Inaugurated in 2022, Makerere University is proud to announce the 2025 Emmanuel Tumusime Mutebile Annual Public Lecture. On 3^rd December, we will celebrate a legacy that continues to whisper its truth into the future. The legacy of Professor Emmanuel Tumusime Mutebile, a man whose life was defined by discipline, foresight, and an unwavering belief in resilient institutions. The lecture will be hosted in the Main Hall of the Main Building from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

This year’s lecture will be held under the theme:

“Shaping Africa’s Future: Intergenerational Leadership, Economic Resilience & the Power of Innovation.”

This theme emerges at a defining moment for Africa. The continent stands at a crossroads, rich in an ever-growing youthful population, natural resources, and emerging technologies, yet simultaneously challenged by economic volatility, climate pressures, leadership transitions, and widening development gaps. The 2025 lecture, therefore, seeks to move beyond commemoration, positioning itself as a strategic space for reflection, recalibration, and forward-looking action.

Why This Theme Matters Now

The issue of intergenerational leadership is no longer theoretical. With over 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, the urgency to intentionally transfer knowledge, values, and leadership capacity from established leaders to emerging ones has become critical. Sustainable transformation depends not just on the leaders of today, but on how effectively they mentor, prepare, and empower those who will steward Africa’s future. The lecture explores how this deliberate bridging of generations can strengthen institutions, safeguard ethical governance, and ensure continuity of vision.

At the same time, Africa’s recent encounters with global economic shocks, debt vulnerabilities, currency instability, and climate-induced disruptions have underscored the necessity of economic resilience. The lecture interrogates what it truly means to build economies that do not merely survive crises but adapt, stabilize, and emerge stronger. It engages with the need for diversified economic structures, credible institutions, sound policy frameworks, and leadership that prioritises long-term stability over short-term political expediency.

Equally central to the conversation is the power of innovation, not just in technology, but in policy design, institutional reform, financial systems, and governance models. Africa’s development challenges demand solutions that are context-responsive, scalable, and future-oriented. The lecture, therefore, examines how innovation can be leveraged as a catalyst for inclusive growth, sustainable financing, industrial transformation, and improved service delivery across sectors.

A Timely Platform for Critical Dialogue

The Emmanuel Tumusime Mutebile Annual Public Lecture continues to stand as a distinguished platform convening leaders and thinkers to advance critical conversations on Africa’s future. The lecture has evolved into a platform that convenes policymakers, academics, financial actors, development practitioners, private sector leaders, and youth voices to interrogate Africa’s future through the lens of principled leadership and strategic thinking. The 2025 edition will further reinforce Makerere University’s role as a convener of thought leadership and national discourse on issues of continental significance.

This annual gathering is not simply a memorial event. It is a deliberate invitation to reflect, question, and reimagine how Africa positions itself in a rapidly evolving global landscape. By centring intergenerational leadership, resilience, and innovation, the 2025 lecture challenges participants to confront the realities of today while designing systems that will serve generations yet unborn.

As Makerere University hosts this landmark conversation, it reaffirms its commitment to producing transformative leaders, advancing knowledge, and shaping policies that respond to Africa’s present and future realities.

The 2025 Tumusiime Mutebile Annual Public Lecture will also be hosted on live stream on the Makerere University YouTube page. Link: https://youtube.com/live/e6Ld-0XYLiw?feature=share

Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University

Makerere University in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden in Uganda and UNFPA in Uganda hosted the “Strides for Change” Activism walk and official unveiling of the 2025 edition of the 16 Days of Activism campaign on Monday 24^th November, 2025.

The event was graced by Heads of Diplomatic Missions from Sweden, Australia, Ireland and Germany alongside representatives from UNFPA and UN Women. The dignitaries were received on behalf of Makerere University by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe represented by the Dean of Students, Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli together with the Chief Gender Mainstreaming Officer, Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine.

“Makerere University remains dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive environment and promoting gender equality. Each of us has a role in building a society free from violence,” read the Vice Chancellor’s message.

Present to ensure that the students’ voice was heard loud and clear were members of the 91^st Students Guild led by their President H.E. Churchill James Ssentamu. The “Strides for Change” walk that commenced at the CCE roundabout was led by the Heads of Diplomatic Missions and members of Management was at Mary Stuart Hall handed over to the Student leaders who carried the banner all the way to the Impis Rugby Grounds for the rest of the activities.

Of significant importance was the announcement of Makerere University‘s Dr. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo and Dr. Amon Ashaba Mwiine among sixteen (16) male changes chosen to champion the fight against gender-based violence.

