Connect with us

General

Vice Chancellor’s Tribute to The Late Dr. Moses Kizza Musaazi

Published

on

The Makerere University Council, Senate, Management, Alumni and the entire University community has learnt with great shock of the untimely death of Dr. Moses Kizza Musaazi, which occurred on Tuesday, 18th September 2018.

Our heartfelt consideration goes out to the family upon the loss of a loving Husband, Father, Mentor, Son and dear friend. Please accept our sincere condolences. We commit you to God our Father, who alone knows the plans He has for each and every one of us.

Dr. Musaazi was one of the most illustrious academics to ever serve this great institution. He was a man of many gifts, all carefully veiled in his humble, down-to-earth nature. As a serial inventor, he turned the most pressing needs of poor communities and large scale businesses alike into creative holistic innovations. He demystified complex societal problems with turn-key solutions that sought to leave no waste and almost no need unmet.

On 25th April 1975, the vibrant Musaazi took up his appointment as a Tutorial Fellow in the then Faculty of Technology and in August 1975, he was recommended by the Dean, Faculty of Technology, Dr. Wilfred Fishwick for postgraduate studies.

He was offered a one-year postgraduate course in Control Systems at the Imperial College London under Africa Educational Trust from October 1976 to October 1977.  He was also awarded the Master of Science of the University of London on 25th January 1978, having completed an approved course of study in Control Systems.

Upon his return, on 1st October 1979 he was temporarily appointed as a Lecturer in the then Department of Electrical Engineering and on 30th April 1980, he was appointed on permanent terms of service.

He was offered a UNESCO scholarship for research studies leading to the degrees of a Masters of Philosophy and PhD at the Imperial College, London on 4th October 1982 which he completed in 1985.

He served as a visiting Lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Zimbabwe from 1st October to 5th November 1987, 11th July to 13th August 1988 and from 13th August to 21st September 1990.

He was promoted to the rank of Senior Lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering with effect from 1st November 1987.

In January 1988, he was contracted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) to write a feasibility study for setting up an Electrical Engineering Centre at Makerere University.   

On 1st September 1993, he was appointed as Head of the then Department of Electrical Engineering in the Faculty of Technology a position he held until 23rd September 1996.

He was nominated to represent Makerere University on the Board of Makerere College School on 14th August 2000.

In 2006, he won the Presidential Scientific Innovation Excellence Award, in recognition of his innovative research and its high impact on society and in the same year Dr. Musaazi received a Mashariki Innovations in Local Government Awards Programme (MILGAP), organized by UN- Habitat

In January 2007, he was nominated by then Vice Chancellor, Prof. Livingstone Luboobi to represent Makerere University on the Planning Committee for the Pre-CHOGM Science Symposium. This event was successfully hosted by Uganda in September 2007.

Dr. Musaazi retired from University Service on 5th July 2011 after reaching the statutory retirement age of 60. He continued to nurture upcoming scholars and researchers at this great institution. He remained a goodwill Ambassador of Makerere University, and practically invested his energy and resources in coming up with innovative solutions to meet emerging development challenges.

In 2012, he won an African Initiative Grant worth CAD$10,000 and in 2015, he was appointed by the Royal Academy of Engineering as one of Judges of the inaugural Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.

In 2013, Dr. Musaazi was awarded 30,000 Euros by Siemens Stiftung after his MakaPads innovation won second prize under the “Empowering People Award”.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Musaazi has given his best to Makerere University, Uganda and the region beyond. In line with 2 Timothy 4:7-8, we are convinced that Dr. Musaazi has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.  Now there is in store for him the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to him and all who have longed for His appearing on that day.

In a special way, we stand with our colleagues in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) upon the loss of a senior colleague and mentor. Despite his niche as an inventor, Dr. Musaazi always found time to teach his classes and serve in the College leadership.

This great mind has been a source of numerous innovations such as the MakaPads and Interlocking Soil Stabilised Bricks (ISSB). These have transformed countless lives of school-going girls and refugees, creating hundreds of jobs for poor youth and redefining low-cost housing.

We remain forever thankful to God for the gift of Dr. Moses Kizza Musaazi’s life and pray that the good Lord will rest his soul in eternal peace.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Barnabas Nawangwe
VICE CHANCELLOR

Mark Wamai

Continue Reading

General

Uhuru Kenyatta, African Leaders Inspire Youth at Guild Leaders’ Summit

Published

on

Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, keynote address by Former President of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, 24th April 2025, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

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.”

H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta is received upon arrival at Makerere University by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, keynote address by Former President of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, 24th April 2025, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta is received upon arrival at Makerere University by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.

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.”

H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (2nd Right) poses for a group photo during the courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor with Left to Right: Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Ms. Sarah Kagingo and Guild President-H.E. Churchill James Ssentamu. Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, keynote address by Former President of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, 24th April 2025, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (2nd Right) poses for a group photo during the courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor with Left to Right: Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Ms. Sarah Kagingo and Guild President-H.E. Churchill James Ssentamu.

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:

Left to Right: The Vice President-H.E. Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Emeritus-Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Hon. Matthew Rukikaire and other dignitaries follow proceedings. Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, keynote address by Former President of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, 24th April 2025, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
Left to Right: The Vice President-H.E. Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Emeritus-Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Hon. Matthew Rukikaire and other dignitaries follow proceedings.

“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.

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

Continue Reading

General

Admission Lists for Diploma Holders under Government Sponsorship for 2025/2026 AY

Published

on

One of the First Class Graduands Shafik Senkubuge (2nd Right) in a group photo with part of the BEHS Class of 2024. 74th Graduation Ceremony, Day 1, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences (CHS), 29th January 2024, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Diploma holders admitted under the Government Sponsorship Scheme for the Academic Year 2025/2026.

Under the Diploma Holders Government Sponsorship Scheme admission does not exceed 5% of the intake capacity to the respective Degree Programme.

The list can be accessed by following the link below:

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

General

Call For Applications: AlphaFold Workshop Uganda 2025

Published

on

Are you a researcher or student working in protein-related research, structural biology, or bioinformatics?

The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences (ACE) Uganda with support from Google DeepMind, invites researchers and students seeking to integrate AlphaFold into their work to apply for the AlphaFold Workshop to be held at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University-Kampala, Uganda from 16th to 20th June 2025.

Deadline: 30th April 2025

Apply here: AlphaFold Workshop – Uganda 2025

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

Trending