General
MCF First Cohort Graduates advised to be useful citizens
On 20th January 2016, the MasterCard foundation at Makerere University organized a flourish party for the First Cohort Scholars who graduated during the 68th Makerere University graduation. The highly colorful ceremony was attended by parents/guardians, Mastercard Foundation Project Implementation Team, Makerere University Management among other invited guests to celebrate the academic achievement of the Scholars.
Clad in their official graduation gowns, Scholars were ushered in the Makerere University Main Hall amidst applause from the overwhelmed audience. The overjoyed students could not hide their happiness as the School of Performing Arts and Film was invited to entertain the guests.
28 first cohort Scholars graduated during the 68th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University held from Tuesday 16th to Friday 19th January 2018 in the University’s Freedom Square. One of the Scholars, Claire Muga Akinyi graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Community Psychology.
Presiding over the Graduation Party held on Saturday 20th January 2018 in the University Main Hall, the Chairperson of Makerere University Council, Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem congratulated the 1st Cohort MCF Scholars upon this milestone, advised Scholars to be disciplined, focus on excelling in different aspects of life and be useful citizens to the country.
“I am pleased that the graduates have been transformed by the education received … you came here naïve, but listening to the testimonies from the MCF Graduates this afternoon, you are now confident and positive about the future,” he said. “I am pleased that the graduates used their opportunity well.”
Eng. Dr. Wana-Etyem exalted MCF for supporting the students and the University as well as the country. “The graduates are an asset to Uganda, while the money received from MCF is also used to support other students through another scholarship programme, so we are grateful for the effort.”
He appealed to the parents to encourage their children to study hard. “If it was not for education you would not have met me,” he added.
The Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, challenged the graduates to be more determined to succeed. “You must consider yourselves privileged because you came from a less privileged background … 85% of the first cohort have graduated, including a first-class degree, which is a major success.”
In 2013, Makerere University partnered with Mastercard Foundation to offer scholarships to 1,000 academically bright but economically disadvantaged youth from Africa to study at Makerere University.
According to Prof. Nawangwe, the partnership owes a lot to its two main champions, who include the former chancellor, Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera and the former programme coordinator, Ms Catherine Kanabahita, who designed the base framework of the partnership.
“It was Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, who was attending a conference in India, who made the first call and persuaded Mastercard to partner with Makerere University,” he said. “If he had returned to Kampala after the workshop, no one would have known about it.”
He also applauded Ms Kanabahita, who has since been succeeded, Dr Florence Nakayiwa.
The Vice Chancellor thanked the MCF Advisory Board, MCF Steering Committee, MCF Project Implementation Team and the Mentors for the selfless service rendered.
For his part, Prof Kagonyera explained why he made the call to persuade Mastercard. “I’m passionate about the education of under privileged students especially Ugandans … I urge you graduates to help the person next to you and … do the best with the knowledge you have got and if you can get more knowledge.”
Prof Kagonyera urged the Government to match MCF’s contribution with its own funds. “This will help reach out to more young people out there. If this money is invested in education, it will be put to better use.”
Speaking on behalf of MCF, Senior Program Manager, Ivy Mwai, exhorted the graduates to give back to their communities. “Our hope is that the graduates will spur development in Africa. I urge you to prepare yourselves for the boisterous journey of life,” she said. “I urge you to encourage your peers to join the programme.”
The Chairperson of the MCF Steering Committee, Dr Ernest Okello-Ogwang also had a message for the graduates.
“Don’t think that you are too privileged to multiply your gifts – take your gifts to the community. This is the first cohort to graduate, and many more are scheduled to graduate in future.” He also commended MCF for its contribution and saluted Prof. Mondo Kagonyera for seizing the opportunity to bring MCF to Makerere University.
The Coordinator of the MCF partnership, Dr Florence Nakayiwa expressed optimism for the programme.
“When you undertake a project, you don’t know how it will end but from seeing the fruits, we are already gratified by the success,” she said.
Speaking on their cohort’s behalf, Clare Mugga Akinyi, who obtained a first-class bachelors degree in Community Psychology, seemed to capture their mood.
“We are not average. We have to act exceptional as we are representatives of MCF and the great Makerere University,” she said, to loud cheers.
Mackline Banaga, who now holds an upper second class Bsc in Quantitative Economics, was chosen to speak for her female counterparts. “I thank God for this opportunity, because we were thousands of applicants and only 50 were selected. It is never too late to carry on the vision of the Mastercard foundation, not to forget who you are,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the male MCF Graduates, Matia Mulumba, who holds an upper second class Bachelor of Agribusiness Management degree, said he was already giving back to his community in Kagadi.
