General
Utilise Your Authority Wisely – Archbishop Emeritus Orombi to Mak Staff
“Makerere University is a prestigious institution in East Africa and has a lot of demands that it has to fulfill. It therefore needs focused and passionate leaders who will look at raising its glory day by day,” echoed Archbishop Emeritus, His Grace Dr. Henry Luke Orombi. The Seventh Archbishop of the Church of Uganda was the Guest Speaker at the Prayer Meeting hosted for Staff of Makerere University by St. Francis Chapel on Friday, 13th September 2019 as part of MAKFEST 2019.
The Meeting hosted at School of Food Technology Conference Hall also served as an occasion to relaunch the Joint Staff Fellowship. The Fellowship was formed for purposes of bringing together all Makerere University staff members regardless of denomination to reflect on their lives, responsibilities and pray for their institution.
Preaching to the congregation, Archbishop Emeritus Orombi, urged the listeners to have diligence and passion when fulfilling their duties as this can be done through self-sacrifice.
“Jesus’ mission on earth was a great sacrifice as he offered all his best for the good and wellbeing of others. In the same way, you should serve this great institution with passion.”
He challenged the worshippers to bring transformation to the University and the offices they occupy by being exemplary and faithful servants to others.
“It is not by mistake that you are in Makerere and in that office; you are there to minister to people who expect a lot from you. This will be done when you are a good servant instead of a boss to them. Jesus had to eat with prostitutes and tax collectors among others, and it was through this that he was able to spot Mary Magdalene’s and Matthew’s value in the spreading of the gospel. Jesus had to go that deep in order to go that high,” explained Dr. Orombi.
The Archbishop Emeritus further condemned acts of corruption among people with authority and reminded them of the fast growing generation, which is looking at its leaders as role models. He therefore urged all staff to set good examples for the young generation, by putting every government resource to its rightful use.
“If every resource that is injected into this country works for the good of development, without a few people taking it for personal use, Uganda will go far,” remarked Archbishop Orombi.
Representing the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Dr. Norah Jessica Aguti from the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) noted that Makerere University plays a central role in building human capital for the nation, as most of the top positions in the country are occupied by Makerereans. This, she said, is a sign that quality services are delivered by staff to the students.
She noted that the University is now looking towards feeding the inner souls of not only the students but the staff, as one of the ways of reducing on the high number of cases of corruption in our Motherland.
Making reference to the University motto “We build for the future,” Dr. Aguti echoed the need to have a strong foundation laid for the betterment of everyone’s well-being in the country, noting that this can be done through feeding of people’s inner souls.
Dr. Aguti challenged Makerere University staff to make a difference in all they do as its one way they will raise the flag of the mighty University to great heights. She urged staff to fight the evil acts of corruption, hooliganism and rebellion among others in order to bring back the glory of Makerere University.
Addressing the congregation, the Chaplain St. Francis Chapel Makerere University Reverend Canon Onesimus Asiimwe thanked staff members for turning up and in a very special way, welcomed the Archbishop Emeritus. He thanked Dr. Orombi for always sparing time to attend Makerere University functions when invited, stating that this was a clear demonstration of his love for the institution.
He applauded the Makerere University Joint Fellowship for the great work done in bringing different college staff together and pledged to support them when the need arises.
Rev. Canon Asiimwe revealed that he had his first encounter with the Archbishop Emeritus in 1997 and noted that his life had changed ever since Dr. Orombi anointed, mentored and introduced him to several people and churches.
The Acting Manager Employment Division, Directorate of Human Resources, Mrs. Josephine Apolot Opolot thanked staff for attending the Prayer Meeting and shared that a Steering Committee had been put in place to organise Joint Staff Fellowships every last Thursday of the month.
The members appointed to the Steering Committee were anointed and commissioned by Archbishop Emeritus Orombi. They included;
1. Dr. Norah Jessica Aguti
2. Dr. Jessica Kaahwa
3. Dr. Chris Tuhirirwe
4. Ms. Josephine Apolot Opolot
5. Ms. Christine Ninsiima
6. Mr. Samuel Kapasa
7. Mr. Grace Musiime
8. Dr. Proscovia Katumba
9. Dr. Barbara Nerima
Article by Rachael Kanyi, Volunteer, Mak Public Relations Office
Photos by Kabara Walter, St. Francis Chapel
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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