General
H.E. Dr. Ruto Hails Mak Over New Leadership Institute
The Deputy President of Kenya, H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, has lauded Makerere University for championing the setting up of Leadership Institute named after him that will inspire students to become great leaders.
He said this during the laying of the foundation stone for William Samoei Ruto Leadership Institute at the Department of Performing Arts and Film Grounds at Makerere University on Saturday 21st December 2019.
"I am proud to be associated with this initiative at East Africa’s oldest University and highest Institution of learning for pioneering intervention in the twenty-first century," Dr. Ruto told guests.
This was the Deputy President’s first time to visit Makerere University, which event coincided with his birthday.
"I am happy to be in this great Institution of learning. It's a tremendous honour for me to join distinguished guests in this auspicious ceremony," he stated.
"I am immensely honoured in choosing me to be in the magnificent historic achievements of Makerere University," the Kenyan Deputy President added.
He stressed that it was important for East Africans to work together as a community rather than each country working alone.
"If we work together, the better for all us," he told guests who included Makerere University as well as Kenyan and Ugandan Government officials.
He implored the Heads of State to begin a new engagement and forge a new framework that would work for the best interests of the people of East Africa.
The Kenyan Deputy President agreed with President Yoweri Museveni’s philosophy of a United East Africa and called for removable border barriers to enable the people engage in trade freely.
"The borders existing today should not be barriers and roadblocks but should be converted to bridges as stepping stones to work together," he stated.
He emphasized the need for expediting East African Federation as it will advance the prosperity of the people in the region.
"The sooner we forge East African federation, the sooner our prosperity becomes meaningful to our people," he said.
The Deputy President pledged to support the Institute named after him saying he will play his role of inspiring young people to become great leaders.
The objectives of William Samoei Ruto Leadership Institute include; developing innovative approaches to teaching and learning about Africa, collaborating with similar institutes in Africa and globally to deepen the understanding of Africa in all its complexity and involve common perspective on global issues.
Other objectives are; to contribute to discussion, analysis and resolution of central challenges facing African societies through research and extension work, enhancing and enriching intellectual and cultural life, establishing an environment for flourishing study and debate on African languages, philosophies, social and political systems as well as strengthening relationships between academic and indigenous intellectuals as basis for reclaiming indigenous knowledge and integrate this to local communities.
Delivering his welcome remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe invited Makerere University students of Performing Arts and Film to sing a happy birthday song to the Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto, who was all smiles as the students sang.
He commended the brains behind the H.E. Dr. Ruto Leadership Institute saying it’s good for the youth as they will be inspired.
He lauded Dr. Ruto for his resilience and determination to become a global leader and urged the youth to embrace the same principles.
Prof. Nawangwe informed guests that Makerere University is a premier university and the best black university on earth which has produced great leaders and professionals in different fields such as writers, doctors, lawyers, artists and others.
"Makerere University remains the most important institution of higher learning in Africa and beyond," Prof. Nawangwe told guests.
He revealed that the University is strategizing to become a leader in research on the continent and globally.
The Minister of East African Affairs, Hon. Kahinda Otafiire, who represented the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda underscored the need for unity of the people of East Africa.
"Unity is our strength as African people, we have a common destiny," Otafiire stated. He also encouraged partner states to work towards improving the lives of their people. He commended the setting up of the William S. Ruto Institute as it be will a center of intellectual debate for students in the East African region.
Dr. Paul Bamutaze, the President of East Africa Book of Records (EABOR) told guests that the Institute will be inaugurated as a centre for the Annual Ruto Public lecture where young people in East Africa would encouraged and inspired to become great leaders.
The Secretary General of EABOR, Mr. Simon Gikuru informed guests that the William S. Ruto Leadership Institute is important as a centre where youth will interact and be inspired to believe in themselves and acquire leadership skills. He also hailed President Museveni for endorsing the initiative.
The representative of Kenyan students at Makerere University, Mr. Ahmed Abdirahman thanked the Heads of State in East of Africa for the existing bilateral relations which have enabled students from Kenya to study at Makerere University-the premier university in the region.
