General
Vice Chancellor Flags Off Aid Bududa Community Relief Items
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on the morning of Friday, 2nd November 2018 flagged off an assortment of relief items under the Aid Bududa Community (ABC) initiative to Bududa District. Launched on 15th October 2018, the ABC is spearheaded by the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) and will be carried out in two phases; the Benevolent Phase 1 and Scientific Phase 2.
“We thank the Management, entire Makerere University Community and our friends for supporting Phase 1 of the initiative. We particularly thank our sister associations MASA (Makerere University Academic Staff Association), NUEI (National Union of Educational Institutions of Uganda-Makerere University Branch), the Chaplaincies and the University Mosque who tirelessly worked with us to achieve this objective,” remarked MUASA Chairperson Dr. Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi at the flag off ceremony.
According to Dr. Kamunyu, items collected under Benevolent Phase 1 of the ABC initiative included;
- Approximately 180 bales of clothes
- 5 bales of blankets
- 5 sacks of shoes
- 2,000kilogrammes of maize floor
- 1,000kilogrammes of beans
- 5,040 Not-For-Sale 96page exercise books
- 4,000 Nice Clear pens
- 3,500 pencils and
- An assortment of domestic items
The items will be delivered to Bududa District by a delegation comprising MUASA Executive and Members of Staff, Student leaders, as well as members of the student community.
Under the Scientific Phase 2, MUASA will work with the Makerere University Centre for Climate Change Research and Innovation (MUCCRI) to restore a plot of land using the landscape approach, so that communities exposed to similar environmental risks elsewhere can adopt the same preventive techniques. A team of Sociologists, Anthropologists, Mountain Hydrologists, Foresters, Environmentalists, Public Health Experts, Educationists, IT Specialists and a host of other experts from Makerere University and beyond will take part in Phase 2.
In his remarks, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe thanked the MUASA Chairperson, his Executive as well as the Makerere University Community including the student body for responding generously to the landslide disaster in Bududa especially through a phased approach.
“Makerere University is easily the biggest brand name in the Country and it is within our social responsibility that we are seen to be strategically responding to disaster. I believe that what we have been able to do through the ABC initiative will go a long way to help victims of the Bududa landslides” remarked the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Nawangwe particularly commended the innovative branded stationery, which he said would bring hope to landslide victims and take their mind off the disaster. He also commended MUASA for thinking about Phase 2, which will more importantly enable Makerere University to work with the Bududa community to change the way they live.
“Phase 2 of the ABC initiative will help our communities to view Makerere University in a different light. As experts in different fields, we have the responsibility to not only lend a helping hand but also give guidance to communities on how they can live better, especially if there is suffering,” said Prof. Nawangwe.
“I am equally happy to see our students here, smartly dressed in their undergraduate gowns. On behalf of the University Council and Management, I thank you MUASA for spearheading this initiative and it is now my pleasure to flag off this consignment of relief items to Bududa” concluded the Vice Chancellor.
Article by Public Relations Office
General
Prof. Nawangwe urges young people to take up leadership in innovation for the transformation of Africa
By the Program Communication Team
On Sunday, February 2, 2025, Makerere University hosted the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council Representatives meeting, which brings together young people from around 45 partner universities of the Mastercard Foundation.
During the event, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe urged young people to prepare for leadership roles in innovation, especially starting with their communities, if they wish to see the positive transformation they desire in Africa.
“I urge you to connect and network with your peers and discuss how you can form inter-university teams to innovate solutions that will address the development challenges in our communities for the transformation of the African continent.” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
Prof. Nawangwe applauded the Mastercard Foundation for its partnership with Makerere University and Uganda in general, which has uplifting effects on many young people.
“Makerere University and Uganda have made remarkable strides in providing Higher Education to Young People, thanks to the generous support of the Mastercard Foundation, which has contributed significantly to educating the next generation of African leaders. Through valuable initiatives and partnerships, such as the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Makerere University is poised to continue educating young individuals who will significantly impact Uganda’s and Africa’s economic growth.” Prof. Nawangwe noted.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nawangwe, further urged young people to seize the opportunities the Mastercard Foundation and other like-minded development partners presented to improve their lives and communities.
“The Mastercard Foundation has given you the platform and opportunity to be leaders and beacons of change. Embrace this responsibility with courage. Let the core values of the Scholars Program—humility, listening, kindness and respect, co-creation, and impact—guide your actions,” Prof. Nawangwe emphasized.
While speaking at the same event, the Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, enumerated high-level achievements the Program had accomplished for the last decade at Makerere University. She pointed out that in terms of scholarship enrolment, the Program had recruited 1,032 Scholars, of which 76% were Females, 7% were Internationals, 4% were Refugees, and about 1% were Youth with Disabilities.
Prof. Namaalwa further pointed out other post-graduation achievements, including a 94% completion rate of the total number of Scholars enrolled in the Scholars Program. She pointed out that between 2018 and 2025, the Program had graduated 964 Scholars, of which 37% were employed, mainly in the private sector.
Prof. Namaalwa revealed that beyond the Scholars Program, the Mastercard Foundation had put other initiatives supporting the university in numerous ways. She pointed out other initiatives such as the e-learning initiative, a COVID-19 Response measure to ensure continuity of Teaching and Learning at Makerere University and the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative: Makerere University, in collaboration with the University of Ghana, the University of Cape Town, and the University of Cambridge, is implementing a new initiative that addresses one of the world’s most significant challenges in recent times—climate change.
Prof. Namaalwa revealed that the Research Collaborative would provide opportunities for MSc and PhD scholarships to African students and encourage young people to enrol as graduate students starting in the academic year 2025/2026.
The event was punctuated with fireside chats, during which young people had an opportunity to discuss a number of topical issues related to entrepreneurship and Transformative leadership. Thereafter, the visiting students were taken on a guided tour around Makerere University.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council comprises student leaders from partner Universities. Each Partner University has one Council Representative. They represent the needs of Scholars and work with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program teams at each institution, the Mastercard Foundation, and Alumni.
On Monday 3rd February 2025, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe handed over three (3) university buses to the respective leadership in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), the College of Health Sciences (CHS), and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB).
The new buses mark a significant improvement in mobility and learning for Makerere University students and staff, furthering the institution’s commitment to practical education and community service.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the University’s Freedom Square, Prof. Nawangwe highlighted the significance of the new buses in enhancing teaching and learning. “These buses will play a crucial role in improving students’ practical learning experiences by ensuring reliable transportation for fieldwork and community outreach,” he said.
Prof. Nawangwe expressed gratitude to the Parliament and the Government of Uganda for providing the resources for the new buses, emphasizing their importance in replacing the old fleet, which frequently breaks down. The new 2023 model buses, with a 67-seater capacity, were secured at a cost of UGX 626million each and are expected to save the university significant maintenance costs and improve the learning experience for students.
Principals from the respective colleges expressed their appreciation for the new buses. Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, Principal of CoVAB, emphasized the importance of the buses for practical training at locations such as Lake Mburo National Park. Associate Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, Principal of CAES, and Associate Prof. Bruce Kirenga, Principal of CHS, highlighted the buses’ role in facilitating community engagement and outreach.
He explained that the decision to purchase Isuzu buses instead of those manufactured by Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) a Makerere University partner, was based on prior engagement with the former, as well as the need to utilize the allocated funds promptly within the Financial Year, which couldn’t be accomplished at KMC due to their high demand.
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