General
Mak Heads of Department tipped on effective research leadership
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has appealed to Heads of Department to build strong research leadership structures that can meet Makerere University research agenda; of being a research led university. Speaking to Heads of Department from the College of Health Sciences on 30th August, 2019, Prof. Nawangwe noted that effective research leadership is a key component of well-built and profound research in the 21st Century.
According to Prof. Nawangwe, Heads of Department are the epicenter of research by virtue of their positions as immediate supervisors and coordinators of all academic work in colleges. He therefore recognized their role in building a sustainable research culture and systems in institutions of higher learning.
“Your role is highly commendable and I request for your effort to enhance the value proportion for quality and relevant research output at Makerere University. As an institution, we have what it takes to become a research led university, and with a formidable leadership we shall achieve this goal,” he said.
He applauded the College of Health Sciences for the tremendous research output that has greatly impacted society and marketed the university to the world. “We are known for having contributed towards developing the malaria and HIV/AIDS treatment. We have undertaken research and written publications that have transformed societies especially in areas of health,” he said.
The Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) in collaboration with the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) held three (3) consecutive workshops with Heads of Department from the 10 colleges of Makerere University. The workshops were funded by IREX's University Administration Support Program and Carnegie Corporation of New York.
According to Dr. Umar Kakumba, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the interactive workshops were geared towards building a sustainable research culture and research management systems for quality and relevant research output under the theme “Building Institutional Capacity for Faculty Researcher Development, Funding and Management of Sponsored Research”.
Addressing participants, Dr. Kakumba said that effective leadership is a priority and urged academic leaders to build the requisite skills in budgeting for research, writing winning research proposals and grants management.
He encouraged Heads of Department to build a strong leadership research structure that is ready to steer the College towards successful and formidable research results.
In a presentation, the Dean School of Public Health (MakSPH) Dr. Rhoda Wanyenze introduced participants to the ingredients of effective research leadership and these included;
- Effective leadership
- Strong technical competencies: research design, implementation, analysis, grants writing, publication
- Motivating creativity
- Experimental and entrepreneurial culture
- Flexible work processes to allow creativity
- Heterogeneous human resources (multidisciplinary)
- Resources to support research and innovations
She urged the Chairs to always be the leaders they desire to see. “Lead by example. If it is writing, write; if it is putting in the extra time, do it; if it is winning grants, win them and then the people will be inspired to do the same. Have a working cordial relationship with your staff and activate your communication platforms.”
The presentations that followed focused on: Research Governance & Organizational Capacity: Role of Central Research Office/Directorate, Research and Researcher Career Development; Funding Research; Managing Research Grants; and Knowledge Transfer Innovations.
The Sessions were chaired by Dr. David Owiny, Dr. Vincent Ssembatya and Dr. Robert Wamala respectively.
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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