General
Hon. Elioda Tumwesigye acknowledges the role of media in bridging the gap between scientists and communities
The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovations Hon. EliodaTumwesigye, has acknowledged the tremendous role played by media in bridging the communication gap that has long existed between researchers/ scientists and communities.
Speaking to journalists, communication specialists, scholars, and scientific researchers at Makerere University Annual Media Convention on 25th April 2019, the Minister said that through media and other communication channels, useful research findings and Scientific information has reached communities in a simple and understandable manner.
“The media is key to creating this link between science and society as science not communicated is science lost. Publishing findings in journals is good but the information therein never reaches the public. By reporting about scientific developments, the media contribute to public understanding of and engagement with science and technology,” he said.
According to Hon. Tumwesigye, there is need to develop strong partnerships between scientists who generate the knowledge and the media who take it to society. Similarly, scientists also need to get out of their laboratories and communicate science and scientific information in a format easy for the public to understand if they are to remain relevant to society.
He commended social media as a handy tool through which information on scientific discoveries, innovations and other breakthroughs can be communicated. He also mentioned that through social media, scientific misconceptions have been corrected and consensus on controversial science subjects have been generated.
The Minister noted that currently, Science, Technology and Innovation and more specifically Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a central driver of all aspects of human endeavor. The World’s most revolutionary innovations are driven by ICTs which constitute the 3rd Industrial revolution and are at the Centre of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR).
“Recently, while launching the National Task Force for the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR), H.E. President Yoweri Museveni stated that: “The primer of all social change in society is the advancement in science and technology but in order to use it well you must integrate it holistically. You should not just come in at the periphery and you think that you are going to benefit.”
The Minister was excited to learn that Makerere University had become the champion in pioneering Science Communication as part of journalism and media training. He was also grateful to know that the University had strategically recognized social media as an additional tool for advancing science communication and public engagement.
The Makerere University Annual Media Convention (AMC) 2019 was organized by the Department of Journalism and Communication, College of Humanities and Social Sciences in partnership with SciDev. Net. The event brought together journalists and media practitioners, public communication experts, policy makers and government officials, academicians, civil society and development partners, as well as journalism students across the region to discuss and propose solutions on how to improve and advance journalism and communication with a critical focus on the role traditional and social media platforms play in disseminating scientific information in society. The event was organized under the theme: Communicating Science in the Social Media Age: Sharing Technical Information from Researchers to the Media”.
According to the Head, Department of Journalism and Communication Dr. William Teyebwa, the AMC 2019 provided a platform to the leading minds in the area of communication and journalism together with scientists and researchers to deeply analyze the concept Science communication, draw frameworks on the relationship between media and research and develop strategies on how journalists can work harmoniously with scientists to help communities.
“This year, we are paying much attention to how technical information from research institutions is reported to the general public, the challenges faced and how such information is discussed in society, in an attempt to improve science communication in Uganda,” said Dr. Tayebwa.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Umar Kakumba, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs said the world is driven by science and technology. “The dichotomy of the world along two economic poles, of developed and developing is mostly linked to the level of science and technology sophistication. This implies that science and technology play pivotal roles in the developing nations,” he said.
He however noted that Universities within the African Continent are producing large volumes of scientific research that has failed to serve its intended purpose of improving productivity and contributing to development due ineffective dissemination procedures.
“It is therefore important that we focus on having scientific research well disseminated using various forms of communication. The media is one of the most effective avenues for disseminating information as well as popularizing and moderating debate on issues that directly or indirectly impact the wellbeing of humanity. In this era, social media is one of the fastest and most cost-effective modes of communication that we should explore in promoting scientific research,” he remarked.
He thanked the Department of Journalism and Communication for the well thought-out theme, and called upon institutions of higher learning to pave way for the improvement of science communication and consequently contribute to scientific and technological advancement on the African Continent.
He appreciated the media for the support they have accorded Makerere University over the years. Dr. Kakumba said the media has been very instrumental in promoting Makerere University’s activities and this has greatly contributed to the visibility of University at the national and international levels.
He commended the Government of Uganda for supporting and promoting scientific research. “I thank the President for his support through the Presidential Initiative on Science and Technology that has resulted into a number of innovations that are transforming our country. I wish to let you know that the Government of Uganda in the next financial year (2018/2019), has committed UGX30 billion for research at Makerere University. With this money, Makerere University will continue to advance its research agenda as it contributes to transformation of lives.”
