General
KCCA Gives Makerere University a Fresh Look and Feel
On 31st October 2018, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Mrs. Jennifer Semakula Musisi handed over to Makerere University, the infrastructure projects KCCA has been working on. Officially received by the Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the infrastructure projects include:
- A newly reconstructed and beautified main gate; serviced by several lanes and regulated by traffic lights
- A three storied modern administrative and class room block at Makerere College School
- Nine (9) resurfaced roads (3.5kilometres long) with inbuilt drainages
- Resurfaced car parking lots around University Hall, Mary Stuart Hall, Lumumba Hall, Mitchel Hall, Livingstone Hall and the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT)
- Paved walkways and street lighting
- Pedestrian crossings regulated by traffic lights to keep students safe from the speeding cars and motorbikes
- A perimeter wall that runs from Jjunju road to Sir Apollo Kaggwa road junction to enhance safety at the University
- Newly erected retaining walls at the School of Law and Makerere College School
- A Renovated Makerere University Hospital building and resurfaced parking lot
- A resurfaced tennis court at Africa Hall
In November 2016, Kampala Capital City Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Makerere University to construct and renovate the specified infrastructure within the University. The project worth UGX6.9billion came as a compensation for a section of Makerere University land that was annexed by KCCA while expanding the Makerere University Hill Road.
The colorful handover ceremony held on Wednesday, 31st October 2018 at the Makerere University Mosque Grounds started with an opening prayer led by Imam Ahmed Ssentongo. The Vice Chancellor applauded KCCA for transforming Makerere University. He thanked the KCCA Executive Director for accepting the proposal to compensate Makerere University through infrastructural development.
Prof. Nawangwe commended KCCA for giving a massive facelift to the Makerere University Main Gate. The well-constructed, wider and redesigned main entrance has been beautified to bring out the value and magnificence of the face of Makerere University. The road to the main gate has also been widened to six lanes and fitted with traffic lights to regulate traffic flow. Exquisitely done, the Makerere University Hill Road has also added value to Makerere University image and brand.
“This is our landmark as we celebrate 100years. This is the best gate I have seen among the universities around the world. The roads and the drainage have impeccably been done, as also have the walkways and street lighting, for enhanced safety of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians,” he said.
On behalf of Makerere University Council, Dr. Sarah Ssali thanked KCCA for changing Makerere University. She appreciated the tremendous contribution from the Ministry of Education and Sports and Government of Uganda towards Makerere University developments.
The Executive Director of Kampala City Authority Dr. Jennifer Semakula Musisi, urged the Makerere University Management and community to instigate the spirit of self-initiative among students and staff. According to her, the University community is capable of developing and transforming the institution as long as they are assured of accountability and transparency.
“I am sure that if staff, students and alumni of this great institution are mobilized and motivated, they can positively contribute to the history of this great University. In KCCA we have the best engineers and architects coming from this institution and they are doing tremendous work. You are the hub of knowledge with experts in different areas of life. Together with the students, they can change Makerere University for the better,” she said.
She encouraged Ugandans to support transformative work when she said, “one of the lessons I have learnt as the Executive Director of KCCA, is that Ugandans have the capacity to transform this country. When implementing this project, we did not get the technical team from outside the country. If we all move in the same direction, we shall progress and develop.”
She thanked Stirling Civil Engineering Limited and Kiru Company Limited, the two companies that have been undertaking the project for the job well done. Dr. Semakula Musisi also thanked the KCCA team, Makerere University Council and Management, Makerere College School and the technical team for ensuring that the project ends successfully.
His Lordship Dr. Emanuel Sserunjogi, the Mayor of Kawempe Division said that Makerere University is responsible for proper maintenance of the city through utilizing the biggest students’ army. “the University is well known for its achievements, therefore the responsibility to keep its prestige and legacy lies with us the leaders,” he stated.
The team toured some of the projects such as the University Hospital, the Makerere College School administrative and classroom block, the Vice Chancellor Lodge and some of the roads that were renovated and constructed under the KCCA –Mak Partnership.
“In modern medicine, there is what we call a healing environment where patients heal faster due to the environment in which they are receiving treatment. We appreciate the new look of the hospital that has attracted more collaborations and partnerships,” said Dr. Josaphat Byamugisha, the Director Makerere University Hospital.
The Director of Estates and Works Eng. Christina Kakeeto thanked KCCA and the construction companies for the quality work done. She also thanked the Makerere University community for the patience exhibited throughout the project.
