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Freedom of Speech is the essence of democracy, says Ambassador Stéphanie Rivoal

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H.E Stéphanie Rivoal, on stage with Daniel Omara, Pablo, Aisha Ali and Deedan. The vibrant team improvised a blitz lecture on the selected topics.

The Ambassador of France to Uganda H.E Stéphanie Rivoal has emphasized the importance of freedom of speech and rights to participate in open discussions. Describing freedom of speech as the essence of democracy, H.E Stéphanie Rivoal said that people should have liberty to debate openly on any topic.

“Where you can debate, you can have freedom. Where you can have freedom, you can have peace, where you can have it all, you live in democracy,” remarked the Ambassador during the Opening Ceremony of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference held on Friday 26th October 2018 at Makerere University.

The conference was attended by professors, researchers, politicians, diplomats, journalists, activists and key leaders from various countries around world to engage in an interactive debate on the contemporary local and international issues.

The Kampala Geopolitics conference was organized by the Embassy of France in Uganda in partnership with Makerere University, Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Alliance Française de Kampala (AFK), UN Women and the Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (iRiS).

The two days’ conference (26th-27th October 2018) brings together professors, researchers, politicians, diplomats, journalists, activists and key leaders from various countries around world to engage in an interactive debate on the contemporary local and international issues.

L-R, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Ambassador of France to Uganda H.E Stéphanie Rivoal and The Country Representative of Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung, Mr. Mathias Kamp at the official opening of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference.

Addressing dignitaries, international delegates and participants in the Makerere University Main Hall, the Ambassador called for an intensive discussion to find solutions to the challenges that affect the world at large.

“Geopolitics is all about understanding the world. Ignoring it, is short-sided because soon enough it will catch up with you. You may want to close your eyes to climate change, but it is coming. You may want to ignore terrorism, but it is happening. You may choose to brush aside social inequalities, but they are growing,” she explained.

Using one of the famous quotes of Nelson Mandela; ‘a good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger’; the Ambassador said that only a coward or a liar will run away from a debate, fearing that the mistruth will be uncovered.

Leave No One Behind. Panelists: Michel Maietta, Maggie Kigozi, Peter Kyambadde, Hon. Nalule Safia Jjuuko, Maxime Houinato discussing the economic cost of excluding minorities. The session was moderated by Ramathan Ggoobi.

“Debate between genuine leaders will bring them closer by providing the opportunity to clear misunderstandings, build bridges between cultures, personal views and ideologies,” she said.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe welcomed dignitaries, participants and international delegates to Makerere University; the vanguard of nurturing world-class political leaders and the alma mater of revolutionary, transformative and influential alumni.  

Prof. Nawangwe revealed that the shifting geopolitics of the region has significantly affected the higher education sector. Thus some of the ideas raised during the conference would inform the ongoing process of formulating the next ten-year 2020-2030 Makerere University Strategic Plan.

From L-R, Pascal Boniface, Robert Kirunda, Angelo Izam and Samuel Carcanague discussing discussing the topic; USA: "not the policeman of the world" anymore; implications of the Trump Presidency on global power relations. The session was moderated by Charles Mwanguhya

The Country Representative of Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung, Mr. Mathias Kamp commended the panellists and moderators for accepting to guide the debate. He also called for a peaceful and constructive engagement.

Participants were thrilled by an interactive session involving Uganda’s best comedians Daniel Omara and Pablo. Other members included Aisha Ali, the Founder of I Profile Foundation and Deedan. The vibrant team improvised a blitz lecture on a number of issues namely: Are refugees’ beggars? Money, money, money; Minorities cost too much to society; and why black panther movie a hit; providing a platform for respective professors and experts to critically analyse the topics.

Black Panther Phenomenon: rethinking Africa through fiction and arts. panelists of the day were; Nana Kagga, Moses Serugo, Sister Dominic Dipio, Hon. Kato Lubwama and Sammy Wetala. The session was moderated by Kwezi Tabaro.