Addressing participants at the closing ceremony, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration, Prof. William Bazeyo described Science and Journalism as two important disciplines that make a lot of sense. “You cannot be a successful researcher if you cannot get someone to interpret your work and give it to community. Journalists have helped the people we serve to understand what we think. You are the only link between government, policy makers, and community,” he said.
The day’s theme was expounded by two keynote addresses from Prof. Emmanuel S. Dandaura- the Executive Director, Institute of Strategic and Development Communication, Nasarawa State University in Keffi Nigeria and Dr. Abraham KipropMulwo, Senior Lecturer, Department of Communication Studies at Moi University, Kenya.
Dr. Abraham KipropMulwo explained that the impact of scientific work is dependent on how effectively it is communicated. In his presentation titled, “Status and Future of Science Communication -Global and Regional Perspective”, Dr. KipropMulwo noted that public engagement with science depends on how the scientists and the public cooperate and allow people from the diverse background and varying scientific knowledge to voice their opinions in regard to scientific conversations.
“Much of Scientific research is funded through private and public resources, with the expectation that scientific work will contribute to resolving societal challenges. It is therefore important that the outcome of scientific research is effectively communicated,” he said.
Quoting Prof. Lewenstein, Dr. KipropMulwo said communicating science requires scientists to close the gap separating knowledge and belief in interacting with the public. He also mentioned that with the emergency of new media technologies, Data Centres and Research Digital Libraries (RDLs) are emerging as the pillars that support contemporary scientific communication.
“There are technologies and administrative personnel that help researchers to store, discover and share both data and publications. Furthermore, modern technological inventions such as telescopes, satellites and sensor networks help sci-tests to generate large amounts of data,” he stated.
He also noted that social media is rapidly transforming ways in which science is communicated. Previously, communicating science was a challenge to both the scientists and Science communicators. Science communication, when executed, was one way. With the inherently interactive nature of social media, communication has been made a two-way engagement process whereby scientists can receive criticism and questions from users of social media.
Dr. KipropMulwo however noted that in spite the emerging issues in development, the mainstream media and journalists in particular, remain underutilized as means of bridging the communication gap between scientists and societies within which they operate.
“The major challenge is science communication through mainstream media lacks a clear understanding of the science of science communication. It is relatively easy for scientists to communicate to their colleagues since they are aware of the information they need. The problem is when scientific information needs to be communicated to ordinary citizens. Scientists lack clear understanding of what the public wants and how to make complex scientific information simple. Moreover, the communication is mediated by journalists who still have their own interests on what to communicate,” said Dr. KipropMulwo.
In his keynote address on the “Nexus between Science, Media and Communication for Development”, Prof. Emmanuel S. Dandaura called upon media practitioners to put science into use by helping the public understand research results and make informed choices and decisions.
“Communication is what makes development happen, if people are not properly informed about scientific innovations and research, the findings will have little or no impact on society,” said Prof. Dandaura.
He noted that most of the Science Communication activities in Africa are driven by foreign based public relations firms. Prof. Dandaura also revealed to participants that most of the African Tertiary Institutions run omnibus journalism or mass communication programmes that hardly prepare the would be science journalists. He therefore made recommendations among which included;
• Regular trainings of media professionals, educators, scientists, on different aspects of sciences communication
• Integrate science communication into the undergraduates and post graduate curriculum
• Create opportunities for scientists and journalists to interact
• Understand the African agenda on science communication
• Advance science communication as a discipline within communication
• Encourage policy engaged research in the institution of higher learning
• Leverage on the new media technologies
The two keynote addresses were further enriched by two panel discussions and an interactive session. The sessions were chaired by Mr. Adolf Mbaine, DR. Charles WendoLwanga, Dr. Ivan Lukanda, Mrs Marjorie Nyitegeka, and Mr. John Baptist Imokola.
Panelists included;
• Ms. Barbara Zawedde, National Agricultural Research Organization
• Prof. Goretti Nasanga, Department of Journalism and Communication, Makerere University
• Dr. Samuel G. Oketch, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Bio-security, Makerere University
• Ms. GlorriaSebikari, Petroleum Authority of Uganda
• Mr. Hillary Bainemigisha, Columnist, New Vision
• Mr. Gerald Tenywa, Senior Reporter, New Vision
• Mr. Daniel Kalinaki, Convergence Editor, Monitor Publications
• Ms. Esther Nakazzi, Science and Technology Journalist
Among the day’s proceedings was the awarding of certificates to over 30 students of Journalism and Communication who successfully completed a one-year online short course in Science Communication. The certificates were handed over to the students by the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovations Hon. EliodaTumwesigye together with DR. Charles WendoLwanga, the Director of Script Project, ScieDev.Net.
