General
MakRun2018: The Push Towards a Centre that Reflects Dynamism of the 21st Century Student
On Sunday, 25th March 2018, thousands of participants comprising staff, students, alumni, friends and well-wishers assembled in the Freedom Square for the Makerere University Endowment Fund Run (MakRun) 2018. The Second Edition of the MakRun started with aerobics by 6:00am and at exactly 7:00am, the Chief Runner, the Katikkiro of Buganda, Ow'ekitiibwa Charles Peter Mayiga who is also an alumnus of the University flagged off the 5km, 10km and 15km route runners.
Accompanied by the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs Hon. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi and Assistant Inspector General of Police Andrew Sorowen, Owe’kitiibwa Charles Peter Mayiga appealed to the public and private sector to support Makerere University’s efforts to construct a Students’ Centre.
“I call upon all those who have passed through Makerere University to embrace the cause so that we build for the future of our university. I am confident that together, we can set up a multipurpose facility for our students,” he said.
MakRun is geared towards mobilizing funds for the construction of a Students’ Centre worth UGX15billion, to enhance the quality of student life and experience.
The Centre will serve as a congregation point that reflects dynamism of the 21st century student in the digital age. It will be a one stop Student Information Centre with a 2,000 seater state-of-the-art Auditorium and Wall of Fame. The centre will also accommodate conference facilities, cafeterias, internet kiosks, memorabilia shops, bookshops, recreational sports arena as well as entertainment and social areas.
The Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF) selected the Students’ Centre as its inaugural project. The Centre reflects solid commitment to improving the students’ academic experience and the quality of life generated by the environment conducive for learning and networking while at the University. It will correct the imbalance in access to socio-cultural amenities that was created by the increase in student numbers.
Addressing participants in the Freedom Square, the MakEF Chairperson Dr. Martin Jerome Aliker expressed his joy at the massive turn-up for the MakRun 2018 when he said, “your participation is an affirmation that there is a spirit of togetherness for the benefit of Makerere University. We believe that bringing the staff, students, alumni, friends and well-wishers together to support a common cause is a key milestone in building the culture of philanthropy not only in Makerere University but perhaps as an example for other institutions in Uganda.
Let me hope that the seed we have sown will germinate to bear fruit.”
According to Dr. Martin Aliker, the Student’s Centre in any university is a key landmark for students’ life. He therefore called upon all alumni, stakeholders and well-wishers to continue mobilizing support towards the Students Centre Project.
“The Centre will provide a platform for Makerere University Students to network, socialize and meet friends which is our priority number one. If every alumnus of Makerere University living in Uganda contributed UGX10,000/= towards the Mak Students’ Centre in addition to participating in the Mak Run every year, the project would be completed in 5 years,” he added.
The Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe thanked the Katikkiro of Buganda for officiating at the Second Edition of the Makerere University Endowment Fund Run 2018. “the Katikkiro has demonstrated that we each have a role to play in as far as building for the future is concerned, irrespective of age, societal or economic standing. No contribution is too big or too small. At the end of the day, the Students Centre will be built brick by brick. So bring your brick or two, ask your friends to bring theirs’ too and together we shall make this dream come true,” said the Vice Chancellor.
He also applauded Katikkiro for granting Makerere University access to all the Buganda Kingdom resources during the time of publicising the MakRun 2018. Prof. Nawangwe acknowledged that the support granted by the Katikkiro went a long way in garnering the support of Buganda Kingdom subjects and residents of Central Uganda to join the University in the Run.
“Thank you so much for not only displaying exceptional philanthropy but also running the talk. Makerere University takes cognisance of all Buganda Kingdom’s development projects aimed at improving the livelihood of all your subjects and residents. I therefore reiterate Makerere University’s commitment to partner with Buganda Kingdom in its development work, so that we can leverage all our human, intellectual and technical resources to improve the wellbeing of the communities that we exist to serve,” added Prof. Nawangwe.
In the same spirit, the Vice Chancellor applauded the MakEF Board of Trustees under the leadership of Dr. Aliker for initiating the idea of organising a Run to mobilize funds and construct a students’ Centre at Makerere University. He saluted the 5km, 10km and 5km route runners for the spirit of love shown towards the University.
