General
Imperial Group of Hotels Partners with Makerere University and AUUS ahead of the 3rd FISU World University Netball Championship 2018
Makerere University in conjunction with the Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) is set to host the 3rd FISU World University Netball Championship 2018. According to the Head-Secretariat, Local Organising Committee Ms Penninah Kabenge, the event is scheduled to take place on 17th-21st September 2018 and Eleven (11) countries have confirmed participation in the Netball Championship.
“11 countries have shown interest in participating in the Netball Championship. These include; Jamaica, USA, Sri Lanka, Singapore, South Africa, Zimbawe, Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, Australia and the host (Uganda). This is the highest number to be registered in the World University Netball Championship whose Maximum is 12,” she said.
Addressing Journalists at Imperial Royale Hotel-Kampala, Ms. Kabenge said that 21 competent students from different universities in the country have already been selected to represent Uganda in the Championship.
“The venue for the Netball Championship has also been confirmed and preparations are underway to ensure that by September 2018, the facility will match international standards for in door games. Located at Makerere University, the venue will be able to accommodate 1500 spectators. The Facility will also have a number of outdoor screens to engage more spectators,” she added.
During the press conference, Imperial Group of Hotels announced its interests to partner with Makerere University and Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) to provide world class accommodation services to participants at a subsidized fee. According to Mr. James Kasavubu, Head Sales and Marketing, the Imperial Group of Hotels will also provide 400 cartons of branded water and 24 hour transport services for the participating team.
“Imperial Royale was designated the media hotel for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that was held in November 2007 in Kampala. We therefore want to assure our clients that we shall provide the best services they deserve. Our ultra-modern health club, gym, and recommendable swimming pool situated on the fifth floor of the hotel and overlooking the beauty of Kampala should prepare all the athletes for what should be an intense and exciting Championship,” he stated.
Commenting on the partnership with Makerere University and the Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS), Mr. Kasavubu said the partnership resonates with what Imperial Royale Hotel stands for as an internationally recognised hotel that is designed to serve the most sophisticated clients.
“As the hotel, we can only build on that priceless experience and ensure that hundreds of guests that will check in the World University Netball Championship in September 2018 leave with exceptional, memories from our exceptional facilities and unparalleled services,” he said.
In a speech read by the Dean of Students Mr. Cyriaco Kabagambe who is also the Vice President of the World University Netball Championship, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe said the partnership between Imperial Group of Hotels, Makerere University and the Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) is in line with what the hosts (Makerere University) aspire for, that is class and quality services.
“The magnitude of the championship we are set to host demands class and quality. As such, we feel honoured to be associating with partners such as Imperial Group of Hotels. The relationship between University Sports and Imperial Group of Companies has been built over the years. The hospitality provided by Imperial Royale during the 1st African University Cross Country Championship and the 19th World University Cross Country Championship in Entebbe at Botanical Imperial Hotel was world class,” said the Vice Chancellor.
Re-echoing the slogan Ettuuke, a word synonymous with netball, the Senior Public Relations Officer of Makerere University, Ms Ritah Namisango called upon staff, students, alumni, corporate bodies and well-wishers to popularise and support the Netball championship.
“This is a national event. Makerere University is hosting the Netball Championship on behalf of Uganda. In line with the Ettuuke slogan, I rally all Ugandans to support the Local Organising Committee to ensure that the Championship is a success. Ugandans you have a role to play in ensuring that Team Uganda (The Mighty Cranes) wins the Netball Championship,” she remarked.
“We are calling upon students and former students of Makerere University to support this cause. This is our event, hosted by us and in our own environment. We need to work together with the Organising Committee to ensure that it achieves its goals. We should be part of this memorable event where Uganda will leave a lasting legacy of winning the championship,” said Mr. Hery Nsekuye, Sports and Games Union Representative on the Local Organising Committee.
Mr. Brian Henry Vubya, a Volunteer at Secretariat of the Local Organising Committee encouraged Ugandans to visit the Championship website and social media platforms for updates and an extensive interaction on the Netball Championship. He thanked all the organisers and sponsors for the support they have rendered towards Makerere University to ensure a successful event.
“Visit our website: www.wunc.mak.ac.ug and for more interaction you can join the conversation about the event on our Facebook and Twitter pages: 3rd World University Netball Championship, @wunc2018kampala respectively,” he said.
The Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) in conjunction with Makerere University and the support of several stakeholders won the bid to host the 3rd FISU World University Netball Championships 2018. Uganda was awarded the hosting rights for the event, beating Namibia, England and Jamaica. The award was based on the successful hosting of the 5th All Africa Games in 2008, the 2nd FISU World University Woodball Championship 2010, and the 19th World University Cross Country Championship 2014 among others.
The bidding was initiated by the Sports and Games Union during the Student committee to council meeting, during which the Union proposed that Makerere University hosts the 2018 World University Netball Championship. The proposal was fully embraced and received the blessing of the University Council. The 3rd Edition of the World University Netball Championship was officially launched on Tuesday 1st August 2017 at Makerere University.
