General
Makerere University Go Green Week 2018
On Monday 27th February to Saturday 3rd March 2018, the SustainabilityProgram-Makerere University in collaboration with the Students Sustainability Action group (SSAG) joined other students around the world to Implement its second annual Go Green Week under this year’s theme “Save Energy and Protect our Planet.”
The Sustainability Program coordinated by the Planning and Development Department led by Dr Florence Nakayiwa, launched the Go Green Week last year as part of its annual projects/events with support from its partners Bangor University Sustainability Lab and Bangor University Students Union(UNDEB), who have been part of the Go Green Week UK for many years. Coordinated by People and Planet in the UK and Ireland, the Go Green Week Initiative is aimed at raising awareness and demand stronger actions to tackle climate crisis.
The aim of this year’s theme,“Save Energy and Protect our Planet” was to create awareness about sustainable energy efficiency practices within the University and encourage behavioural change towards energy use and management. The activities of the Go Green Week and this year’s theme were working towards addressing Sustainable Development Goal 7 which states, “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.”
Coordinated by the Sustainability Program Coordinator Ms Pamela N Matovu, students took the lead to implement activities throughout the week that promoted sustainable energy efficiency practices as an action towards combating climate change. The activities were focused on 2 major aspects; Energy efficiency awareness and behavioural change towards energy use, and a campaign to use energy efficiency equipment in Makerere University. The awareness campaign was enhanced by the World-Wide Fund Uganda who actively participated and provided energy efficiency and environment advise to students during the think tank session.
Throughout the week, the following activities were implemented;
Day 1 was the Official Opening of Mak Go Green Week;“Save Energy and Protect our Planet”
This was officiated by the Eng. Christine Kakeeto, Director of Estates & Works Department and in attendance was the Mr. Emmanuel Aupal, Partnership and Fundraising Manager of World Wide Fund Uganda (WWF) and Ms. Flavia Ajambo, Public Relations, CREEC. This also involved students placing stickers with energy efficiency and behavioural change messages in various places within the University. Students also made pledges on what they will commit on doing within the University and community.
Day 2: Social Media Campaign
Students shared their views about energy efficiency on social media using the #GoGreenMak, #Carnifal (a Go Green event at Bangor University) and further shared their views on the Students for Sustainability at Makerere University Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/studentsforsustainabilitymak/
The views shared on social media attracted 3220views around the world and inspired discussion about energy efficiency by students and other people that engaged with the event online.
Day 3: Think Tank session
84 Students from the different disciplines, staff and a team from World Wide Fund- Uganda participated in the first Think Tank Session, which was aimed at bringing students together with staff and other stakeholders to discuss issues about how energy inefficiency affects the environment and wastes money, and then discuss practical solutions to improve energy efficiency within the University and within their communities. The Think Tank Session was led by Ms. Pamela N Matovu, the Coordinator of the Sustainability Program, and chaired by Ms. Rachael Nuwagaba Kapasi, Lecturer at School of Psychology. The presentation was developed by Aaron Acuda the leader of the Students Sustainability Action Group (SSAG) a student of Environmental Sciences and presented by Julian Bulyaba a student of Psychology and Osito Jacob a student of Environmental Sciences. The presentation focused on the cost of energy to the University and how poor energy use behaviours affect the environment and waste money that would otherwise to be used to meet other needs.
The presentations revealed how energy is managed in various buildings in the University and the cost of energy to the University per month was revealed which was a shock to everyone. These facts inspired a discussion to find practical solutions to improve energy efficiency within the University and in turn in their homes and communities. A team from the World-Wide Fund-Uganda provided more awareness about the issues of energy and environment and shared information about protecting the environment through energy efficient management and use of clean energy.
Days 4 and 5: Switch Off Campaign
Students participated in the SWITCH OFF CAMPAIGN by switching off any unused energy consumption equipment i.e. lights, computers, phones, TVs, kettles, radios among others.
Day 6: Briquette Training:
Students were trained in making briquettes with the aim of equipping them with hands on skills that can enable them start up their businesses or help them understand more about how they can deal with their organic waste in an environmentally friendly manner. This was organized by Makerere University Waste Research Association in partnership with Department of Environmental Management Students Association.
As a result of the Go Green Week, the Sustainability Program is going to work with students and relevant staff to review or study existing energy audits and explore more ways of complimenting it to ensure that there is sustainable efficiency and management within the university; and engage in awareness and behavioural change activities or campaigns targeting students and staff to promote efficient use and management of energy in the University.
Partners of the Go Green Week
The Go Green Week at Makerere was organized by the Sustainability Program- coordinated by the Planning and Development Department, in collaboration with the Estates & Works Department, Students Sustainability Action Group, Students Guild-83rd Guild, Ministry of Estates & Environment; and supported by Sustainability Lab- Bangor University, UNDEB- Student Union Bangor and World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Uganda.
Authored By: Pamela N Matovu, Coordinator- Sustainability Program, Makerere University.
