General
Chancellor Prof Suruma Rallies Stakeholders to take part in MakRun 2018
Makerere University Chancellor Prof. Ezra Suruma has called upon all stakeholders of Makerere University to join the Katikkiro of Buganda Ow’ekitiibwa Charles Peter Mayiga in the Makerere University Run that is scheduled to take place this Sunday 25th March 2018. Addressing journalists on 22nd March 2018, the Chancellor said that the Run is not only geared towards resource mobilisation but it is also a platform for building synergies among stakeholders.
“The run is part of our efforts for continuous engagement with our stakeholders to appeal to their philanthropic nature to contribute to the Makerere University Endowment Fund and the Students Centre project,” he said.
In the same spirit, the Chancellor appealed to students, staff, alumni and well-wishers of Makerere University to contribute to developments that will benefit future generations of students at the great institution.
“We expect to have 5,000 students, staff, alumni and other well-wishers to participate in the run. Brick by brick we are confident that we shall build the Students Centre that will not only make all our Alumni proud of their Alma Mater but also create a lasting impression on the young generation,” said the Chancellor.
According to Mr. Brian Nsubuga Miiro one of the Sports Tutors on the MakRun Technical team, designs for the MakRun2018 routes are already out and runners are expected to tackle 5km, 10km or 15km depending on their endurance. The starting point for all three routes will be the Makerere University Freedom Square. All runners taking part in the MakRun2018 will exit the Campus via the Main Gate, turn right at the Wandegeya junction to YMCA, then onto Buganda Road, cross to Lourdel Road, and take a left to join Yusuf Lule road.
At this point, the 5km runners will proceed to Mulago Roundabout while the 10km and 15km runners will turn right and proceed to the Fairway Hotel junction. 5km runners will proceed to Binaisa Road and at Kubbiri Round about, take a left along Bombo Road and re-enter the University through the Eastern Gate and proceed to the Freedom Square via Nsibirwa Hall and the Main Library.
Both the 10km and 15km runners will take the left at onto John Babiha (Acacia) Avenue and then separate at the Upper Kololo Terrace junction, where the 15km runners will turn right. The 10km runners will continue along John Babiha (Acacia) Avenue and at City Oil take a left onto Kira Road and proceed to Mulago Roundabout. At the roundabout they will turn right onto Binaisa Road and follow the rest of the route as the aforementioned 5km runners back to the Freedom Square.
“Then we have the 15km for the giants who will proceed along Upper KololoTerrace, turn left onto Lugogo By-pass, and then turn left onto Kira Road at the junction. They will continue along Kira Road until the Mulago Roundabout where they will follow the rest of the route back to the Freedom Square like their 5km and 10km counterparts” added Mr. Nsubuga.
Makerere University is seeking to raise UGX15billion through the alumni, well-wishers and development partners to construct the Student’s Centre that will enhance the quality of student life and experience. The Centre will serve as a collective place that reflects dynamism of the 21st century student in the digital age. It will be a one stop Student Information centre with a state of the art Auditorium with 2,000 seating capacity and a Wall of Fame.
According to the Director, Planning and Development Department (PDD) Dr. Florence Nakayiwa, the proposed Mak Students Centre will also accommodate Conference facilities, Cafeterias, Internet Kiosk, Memorabilia Shop, Bookshop, Recreational Sports Arena as well as Entertainment and Social amenities.
“The Centre is one of our strategies to create a versatile and holistic graduate of Makerere University that will serve national needs effectively. The auditorium, instructional spaces, banking halls and commercial entities will be the best-equipped and most accessible spaces available to the greater Makerere University community,” she added.
“We are calling upon students and former students of Makerere University to support the cause. As much as we have received free tickets from different people, let us also buy tickets to show our willingness to develop our university. The students Centre we are constructing is going to be of our own benefit. It might not benefit us now, but we are building for the future. Our children, brothers, sisters and friends will have to enjoy the fruits we left behind,” said outgoing Guild President, H.E Kato Paul.
On the same day, the Rotary Club of Kampala City Makerere in conjunction with Nakasero Blood Bank has organized a blood donation drive targeting friends and well-wishers (who will be in the Freedom Square, but not run the 5km, 10km or 15km routes) to donate blood in order to save lives.
Article 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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