General
Graduates Advised to Adopt Soft Skills to Supplement their Professions
The Executive Secretary of Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB), Mr. Oyesigye Onesmus (CPA), has advised graduates to adopt soft skills to supplement their professional experience. According to Mr. Oyesigye skills such as truthfulness, patience, time management, trustworthiness and honesty are some of the traits a person who would like to get a job and sustain it should exhibit.
“Employers find it difficult to let go of the few trustworthy workers. They also fear to employ unmanageable workers who are liars, impatient and dishonest,” he said.
Presiding over the Award Ceremony for Diploma and Certificate Students of the Centre for Lifelong Learning, College of Education and External Studies (CEES), Makerere University on Saturday, 19th January 2019, Mr. Oyesigye advised parents to always guide and support the interests of their children when it comes to academic journeys.
“On so many occasions, parents have forced their children to undertake certain courses and the results have not been good. You want your children to fulfil your dreams. Let the children determine their academic journeys and professional paths. You duty is to guide not to make for them decisions. Let them create their own career paths” he said.
He encouraged students to make use of the Government loan scheme to advance their level of education.
The National Coordinator of the Centre for Life Long Learning Mrs. Rose Atugonza, emphasized discipline and hard work among students when she said, “Discipline is the key to success in one’s life. With discipline and hard work you are ready to succeed in this competitive world,” she advised.
The Centre for Life Long Learning was the first Centre at Makerere University in 1922; under the Centre for Continuing Education. The Centre focuses on bridging the gap between individuals who are unable to come to the University through the intra-mural programmes with the University community. It helps in making University learning relevant to the community through identifying their learning needs and designing as well as offering problem-solving programmes in a flexible and non-formal manner; and promoting partnerships and collaborations with development agencies for technology/knowledge transfer.
Addressing the graduands, the Deputy Principal CEES, Assoc. Prof. Paul Birevu Muyinda tipped the new Diploma and Certificate holders on how to prepare for the job market in the competitive world.
“Be flexible in life and to always adjust when the need arises. Be productive and accountable. And if you remember to observe the traits of a good leader, the world will be an easy place for you to enjoy,” he counseled.
Representing the Dean, School of Distance and Life Long Learning-Dr. Alex Okot, Dr. Ronald Mukuye congratulated the graduands upon the great achievement in their lives. He advised them to enrol for further studies and to widen their networks.
Article by Rachael Kanyi, Volunteer, Mak Public Relations Office
Makerere University staff have been urged to embrace servant leadership, integrity and compassion as they prepare to welcome students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The call was made during the Makerere University Staff Prayer Breakfast held on 31st July 2026 at St. Francis Students Centre Upper Hall under the theme “Faithful Stewards: A Servant Heart with Integrity and Wisdom,” drawn from Colossians 3:23–24 and Mark 10:35–45.
The prayer breakfast brought together members of Council, University Management, academic and administrative staff to dedicate the new academic year to God while reflecting on their responsibility of serving students with excellence, humility and integrity.
A Call to Seek God’s Wisdom
Host Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa reminded staff that no amount of professional experience or academic expertise can replace God’s guidance.
She noted that the University’s mission can only be fulfilled when staff continually seek God’s wisdom in serving students and one another.
“There is no amount of experience or expertise that can replace God’s wisdom.”
Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed that students remain the reason universities exist and challenged staff to approach their work as a calling rather than merely employment.
“Without students, there is no university,” she said, encouraging members of staff to remain united, avoid unhealthy competition and trust God as they begin another academic year.
She further urged staff to become faithful stewards who work together in harmony which she started as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research.
Speaking on behalf of students, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson and the Deputy Vice Chancellor to the breakfast, and reminded staff that a university’s value cannot be measured by research and innovation alone.
She described Makerere as a community held together by the wellbeing of its people, spiritual as much as academic, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
A Season to Draw Inspiration From.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who sent his greetings but could not attend in person, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Sarah Ssali told staff that this year’s breakfast carried special significance.
“This is the first prayer breakfast we are having ever since we launched our strategic plan,” she said, referring to the University’s new Strategic Plan, launched on 2nd July 2026.
She encouraged staff to hold on to the morning’s reflections as a guide for implementing the plan over the next five years, describing Makerere as an institution many families choose above all others for the vision and training it offers their children. She urged staff to see themselves as stewards of that trust rather than simply employees carrying out a job.
Compassion and Discipline Must Go Together.
Delivering her remarks, Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara challenged staff to strike a balance between compassion and discipline when dealing with students.
She observed that many students face different personal and academic challenges, making encouragement and timely support essential throughout their university journey.
“A word of encouragement can restore hope and prevent costly mistakes,” she noted.
Dr. Lorna encouraged lecturers and administrators to respond promptly to students’ concerns, explaining that delays, insensitive decisions and abuse of authority can discourage students and negatively affect their academic experience.
She reminded staff that students often remember how they were treated long after they have forgotten what was taught in class.
“Students may eventually forget what we teach them, but they will always remember how we treated them.”
She added that education goes beyond transferring knowledge.
“Education is more than knowledge. We communicate life, character and values.”
Quoting Mark 10, Dr. Lorna called upon staff to embrace servant leadership by exercising authority with humility, integrity and accountability.
She encouraged members of staff to ask themselves whether they would treat every student the same way they would treat their own child.
“We may not always have all the answers,” she said, “but we can communicate honestly, take responsibility and treat every student with dignity.”
She concluded by urging different colleges and administrative units to work together instead of operating in isolation, noting that unity strengthens the University community.
Referring to Galatians 6:2, she reminded staff to carry one another’s burdens and remain faithful stewards of the responsibility entrusted to them.
Servant Leadership Begins with Faithfulness.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. James Magara, husband to the Chairperson of the University Council, Dr. Lorna Magara, called on members of staff to embrace servant leadership grounded in humility, faithfulness and service to others.
Drawing from Mark 10:35–45, Dr. Magara reflected on the account in which James and John asked Jesus for positions of honour in His kingdom, prompting discontent among the other disciples. He observed that despite walking closely with Christ, the disciples continued to struggle with the desire for status and recognition. He noted that such competition remained evident even during the Last Supper, where concerns over positions and prominence persisted.
Dr. Magara said that Jesus responded to these human tendencies by redefining leadership through service rather than authority. He described Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet as the ultimate demonstration of servant leadership, explaining that genuine leaders are willing to undertake even the humblest responsibilities in service of others.
Referencing Philippians 2, he urged staff to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness, contrasting it with the pride and self-exaltation illustrated in Isaiah 14. He emphasised that lasting influence and greatness are not measured by titles, positions or recognition, but by one’s willingness to serve faithfully and put the needs of others before personal ambition.
Drawing on his own leadership journey spanning several decades, Dr. Magara challenged leaders across the University to cultivate humility, integrity and a servant heart in the execution of their responsibilities. He cautioned that leadership driven by pride and personal ambition undermines both individual effectiveness and institutional progress, whereas servant leadership strengthens organisations and fosters lasting impact.
The prayer breakfast concluded with a call for unity and collective commitment as Makerere University prepares to begin a new academic year. Organisers noted that the reflections on stewardship, integrity and servant leadership would provide a strong foundation for the University community as it advances the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
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