General
Ambassador Kameda Visits AICAD Mak Office, Receives Reports
The Ambassador of Japan to Uganda, H.E. Kazuaki Kameda on Wednesday, 17th April 2019 made a courtesy visit to the African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD) Office, Makerere University. He was received by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Dr. Bitek Titus Watmon who represented the Vice Chancellor Kyambogo University and AICAD officials led by the Acting Executive Director-Prof. Dominic Byarugaba. Also present from AICAD were the Director Research and Development Division-Dr. Benson Odongo, Director Training and Extension-Patrick A. Wakhu as well as former AICAD Uganda Country Office Director-Prof. Oswald Ndoleriire.
Welcoming H.E. Kazuaki Kameda, Prof. Nawangwe thanked the Government and people of Japan for the immense support received through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and AICAD shortly after Uganda had emerged from the civil war in 1987. He thanked JICA for the continued support to AICAD, which has enabled the Secretariat to fund research and training activities.
“Makerere benefitted a lot in the form of research and training through AICAD support. This support was timely, because we developed a critical mass of staff in a select number of disciplines such as security and population studies which are pertinent to Africa’s development” remarked the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Nawangwe also appreciated the construction of the then Faculty of Science Extension (JICA Building) completed in 1992 as well as support to the Department of Geology which led to additional mineral discoveries through joint research activities. “I implore Your Excellency to use your office to renew support to our joint research with Japanese colleagues for the mutual benefit of both our countries.”
He also acknowledged the Japanese Government’s contribution to infrastructural development through the construction of projects such as the newly completed Source of the Nile Bridge. The 525metre cable-stayed bridge was officially opened to traffic on 17th October 2018 and has a lifespan of 120 years.
In his remarks, the Ambassador thanked the Vice Chancellor and leaders present for the extremely warm welcome to Makerere University. He highly appreciated Prof. Byarugaba’s efforts in organising his visit to the AICAD offices.
“I am happy to see that AICAD has continued to carry out its activities with support from the Regional Governments of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania” added H.E. Kameda.
Prof. Dominic Byarugaba informed the meeting that AICAD’s Headquarters are located within the main campus of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). The three AICAD Country Offices are located at Egerton University in Kenya, Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania and Makerere University. He added that the Institute’s mandate is poverty reduction in Africa through human capacity development especially in the area of agriculture, which employs the largest portion of the population.
Prof. Byarugaba further noted that AICAD supports key projects such as value addition to clay products in Kyambogo University as well as Namanve and Kajjansi areas where large deposits of clay exist. “Industries with advanced glazing machinery have gone ahead to produce tiles and other ceramic products.”
He shared that in response to threats posed by climate change, AICAD had conducted value addition trainings for products such as milk and vegetables. He added that the Institute had partnered with JICA to promote intensification of the New Rice for Africa (NERICA) variety in the East African regions of Mbeya and Morogoro in Tanzania, Ahero and Busia in Kenya as well as Eastern Uganda.
“The choice of crop AICAD promotes is informed by the agro ecological zones of Uganda. For example in Eastern Uganda, JICA and AICAD conducted a lot of trainings on rice growing in partnership with Busitema University. In Western Uganda, we concentrated on bananas but also appended other crops such as coffee and tea and partnered with the Operation Wealth Creation in the distribution of seedlings. In Northern Uganda, we partnered with Gulu University to conduct training on simsim growing, as well as other foods that improve the health and nutrition status of the previously displaced communities” Prof. Byarugaba further explained.
Dr. Bitek Titus Watmon in his contribution however called for the need to AICAD and JICA to set up a professional training centre where students from Universities and Technical Institutions can acquire professional hands-on skills. This, he said would help to stem the rising tide graduates from these institutions whose skills in areas such as torch welding do not meet professional standards and as such, their products cannot be accepted by international markets. This intervention will be necessary if these graduates are to match skills required by Uganda’s and the region’s promising oil and gas sector.
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Article by Public Relations Office
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
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