General
CoBAMS to Host Pakasa Forum and 3rd Annual Entrepreneurship Expo
Over 1,500 Makerere University students in the Department of Marketing and Management under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) are prepared to showcase innovative ideas during the 3rd Annual Entrepreneurship Expo 2018.
During the press conference held on Monday, 8th October 2018, the The Principal CoBAMS Dr. Eria Hisali and sponsors called upon Government ministries, the business community, private sector, prospective partners, staff, alumni, students, media and the general public to come to Makerere University to on Friday, 12th October 2018 and take part in the Expo starting at 9:00am in the Freedom Square.
Dr. Peter Turyakira, Head of the Department of Marketing and Management said that the 3rd Annual Entrepreneurship Expo focusing on the theme, “Unlocking the student’s potential,” will offer students an opportunity to display what they learn in class. He added that the Expo would also be a platform for them to begin planning for life after university.
“In these Expos, students demonstrate to their colleagues and the general community that they can turn the theory learnt at the university into practice. The Entrepreneurship Expo is the first place where students learn about the tools they will use to turn an idea into a startup; grow a new venture or join an early stage venture,” said Dr. Turyakira.
He added that the Expo will be preceded by a Pakasa Forum in the CoBAMS Auditorium on Thursday, 11th October 2018 from 9:00am to 12:00pm and called upon students, staff and the entire public to attend both the Forum and the Expo.
Dr. Turyakira revealed that in order to minimize graduate unemployment in Uganda, the Department of Marketing and Management is setting up an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre aligned to Makerere University’s Vision: To be the leading institution for academic excellence and innovations in Africa.
“The Centre is envisioned to create a platform to expose both undergraduate and graduate students to the workplace environment, innovativeness, risk bearing, product development, business startup and management,” remarked Dr. Turyakira.
In his remarks, Dr. Eria Hisali said that activities such as the Expo enable the University to support Government in addressing issues regarding youth unemployment as it equips students with the practical skills needed to start up their own businesses.
According to Dr. Hisali, community engagement is one of core functions of the university and the Expo is one way of giving back to the community since it sensitizes people about starting up their own enterprises and being self-employed.
He thanked the sponsors of the Expo for playing a role in the nurturing of young student entrepreneurs and called for continuous support from them.
The New Vision is the main sponsor of this year’s Expo. Other sponsors include: Post Bank Uganda, Uganda Revenue Authority, Pride Microfinance Limited, Uganda Industrial Research Institute, United Bank of Africa, Eistein Rising Uganda and Business Development Service Providers Network.
Mr. Joseph Byaruhanga, the Marketing Officer, New Vision was glad that the 9th Pakasa Forum organized by New Vision will be held at Makerere University where different panelists will sensitize students and community members on entrepreneurship skills.
Addressing journalists, Mr. Byaruhanga noted that the theme for the Expo is in line with Pakasa Forum’s objectives of exposing students’ abilities where young entrepreneurs display and promote their innovative ideas and businesses.
Dr. Cathy Mbidde who is the team leader explained that the Expo is mandatory for all students of entrepreneurship. She said that the best students will be awarded according to their performance and the best team will receive the Vice Chancellor’s Award, the second team will receive the Principal’s Award and the third team will receive the Dean’s Award.
Dr. Mbidde added that the College shall follow up the winners and is willing to allocate them space at the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre and nurture them to further develop their ideas.
Article by: Rachael Kanyi and Esther Joyce Nakibombo, Communication Volunteers-PR Office
Makerere University and the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (ND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University and Rev. Robert A. Dowd, the 18th President signed on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony, which was held at the University of Notre Dame campus at South Bend, Indiana was witnessed by Dr. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Council of Makerere University, who led the Mak delegation.
Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.
General
Press Release: Government of Uganda and Partners Launch SAY Plus+ to Scale Youth Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) Impact in Underserved Regions
USD 50 million national programme moves into full implementation, strengthening
adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to youth-responsive
services in 13 districts across five sub-regions
KAMPALA, 7 MAY 2026: The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda’s underserved regions.
The launch, held at Makerere University‘s Freedom Square under the theme “My Voice Matters: Youth Voices for SAY Plus+” and the tagline “Nothing for us, without us”, marks the programme’s transition into full implementation.
SAY Plus+, formerly known as Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment: Scaling Impact, is led by the Ministry of Health, in coordination with other Ministries, with UNFPA Uganda serving as the Managing and Technical Agency.
Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the initiative is scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. It is currently being rolled out across thirteen districts within five sub-regions, providing targeted assistance to regional referral hospitals in Jinja, Mbale, Moroto, Yumbe, Arua, and Gulu. Furthermore, the programme supports the Human Capital Development goals established in Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
“SAY Plus+ represents a shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated national effort that meaningfully places young people at the centre of both design and delivery. Through our partnership with the Government of Uganda, development partners, and implementing partners, we are investing not only in services, but in the systems, communities, and environments that enable adolescents and young people to thrive not only today but also in the future,” said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, Representative – UNFPA Uganda.
Officially launched by the Minister of State for Health Hon. Margaret Muhanga, the SAY Plus+ programme targets adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 years, with particular focus on adolescent girls and young women, refugees and host-community youth, out-of-school young people, those not in employment, education or training, adolescents with disabilities, and young people in humanitarian and post-conflict settings.
“For many of us, things like this one are designed without listening to what we go through every day, think or even feel. SAY Plus+ feels different because it starts with our voices and gives us a real role in shaping solutions. It is not just about information, it is about being supported to make decisions, access services, and build the future we want.” – Jovia Dranzoa, Young person.
SAY Plus+ operates through three pillars. First, it empowers youth to exercise their rights and make informed choices. Second, it engages families, communities, and leaders to address harmful social norms. Third, it strengthens youth-responsive SRHR, HIV, and gender-based violence services via health facilities and community platforms, aiming to reach over 2.3 million direct and indirect beneficiaries.
The SAY Plus+ initiative stands as a model of international cooperation and multi-sectoral synergy. Through the combined support of the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and the technical leadership of UNFPA, Uganda is now equipped to scale-up critical interventions in HIV prevention, gender-based violence response, and reproductive health. With implementation now in high gear through 2030, the programme is poised to make a lasting contribution to the nation’s human capital development goals.
— ENDS —
Photos from the event
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