General
Mr. Henry Mwebe appointed Director, Legal Affairs
On 16th April 2018, the outgoing Acting Director of Makerere University Directorate of Legal Affairs Canon Goddy Muhanguzi Muhumuza handed over office to the newly appointed substantive Director Mr. Henry Mwebe. The handover ceremony took place at the Directorate of Legal Affairs and was presided over by Makerere University Secretary Mr. Charles Barugahare who is the immediate supervisor of the Directorate. It was witnessed by Mr. Walter Yorac Nono-the Director of Internal Audit, Mr. Ssanyu Lawrence representing the Acting Director of Human Resource, staff from the Directorate of Legal Affairs and Makerere University Public Relations office.
Mr. Henry Mwebe was officially appointed substantive Director of Legal Affairs on 6th April 2018. On behalf of the Management and the entire University Community, the Makerere University Secretary Mr. Charles Barugahare thanked Canon Goddy Muhanguzi Muhumuza for the outstanding service rendered the Directorate since its inception.
“With your dedication as Acting Director for two years and five months, the Directorate of Legal Affairs has witnessed several achievements. This portrays you as a good leader and we pray that you do not stop. You have remained solid, firm in positioning and providing guidance to the University,” he said.
He warmly welcomed the newly appointed Director and encouraged him to utilize the staff and build a strong and energetic working team. He also urged the Director to tap into the available opportunities and possible innovations that can support the Directorate.
Mr. Henry Mwebe thanked the staff of the Directorate and University Management for the warm welcome and promised to work with the team to see to it that the University is compliant with all aspects of the law in both its external and internal transactions. He called for team work from the staff to ensure that the Directorate adds value to the overall output of the University. “With you and with the help of Management, I undertake this responsibility so that the Directorate realises its mandate,” he said.
Mr. Henry Mwebe is a professional lawyer with 18 years of experience. He has practiced his profession in both Government and private sectors. Mr. Mwebe is also an Advocate and a Commissioner for oaths. He holds a Masters of Law Degree from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, a Bachelor of Laws from Makerere University, Kampala, a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre, Kampala and an Advanced Diploma in Economic Social and Cultural Rights from Abo Akademi University, Finland. He also holds various qualifications in arbitration and mediation.
The outgoing Acting Director, Canon Goddy Muhanguzi Muhumuza thanked Makerere University Appointments Board for granting him the opportunity to serve in the position of the Acting Director Legal Affairs for the period of two years and five months. In the same spirit, he thanked the University Management for the support and the team in the Directorate of Legal Affairs for the teamwork they exhibited during his tenure. Mr. Muhanguzi Muhumuza also appreciated the University Council’s decision to establish the Directorate of Legal Affairs.
“With your support, I was able to kick start and complete the process of establishing, registering and securing approval of the Chambers for the Directorate of Legal Affairs, ensuring the efficient and effective handling of all cases for and against the University,” he said.
He warmly welcomed the incoming Director and congratulated him upon his new role. He pledged to work harmoniously with him to ensure that the objectives and goals of the Directorate are fulfilled.
Article by Mak-Public Relations Office
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
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