“I was chosen from among all the poor in Kagadi, and I have returned to work in Kagadi, where I’m already giving advice and support to the locals. I thank Mastercard for the opportunity accorded to me to touch and support others,” he said.
Speaking for all the parents, Jane Namazzi, a mother to one of the graduates, Christine Namagambo, praised MCF. “I thank God that my daughter did not disappoint and has graduated. Even when she was unwell, she was well taken care of, which was unexpected for a poor mother like me.”
“I’m really amazed at the gift of education given to my daughter from a tiny village in Butambala … I pray for more blessings to Mastercard, who have supported us all this time.”
The colourful ceremony with befitting entertainment from students and staff of Performing Arts and Film climaxed with the cutting of the cake and a sumptuous dinner.
Article by: Mak News Team
General
Are We Giving Enough Attention to the People Around Us Who Quietly Influence Lives Every Day?
By Marion Apio
On March 21, 2026, I felt a strong urge to reconnect with a close colleague and passionate leader, Owekitinisa Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki. We had not spoken since I moved to the United States to pursue my dream of becoming a journalist. The following day, I learned that he had been quietly undergoing treatment in and out of the hospital. True to his character, he had chosen to keep his condition private. I was shocked and saddened, wishing I had known earlier so I could offer support.
At first, reports from family and friends were encouraging. He had been diagnosed with malaria and low blood platelet counts and was receiving treatment. Respecting his wish for confidentiality, members of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community at Makerere University rallied discreetly around him.
However, on April 29, his condition worsened. He was transferred between medical facilities and underwent extensive tests, including a biopsy, as doctors searched for answers. Sadly, on May 29, Sylas passed away.
His death sparked an extraordinary outpouring of love and solidarity. Friends, colleagues, and former scholars mobilised to support his family, settle medical expenses, organise virtual vigils, and plan a dignified farewell. Hundreds gathered at St. Augustine Chapel to pay their respects. Within three days, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community raised approximately UGX 11 million, a testament to Sylas’ impact on countless lives.
In the days that followed, I found myself wrestling with difficult questions. In a world where we spend so much time following people online, are we paying enough attention to those quietly transforming lives around us? Why do we invest so much emotional energy in distant personalities while overlooking the people God has placed right in front of us?
Sylas lived with humility and served with grace. His death left more than 1,500 Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni grieving, alongside many others around the world who knew him. Yet his passing also exposed a contradiction in modern life.
We live in an age of unprecedented connectivity. Uganda has millions of internet users and WhatsApp subscribers, while globally, people spend hours each day on social media. We have more tools than ever to stay connected, yet many of us are becoming increasingly disconnected from the people who matter most.
Sylas resisted this trend. Through mentorship, service, and community-building, he remained deeply present in others’ lives. While many people retreat into individual pursuits, he consistently chose connection.
This challenge is especially relevant for Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni. Every year, young Africans leave home to pursue education and professional opportunities abroad. Distance, time zones, visa restrictions, and rising travel costs make it difficult to maintain relationships and remain actively involved in the communities that helped shape us.
For Sylas, the answer was simple: show up. Celebrate others. Offer support. Stay connected.
He never allowed geographical or personal barriers to become excuses for disengagement. Even while facing his own struggles, he invested in others. He embodied the values the Mastercard Foundation seeks to cultivate—ethical leadership, service, and community empowerment.
Sylas did not wait for a perfect platform to create change. He simply served where he was. He helped build bridges between education, culture, and professional development while remaining grounded in his values. He dreamed of creating a stronger alumni ecosystem and brought both passion and compassion to every initiative he touched.
Since his passing, social media has been filled with memories of his infectious smile and unwavering commitment to others. Those tributes reveal an important truth: people gave generously because Sylas had first given himself generously to them. People from different backgrounds, generations, and communities showed up because he had spent his life showing up for them. His legacy now challenges all of us.
The greatest tribute we can offer is not simply to mourn his loss but to continue his work. That means supporting the causes he cared about, helping the children whose education he championed, strengthening alumni networks, and pursuing the dreams we discussed with him.
The tragedy of modern life is not that we follow people online. It is that too often our attention to distant lives comes at the expense of meaningful relationships nearby. Yet strong relationships are as essential to our well-being as physical health.
As Ugandans, we take pride in our faith, culture, and sense of community. We contribute to fundraisers, attend ceremonies, and support family members in times of need. But increasingly, genuine connection is being replaced by passive digital interaction. Families and communities cannot thrive on likes, retweets, and emojis alone.
They require presence—phone calls, visits, conversations, and the willingness to notice when someone is struggling.