With the captivating engagement, the participants were ushered into panel discussions on the following topics:

  • USA: Not the "Policeman of the World" anymore? Implications of the Trump Presidency on the global power relations
  • Leave No One Behind: What is the economic cost of excluding minorities?
  • Black Panther Phenomenon: Rethinking Africa through Fiction and Arts
  • Social Media, Fake News and Online Manipulation: Are Beliefs winning over reason?
  • Opening Doors or Building walls?  Managing migration in US, Europe and Africa
  • Make the planet great again: Is there still hope to fight climate change?
  • Youth is the future: What are we doing to give hope to the young generation?
  • Long live diplomacy: Multilateralism in the 21st Century
  • Are Religions Peacemakers or troublemakers: The role of religion in volatile societies

 

On Saturday 27th October 2018, the following topics will be discussed;

  • Old masters, new players: Is the African economy in the hands of foreigners?
  • Democracy in danger? The basis of democracy and the global trends that undermine it
  • Sports, not just for fun anymore? Distraction, industry, soft power?
  • Alpha Males, newcomers, populists:  What leaders are we craving for?
  • Avenues for peace and stability:  Peacebuilding, regional diplomacy and military intervention in Africa
  • The power of food: Shall agriculture fill our stomach or your purse?
  • Powerful women:  Challenging male dominance
  • The future of East Africa:  Is the European Union a model or deterrent?
  • What is going to kill us first?  Global threats to human health
  • Countering the expansion of islamist terrorism: from Middle East, Maghreb, Horn of Africa to western Countries
  • Is money ruling the world? Side effects of unbridled capitalism
  • One planet too many people? Are we too many for the resources of our planet?

Other activities lined up included: art performances, market place of art and ideas, live studio by Media challenge Initiative, exhibitions by artists, innovators and start-ups, students and youth-led initiatives and a democracy expo by Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung, Alliance Française De Kampala and Campus France.

Article by Nabatte Proscovia, Mak Public Relations Office

 

 

 

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Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Announcement for 2024/2024

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5 hours ago

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May 8, 2024

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Some of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars that graduated during the 74th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University pose for the camera. Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University Management and the Mastercard Foundation renewed their partnership for the second phase of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program from 2023 to 2034.

The second phase of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University’s main campus in Kampala, Uganda will provide 1000 scholarships for 10 years at both the undergraduate (Bachelor’s degree) and graduate (Master’s degree) academic program levels. The scholarships are awarded to academically talented young men and women from Sub-Saharan Africa facing financial constraints to pursue their academic studies.

Makerere University is pleased to announce the first Cohort of 95 undergraduate and 05 Master’s scholarship opportunities to nationals, refugees, internally displaced youth, and international students joining Makerere University in the Academic Year 2024/2025 under the Private Sponsorship Scheme of Makerere University.

Eligibility: To be eligible to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University’s main campus in the Academic Year 2024/2025, the following conditions must be met:

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: APPLICANTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMMES

To be eligible to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, the following conditions must be met:

  1. The applicant must be qualifying for admission at Makerere University’s main campus under the Private Sponsorship Scheme. Therefore, all applicants should apply for admission at Makerere University, main campus under the Private Sponsorship Scheme (when advertised). Once admitted to Makerere University’s main campus, then your application for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship at Makerere University shall be considered for the due selection processes.
  2. The Applicant must have completed the Advanced level education (or its equivalent) in an African country.
  3. The Applicant should provide evidence of significant financial hardship.
  4. The Applicant should not be a holder of any other scholarship, including the Government Scholarship.
  5. The Applicant should not have completed any undergraduate studies.
  6. The Applicant must have served as a leader and with a record of community service.
  7. The Applicant should be at the age of 28 years or younger at the time of the deadline of the application.
  8. Applicants under the categories of Refugees, IDPs, and Students with Disabilities should be 32 years of age or younger at the time of the deadline of the application.

A refugee applicant must be a recognized and registered refugee with proof of refugee attestation.

Additional Consideration: The prioritized degree programmes are those aligned to the NDP III Strategic Development Areas of Agriculture, Tourism, Mineral Development, Infrastructure, and Human Capital Development (please refer to the application form for a list of programmes).

