General
St. Francis Chaplain Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe & Wife Florence Mark Silver Jubilee
Joy and praise filled the air as the Chaplain, St. Francis Chapel, Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe and his dear wife Florence, were joined by their children; Daudi, Marjorie and Ruth, parents, family and friends on Saturday, 22nd September 2018 at Makerere University to celebrate 25 years of Holy Matrimony.
Facing her husband with a charming smile, Florence said: “Thank you for loving me. I was a little timid village girl when we met. You have empowered me and contributed greatly to the wonderful Florence standing here. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for loving our children and taking care of them. I will love you pakalast.”
Officiating at the thanksgiving service held at St. Francis Chapel, the retired Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Bishop Henry Luke Orombi who witnessed Onesimus and Florence take their marriage vows in September 1993 congratulated the couple upon a successful and happy marriage.
“Congratulations! Thank you for being a role model to students and the community at large. Thank you for bringing up God fearing and disciplined children. May God continue to bless you! I look forward to the Golden Jubilee,” he remarked.
The genuine speeches from parents, students, staff and friends confirmed that the couple is a living testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and his dear wife Susan, members of the University Management, Makerere University staff, students, and alumni turned up in big numbers to celebrate God’s goodness with the wonderful couple!
“On behalf of Makerere University, we are very happy for you. You have been entrusted with leadership to guide most of our students and staff. The University Management will work with you to save the next generation from indiscipline, drugs and hooliganism. We will work together to build a Makerere University community filled with disciplined students. I wish you all the best. I wish you good health so that you continue to minister to our students, staff and the community at large,” said the Vice Chancellor.
Addressing the congregation at St. Francis Chapel, the overjoyed Mrs. Florence Asiimwe said they were celebrating God’s love and faithfulness.
“God has loved us. God has blessed us with great wealth in form of friends. Thank you for loving us. We were wed on 18th September 1993. The best thing that ever happened to me is meeting Onesimus. He brings a smile on my face. He is a blessing.”
The Chaplain, popularly known as Uncle O, remarked that the purpose of the thanks giving is to glorify God-to thank the Almighty God for thus far He has brought us. “25 years have gone by since we started our journey in Holy Matrimony. God has been with us as sure as His word is through all the time.”
I pray to the Almighty God that the young people can be inspired to marry one wife and live with that one wife until death does them a part.
Recalling his teenage years as a very popular D.J. with Michael Jackson as his role model, Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe who accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour on 8th January 1988 thanked God for His saving grace, mercy, kindness, love and favour.
“I really bless the Lord for the transformation I have experienced. Florence and I, also thank God for blessing us with very loving people. We will keep praying for you that the Lord blesses you abundantly” added Rev. Asiimwe.
The Chaplain led the congregation into a befitting hymn of praise: “My hallelujah belongs to you. All of the Glory belongs to you. All of the Glory belongs to Jesus. You deserve it. You deserve it…”
Article by Public Relations Office
Photos courtesy Canon Goddy Muhumuza
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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