Before spending another hour immersed in the lives of strangers online, look around. Call the friend you have not spoken to in years. Check on a family member. Reach out to a colleague who seems withdrawn. Communities are not built by algorithms or celebrities. They are built by ordinary people who choose, day after day, to care for those within their reach.
Uganda needs more people like Sylas. At just 32 years old, he achieved what many spend a lifetime striving for. He served as Minister of Information in the Toro Kingdom and as President of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Association in Uganda. More importantly, he dedicated himself to serving others.
While his death is deeply painful, his life remains a powerful example of how we should live. My prayers and condolences go to his family, friends, and the entire Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community.
Rest in perfect peace, Owek. Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki.
The author is a Mastercard Foundation Alumna from Makerere University and the University of California, Berkeley. She is a journalist based in Southern California and the CEO of the Debunk Media Initiative.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at St. Augustine Chapel, Makerere University on May 30, 2026 to pray for the soul of Mr. Sylas Ruhweza, the first President of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Community at Makerere University.
The requiem mass was filled with emotional tributes celebrating Ruhweza’s life of service, leadership and dedication to community causes. Ruhweza passed away on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Mildmay Uganda Hospital.
Speaker after speaker described him as a humble and visionary leader who was passionate about uplifting others and deeply committed to excellence.
“We thank God for the life of Sylas, for the years he granted him among us, and for the impact he made on countless lives. He carried himself with humility and grace, and wherever he went, he built friendships, inspired confidence, and left people better than he found them,” Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, said during the Mass.
Mr. Rwomiire urged mourners to honour Ruhweza’s legacy by embracing the values he stood for, including integrity, compassion, hard work, service to community, and his unwavering love for Tooro Kingdom.
The main celebrant, Rev. Fr. Charles Lwanga Makoboza, echoed the message in his homily, reminding Christians to remain rooted in Jesus Christ throughout their lives.
“Sylas has gone to be with God, in a place where there is no pain, missed calls, struggle, corruption, betrayal, jealousy and tears. He is in a place with absolute peace. So, in life, never be the cause of someone’s tears, and if you do, seek reconciliation,” Fr. Lwanga, said.
Fr. Lwanga also reminded mourners that what Ruhweza needs most are prayers, not wreaths.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Ms. Grace Kabasita, Ruhweza’s maternal aunt, described him as a loving and dedicated young man whose life touched many people.
“Sylas was a counsellor, teacher, and a brilliant, loveable young man who fitted into every society. His life was marked by service, friendship, dedication, and commitment to the wellbeing of others and his culture,” she said.
Addressing mourners, Prof Justine Namaalwa, the Coordinator of the Mastercard Foundation Initiatives at Makerere University, noted that though Sylas’s life was cut short, he leaves behind a lasting legacy of service, leadership and impact on the communities he served.
“Sylas, you have gone too soon. But it is well with our souls. May your legacy of Transformative Leadership live on,” Prof. Namaalwa, said.
She thanked the Mastercard Foundation for supporting his education through BRAC Uganda, supporting his university education through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, and nurturing his leadership journey through the Youth Advisory Board.
Ruhweeza at glance
Born on 19th July 1994 to the late Mr. Paul Tinkasimire Paul Adyeeri and Ms. Ategeka Margret Abwooli of Bunyangabu District.
The ninth born of eleven children attended Kaboyo Primary School for his Primary Education, and later joined Fort Portal Secondary School where he sat for his O-Level. He then proceeded to A-Level at Hannah International School.
He joined Makerere University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geoscience and Production in 2022, supported by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at Makerere University.
At the time of his passing, he was pursuing a Master’s degree at Victoria University.
Leadership, Service and Professional Contributions
Mr. Ruhweza served as Chairperson of the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network at BRAC from 2020 to 2022, demonstrating transformative leadership and commitment to social change.
He later became the President of the Makerere AlumNet Foundation, an umbrella organization that brings together the Scholars Makerere Alumni chapter.
He worked as an eLearning Support Officer at the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) under the e-learning initiative at Makerere University.
He was a member of the Steering Committee of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, representing the Scholars Makerere Alumni chapter.
At the time of his passing, he was serving as the Minister of Information in the Tooro Kingdom, Strategy and Engagement Lead for the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network-Uganda Chapter, and Programme Associate at the Africa Climate Collaborative, one of the Mastercard Foundation initiatives at Makerere University.
Legacy
Ruhweza is remembered for his dedication to education, leadership, mentorship, and community service. He passionately championed youth empowerment, collaboration, and social responsibility.
His life reflected the transformative power of education, servant leadership, and a commitment to uplifting others.
May Sylas’s soul rest in eternal peace.
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