Prof. Nawangwe also acknowledged all the support received from stakeholders, funders and sponsors. On behalf of the University Management, he applauded the MakRun2018 Organising Committee; chaired by Dr. Florence Nakayiwa-Director, Planning and Development Department, for putting together a successful run.
Last year, Makerere University Endowment Fund organised the first-ever MakRun; officially flagged off by the Speaker of the Parliament, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, which raised a total sum of UGX 247,845,000 (two hundred forty seven million eight hundred forty five thousand Uganda Shillings) in cash and pledges. The MakRun 2018 ran concurrently with a blood donation drive organised by the Rotary Club of Kampala City Makerere in conjunction with the Nakasero Blood Bank.
The Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. William Bazeyo commended participants, champions, sponsors and partners for their contribution towards the success of MakRun 2018. This year’s event climaxed with an awards ceremony where the Vice Chancellor handed over medals to the winners of the 5km, 10km and 15km races, while Dr. Martin Aliker handed over certificates to the sponsors and partners.
The medal recipients at MakRun 2018 were; Madam Nakayiza and Mpende John William who emerged the best female and male runners respectively in the old age category, as well as University Secretary-Mr. Charles Barugahare, Ms. Namubiru Noeline, Mr. Kibadde Muhamed and Mr. Amanya Gilbert for the 5km race. For the 10km race, medal recipients were; the Principal College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS)-Dr. Eria Hisali, Mr. Silver Saiga Alex, Mr. Abdul Zeid, Ms. Nakato Jennifer and Ms. Chamtei Fibia. For the 15km race, the winning team comprised Ms. Veronica Nasaka, Ms. Nabbumba Maayi, Mr. Ategeka Brian and Mr. Ssebbumba Gonzaga.
Article by Nabatte Proscovia, Public Relations Office.
Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. The tournament was held in three preliminary rounds, followed by semi-finals and a grand finale.
The first round covered democracy and youth participation in politics, while the second round covered inequality and wealth distribution, and the third, the ban on export of raw materials. The semi-final round debated apprenticeship for blue-collar jobs, while the grand finale debated national budget allocations for healthcare and education. In the spirit of inclusivity, all colleges, including the Jinja Campus participated in the tournament.
Commenting on the choice of topics, the organisers noted Makerere University as a bastion of academic excellence has a profound responsibility to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of our nation. These leaders, they added, ought to be equipped with 21st century skills of self-expression, critical thinking, and problem-solving so as to navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving world.
On the whole, Makerere Inter-college Debates were conceived as a strategic initiative to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and innovation. The Debating Union aims to empower the future leaders by providing a platform for students to engage in respectful discourse, articulate their thoughts, as well as develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Furthermore, the Debates serve as a platform for not only honing the intellectual prowess of students but also cultivating leadership skills, teamwork, and communication abilities that are essential for success in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It is envisaged that this initiative will have a lasting impact on the lives of students, by exposing them to debates on topical issues that can shape the mindsets of transformative leaders our nation needs.
After a thrilling two days of debate, Daphine Kemigisha and Jibril Ssekandi from the School of Law (SoL) emerged as winners of the Makerere University Inter-college Debate Tournament 2025, while Olara Emmanuel George from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) was the Public Speech Champion, and Namujuzi Martha Mociita from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) was the Poetry Champion.
The 2025 Tournament was organized by Mayanja Owen and Nkalubo Oprah – 91st Guild Representative Councils (GRCs) of the Debate Union, Akatwijuka Arthur – Chairperson Debate Union, and Debate Union Representatives from colleges. The Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF) partnered with the Debate Union to deliver the 2025 edition.
Addressing students at the award ceremony, UNNGOF’s Mr. Derrick Baluuku encouraged the youth to step out of their comfort zones and think of solutions to inspire change in their communities.
-
General1 week agoCall for Applications: Admission to Postgraduate Programmes 2025/2026
-
General5 days agoAccommodation during the Recess Term: 2024/2025
-
Humanities & Social Sciences2 weeks agoOver 2,000 Attend Makerere’s Dialogue on Traditional Spirituality, Herbal Medicine, Witchcraft and Questions of Truth
-
General5 days agoMak Targets 30% Graduate Student Enrolment
-
General2 weeks agoPhase 1 of e-Learning initiative at Makerere University registers remarkable achievements