General
Chinese Embassy to fund 30 Mak students for academic year 2019/2020
The Embassy of People’s Republic of China to Uganda, has renewed its scholarship offer to continue supporting thirty (30) students for the Academic Year 2019/2020. The scholarship awards were handed over to scholars by the Ambassador H.E Zheng Zhuqiang at a highly colorful ceremony held on 5th September 2019, at Makerere University.
On 8th August 2018, the Embassy awarded two categories of scholarships; the Ambassador’s Award for Excellence and the Ambassador’s Award for Friendship to thirty (30) Makerere University students for the Academic year 2018/2019. The worth UGX85million aimed at supporting continuing students from a disadvantaged socio-economic background to pursue their studies at Makerere University for one year (academic year 2018/2019).
The Ambassador’s Award for Excellence and the Ambassador’s Award for Friendship at Makerere University is in line with the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and Makerere University; to develop Uganda’s education system through supporting Ugandan youth to attain quality education at Makerere University.
Speaking at the award ceremony on 5th September 2019, H.E Zheng Zhuqiang, congratulated all the award winning scholars upon reaching the tremendous milestone. The Ambassador was overwhelmed by the warm feedback he received from the scholars. He shared an inspirational message from Ms. Angella Nampijja, one of the beneficiaries on the program. “Like the roses needs the sun to blossom, your support helps me to reach my career goals and I strongly believe Uganda needs software engineers like me to bridge the gap that negatively affect people in my country.”
His Excellency celebrated Makerere University for being the fulcrum of Uganda’s development by training and nurturing the country’s human resource base. He highlighted the need for strategic investment in the young generation in order to have the much needed human capital that is ready to drive the country’s planned growth and transformation.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Ms. Tracy Kituyi thanked the People’s Republic of China for gifting Ugandan children with knowledge through education.
“We all agree that the gift of education is more valuable in this world. It is the sole path to developing oneself intellectually and the door to opportunities,” she said.
The Chairperson of the Scholarships Selection Committee, Dr. Jessica Norah Aguti thanked the Embassy of People’s Republic of China for supporting the scholars for another academic year. She congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to fully utilize the opportunity to achieve their goals.
Representing the Minister of Education and Sports Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, Mr. Aggrey David Kibenge acknowledged the long term relationship between China and Uganda.
He recognized the tremendous efforts of the People’s Republic of China through its Embassy in Uganda to build Uganda’s capacity in areas of civil and structural engineering, computer Forensics and Bio technology, agriculture, software engineering, medical laboratory technology, petroleum engineering among other science disciplines.
Mr. Kibenge applauded H.E Zheng Zhuqiang for supporting Makerere University to realize it mission of providing innovative teaching, learning, research and services responsive to National and Global needs.
“It is gratifying to learn that the Embassy through the Ambassador has graciously renewed its offer of 30 scholarships. I have no doubt that an objective and merit-based criteria has been used to select the beneficiaries and also further the country’s development agenda,” he noted.
The Vice Chancellor, thanked the Embassy and the Government of People’s Republic of China, for the generous support that has enabled scholars to continue with studies.
He acknowledged the long term relationship Makerere University has with the People’s Republic of China, the various institutions and universities in China and the Chinese Embassy in Uganda that has contributed to Makerere University’s research and academic excellence.
In the same spirit, he appreciated the support from the Government of Uganda that is enabling Ugandan students to access university education at Makerere University and other institutions of higher learning.
He commended the Gender and Mainstreaming Directorate for administering the Scholarship Program.
The Acting Director of Gender Mainstreaming, Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine, challenged the scholars to make good use of the opportunity granted to them. “Utilize this opportunity to achieve what you want, what the continent wants and take the world to greater heights by changing and improving the lives of others,” she advised.
Article by Racheal 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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