On behalf of students, Mr. Kato Martin, the Guild Information Minister thanked KCCA and Makerere University Management for lighting up the university to enhance security.
The handover ceremony was witnessed by Members of Council, University Management, Imam Ahmed Ssentongo, Kampala Capital Authority (KCCA) representatives; supervisors of the project, key partners, students, media and well-wishers.
Article by Nabatte Proscovia; Mak-Public Relations Office
General
Makerere University and Xiangtan University Advance Strategic Partnership in Chemical Engineering
Makerere University and Xiangtan University are set to update their close to 20-year academic partnership, with a new focus on launching a joint Master’s degree program in Chemical Engineering and expanding student and staff exchange initiatives.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a recent visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University to Makerere University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in the company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively.
While addressing the delegation, Professor Nawangwe highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify academic offerings and contribute to national development through training in Chemical Engineering. Through this new initiative, the University will better prepare graduates for the petrochemical industry and support the country’s industrial growth.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated that the proposed collaboration aims to address Uganda’s growing need for industrial expertise, particularly as the country develops its petroleum sector. The two universities here are working toward a 1+2 training model, which will enable Makerere students to gain practical experience and access advanced laboratory facilities at Xiangtan University.
Professor Nawangwe further reiterated that “our relationship with the people of China, not just for Makerere but also for a big part of Uganda, has been opened wider by the establishment of the Confucius Institute, considering that many other collaborations like one being discussed now have come through this collaboration.”
The head of the Xiangtan delegation, Professor Dingyu Ou, expressed appreciation for the meeting, and acknowledged the history between the institutions. “As mentioned, we have a very long relationship and a very stable friendship between our two universities.”
Professor Ou extended appreciation for the support provided to the Confucius Institute at Makerere, the care shown to his colleagues, and looked forward to the successful start of the Chemical Engineering collaboration.
Assuring the delegation of Makerere’s readiness for the collaboration, Ms. Hawa Ndagire Kajumba the Lead, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, Makerere University Advancement Office, aligned with the Vice Chancellor’s emphasis of University goal to have both theory and practice imparted to the students.
She said “the curriculum of the university and Uganda as a whole is moving towards competence-based education training to ensure students are equipped to demonstrate those skills in the actual field, particularly regarding petroleum exploration.”
Ms. Ndagire Kajumba also emphasised a shift in strategy for the partnership office, saying, “we are moving away from just signing MOUs that collect dust, and moving towards those that are more collaborative to benefit our faculty and students, just like this one.”
Professor Gilbert Kumushabe aligned his remarks with those of the Vice Chancellor and Ms. Ndagire Kajumba, and described the method used at Xiangtan University as “actually competence-based teaching.”
Based on his recent visit, Prof. Gumoshabe shared that students in China are divided into groups with dedicated teachers to perform practical, hands-on work beyond the theoretical lecturers. He expressed gladness that the same was being adopted for the Ugandan context.
Both institutions are now working to finalise the specific agreements for the joint degree and exchange programs. Beyond academic training, the collaboration will advance cultural and professional exchange.
Makerere University on October 8, 2026 commemorated Nkrumah Day with a Public Lecture at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium. The Lecture gathered students, academics, historians and distinguished guests to discuss Kwame Nkrumah’s contribution and its relevance to Africa.
Organised by Nkrumah Hall under the theme “Leadership, Self-Reliance and Transformation: Reimagining Nkrumah’s Vision for the 21st Century African Youth,” the lecture explored how Nkrumah’s ideals of Pan-Africanism, self-reliance and African unity can guide the continent beyond political independence.
Endorsing Nkrumah’s Vision of Investing in Africa
The First Deputy Prime Minister and Chancellor of Makerere University, Rt. Hon. Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga, was the chief guest.
In remarks delivered on his behalf by Dr. Charles Kahigiriza, Dr. Kiyonga said the day was a moment to reflect on Nkrumah’s views on Pan-Africanism and the lessons on self-reliance still held for Africa today and emphasised the importance of keeping Africa’s young talent at home (in Africa).
He then discussed ways of encouraging young people to achieve Nkrumah’s vision, pointing out that Africa is losing skilled people to brain drain as many go abroad to work.
He encouraged young Africans to stay and contribute to the continent’s growth, describing Africa’s potential as a promising asset.
Transformation Requires Discipline
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Gerald Karyeija, a political analyst and Head of Quality Assurance at the Uganda Management Institute (UMI).
He discussed Nkrumah’s role in championing Pan-Africanism and the formation of the African Union. He acknowledged that “his legacy was also very complex” due to a number of challenges.