At the same function, Daily Monitor awarded Ms. Lyn Tukei with the Tebere-Mudin Award for the overall best performing student of Journalism and Communication. Ms Lyn Tukei graduated in January 2019 with CGPA of 4.29.
Ms. Betty Musasizi won the CranimerMugerwa Award for the best performing student in photojournalism. The award is sponsored by New Vision in honour of their treasured fallen photojournalist Cranimer Mugerwa.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration, Prof. William Bazeyo pledged to support the best Journalism and Communication student with a token of UGX 2milion starting next academic year 2019/2020.
Representing Dr. Josephine Ahikire, the Acting Principal of College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Julius Kikoma applauded the Department of Journalism for consistently organizing the Annual Media Convention for the last 20 years. He thanked the 2019 conveners Mrs. Marjorie Nyitegeka and Dr. Ivan Lukanda for the wonderful and successful event.
Dr. Merit Kabugo who represented the Dean, School of Languages, Literature and Communication commended the leadership of Journalism and Communication on the tremendous developments.
“The Department has also been very instrumental in training many media specialists that we are proud of today. The good job you are doing should be maintained or even taken a notch higher,” he said.
Article by Nabatte Proscovia, Mak Public Relations Office.
General
From Campus to Career: Makerere Advancement Office, 91st Guild and the DFCU Foundation Equip Students with Financial and Employability Skills
On 4th December, 2025, over 200 final-year students gathered at the School of Pharmacy Auditorium for the highly engaging Career & Financial Literacy Symposium, hosted by the 91st Students’ Guild, in partnership with the Makerere Advancement Office and the DFCU Foundation.
The symposium centred on student advancement through strategic partnership, convening students, administrators and development partners for a practical conversation on career readiness, financial literacy, employability, and personal development.
Advancement Through Partnerships
Speaking on behalf of the Makerere Advancement Office, Mr Awel Uwihanganye, Chief Advancement Officer, underscored the importance of partnerships such as the one with DFCU Foundation. He highlighted their importance in equipping students with marketplace skills and opportunities vital for individual growth after University.
He reflected on the university journey as a formative period for ideas, innovation, and lifelong relationships, noting that:
“University is where impressions are made, and future networks are born. The friendships, character, and collaborations you develop here become foundations for careers, enterprises and leadership later in life.”
Mr. Uwihanganye encouraged students to embrace entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, arguing that the emerging workforce is driven by technology, multi-tasking ability and idea generation rather than traditional single-path employment. He challenged students to build businesses, use digital platforms productively, and regard employment as only one income stream, not the only one.
The Student Perspective — Discipline, Skills and Trust
Speaking on student growth and personal development, Dr. Rodney Rugyema, Deputy Dean of Students, highlighted the realities facing new graduates, especially those entering the job market for the first time. With humour and honesty, he urged students to approach growth intentionally and responsibly.
He called for delayed gratification, financial discipline and long-term decision-making, reminding students that wealth is built, not wished for. He emphasised the importance of skills beyond academic papers, stating that students must be equipped to create value, adapt, learn continuously, and gain competence relevant to modern work demands.
Dr. Rugyema underscored that trust, integrity and reliability remain the most non-negotiable pillars of professional advancement.
“Let people trust you enough to lend you an opportunity. Be a person who delivers. Your reputation is currency; it travels to rooms you are not in.” He noted
Financial Literacy for the Next Generation
The keynote training session was delivered by Mr. Simon Omara, Business Advisor representing the DFCU Foundation, who walked students through a highly practical presentation on financial planning, savings culture, credit management, record-keeping, career positioning and entrepreneurship.
With more than 10,000 graduates annually and less than 35% securing employment within the first year, Mr. Omara challenged students to practice financial and career ownership early. His presentation explored:
Key Competencies Students Must Build
- Financial management with a focus on budgeting, saving, and investing early
- Career readiness, CV development, interview skills, and personal branding
- Entrepreneurship and income diversification
- Record keeping and credit management
- Professional conduct and workplace preparation
He reminded students that the future belongs to those who are financially literate, skilled, trusted and entrepreneurial. Through relatable examples and actionable frameworks such as the 70–20–10 rule, the 7-second CV scan, and the 90-day post-graduation growth plan, Mr. Omara equipped participants with practical knowledge they could act upon immediately.