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIP FOR MASTER’S ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES

  1. The applicant must qualify for admission at Makerere University’s main campus for the Master’s degree programme. Therefore, all applicants should apply for admission at Makerere University’s main campus under the Private Sponsorship Scheme (when advertised).
  2. Once admitted to Makerere University’s main campus, then your application for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University shall be considered for the due selection processes.
  3. The Applicant must have completed a Bachelor’s degree in an African country.
  4. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarships are restricted to individuals facing significant financial hardship.
  5. Applicants must demonstrate leadership potential and a record of community service.
  6. Applicants should not be holders of any other scholarship.
  7. Applicants should not have registered for or completed any other Master’s degree.
  8. The Applicant should not be over 35 years of age at the time of applying for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship.
  9. Applicants under the category of Refugees and Students with Disabilities should not be over 40 years of age at the time of the deadline for the application for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship.
  10. A refugee applicant must be a recognized and registered refugee with proof (refugee attestation) attached to the application form.

Additional Considerations for Applying for Master’s Studies

The Applicant shall submit a motivation statement indicating the incentive/driver for applying for a given academic programme. The statement should articulate how the pursuance of the preferred degree programme shall enable the applicant to contribute to innovatively solving a given societal challenge— (Max. 500 words)

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Prospective applicants for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarship can obtain and fill out the Scholarship Application Form AT NO COST through the following avenues:

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FORMS

Please submit your application form in one of the following avenues:

  1. Hard copy application forms and all required attachments should be submitted to the office of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, located at Plot 144, Pool Road by 5:00 pm on Friday 14th June 2024 for Applicants to join Academic Year 2024/25. For every application submitted, the applicant shall sign in the “Applications Received Book.”
  2. Online submissions:
    • a) Filling the Online Application Form and attach copies of all required documents via https://apply.mcfsp.mak.ac.ug/scholarship
    • b) Submit via email as an attachment – The filled application form and scanned copies of all requirement documents and send via email: makscholarsapplication@gmail.com

Note: For inquiries or clarifications please call our office mob line at +256 700-716-128

When submitting your application form please attach all the listed in the application form.

Please note the following:

  1. 70% of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarships are reserved for young women.
  2. 25% of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarships are reserved for Youth with Refugee status
  3. 10% of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program scholarships are reserved for Youth with Disabilities
  4. Dishonesty and influence peddling will lead to automatic disqualification.
  5. Falsification of documents or giving false information will lead to disqualification and/or prosecution.
  6. Beware of fraudsters selling the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship forms as the APPLICATION FORM IS FREE.
  7. Only successful applicants will be notified.

Note: Applications shall remain open for Persons with Disabilities, Refugees, and Internally Displaced Persons for the Academic Year 2025/26, for applicants who may not be in position to meet the deadline for Academic Year 2024/25.

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Pre-Entry Examinations Results for Bachelor of Laws 2024/25 Academic Year

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9 hours ago

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May 8, 2024

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The office of the Academic Registrar has released the results for the Bachelor of Laws Pre-Entry Examination 2024-2025 held on Saturday 6th April 2024.

Candidates who scored 50% and above passed the examination and have been recommended by the Pre-Entry Examinations and the Mature Age Committee to the university’s Admissions Committee for consideration.

Candidates who are not satisfied with their results may appeal within two weeks from the release of these results.

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Public Presentations by Candidates Vying for the Position of Second Deputy Vice Chancellor

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10 hours ago

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May 8, 2024

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The Main Building as seen from across the Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

The Senate Search Committee would like to cordially invite The Chairperson and Members of Senate, Staff and Students and the General Public to the public presentations by the Candidates vying for the position of Second Deputy Vice-Chancellor scheduled for Monday 13th May, 2024, Starting at 8:30a.m. in the School of Public Health Auditorium located at the Eastern Gate entrance, Makerere University, opposite the Directorate of Estates and Works (Refer to program and order of presentation attached).

Please arrange to arrive 15minutes before the presentations commence.

We will be honoured if you could attend these important presentations on Monday 13th May 2024 at 8:30a.m.

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR/SECRETARY SEARCH COMMITTEE

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