General
World Bank ACE II Project Communication Officers undergo Training
Over 20 communication experts working with the Eastern and Southern Africa Higher Education African Centers of Excellence (ACE II) Project have undergone training in communication to equip them with skills and knowledge to improve the communication function in their respective centers.
The one-week training was held from 18th to 23rd March, 2019 and was officially opened and closed by Deputy Secretary, the Inter University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) Prof. Mike Kuria at Hilton Hotel Nairobi.
Prof. Kuria implored participants to utilize the knowledge and skills gained to transform their communication function.
“The success of this workshop will not be rated by what you gain from here, but how you will be able to communicate with the stakeholders and the quality of the communication documents from the centres.
We must shift from measuring the quantity of grades of our graduates to the quality of their work at the workplace. The success of these projects depend on the quality of the communication output in your respective ACEs”, Prof. Kuria said.
The training was organized and funded by the Inter University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) supported by the country ACEs.
The IUCEA Project Communication Officer Ms. Agnes Asiimwe said the objective of the training was to discuss the ACE II project objectives and how to effectively communicate the project results.
Ms. Asiimwe emphasized the need for communication officers to keep all their stakeholders updated on the activities going on in their ACEs using different channels of communication.
She advised every communication officer to ensure that ACE websites are active and regularly updated as a key tool and window into the centers.
“Make sure you post everything, everywhere. Post it on tweeter, Facebook, if there is no major event happening, get something, if not, do a video, a Q and A with PhD students on their research progress and post a 300 words story.
Make the website priority number one. This is a World Bank project ending 2022 and the website is the only way to show what the ACEs are doing”, she added.
The training attracted leading Communication, Public Relations (PR) and ICT experts from the region including the Lead Trainer and Facilitator from Capital One Group Paul Mwirigi Muriungi, Ann Gichuhi and Bernard Khatukhira.
Key topics delivered included, Introduction to Public Relations and Public Relations Strategy; Planning and Managing PR Campaigns; Strategic Communications; Monitoring and Evaluation, in Communication; Digital Communication and Social Media Management; Integrated Marketing and Communication; Corporate Social Responsibility; Internal Communications; Media Relations and Crisis Communications, Written, Photo and Video Content Management.
The World Bank is supporting 24 African Centers of Excellence to meet the demand for skills required for Africa's development in areas such as agriculture, energy, extractive industries, etc while strengthening the innovation capacity of the best African higher education institutions in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and other relevant disciplines.
Countries benefitting from ACE II include; Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia among others.
Makerere University Regional Centre of Excellence in Crop Improvement (MaRCCI) is one of 24 African Centers of Excellence being supported by World Bank to transform graduate education and research in Plant Breeding.
MaRCCI won US$6million to provide effective training, research, and outreach that produce applied knowledge and plant breeders who use the most current approaches to rapidly develop and deploy improved crop varieties that meet stakeholders needs and preferences across the region.
Report compiled by
Jane Anyango
Principal Communication Officer, CAES
Makerere University has once again cemented its place as a regional leader in academic excellence after successfully hosting the East African Universities Debate Championships (EAUDC) 2026, welcoming the continent’s brightest young minds for a week of intellectual competition, cultural exchange, and leadership development.
Held from 26th July to 1st August 2026, the championship brought together more than 200 student debaters, adjudicators and delegates from 25 universities across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and other invited institutions, transforming the Ivory Tower into East Africa’s premier arena for ideas, innovation and public discourse.
The week-long tournament featured rigorous British Parliamentary debate rounds, public speaking competitions, adjudication workshops and networking sessions designed to sharpen critical thinking, leadership and persuasive communication. Participants debated contemporary issues ranging from governance and economic transformation to technology, public health, climate change and Africa’s future.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Deputy Vice Chancellor welcomed delegates to Makerere University, emphasizing the institution’s enduring commitment to nurturing graduates who are not only academically accomplished but also capable of leading meaningful conversations that shape society. The championship reflected Makerere’s vision of producing graduates who are innovative, analytical and prepared to address regional and global challenges.
Beyond competition, EAUDC 2026 became a celebration of East African unity. Delegates experienced Uganda’s rich cultural heritage through social events, campus tours and cultural showcases that fostered friendships beyond national borders. The interactions reinforced the championship’s belief that dialogue remains one of the strongest foundations for regional integration and peaceful cooperation.
The tournament concluded with an electrifying Grand Finale witnessed by students, alumni, university leaders, invited guests and debate enthusiasts. The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Sports Hon. Eng. Cuthbert Abigaba represented the Speaker of Parliament as the Guest of Honour. In his remarks he congratulated Makerere University on the successful event and encouraged debate among students.
Prof Sarah Ssali the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs at Makerere University pledged continuous support from the administration towards Makerere Debate Union. Teams demonstrated exceptional research, analytical reasoning and eloquence before a distinguished panel of international adjudicators, bringing to a close one of the most competitive editions of the championship.
The successful hosting of EAUDC 2026 marks another milestone in Makerere University‘s growing reputation as a centre of excellence for debating and public speaking. The event builds on the university’s long-standing tradition of producing outstanding debaters while providing students with opportunities to engage with peers from across the region in meaningful intellectual exchange.
As the championship drew to a close, participants departed Kampala with new friendships, stronger networks and renewed inspiration to continue using debate as a tool for leadership, democratic participation and social transformation.
With the East African chapter successfully concluded, attention now turns to the Pan-African Universities Debating Championship (PAUDC) 2026, where Makerere University will once again represent East Africa on the continental stage.
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