Article by: Mak Public Relations Office
Makerere University on 1st August 2025, the eve of the first year students’ arrival on Campus, held the 2nd Prayer Breakfast aimed at reiterating that staff service at the institution is a calling to pursue excellence and purpose under God.. Hosted in the St. Francis Chapel gardens, the meeting was presided over by Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta who represented both the Chairperson of Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. The day’s message “Integrating Faith, Learning and Service” was delivered by Rev. Canon Dr. John Senyonyi, former Vice Chancellor of Uganda Christian University who also served as Makerere staff member between 1978 and 1987.
“This is a very good initiative” remarked Prof. Ireeta as he began his remarks, noting that the University’s enjoyment of a strike-free academic year 2024/2025 could perhaps be attributed to having commenced it with prayer. He expressed the Chairperson of Council’s and Vice Chancellor’s apologies, whom he noted would have loved to attend the 2nd Prayer Breakfast as they did the 1st but were unfortunately caught up in other meetings and official travel respectively.
“As we gather today, let us reflect on our shared purpose and values in this University and may this time of prayer and fellowship inspire us to make a positive impact in our work and community” Prof. Ireeta urged, noting that it was important to exercise compassion, wisdom and kindness as staff worked with the youth who are constantly bombarded with information from social media and other sources.
Prof. Ireeta therefore urged staff to always listen to diverse perspectives and work together to achieve the institution’s goals. He reiterated the University Management’s support to the Dean of Students, Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli and the Chaplains who report to her, “We shall continue supporting you in all you do”.
“We are weak but God is strong” remarked the Chaplain St. Francis, Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa as a rejoinder to Prof. Ireeta’s remarks. “This is a demonstration that truly we need the strength of God – we cannot start this academic year without the divine hand of God.”
She went on to say that when we do not pray, we boldly declare that we do not need God’s divine guidance, “but in coming here today, we are boldly proclaiming that we need divine guidance, so thank you all for coming.”
Introducing the day’s speaker, Rev. Canon Dr. Senyonyi, the Chaplain admitted that she did not know any speaker who was better placed to address the topic, given his vast experience as an academician, theologian and university administrator. She added that the speaker in his exemplary style had come along with his wife, Canon Dr. Ruth Senyonyi, a lay Canon of the Diocese of Kampala, under whose jurisdiction St. Francis Chapel falls.
Commencing his address, Rev. Canon Dr. Senyonyi shared that he had an issue with the framing of the day’s topic, particularly the word “integrating” for it made it seem as if God, the author of faith and creator of heaven and earth was separate from the quest to “learn” about the very things he created and “service”, the act of people providing stewardship over the God-given talents, abilities and His creation. Referring to the theme scripture, Ephesians 4:10-12, he singled out three important conclusions to dwell on.
“And those are simply; 1) the sovereignty of the ascended Jesus Christ, 2) Jesus is the giver of every ability, talent, skill, gift, whatever you may call it, even your education, and 3) Jesus equips whosoever He calls for service to others” he remarked.
Rev. Canon. Dr. Senyonyi further broke the conclusions down by noting that 1) Jesus is placed above all things and as such is sovereign over everything as further illustrated by scriptures; Mathew 28:18 – all authority in heaven and on earth (including academia) has been given to Him, John 1:1-5 – all things were made through Him and without Him was not anything made that was made, and Colossians 1:15-19 – by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth and for Him (including education and work). “If Jesus is sovereign, then our work in the universe, our education enterprise is a mission and that mission must be submissive to the mission of our sovereign.”
Proceeding to no 2) Jesus is the giver of every ability, and citing his personal experience, Rev. Canon Dr. Senyonyi said, “I left the teaching with this University because God was calling me to be an evangelist but I cannot say God gave me the gift of evangelism, that’s a mistake; that’s not how the scripture reads.” He added that the problem facing most people today is the tendency to think that everything is about them, and not recognizing that Jesus is the giver of the very things they call their own.
