General
Lead the continent out of poverty, Vice Chancellor urges students
Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has urged students of Makerere University to strive to lead the African continent out of poverty. Prof. Nawangwe was addressing over 300 Scholars of Mastercard Foundation, during their annual leadership training held at Ridar Hotel- Seeta.
He reminded the students that Africa was once the most civilized continent in the world, but because of wars and poor leadership, the continent was torn apart. He was therefore very happy that there was a new breed of leaders being groomed through leadership training and that it was their duty to take the continent back to its former glory.
He further reminded the students that they had capacity to impact the continent and world because they were being trained at Makerere, the best University on the continent, which has also produced some of the best leaders of the continent. He further told them that they could be the next great and transformative leaders of their generation given the resources that have been availed to them.
Prof. Nawangwe thanked Mastercard Foundation for the role that they have played in facilitating the acquisition of education to many brilliant students in the country that were incapable of affording University education. He applauded the students on their confidence and great presentation skills, and called upon them to go out and implement them in the world of work. He further encouraged the students to work harder in their studies to avoid having delays and retakes, so that they could accumulate resources and create impact in their societies.
He called upon other development to emulate Mastercard Foundation in educating they young generation of Africa, because it was the only sure way the continent will overcome poverty and the poor leadership that has been the biggest challenged for the last 50years.
The Coordinator of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, Dr. Florence Nakayiwa urged the students to desist from participating in activities such as strikes which could destruct their academic progress. She reminded them to give back to their communities the same way they have been supported. She also urged them to put the skills they gained from the leadership training in practice, so that they become the true transformative leaders Mastercard Foundation expects them to be.
The leadership Camp is an annual training where Scholars of Mastercard Foundation at Makerere University are trained in a number of soft and transferable skills. This year’s training was held in partnership with Solutions Africa, a reputable organisation famed for corporate leadership development in Africa. The Scholars have been trained in transformative leadership, time management, community engagement, Social research and Information Communication Technology.
Article by: Bernard Buteera Butare, Communcation and Web Officer Mak-MCF Scholars Program
Makerere University and the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (ND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University and Rev. Robert A. Dowd, the 18th President signed on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony, which was held at the University of Notre Dame campus at South Bend, Indiana was witnessed by Dr. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Council of Makerere University, who led the Mak delegation.
Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.
General
Press Release: Government of Uganda and Partners Launch SAY Plus+ to Scale Youth Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) Impact in Underserved Regions
USD 50 million national programme moves into full implementation, strengthening
adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to youth-responsive
services in 13 districts across five sub-regions
KAMPALA, 7 MAY 2026: The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda’s underserved regions.
The launch, held at Makerere University‘s Freedom Square under the theme “My Voice Matters: Youth Voices for SAY Plus+” and the tagline “Nothing for us, without us”, marks the programme’s transition into full implementation.
SAY Plus+, formerly known as Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment: Scaling Impact, is led by the Ministry of Health, in coordination with other Ministries, with UNFPA Uganda serving as the Managing and Technical Agency.
Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the initiative is scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. It is currently being rolled out across thirteen districts within five sub-regions, providing targeted assistance to regional referral hospitals in Jinja, Mbale, Moroto, Yumbe, Arua, and Gulu. Furthermore, the programme supports the Human Capital Development goals established in Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
“SAY Plus+ represents a shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated national effort that meaningfully places young people at the centre of both design and delivery. Through our partnership with the Government of Uganda, development partners, and implementing partners, we are investing not only in services, but in the systems, communities, and environments that enable adolescents and young people to thrive not only today but also in the future,” said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, Representative – UNFPA Uganda.
Officially launched by the Minister of State for Health Hon. Margaret Muhanga, the SAY Plus+ programme targets adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 years, with particular focus on adolescent girls and young women, refugees and host-community youth, out-of-school young people, those not in employment, education or training, adolescents with disabilities, and young people in humanitarian and post-conflict settings.
“For many of us, things like this one are designed without listening to what we go through every day, think or even feel. SAY Plus+ feels different because it starts with our voices and gives us a real role in shaping solutions. It is not just about information, it is about being supported to make decisions, access services, and build the future we want.” – Jovia Dranzoa, Young person.
SAY Plus+ operates through three pillars. First, it empowers youth to exercise their rights and make informed choices. Second, it engages families, communities, and leaders to address harmful social norms. Third, it strengthens youth-responsive SRHR, HIV, and gender-based violence services via health facilities and community platforms, aiming to reach over 2.3 million direct and indirect beneficiaries.
The SAY Plus+ initiative stands as a model of international cooperation and multi-sectoral synergy. Through the combined support of the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and the technical leadership of UNFPA, Uganda is now equipped to scale-up critical interventions in HIV prevention, gender-based violence response, and reproductive health. With implementation now in high gear through 2030, the programme is poised to make a lasting contribution to the nation’s human capital development goals.
— ENDS —
Photos from the event
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