Why This Symposium Matters
This event stands as a testament to the power of partnership-driven student advancement, a core mandate of the Makerere Advancement Office. By convening industry partners like DFCU Foundation, the University continues to ensure that students graduate not only with knowledge, but with tools and readiness for opportunity.
The symposium strengthened linkages between academia and the labour market, expanded students’ perspective on financial independence, and emphasised the value of entrepreneurship, networks and character in shaping future leadership
The Makerere Advancement Office remains committed to facilitating opportunities that empower students to thrive beyond the gates of the University, through partnerships, mentorship, capacity-building, and exposure to real-world skillsets.
“ A degree alone is no longer enough. With partnership, preparation and purpose, our students can build futures anchored in knowledge, opportunity and resilience.” Mr Awel Uwihanganye noted during his remarks.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Makerere Advancement Office
Makerere University on 3rd December, 2025 hosted the Tumusiime Mutebile Annual Lecture, a tradition established to honour the life and legacy of the late Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, an outstanding alumnus and former Governor of the Bank of Uganda who passed away in 2022. The lecture not only reflects on his remarkable contribution to Uganda’s economic leadership, but also highlights how innovation, resilience, and intergenerational vision can shape Africa’s future.
This year’s edition was anchored on three key pillars—intergenerational leadership, economic resilience, and the power of innovation—themes that defined Prof. Mutebile’s career and continue to influence national development. Through this annual series, the University upholds his memory while also celebrating other African leaders whose work has left a lasting mark on the continent, using their legacies to inspire thoughtful dialogue, policy reflection, and the next generation of transformative thinkers.
Celebrating an Enduring Legacy
In her remarks, the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sarah Ssali, reflected on Prof. Mutebile’s lifelong commitment to excellence, integrity, and the transformative power of education. She highlighted his journey from a student leader at Makerere to one of the country’s most influential economic thinkers, noting how his leadership in monetary policy, fiscal reform, and economic stabilization reshaped Uganda’s economic trajectory.
Prof. Ssali emphasized that this public lecture series not only honours Mutebile’s legacy but also bridges academia and practice—challenging students, scholars, and national leaders to pursue knowledge that serves the public good. She expressed gratitude to the Bank of Uganda under Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego, dfcu Bank, the GRO Foundation, the Mutebile family, and the Advancement Office for their continued support in sustaining a platform that nurtures economic thought leadership and inspires future generations.
Rt. Hon. Emeritus Amama Mbabazi, a lifelong friend and contemporary of the late Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, delivered a deeply personal reflection during the lecture. He recalled their shared beginnings as young student leaders at Makerere, their early political activism, and the historical moments that shaped both their lives and the nation. Speaking as both confidant and colleague, he emphasized Mutebile’s disciplined approach to economic policy, his unwavering belief in strong, accountable institutions, and his commitment to evidence-based, long-term decision making. Mbabazi outlined three pillars of Mutebile’s legacy—policy integrity, institutional strength, and leadership that prepares the next generation—values he affirmed are central to the work of the Tumusiime Foundation, which he now chairs.
He underscored the critical role of the private sector in Africa’s transformation, stressing the need for productivity-driven economies, skilled young people, and policy ecosystems that encourage innovation. He further called for intergenerational leadership that deliberately transfers knowledge, builds enduring institutions, and creates real opportunities for young Africans to lead. In closing, he urged academia, policymakers, and industry to work in partnership, noting that Africa’s progress depends on disciplined leadership, investment in human capital, and a shared commitment to building a future stronger than the present.
Fiscal Policies that have stood the test of time
The Governor of the Bank of Uganda, Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego, honored the late Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile with a heartfelt tribute, praising him as “a great tree whose roots ran deep beneath the soil of this nation, nourishing all who followed.” He noted that Uganda continues to benefit from the “shade” of the policies Mutebile planted during his 21-year tenure—policies that stabilized the economy, strengthened institutions, and protected the financial system through multiple crises. He highlighted Mutebile’s role in restoring price stability through cash budgeting, bringing inflation down from triple digits to single digits, guiding the country through the 2008 global financial crisis with disciplined monetary policy, and maintaining public trust during the 2011 inflation spike through clear and transparent communication.
