General
All is Set for the Kampala Geopolitics Conference 2018
The Embassy of France in Uganda in partnership with Makerere University, Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Alliance Française de Kampala (AFK), UN Women, Uganda and the Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (iRiS) is organizing the Kampala Geopolitics Conference. Scheduled to take place from 26th to 27th October 2018, the two-day conference aims at creating an interactive and dynamic platform for dialogue and free exchange of ideas cutting across contemporary local and international issues.
The Kampala Geopolitics Conference is bringing on board professors, researchers, politicians, diplomats, journalists, activists and key leaders to engage in an interactive debate and find solutions to the challenges affecting world’s political and international relations.
During the Press Conference held on Friday, 5th October 2018, in the Council Room, the Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe extended an open invitation to stakeholders, policymakers, politicians, Makerere University staff and students and members of the general public to attend the Kampala Geopolitics Conference.
“We are re-launching our debates by hosting the Kampala Geopolitics Conference. Over the years, Makerere University has maintained its reputation as the icon of debate among institutions of higher learning. Shortly after Uganda’s Independence in 1962, we hosted the First Makerere African Writers Conference of 1962, which was a milestone in African literature that directly addressed the legacy of colonialism. The conference attracted prominent writers such as Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Ezekiel Mphahlele, Lewis Nkosi, Ngugi wa Thiong’o and Rajat Neogy among others,” said the Vice Chancellor.
“The 1960s were dominated by icons such as the late Prof. Ali Mazrui who began his career at Makerere University. It was said that Prof. Mazrui’s Political debates in the Makerere University Main Hall often led some of the attendees to skip lunch rather than miss out on the wisdom from the critical thinker and Professor of Political Science. Other gallant academicians that went on to shape academic debate over the years include but are not limited to Prof. Mahmood Mamdani, Rt. Hon. Apolo Robin Nsibambi, Prof. James Rubadiri among others,” he added.
Prof. Nawangwe commended Makerere University Professors and academic staff that graciously accepted to serve as panelists and moderators during the Conference. He acknowledged, the Kampala Geopolitics Conference Steering Committee at Makerere University chaired by Dr. Eria Hisali for the job well done.
Preceding the Media Briefing, on Wednesday 25th July 2018, the Embassy of France in Uganda together with Makerere University, Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Alliance Française de Kampala (AFK), UN Women, Uganda and the Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (iRiS) had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to organize the Kampala Geopolitics Conference. The purpose of the Conference as stipulated in the MoU, is to provide a platform for building strong networks of expertise from Africa, France and Germany by engaging in a free flow of ideas and open discussions in a creative yet informative way while contributing to generation of knowledge.
Speaking at the Press Conference on 6th October 2018, the Ambassador of France to Uganda H.E Stéphanie Rivoal confirmed the team’s readiness for the event. She also mentioned that the debates will be held in form of round tables, interactive and creative discussion on issues of global concern.
“The conference will start on Friday, 26th October 2018 at 09:00am. Interactive discussions will continue on Saturday, 27th October 2018 from 09:00am up to 5:30pm. We expect 100 speakers from various countries including France, Germany, South Africa, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda to discuss 21 topics vital to global concerns. The topics selected, cut across the global issues such as politics, economics, health, demography, gender, environment, youth, social issues in the Africa and the global context,” said stated.
According to the Ambassador, a vibrant team; including Daniel Omara, Sarah Kagingo, Pablo and Ife Piankhy will extemporize a blitz on the geopolitics themes; providing a platform upon which respective professors and experts will critically analyse the topics.
Other members present during the Press Conference included: the Country Representative of Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung, Mr. Mathias Kamp; the Country Representative of UN Women-Uganda, Dr. Maximu Houinato; the Cultural Coordinator- Alliance Française de Kampala, Ms. Charity Atukunda; the Focal Person of Makerere University Kampala Geopolitics Conference Steering Committee Dr. Eria Hisali; the Principal Public Relations Officer- Makerere University, Ms. Ritah Namisango; a team from the French Embassy and Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung.
The Friday activities will climax with a concert at 5:30pm in the Makerere University Freedom Square. The Concert will feature Jose Chameleon as the guest artist, DJ Slick Stuart and Roja plus a live band A Ka Dope. Other activities that will take place during the days’ conference include: art performances, market place of art and ideas, live studio by Media challenge Initiative, exhibitions by artists, innovators and startups, students and youth-led initiatives and a democracy expo by Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung, Alliance Française De Kampala and Campus France.