Article by: Proscovia Nabatte, Mak Public Relations Office
Edited by: Ritah Namisango, Mak Public Relations Office
Makerere University staff have been urged to embrace servant leadership, integrity and compassion as they prepare to welcome students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The call was made during the Makerere University Staff Prayer Breakfast held on 31st July 2026 at St. Francis Students Centre Upper Hall under the theme “Faithful Stewards: A Servant Heart with Integrity and Wisdom,” drawn from Colossians 3:23–24 and Mark 10:35–45.
The prayer breakfast brought together members of Council, University Management, academic, and administrative staff to dedicate the new academic year to God while reflecting on their responsibility of serving students with excellence, humility and integrity.
A Call to Seek God’s Wisdom
Host Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa reminded staff that no amount of professional experience or academic expertise can replace God’s guidance.
She noted that the University’s mission can only be fulfilled when staff continually seek God’s wisdom in serving students and one another.
“There is no amount of experience or expertise that can replace God’s wisdom.”
Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed that students remain the reason universities exist and challenged staff to approach their work as a calling rather than merely employment.
“Without students, there is no university,” she said, encouraging members of staff to remain united, avoid unhealthy competition and trust God as they begin another academic year.
She further urged staff to become faithful stewards who work together in harmony, which she summed up as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research
In her remarks, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Members of Management to the breakfast, and reminded staff that a university’s value cannot be measured by research and innovation alone.
She described Makerere as a community held together by the spiritual as well as academic wellbeing of its people, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
Draw Inspiration From Stewardship
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Sarah Ssali told staff that this year’s breakfast carried special significance.
“This is the first prayer breakfast we are having ever since we launched our strategic plan,” she said, referring to the University’s new Strategic Plan, launched on 2nd July 2026.
She encouraged staff to hold on to the morning’s reflections as a guide for implementing the plan over the next five years, describing Makerere as an institution many families choose above all others for the vision and training it offers their children. She urged staff to see themselves as stewards of that trust rather than simply employees carrying out a job.
Compassion and Discipline Must Go Together
Delivering her remarks, Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara challenged staff to strike a balance between compassion and discipline when dealing with students.
She observed that many students face different personal and academic challenges, making encouragement and timely support essential throughout their university journey.
“A word of encouragement can restore hope and prevent costly mistakes,” she noted.
Dr. Lorna encouraged lecturers and administrators to respond promptly to students’ concerns, explaining that delays, insensitive decisions and abuse of authority can discourage students and negatively affect their academic experience.
She reminded staff that students often remember how they were treated long after they have forgotten what was taught in class.
“Students may eventually forget what we teach them, but they will always remember how we treated them.”
She added that education goes beyond transferring knowledge.
“Education is more than knowledge. We communicate life, character and values.”
Quoting Mark 10, Dr. Lorna called upon staff to embrace servant leadership by exercising authority with humility, integrity and accountability.
She encouraged members of staff to ask themselves whether they would treat every student the same way ashey would treat their own child.
“We may not always have all the answers,” she said, “but we can communicate honestly, take responsibility and treat every student with dignity.”
She concluded by urging different colleges and administrative units to work together instead of operating in isolation, noting that unity strengthens the University community.
Referring to Galatians 6:2, she reminded staff to carry one another’s burdens and remain faithful stewards of the responsibility entrusted to them.
Servant Leadership Begins with Faithfulness
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. James Magara, husband to Dr. Lorna Magara, called on members of staff to embrace servant leadership grounded in humility, faithfulness and service to others.
Drawing from Mark 10:35–45, Dr. Magara reflected on the account in which James and John asked Jesus for positions of honour in His kingdom, prompting discontent among the other disciples. He observed that despite walking closely with Christ, the disciples continued to struggle with the desire for status and recognition. He noted that such competition remained evident even during the Last Supper, where concerns over positions and prominence persisted.
Dr. Magara said that Jesus responded to these human tendencies by redefining leadership through service rather than authority. He described Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet as the ultimate demonstration of servant leadership, explaining that genuine leaders are willing to undertake even the humblest responsibilities in service of others.
Referencing Philippians 2, he urged staff to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness, contrasting it with the pride and self-exaltation illustrated in Isaiah 14. He emphasised that lasting influence and greatness are not measured by titles, positions or recognition, but by one’s willingness to serve faithfully and put the needs of others before personal ambition.
Drawing on his own leadership journey spanning several decades, Dr. Magara challenged leaders across the University to cultivate humility, integrity and a servant heart in the execution of their responsibilities. He cautioned that leadership driven by pride and personal ambition undermines both individual effectiveness and institutional progress, whereas servant leadership strengthens organisations and fosters lasting impact.
The prayer breakfast concluded with a call for unity and collective commitment as Makerere University prepares to begin a new academic year. Organisers noted that the reflections on stewardship, integrity and servant leadership would provide a strong foundation for the University community as it advances the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
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