General
Pakasa Forum Advises Mak Students on Self-Employment
The Chief Executive Officer of Nice House of Plastics and Chairperson of Uganda Manufacturer Association, Ms Barbara Mulwana, has advised university students to engage in innovative ways of job creation. This was during the 9th Pakasa Forum held on Thursday 11th October 2018; to give young entrepreneurs skills on how to start business and survive in a competitive business environment. Organized under the theme Unlocking Students’ Potential, the 9th PAKASA Forum was hosted by the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University and Vision Group Ltd.
Speaking to thousands of students in the CoBAMS Auditorium, Ms. Barbara Mulwana who was the keynote speaker of the day said that young people should believe in starting small, with the available financial means and lay strategies for purposes of growth in business. According to Ms. Mulwana, innovation is key in running a successful enterprise. She therefore urged students to always think outside the box and be innovative so as to be job creators.
“Have values for your business, remember that success takes time and there is no short cut. Part of what makes entrepreneurs fail both in the short and long run is thinking that they always have to venture into something that has been explored by several other entrepreneurs who have actually secured the biggest share of the market,” she stated.
The Deputy Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation Lt. Gen. Charles Angina encouraged students to explore the virgin sector of Agricultural Tourism and tap into the opportunities of branding and packaging agricultural products. He also noted that students need to be organised into dynamic, loyal, visionary groups ready to give accountability in order to secure government funds for their projects.
“Stop despising Agri-businesses because agriculture is one of the key drivers of Uganda’s economy and a lucrative venture,” he added.
The Chief Executive Officer, Vision Group Mr. Robert Kabushenga, urged students to embrace the business world and prepare themselves of the future where more technology than human labour will be required to do work. He appealed to students to be open-minded, think creatively, have empathy and be innovative.
The Principal CoBAMS, Dr. Eria Hisali appreciated the idea of engaging students in business and entrepreneurship talks, saying that said that such initiatives link students to successful entrepreneurs who can uplift their potential.
He thanked Vision Group and other partners for the support they offered to organize the Pakasa Forum and called for continued support to all Makerere University’s activities.
The Pakasa Forum Panelists also included:
- Ms. Grace Nalugwa, the Co-founder of St. Lawrence Infant school Kagoma and winner of the 2016 Pakasa Entrepreneurship awards. She is a founding member and General Secretary of Nurture Entrepreneurship Uganda an umbrella body for all Pakasa Awardees.
- Ms. Namara Ruth pursing a Bachelors in Business Administration specializing in Entrepreneurship at Makerere University. Ms. Namara works in a family owned bakery, which she has been a part of since she was 15 years old. She started her own micro business known as Friends Confectionery which she has since expanded through social media marketing. She has been able to pay her hostel fees and provide school requirements for her siblings through this micro business.
- Mr. Ezra Kirigwajjo, pursuing a Bachelor in Business Administration specializing in Entrepreneurship at Makerere University. He is a jack of all trades and has been able to use his experience from a family owned butchery to start up several micro businesses. The businesses of employ 4 staff members and range from a poultry farm with over 1000 birds, a gaming center, a video library to a restaurant.
The 9th Pakasa Forum will be crowned by the 3rd Annual Entrepreneurship Students Expo at the Makerere University Freedom Square on Friday, 12th October 2018. The Expo will enhance students’ learning and application of knowledge. Over 1,500 university students are expected to showcase innovative ideas grouped under 200 businesses.
Article by: Rachael Kanyi and Esther Joyce Nakibombo, Communication Volunteers-Mak Public Relations 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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