Article by Mak Public Relations Office
General
Prof. Nawangwe urges young people to take up leadership in innovation for the transformation of Africa
By the Program Communication Team
On Sunday, February 2, 2025, Makerere University hosted the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council Representatives meeting, which brings together young people from around 45 partner universities of the Mastercard Foundation.
During the event, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe urged young people to prepare for leadership roles in innovation, especially starting with their communities, if they wish to see the positive transformation they desire in Africa.
“I urge you to connect and network with your peers and discuss how you can form inter-university teams to innovate solutions that will address the development challenges in our communities for the transformation of the African continent.” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
Prof. Nawangwe applauded the Mastercard Foundation for its partnership with Makerere University and Uganda in general, which has uplifting effects on many young people.
“Makerere University and Uganda have made remarkable strides in providing Higher Education to Young People, thanks to the generous support of the Mastercard Foundation, which has contributed significantly to educating the next generation of African leaders. Through valuable initiatives and partnerships, such as the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Makerere University is poised to continue educating young individuals who will significantly impact Uganda’s and Africa’s economic growth.” Prof. Nawangwe noted.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nawangwe, further urged young people to seize the opportunities the Mastercard Foundation and other like-minded development partners presented to improve their lives and communities.
“The Mastercard Foundation has given you the platform and opportunity to be leaders and beacons of change. Embrace this responsibility with courage. Let the core values of the Scholars Program—humility, listening, kindness and respect, co-creation, and impact—guide your actions,” Prof. Nawangwe emphasized.
While speaking at the same event, the Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, enumerated high-level achievements the Program had accomplished for the last decade at Makerere University. She pointed out that in terms of scholarship enrolment, the Program had recruited 1,032 Scholars, of which 76% were Females, 7% were Internationals, 4% were Refugees, and about 1% were Youth with Disabilities.
Prof. Namaalwa further pointed out other post-graduation achievements, including a 94% completion rate of the total number of Scholars enrolled in the Scholars Program. She pointed out that between 2018 and 2025, the Program had graduated 964 Scholars, of which 37% were employed, mainly in the private sector.
Prof. Namaalwa revealed that beyond the Scholars Program, the Mastercard Foundation had put other initiatives supporting the university in numerous ways. She pointed out other initiatives such as the e-learning initiative, a COVID-19 Response measure to ensure continuity of Teaching and Learning at Makerere University and the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative: Makerere University, in collaboration with the University of Ghana, the University of Cape Town, and the University of Cambridge, is implementing a new initiative that addresses one of the world’s most significant challenges in recent times—climate change.
Prof. Namaalwa revealed that the Research Collaborative would provide opportunities for MSc and PhD scholarships to African students and encourage young people to enrol as graduate students starting in the academic year 2025/2026.
The event was punctuated with fireside chats, during which young people had an opportunity to discuss a number of topical issues related to entrepreneurship and Transformative leadership. Thereafter, the visiting students were taken on a guided tour around Makerere University.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council comprises student leaders from partner Universities. Each Partner University has one Council Representative. They represent the needs of Scholars and work with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program teams at each institution, the Mastercard Foundation, and Alumni.
On Monday 3rd February 2025, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe handed over three (3) university buses to the respective leadership in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), the College of Health Sciences (CHS), and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB).
The new buses mark a significant improvement in mobility and learning for Makerere University students and staff, furthering the institution’s commitment to practical education and community service.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the University’s Freedom Square, Prof. Nawangwe highlighted the significance of the new buses in enhancing teaching and learning. “These buses will play a crucial role in improving students’ practical learning experiences by ensuring reliable transportation for fieldwork and community outreach,” he said.
Prof. Nawangwe expressed gratitude to the Parliament and the Government of Uganda for providing the resources for the new buses, emphasizing their importance in replacing the old fleet, which frequently breaks down. The new 2023 model buses, with a 67-seater capacity, were secured at a cost of UGX 626million each and are expected to save the university significant maintenance costs and improve the learning experience for students.
Principals from the respective colleges expressed their appreciation for the new buses. Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, Principal of CoVAB, emphasized the importance of the buses for practical training at locations such as Lake Mburo National Park. Associate Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, Principal of CAES, and Associate Prof. Bruce Kirenga, Principal of CHS, highlighted the buses’ role in facilitating community engagement and outreach.
He explained that the decision to purchase Isuzu buses instead of those manufactured by Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) a Makerere University partner, was based on prior engagement with the former, as well as the need to utilize the allocated funds promptly within the Financial Year, which couldn’t be accomplished at KMC due to their high demand.
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