On 20th August 2026, Makerere University welcomed another cohort of 258 recipients of the prestigious Mastercard Foundation scholarship for the 2026/2027 academic year with pomp and fanfare. The colourful Scholarship Award Ceremony was presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who was represented by Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, the Dean of the School of Economics and the Chairperson of the Scholars Selection sub-committee of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
While addressing the gathering, Prof. Nawangwe reminded the Scholars that the scholarship was both an honour and a responsibility, and that they ought to make the most of it to improve their lives and communities.
“Now that you have stepped through the gates of Makerere University, remember that a scholarship is both an award and a responsibility. You have been chosen because we believe in your potential to lead, innovate, and serve. Makerere University offers you world-class academic resources, mentorship, and networks—but the impact you make with these resources will depend on your discipline, integrity, and vision,” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
A Call for Responsible Living
The Vice Chancellor further urged the new recruits to embrace university life responsibly and form lasting bonds that will support future networks.
“I encourage you to engage fully and responsibly in University life, build lasting bonds with your peers, and, equally important, keep your home communities close to your heart. Let the knowledge and skills you gain here become the seed for innovative solutions to the challenges facing your communities, our country, Uganda, and the African continent.” Prof Nawangwe emphasised.
Prof. Nawangwe further expressed his gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation for recognising Makerere University as a worthy partner and pledged to continue supporting all the Mastercard Foundation’s initiatives at Makerere University.
Leadership starts with self
Mr. Adrian Bukenya, the Senior Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program globally and the Country Director for Uganda, urged Scholars to embrace leadership, particularly through self-leadership. He emphasised that the Scholars Program is fundamentally a leadership development program.
“The Scholars Program offers more than just a scholarship; it is a leadership development Program. I encourage you, Scholars, to embrace leadership, and leadership starts with leading yourself, then your community, your country and the continent,” Mr. Bukenya emphasised.
Mr. Bukenya expressed his gratitude to the Management of Makerere University for partnering with the Mastercard Foundation on various initiatives. He emphasised that the Foundation is committed to continuing this partnership to educate young people and nurture the next generation of leaders on the African continent.
Selection Process Highlights
On his part, the Chairperson of the Scholars Selection Committee, represented by Mr Charles Ssentongo, the Deputy Academic Registrar responsible for Undergraduate admissions, congratulated all the Scholars who had made it through a very competitive and watertight selection process. To illustrate how tight the selection process had been, he shared compelling statistics that clearly demonstrated its competitiveness.
“We received 3,664 Applications for the Scholarship; 2,904 Undergraduates and 760 master’s students. Of these scholarship applicants, 1,440 Undergraduates and 280 Master’s students were admitted to Makerere University on private sponsorship, and they were all eligible for the Scholarship,” Mr Ssentongo pointed out.
Mr Ssentongo informed the attentive audience that one of the biggest challenges the Committee faced was the very high number of applicants, while the number of scholarships available was always very small. Mr Ssentongo then highlighted further statistics that characterised the tedious selection process.
“For the Undergraduates, 650 applicants were shortlisted for interviews, while 58 Master’s applicants were also shortlisted. Of these, 245 undergraduates and 13 Master’s students were selected for the final award,” Mr Ssentongo highlighted.
Celebrating A Diverse Cohort
The Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, used the occasion to highlight achievements made in the years gone by.
“Today, we are overjoyed to have successfully recruited 258 Cohort 9 Scholars—bringing us to the mark of 546 Scholars, 54.6% of the target recruitment of 1,000 Scholars under Phase II of the Program. To date, a total of 1,596 Scholars have been recruited since 2013, when the Scholars Program started at Makerere University,” Prof. Namaalwa announced.
Prof. Namaalwa showcased the diversity created by the Scholars Program, highlighting the arrival of international students from across the African continent at Makerere University through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
“For Cohort 9 Scholars, it’s time to celebrate our diversity in the Program. Let me call out the nationalities represented in the room: Lesotho (1 Scholar), Malawi (1 Scholar), Ghana (1 Scholar), D.R. Congo (13 Scholars), Cameroon (7 Scholars), Burundi (3 Scholars), Rwanda (10 Scholars), South Sudan (40 Scholars) and Tanzania (1 Scholar).” Prof. Namaalwa revealed.
Scholars Speak Out
Nathan Tamba, an international student from Cameroon, conveyed his enthusiasm regarding the opportunities afforded by the scholarship, particularly the prospect of pursuing his studies at Makerere University, recognised as one of the leading institutions on the continent.
“On behalf of my fellow scholars, I would like to express our gratitude to Makerere University and the Mastercard Foundation for awarding us this scholarship. It has given me the opportunity to study at this prestigious university and to experience Uganda for the first time.” Tamba remarked.
Tamba, clearly delighted like his fellow scholars, committed to using the scholarship opportunity to gain knowledge and skills he will use to benefit himself and his community.
The function was punctuated by entertainment from the Makerere University Choir, networking, and plenty of joyous celebration.
Bernard Buteera is Principal Communications Officer for the Scholars Program at Makerere University.
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