Turning to scriptures, Exodus 36:1 and Exodus 28:3 he explained that the craftsmen that Moses relied on to build the tabernacle and furnishings for His Temple were only able to excel because they were equipped by God. “In other words, what they had was a talent that God Himself gave… when we focus elsewhere, we forget what God has given us to… and your training is intended to be a gift to others.”
Rev. Canon Dr. Senyonyi then concluded with no 3) Jesus equips whosoever He calls for service to others, emphasizing the latter bit, the need to use all we are and have for the benefit of others. “If students are reporting tomorrow what are we going to do?” he challenged. “Are we going to facilitate soft landing or are we going to facilitate anger in their hearts?” he further pondered.
“If all of us are giving, if all of us are taking our faith where it should be, if all of us are showing the way, if all of us are ambassadors of Christ where we are, then everybody receives” the day’s speaker encouraged. “So your work is to equip the students until they graduate” he summed up, adding that one of the greatest joys is encountering former students whose faces light up with excitement when they see you.
The 2nd Prayer Breakfast would have been incomplete without prayer sessions, some of which were led by the Heads of the Joint Staff Fellowship Dr. Eve Nabulya and Mr. Moses Oluka. The final blessing was delivered by the day’s speaker Rev. Canon Dr. John Senyonyi.
The Chairperson and Members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Board of the Higher Education Council on Tuesday 29th July 2025 paid a courtesy visit to Makerere University following the 5th Meeting of the IGAD Universities Forum held in Kampala from 28th to 29th July. The delegation was received by the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Edward Bbaale in the presence of Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu Musoke, Makerere University’s representative to IGAD.
In his welcome remarks, Prof. Bbaale on behalf of the Vice Chancellor and the University Management thanked the delegation for including a visit to Makerere on their Kampala itinerary, “It is an honour and privilege to host you here today,” he remarked. He equally thanked Dr. Kiggundu Musoke for representing the University on IGAD and facilitating the visit.
Prof. Bbaale acknowledged that IGAD continues to play a critical role in fostering regional cooperation, peacebuilding, and sustainable development in the Greater Horn of Africa. “The inclusion of higher education in IGAD’s strategic priorities speaks volumes about the importance you attach to knowledge, skills, and research as tools for transforming societies,” he supplemented.
The Acting DVCAA reiterated that Makerere University takes great pride in her IGAD membership, as well as the collaborative research partnerships, capacity-building initiatives, and policy dialogues that seek to harmonise and strengthen higher education in the region undertaken therein. He equally lauded the participation of regional Vice Chancellors and Senior Academic Leaders in IGAD’s activities, “Your presence affirms our collective resolve to build stronger institutions and knowledge systems that respond to the developmental needs of our communities.”
He noted that Makerere in pursuit of her strategic research-led agenda takes cognizance of the importance of partnerships at regional and international levels and urged the leaders present to nurture them. “We need to build a strong academic and research network so that we have seamless flow staff and students on the African continent,” adding that “We hope this visit will further deepen the bonds between our institutions and inspire new opportunities for collaboration in teaching, research, innovation, and regional integration.”
Dr. Kebede Kassa Tsegaye, the IGAD Senior Coordinator of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Program expressed delight at visiting Makerere, noting that the University and Republic of Uganda are strategic and extremely valuable partners of the regional body.
In her remarks, Dr. Victoria Anib Majur the Head, IGAD Health and Social Development Division thanked Makerere and other regional universities for promoting mobility among learners by endorsing the implementation of the IGAD Regional Qualifications Framework (IGADQF). “It is our pleasure that your institution and all other partner institutions in the region are joining IGAD in fulfilling the mission of regional integration through skills development and through qualifications.”
She reiterated IGAD’s commitment to push for; excellence in education, inclusivity of gender and persons with disabilities, and promotion of skills that will prepare learners, especially refugees, returnees, and those from host communities in the IGAD region for the marketplace. The IGAD Secretariat is hosted by the Republic of Djibouti and region covers the host country-Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
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