General
Mak Launches Huawei ICT Academy
The Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and National Guidance, Hon. Frank K. Tumwebaze has called for equipping of students with hands-on skills to enable them fit into this fast growing economy. He was speaking at the Makerere University Guest House gardens on Tuesday, 14th May 2019 where hundreds of students and members of the public gathered to witness the launch of Huawei ICT Academy at Makerere University. The function also doubled as the flag off ceremony for ten students flying to China for three weeks’ training at HUAWEI under Seeds for the Future Program.
The Guest of Honor, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze advised all universities to train students on becoming job creators and not job seekers by equipping them with practical skills before they graduate. This he said would enable students to commercialize their skills and earn from them after campus.
“It has come to our notice that most students study for the purpose of graduating and leaving Universities but lack practical skills. This is why the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) is now focusing on universities equipping students with skills and not theories alone,” advised Hon. Tumwebaze.
Giving an example of Mr. Ren Zhengfei the founder of Huawei, Hon Tumwebaze stressed the audience to commercialize their skills so as to benefit from them.
“The Huawei founder realized his skill and worked on it and today his company is earning him billions of money. That’s what young Ugandans should do. When you realize that you have a skill, do not sit back; work hard to improve on it and it will earn you more than you expect,” Hon. Tumwebaze said.
The Minister thanked Huawei for picking interest in skilling young Ugandans through the ICT Academy at Makerere University and requested the company to extend the same services to rural areas so that all Ugandans can get an opportunity to acquire valuable skills.
On behalf of the Ambassador, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese Embassy in Uganda Mr. Chen Huixin, revealed that Huawei has been carrying out its businesses in Uganda since 2001. He added that Huawei joined the Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) campaign in order to promote Uganda’s products and that the Seeds for the Future Program will produce good yields for Uganda.
He emphasized teamwork among members if any progress is to be made, noting that Huawei has reached its current level because of teamwork.
“If you want to travel fast travel alone, if you want to travel far travel together. This means that together we can go beyond and do more and that’s what Huawei is doing in Uganda,” said Mr. Huixin.
The Deputy Chief of Mission challenged the audience to end digital illiteracy by educating others about ICT because it is one of four pillars one looks for in prospective employees. “With technology skills, Uganda will develop at a very fast pace, which will enable the country to join other middle economy countries.”
Addressing the audience, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe shared that Makerere University has signed more than 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with China’s leading Universities such as Tsinghua University.
He thanked Huawei for fulfilling its promise to set up the ICT Academy at East Africa’s premier University and emphasised that Makerere is fully committed to working with Government to take the country to middle income status.
Prof. Nawangwe called upon the students as primary beneficiaries to take advantage of the Academy because they are the hope for the future. “Makerere University values the support given to its students by Huawei and given the chance; we are willing to take on even more opportunities.”
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), Mr. Alex Kakooza applauded Makerere University for starting up the Confucius Institute which has opened new doors for Ugandans to learn Chinese.
He revealed that the Ministry is ready to work with Seeds for the Future in Makerere and other Universities and called upon students to participate in the in the Huawei ICT Academy activities.
“You will never reach your full potential unless you learn how to serve others,” the Principal College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) Prof. Tonny Oyana advised. This he said to the 10 successful Seeds for the Future students who were being flagged off to China for their trip.
Prof. Oyana informed the audience that the Huawei ICT Academy was initiated in September 2018 with the aim of training and equipping 1,000 Ugandan students in two years. He added that Huawei donated equipment worth 30,000USD and will make a 15,000USD annual cash donation to the gazetted resource Centre to be hosted at CoCIS. The Academy which will be free of charge will also offer certification.
“The aim of the Huawei ICT Academy is to partner with Universities to encourage students to gain skills in the practical field of technology over the next two years,” said the Managing Director Huawei Uganda Mr. Liu Jiawei.
The best students were awarded as follows
1st place:
- Mr. Katerega Daniel from Makerere University received a Huawei MateBook X, Y7 Smartphone and a trophy.
2nd Place:
- Mr. Muwonge Julius from Makerere University and Mr. Musisi Charles from Kyambogo University each received a Huawei Y7 Smartphone, trophy and a certificate.
3rd Place:
- Mr. Kiwanuka Brain
- Miss Nabuufu Ereth
- Mr. Rutembana Abais
Excellent students awarded certificates and Y7 Smartphones
- Mr. Kizza Ivan Nobert
- Mr. Ogwang Benjamin
- Miss Moureen Caroline
- Mr. Mugisha Ali
- Mr. Baale Ali
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 summed up as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research
In her remarks, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Members of Management 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 spiritual as well as academic wellbeing of its people, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
Draw Inspiration From Stewardship
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (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 ashey 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 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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