General
First session of the Pedagogical Skills Training ends: participants awarded certificates
The first session of the Pedagogical Skills Training for Makerere University Assistant Lectures has successfully ended with 35 participants from the College of Natural Sciences, College of Computing and Information Sciences, and the College of Business and Management Sciences awarded certificates.
The certificates were handed over to participants by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang; at the closing ceremony of the first session of the training that was held on 25th July 2018 at Telepresence Centre.
Dr. Okello Ogwang congratulated the participants upon finishing the training successfully. He encouraged them to utilize the available training opportunities to increase their knowledge base and widen their understanding.
“Such trainings are good since they improve our networking, skills and experience. Learning is a continuous process. As teachers, it is our own responsibility to expand our knowledge base through learning, teaching and research. the more we learn, the better we become when interacting with our students. Let us build a strong information base that will help us in delivering good services to our clients,” he remarked.
The Pedagogical Skills Training for Makerere University Assistant Lecturers was officially opened on 23rd July 2018, with 35 participants from the College of Natural Sciences, College of Computing and Information Sciences and the College of Business and Management sciences undertaking the first session. The first session ran from 23rd -25th July 2018.
According to the Director Humana Resources- Mr. Andrew Abunyang, the Pedagogical Skills Training is expected to end in March 2019, with over 300, participants trained. “We have restructured this training in a way that, we shall have a session every after two weeks. In each session we expect 35 participants from the selected Colleges to undertake the training for three days,” he explained.
He congratulated the participants upon finishing the training and assured members of the second session that will be starting on 6th August 2018.
On behalf of the participants, Mr Edward Musoke, an Assistant Lecturer at the College of Computing and Information Sciences, appreciated facilitators for the knowledgeable, informative and remarkable training sessions. He thanked Makerere University Management, the Directorate of Human Resources and the College of Education and External Studies for organising the training that has enabled participants realise the need to revise their teaching skills and align them with the current needs of students and society.
“We are grateful for the knowledge and skills we have gained in these three days. The sessions were so informative; we have refreshed our minds to understand our call as teachers. I believe that we have been well equipped with the capacity to take our students through their academic journey in a manner that will help them succeed in their careers. We are very positive that, with this training we are ready to take the University at greater heights and we pledge to take forward the knowledge gained to improve our career and ensure quality education at Institutions of Higher Learning.,” said Mr. Edward Musoke, on behalf of the participants.
The Principle of College of Education and External Studies Prof. Fred Masagaazi Masaazi thanked the Directorate of Human Resources and the College of Education and External Studies for organising training that is ready to equip Lecturers with skills and techniques that will enhance their teaching abilities.
Article by: Racheal Kanyi and Pauline Angom- Volunteers, 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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