General
Government Pledges Support as HERS-EA Second Academy Closes
The Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) has pledged to support the good work being done under Higher Education Resource Services, East Africa (HERS-EA), aimed at promoting the advancement of women in leadership and management in Higher Education through training. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Second Academy on Friday, 6th July 2018 at Grand Global Hotel, the State Minister for Higher Education-Hon. Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo reassured the audience that HERS-EA’s efforts had not gone unnoticed and the Government would arrange to meet the leadership and deliberate on the terms of support.
“In the Ministry of Education and Sports, we have a culture of sharing, and so when I told the Minister of Education and Sports and First Lady that I was coming to preside over this closing ceremony, she was not only excited to learn about what you have been doing here but also sent her warm greetings to each and every one of you” remarked Hon. Dr. Muyingo.
Earlier, the HERS-EA Coordinator, Ms. Naomi Lumutenga had shared that HERS-EA is solely run by support from volunteers and its concept of empowering women leaders and managers in Higher Eduction has now been embraced by all East African Community Member countries. “We are now at a point where we need government buy-in, in the same way that the government of the Republic of South Africa bought into HERS-South Africa. We have support from IUCEA and we would prefer to take HERS-EA forward as a regional organisation that is aligned to the EA regional agenda” she added in address to the State Minister.
“I wish to reassure you that before your request came, the conversation had already started in the Ministry of Education and Sports” said Hon. Dr. Muyingo. “I therefore urge you to get in touch with my office so that we can discuss this matter further” he added.
The State Minister thanked the facilitators for demonstrating their love for Uganda by volunteering their time and resources to impart knowledge to their fellow ladies. He also thanked participants for dedicating time to the course and prayed that they would put all that they had learnt into practice.
“Our problem in society is the shortage of people who are equipped with good leadership and management skills. The skills that you have gained during the course of this workshop will help provide solutions to some of our problems. We need more women in leadership than in any other sector. I therefore urge you to go out and share the skills you have acquired freely” encouraged Hon. Dr. Muyingo.
He further urged his audience to read Robin Sharma’s book The Leader Who Had No Title, the take home being that leadership is not about titles or the salary at the end of the month but rather how brilliantly we work, how expertly we go about our behaviour and how unshakable our faith is in the visions of our respective institutions.
“Uganda’s national Agenda – Vision 2040 and Second National Development Plan are rooted in the Global Agenda that emphasises gender mainstreaming, if the country is to develop. Universities admissions continue to provide special dispensation to female candidates but we all recognise that there is more work to be done, to improve the experiences of female students at university campuses.
“I wish to reassure you that the additional 1.5 points affirmative action for the girl child will remain and as Government, we appreciate what you are doing here to empower women professionals and we shall support you” concluded Hon. Dr. Muyingo.
Representing the Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Acting Director, Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD)-Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine thanked the honourable State Minister for sparing time to attend the closing ceremony; an act that demonstrated the Government’s appreciation of the role women play in leadership and management.
A 2009 alumna of HERS-South Africa, Dr. Mugisha Baine shared that as attendees then, they were encouraged to look at themselves as brands, because “you must stand for something or you will fall for anything.” She also encouraged participants to look at all their placements in life as a privilege so as to be able to consciously and meaningfully make a difference every day.
“Where I am is a mission and a conviction. I am either functioning or I am not. Therefore as a Directorate, our daily quest is to see how we can make Makerere University more inclusive for both women and men. We also emphasise gender-focussed research. We must look at what this research is for and whose it is.
“I warmly congratulate everyone who has been involved in this event and I hope that you will continue to build your team and to work together, for the betterment of your institutions, countries and our continent of Africa. I wish each one of you the best of luck in your future endeavours.” concluded Dr. Mugisha Baine.
Speaking on behalf of her fellow participants, Dr. Jane Akinyi Aduda from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya could not hide her admiration and respect for the HERS-EA leadership and workshop facilitators.
“When we came here on the first day, we were like chicken, comfortable in our spaces; happy to move along the ground and fly short distances, only to realise that we were expected to soar like eagles” she remarked, before adding “And all week we’ve been wondering what these women eat! Every speaker and facilitator has been so full of wisdom and their sharing has been enlightening. We are definitely coming for tips on your diet as well” to which her audience responded with thundering applause and laughter.
“I can’t stop asking what we did to deserve this but all I want to say is thank you to HERS-EA, the partners, funders, facilitators and my fellow participants. It has been phenomenal!” she concluded.
Sharing some parting words of wisdom with the participants, Ms. Lumutenga said, “Congratulations and welcome to the HERS Community where ‘Empowered Women Empower Women’!”
Quoting the Biblical Parable of the Talent, Ms. Lumutenga went on to say “You all have your God-given talents which, for personal or institutional reasons may have been lying low or completely undiscovered. We hope that we have helped you to figure out how to dig into yourself, discover that/those talents. When you do; develop and use them so that they can multiply!
“So step out boldly and pull others; you might get some bruises along the way but, keep going, the scratches will heal!” encouraged Ms. Lumutenga.
The ladies were then awarded certificates of completion by the Chief Guest, who later joined HERS-EA leadership, facilitators and participants in a cake cutting ceremony to mark the successful conclusion of the Second Academy.
Article by 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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