Dr. Atingi-Ego also credited him for steering Uganda safely through the COVID-19 pandemic by introducing liquidity support for banks, credit relief for borrowers, and targeted foreign exchange interventions. Reflecting on Mutebile’s long-term impact, the Governor remarked, “These are the ideas he planted—he never lived to enjoy the shade of the tree, but today, the country rests under it.” He further celebrated Mutebile’s commitment to innovation, citing the 2016 amendments to the Financial Institutions Act that unlocked agency banking, bancassurance, and Islamic banking—reforms that today anchor Uganda’s impressive financial inclusion gains.
Intergenerational Leadership blends agility and emotional intelligence
Eng. Dr. F. F. Tusubira delivered a compelling and deeply reflective keynote, grounding the theme “Intergenerational Leadership, Economic Resilience and the Power of Innovation” in both history and lived institutional experience. He expressed serious concern that although Africa is the world’s youngest continent—with over 65% of its population below 35—its systems continue to sideline young people from leadership and national decision-making, even as they are repeatedly called “leaders of tomorrow.” He argued that this generational exclusion is not merely unfair but dangerous, warning that nations cannot secure economic resilience while locking out the very demographic best equipped to navigate a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world.
Drawing on African proverbs, global case studies, and personal anecdotes from Makerere and national institutions, he demonstrated how younger generations bring idealism, agility, innovation, and risk-taking—qualities essential for competitiveness—while older generations contribute emotional intelligence, institutional memory and a heightened sense of danger. He emphasized that progress requires blending these strengths through deliberate structures: fair representation of youth in boards and executive spaces, shared decision-making, reverse mentorship, and an institutional culture that values every generational perspective.
Dr. Tusubira also highlighted the urgent need for education reform, criticizing the continent’s entrenched “learning to pass exams” culture and calling for systems that cultivate creativity, problem-solving, and technical capability. He cautioned that without investing in human capital, digital literacy, and inclusive innovation ecosystems, Africa risks losing the very foundation of future competitiveness. His message was clear and powerful: intergenerational leadership is not optional—it is a survival strategy for institutions, businesses, and nations, especially in an era where, as he quoted, “it is not the strongest who survive, but those most responsive to change.”
The lecture was further enriched by an engaging panel discussion, which was moderated by Prof. Edward Bbaale, the Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences. He opened the discussion by deliberately centering today’s students and emerging leaders, framing the session as an intellectual reflection on the life, values and legacy of the late Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile. He positioned the lecture’s theme — Shaping Africa’s Future: Intergenerational Leadership, Economic Resilience and the Power of Innovation — as urgent and practical, and introduced a cross-disciplinary panel whose expertise mirrors that urgency: Eng. Dr. F. F. Tusubira, Mr. Charles Mudiwa the Managing Director Dfcu Bank, and Prof. Faisal Buyinza the Ag. Dean, School of Economics.
Prof. Bbaale’s moderation enabled panelists to offer guidance on structural and cultural barriers to youth inclusion, the role of institutions in building resilience, and how academia, industry and policy can work together to turn innovation into jobs and scalable solutions — all the while reserving time for direct audience engagement and practical policy takeaways. Collectively, the panelists urged dismantling age-biased barriers and credential rigidities, creating new entry points and “tables” for youth leadership, scaling finance and training for startups and agribusiness, reforming pedagogy to prioritise skills and creativity, and deepening public-private-academic partnerships so innovation becomes inclusive growth rather than isolated experimentation.
The Family’s heartfelt appreciation
Mrs. Betty Tumusiime-Mutebile delivered heartfelt closing remarks, offering gratitude on behalf of the family and the Tumusiime-Mutebile Foundation. Speaking with deep emotion, she reflected on the late Professor’s character—his honesty, humility, hard work, and unwavering commitment to service above self. She thanked Makerere University, the Bank of Uganda, the Foundation’s leadership, and the many friends and colleagues who have continued to uphold his legacy, noting that although nearly four years have passed since his departure, his memory remains vivid and powerful for the family.
She recalled his devotion to both his public duty and his home, sharing personal stories of his leadership within the family and his steadfast faith that shaped their daily lives. Mrs. Tumusiime-Mutebile also highlighted the Foundation’s ongoing work in youth skilling, ethical governance, and private-sector development—initiatives rooted in his own vision. She concluded by inviting continued partnership to sustain the legacy he built, and led the gathering in singing his favourite chorus, a tender tribute to a man whose influence, she said, endures through the lives he touched.
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