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, Principal of CAES, and Associate Prof. Bruce Kirenga, Principal of CHS, highlighted the buses’ role in facilitating community engagement and outreach.
He explained that the decision to purchase Isuzu buses instead of those manufactured by Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) a Makerere University partner, was based on prior engagement with the former, as well as the need to utilize the allocated funds promptly within the Financial Year, which couldn’t be accomplished at KMC due to their high demand.
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