Regarding leadership, the professor argued, “leadership does not begin with the title. It begins with responsibility,” adding that “leadership is not only about power, privilege, entitlement, or status. It’s about service. It’s about stewardship.”
He encouraged attendees to emulate Nkrumah by using their knowledge and power for good.
“Don’t get the intellectual power from Makerere to become evil,” he cautioned, stressing that transformation requires discipline.
Universities Turn Knowledge into Action
Associate Professor Gorettie Nabanoga, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, represented Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University.
She aligned herself with the previous speakers and urged participants to move beyond simply celebrating Kwame Nkrumah’s memory and begin implementing his vision.
She called for practical action, urging the mobilisation of Pan-Africanism beyond slogans. “Perhaps the Pan-Africanism of this generation must therefore move from solidarity to capacity, from rhetoric to institutions, from potential to production, and from aspirations to implementation,” she said.
On the role of universities, she reiterated that Makerere University is a hub for innovation rather than just a degree-granting institution.
“We are building for the future when we develop people who can think critically, when we generate knowledge, when we challenge perceived knowledge and wisdom, and when we innovate,” she said.
Addressing the students present, she said, “You are not simply the leaders of tomorrow; you are citizens of Africa today. The opportunity you enjoy at Makerere University comes with responsibility.”
Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, the Dean of Students at Makerere University, set the tone at the 2026 Nkrumah Day Public Lecture.
She revealed that this lecture organised under Nkrumah Hall highlights its significance as a symbol of Makerere University‘s commitment to Pan-Africanism. “The name Nkrumah Hall has stood the test of time and sounds like a horn beautifully over the African continent and beyond,” she said.
She elaborated on the lecture’s theme of leadership, self-reliance and transformation, noting its alignment with the university’s mission to nurture future leaders.
Direction of Pan-Africanism
During a panel discussion, speakers questioned how far Africa has come. Associate Professor Zahara Napeewo, Deputy Dean of the School of Law at Makerere University, stated that the continent was still lagging behind the progress Nkrumah would have wanted.
She shared that while educational institutions provide knowledge, they must go further and encourage graduates to become problem-solvers who can create employment for themselves rather than wait to be employed.
Dr. Zaid Sekitto, a Lecturer in the Department of History, Archaeology and Heritage Studies at Makerere, added that the structures of colonialism that Nkrumah fought against were still in place. “They must be addressed”, he said, or Africa would remain trapped in colonialism and lose sight of Nkrumah’s vision.
The Youth and the Unfinished Struggle
The students also had an opportunity to share their perspectives on the unfinished struggle for Pan-Africanism.
Nkrumah Hall Chairperson Joseph Sekabira noted that the Africa Nkrumah fought for was not the Africa that exists today.
He urged young people to take up leadership now rather than wait until they were older.
Mark Kwikiriza, a final-year Bachelor of Arts in Music student and resident of Nkrumah Hall, said Nkrumah’s legacy remained relevant because the problems he faced in Ghana were similar to those society faces today.
He recommended that society could rejuvenate the spirit of “Osagyefo,” the title meaning “redeemer” by which Nkrumah was known.
Honouring 13 Years of Service
The event also recognised Mr. John Kamya for his 13 years of outstanding service as Warden of Nkrumah Hall, a position he held from 2007 to 2020.
He received an appreciation award presented by the Chief Guest’s representative in the presence of the Hall Chairperson and other dignitaries.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Kamya noted that the 2018 visit to the Hall by Kwame Nkrumah’s daughter, Ms. Samia Yaba Nkrumah, was one of the fondest memories of his time in office. He thanked Makerere for the opportunity to serve the University community and its stakeholders.
At the peak, the event concluded with tree planting and cake-cutting activity in front of Nkrumah Hall. The audience was left contemplating one message of Kwame Nkrumah’s vision of a united, self-reliant Africa, freed first in the mind, that remains unfinished and in the words of some speakers, has been handed to the current generation as a task to accomplish.
-
General2 weeks agoStatement on Concerns Circulating Regarding a Member of Academic Staff
-
General2 weeks agoBeyond Map Size: Africa’s Agency Should Not Be Funded by Other People
-
General6 days agoTimothy Khabusi: From Barefoot Walks to shaping Uganda’s Eye health Future
-
General2 weeks agoPress Statement: Incident Involving Death of a Student at Makerere University
-
Health1 week agoUganda’s HIV Treatment Gains Bring the Youth Gap into Focus