A New Chapter in Uganda–Malaysia Higher Education Collaboration

Makerere University has started preliminary discussions with Binary University of Management and Entrepreneurship (Malaysia) to deepen its global partnerships through high-level engagements, aimed at fostering innovation-driven education, entrepreneurship, and women’s leadership. Chaired by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, the meeting explored a structured framework for collaboration that responds to Uganda’s urgent need for skills development, job creation, and industry-aligned learning.

This emerging partnership reflects a shared vision: to move beyond traditional academic models towards a practical, industry-integrated, and entrepreneurship-focused education system that equips graduates with real-world skills and global competitiveness.

Responding to Uganda’s Employment Challenge Through Entrepreneurship

“While chairing the meeting, Prof. Sarah Ssali noted that Makerere University and other Universities, together, currently graduate over 35,000 students annually, yet the private sector creates only about 700 new jobs per year. With an expanding population and intense job competition, where a single vacancy can attract over 4,000 applicants, the urgency for alternative employment pathways is clear.

Makerere’s Innovation Hub and Centre for Entrepreneurship have become critical pillars in addressing this challenge. Through platforms such as the Innovation Expo, now in its third edition and featuring over 600 student exhibitions, the university continues to nurture problem-solvers, innovators, and job creators. This ecosystem aligns strongly with Binary University’s entrepreneurial philosophy, making the Centre for Entrepreneurship a natural anchor point for collaboration.

Binary University’s Industry Specialist Professional (ISP) Model

Binary University brings a unique global model that directly integrates industry practitioners into the classroom. Its Industry Specialist Professional (ISP) programme, operational since 1999, ensures students graduate with skills tailored to specific industry needs. Industry experts with decades of practical experience teach across disciplines such as: Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics, Oil and Gas, Renewable Energy, Engineering, Film and Media Production to mention but a few.

“ With over 10,500 practising entrepreneurs in its ecosystem in Malaysia, Binary offers students direct mentorship and exposure to active business environments, ensuring graduates are not only employable but also entrepreneurial.” Tan Sri Dato Professor Joseph Adaikalam, the Executive Chairman and Founder, Binary University of Management and Entrepreneurship, noted.

Key Areas of Proposed Collaboration

The discussions outlined a structured and scalable partnership model anchored on the following areas:

1. Dual and Joint Degree Programmes

• 2+2 Joint Bachelor’s Degrees in specialised fields through an International Department structure.
• 1+1 Joint Master’s Programmes including: MBA for Engineers, Renewable Energy MBA and Semiconductor MBA
• Dual award systems to ensure international recognition and student mobility.

2. PhD and Staff Development Programmes

• Winter/Summer PhD models in Renewable Energy and Waste Management
• Nominated students to benefit from 50% tuition waivers
• PhD pathways tailored for academic staff development

3. Executive Development Programmes (EDPs)

High-impact, short-term programmes targeting senior leaders, featuring joint certification with a focus on AI for CEOs, Global Issues & Entrepreneurship. These EDPs are designed to empower leaders with strategic insight into global trends, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Placing Women’s Leadership at the Centre

A key pillar of the proposed collaboration is engagement with Malaysia’s Centre for Women’s Leadership (CWL), which focuses on empowering women through entrepreneurship and gender compliance mechanisms.

Puan Sri Datin, Prof. Dr. Rohini Devi, the co-founder and Vice Chairman, Binary University, highlighted the unique opportunities this partnership presents for a Joint women’s leadership training initiative, feminist academic exchanges, gender-responsive entrepreneurship models and an initiative to strengthen Makerere’s Institute of Gender Studies as a regional hub.

This aligns with Malaysia’s progressive gender compliance policies for public funding and women’s leadership development, a model that holds strong relevance for African institutions.

Learning from Regional and Global Best Practices

The meeting underscored valuable lessons from global contexts, including Nigeria’s model, where every graduate leaves with a practical vocational skill, Zambia’s Winter-Summer academic model with tuition waivers, Malaysia’s government investment in higher education and entrepreneurship

These case studies reinforce the need for practical skills as survival tools while graduates transition into formal employment or entrepreneurship.

A Win-Win Partnership for the Future

This collaboration is envisioned as a mutually beneficial model that complements Makerere’s academic strengths while leveraging Binary’s industry-driven approach. It will enhance student mobility, staff exchange, joint research, innovation transfer, and entrepreneurship development, all while maintaining strong quality assurance mechanisms.

As Makerere University continues to reimagine higher education in a rapidly changing world, this partnership signals a transformative shift towards globally competitive, innovation-led, and socially responsive learning systems.

With optimism and strategic intent, both institutions commit to open dialogue, structured implementation, and long-term impact. The Makerere-Binary partnership stands as a powerful example of how South-South collaboration can redefine education, accelerate entrepreneurship, and empower future leaders, especially women, for Africa’s development trajectory.

Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.