On 8th January 2018, the outgoing Acting Director, Gender and Mainstreaming Directorate Ms. Frances Nyachwo handed over office to the newly-appointed Acting Director Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine.
Dr. Euzobia M. Baine joined Makerere University in February 2000 as an Assistant Registrar. She worked as a Senior Assistant Registrar in Charge of Policy and Welfare from 2007 -2011, and an Assistant Registrar in charge of the Female Scholarship Initiative from 2001 -2007 in the then Gender Mainstreaming Division (GMD). In May 2011, she was appointed Manager in charge of Academic Affairs in the Quality Assurance Directorate of Makerere University, a post she has held until she was currently appointed the Acting Director of Gender and Mainstreaming Directorate, Makerere University.
Presided over by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang, the handover took place in the office of Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, Makerere University Senate Building witnessed by the staff of Gender Mainstreaming Directorate and Makerere University Public Relations office.
According to the communication signed by the Acting Director, Human Resources, Mrs Dorothy Sennoga Zake, the Vice Chancellor authorised the Acting appointment of Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine for a period of one year effective 2nd January 2018.
On behalf of the Management and the entire University Community, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang thanked Ms Frances Nyachwo for the outstanding service. In the same spirit, he warmly welcomed the new Acting Director-Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine referring to her as a workhorse and a friendly person.
Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine said that her appointment to the new post signalled the University support for the program and therefore called upon the team to utilize the opportunity achieve the programs goals and objectives.
“My appointment shows that the University Management treasures Gender mainstreaming. It is high time we use this opportunity to champion its interests. We are aware that the program has faced so many challenges but it kept a fleet, but if we come together we can find solutions,” she said.
The outgoing Acting Director, Ms. Nyachwo thanked the University for granting her the opportunity to lead the Directorate for over two years where she has been able to learn many things in the field of gender and leadership. She also appreciated the love and support from the staff during her tenure. Ms. Nyachwo congratulated Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine upon her new role and pledged to work harmoniously with to ensure that the objective and goals of the directorate are fulfilled.
“As the Deputy Director Teaching, Learning Research and Innovations now, I am ready to work hand in hand with you to ensure that we uplift the pride of the Directorate not forgetting the efforts of the staff. Remember, staff members in their uniqueness contribute a lot as a team in achieving any planned output and realising any planned outcome,” she vehemently said.
She encouraged the incoming Acting Director to take networking and Gender advocacy seriously since it is a component of Gender Mainstreaming Program at Makerere University. “Gender Mainstreaming is one of the three crosscutting themes in the University’s strategic plan, others include; Quality Assurance, internationalisation and ICT,” she mentioned.
She also advised Makerere University Management to revise means of filling the staff-role gap that is affecting the effective delivery of services in the Directorate when she said, “Gender Mainstreaming is a powerful program, enhance it with trained and skilled staff and unmask its possibilities. Being one of the first of the kind in Sub Saharan Africa and beyond, many universities in Africa have tapped its potential through understudying it and using the knowledge to develop their own programs. We should therefore emphasize its ability.”
Article by Mak-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.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta is received upon arrival at Makerere University by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
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.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (2nd Right) poses for a group photo during the courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor with Left to Right: Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Ms. Sarah Kagingo and Guild President-H.E. Churchill James Ssentamu.
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:
Left to Right: The Vice President-H.E. Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Emeritus-Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Hon. Matthew Rukikaire and other dignitaries follow proceedings.
“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.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Diploma holders admitted under the Government Sponsorship Scheme for the Academic Year 2025/2026.
Under the Diploma Holders Government Sponsorship Scheme admission does not exceed 5% of the intake capacity to the respective Degree Programme.
The list can be accessed by following the link below:
Are you a researcher or student working in protein-related research, structural biology, or bioinformatics?
The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences (ACE) Uganda with support from Google DeepMind, invites researchers and students seeking to integrate AlphaFold into their work to apply for the AlphaFold Workshop to be held at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University-Kampala, Uganda from 16th to 20th June 2025.