General
Rev. Can. Asiimwe Feeds Spirit and Soul at 1st Joint Fellowship
For those who had never been to let alone heard of the St. Francis Students' Centre Upper Hall, the First Makerere University Joint Staff Christian Fellowship held on Thursday 31st October 2019 was the perfect opportunity to discover this venue. Located on the left of the first landing as you descend from the St. Francis Chapel parking lot to the Main Students’ Centre, this venue was hard to miss as the soothing songs from the St. Francis Choir drew and ushered brethren into the atmosphere of worship.
With hands lifted up and souls lost in worship and adoration of their God, staff from almost all Colleges, regardless of rank, staff association or denomination gathered as one to fellowship. The first gathering was organized by Joint Staff Christian Fellowship Steering Committee with the blessing of the Chaplain, St. Francis Chapel, Rev. Can. Onesimus Asiimwe.
Welcoming brethren, the Chairperson Steering Committee, Makerere University Joint Staff Christian Fellowship, Dr. Chris Tuhirirwe expressed gratitude to God for once again gathering the staff to fellowship as one, in addition to the more regular activities of their unit fellowships. He introduced other members of the Committee present namely; Mrs. Josephine Apolot Opolot (Vice Chairperson), Ms. Christine Ninsiima (Treasurer), Dr. Proscovia Katumba (General Secretary), Mr. Grace Musiime (Publicity Secretary), Mr. Samuel Kapasa and Dr. Barbara Nerima.
He thanked members for volunteering their time and energy to run affairs of the Committee and urged staff to continue praying for the filling of the vacant position of Vice General Secretary.
Ministering to the congregation, Rev. Can. Onesimus Asiimwe thanked staff for sparing time to attend the fellowship, noting that it is important for brethren to meet and break bread as one. He reassured the congregation that the Joint Staff Christian Fellowship was nondenominational and as such, all worshippers of God are welcome to attend.
Preaching from Luke 19:1-10; Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus, the Chaplain drew parallels between this man and Makerere University Staff, the former being Chief Tax Collector in Jericho on behalf of the Roman Empire and the latter being Civil Servants acting on behalf of the Government of Uganda.
Rev. Can. Asiimwe shared that whereas Zacchaeus was a man of great stature and wealth in Jericho, he was so moved by what he had heard about the miracles of Jesus that he abandoned his work and scaled a tree, just to catch a glimpse of Him. It was as a result of this act that Jesus spotted him and asked to dine at his house.
“The lesson here is that inconsiderate of our rank as staff of Makerere University, we should never miss our once in a lifetime opportunity to encounter Jesus. Had Zacchaeus missed this opportunity, he would never have found salvation. This was the last time that Jesus ever went to Jericho” he explained.
The Chaplain went on to share that it was because Zacchaeus found salvation that he immediately gave half of his possessions to the poor, and committed to pay back four times the amount to anybody that he had cheated out of anything.
“I want you to turn to your neighbor and ask them when was the last time that they ministered to someone about Jesus Christ…” challenged Rev. Can. Asiimwe.
He therefore urged staff to always be the salt and light in their spheres of influence and to always pray for their institution. “At yesterday’s midweek service, we prayed that the unrest on campus would cease in Jesus’ Name and we thank God that Heard our prayers.”
The Chaplain who confessed to have the gift of giving then invited the congregation to partake of a meal, for it is important for brethren to eat after they meet, especially if they are not fasting. He equally pledged to continue offering lunch to the monthly Joint Staff Christian Fellowship as his humble contribution to the brethren.
Article by Public Relations Office
Related Article
Utilise Your Authority Wisely – Archbishop Emeritus Orombi to Mak Staff
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 started as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research.
Speaking on behalf of students, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson and the Deputy Vice Chancellor 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 wellbeing of its people, spiritual as much as academic, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
A Season to Draw Inspiration From.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who sent his greetings but could not attend in person, Deputy Vice Chancellor for 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 they 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 the Chairperson of the University Council, 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.
-
General2 days agoUndergraduate Admission Lists 2026/2027
-
General5 days agoAdmission Lists for Postgraduate Programmes 2026/27
-
General1 week agoGulu University Benchmarks Makerere University’s Management of Mature Age Entry Examinations
-
General1 week agoMakerere, Southwest Minzu University and NARO Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Livestock Research and Innovation
-
General1 week agoMakerere’s Research Billions Offer MUST a Blueprint for Managing Grants