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
Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. The tournament was held in three preliminary rounds, followed by semi-finals and a grand finale.
The first round covered democracy and youth participation in politics, while the second round covered inequality and wealth distribution, and the third, the ban on export of raw materials. The semi-final round debated apprenticeship for blue-collar jobs, while the grand finale debated national budget allocations for healthcare and education. In the spirit of inclusivity, all colleges, including the Jinja Campus participated in the tournament.
Commenting on the choice of topics, the organisers noted Makerere University as a bastion of academic excellence has a profound responsibility to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of our nation. These leaders, they added, ought to be equipped with 21st century skills of self-expression, critical thinking, and problem-solving so as to navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving world.
On the whole, Makerere Inter-college Debates were conceived as a strategic initiative to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and innovation. The Debating Union aims to empower the future leaders by providing a platform for students to engage in respectful discourse, articulate their thoughts, as well as develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Furthermore, the Debates serve as a platform for not only honing the intellectual prowess of students but also cultivating leadership skills, teamwork, and communication abilities that are essential for success in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It is envisaged that this initiative will have a lasting impact on the lives of students, by exposing them to debates on topical issues that can shape the mindsets of transformative leaders our nation needs.
After a thrilling two days of debate, Daphine Kemigisha and Jibril Ssekandi from the School of Law (SoL) emerged as winners of the Makerere University Inter-college Debate Tournament 2025, while Olara Emmanuel George from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) was the Public Speech Champion, and Namujuzi Martha Mociita from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) was the Poetry Champion.
The 2025 Tournament was organized by Mayanja Owen and Nkalubo Oprah – 91st Guild Representative Councils (GRCs) of the Debate Union, Akatwijuka Arthur – Chairperson Debate Union, and Debate Union Representatives from colleges. The Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF) partnered with the Debate Union to deliver the 2025 edition.
Addressing students at the award ceremony, UNNGOF’s Mr. Derrick Baluuku encouraged the youth to step out of their comfort zones and think of solutions to inspire change in their communities.
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