General
Hon. Beti Kamya Opens First Open Impact Conference
On Friday 13th December 2019, the Minister for Kampala Capital City Authority and Metropolitan Affairs, Hon. Beti Kamya, opened the First Open Impact Conference organized by the Open University (OU), UK in partnership with Makerere University College of Education and External Studies (CEES). The two-day Conference held under the theme Extending the Frontiers of Access to Higher Education in Africa: Strategies for Leveraging Online and Distance Learning Programmes was supported by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).
Hon. Beti Kamya who represented the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Museveni could not hide her joy at presiding over the Conference, especially as the Makerere University Anthem sung by the Department of Performing Arts and Film rekindled memories of what she fondly referred to as “the best years of my life.” She graduated in 1978 with the Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing of Makerere University.
Delivering the First Lady’s remarks, Hon. Kamya noted that the first Open Impact Conference was a timely reminder to reflect on the modes of delivery of education in our respective countries especially if Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4); Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, was to be achieved.
The First Lady shared that the First Open Impact Conference came at a time when the world was experiencing emerging trends in ICT and congratulated the institutions upon successfully organizing the event. She nevertheless requested the institutions to take keen interest in the employability and entrepreneurship of graduates, noting that they should emerge as job creators not seekers.
She said that Government programmes such as Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) had led to increasing demand for Higher Education, which can only be optimally delivered through the use of ICTs. The First Lady therefore pledged the Government’s readiness to provide an enabling environment for the promotion of Open, Distance and eLearning (ODeL).
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Dr. Umar Kakumba, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe thanked Hon. Beti Kamya for presiding over the Conference where Mak was partnering with OU to facilitate the dialogue on ODeL.
“The introduction of External Programmes for the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Education in 1991 was in response to increasing demand for Higher Education without compromising quality and affordability” remarked Dr. Kakumba as he delved into Makerere’s ODeL history.
He thanked partners such as Commonwealth of Learning, UNESCO, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, NORAD, OU, Indira Gandhi National Open University, UNISA, University of Pretoria, University of Cape Town, University of Agder, the Open University of Tanzania, University of Nairobi, University of Dar-es-Salaam, Kyambogo University, Busitema University and Nkumba university for supporting Makerere University’s rollout of ODeL.
Dr. Kakumba added that by passing the ODeL Policy in 2015, the University Council had paved way for the creation of an Institute of Open, Distance and eLearning. “Through this Institute, we shall be able to rollout ODeL programmes at Makerere University on a large scale without compromising quality.”
The Deputy Vice Chancellor noted that whereas the External Programmes had increased access to quality higher education, Uganda’s graduate enrollment still remained low compared to the region’s, hence the need to leverage ICT to boost access. “In this regard, we appreciate the enormous support we continue to enjoy from the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Education and Sports as support to infrastructure development under projects such as the African Development Bank V Project.”
Representing OU, the Executive Dean, Faculty of Business and Law and Member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive, Prof. Devendra Kodwani remarked that his institution was founded in 1969 to create access to quality education without limits. “Our vision is to be open to people, places, methods and ideas… as such, more than 2million graduates have gone through The Open University.”
Prof. Kodwani shared that Africa was chosen to host the concluding event of OU’s 50year celebrations due to important partnerships with leading institutions such as Makerere University and the ACU. He added that only 12.1% of African youth as compared to 68% of their European counterparts are being educated at university level and this needs to change if Africa is to prosper.
“The growing young population of Africa will need access to quality Higher Education and the OU will be happy to work with partners in Uganda to increase this. I therefore look forward to these two days of conversations and exploring opportunities for us to collaborate and co-create an ambitious vision for learning for the next 50 years and beyond” added Prof. Kodwani.
The Director General of the Open University of Mauritius, Dr. Kaviraj Sharma Sukon shared that his institution had managed to achieve financial independence after seven years of operation. This, he added, was thanks to measures such as designing programmes in partnership with the industry, which guarantees marketability of courses and employability of graduates.
Dr. Sukon nevertheless noted that a lot of work still remains in changing the mindset of the greater population that still views ODeL as a second choice rather than the alternative mode of learning that it is. He also decried the slowdown in adaptation and exploration of emerging technologies such as augmented reality and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to evaluate how distance learners progress, especially with regard to ease of learning.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma shared that whereas the institution was present in all 36 Federal States, unless the ODeL system is further scaled up, it will be hard to satisfy the demands of the over 560,000 students in Nigeria’s Higher Education. “Access to Higher Education is very paramount and only ODeL can sustain the growing demand. We believe that ODeL is the way to go if we are to meet targets of the SDGs especially SDG 4.”
The Principal CEES, Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi in his remarks commended the Government of Uganda for the pledge to support ODeL as a means of increasing access to quality Higher Education. He thanked the teams at CEES and OU for the organizing the First Open Impact Conference and pledged his College’s readiness to host the 2020 edition of the same.
The Opening Ceremony was moderated by Dr. Charles Mbalyohere, Organising Chair, First Open Impact Conference 2019. He congratulated the organisers upon turning the initially modest idea into a successful event and wished OU 50 more years of fruitful, groundbreaking projects in the ODeL space.
Article by Public Relations Office.
President Yoweri K. Museveni while officiating as Chief Guest at the Julius Nyerere Annual Symposium 2026: Nyerere-Museveni Dialogue at Makerere University called upon the audience not to merely hold Nyerere’s Legacy as a historical footprint but as a masterplan for the future that remains unfinished. Organised by the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC), the symposium was a two day event that started with “ekyooto” on 13th October at the JNLC gardens and climaxed on 14th October in Freedom Square. The second day hinged on the theme: Borrowing from the Past, Building the Future.
In the President’s message delivered by Rt. Hon. Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Chancellor of Makerere University, the president spotlighted, “Mwalimu Nyerere as the greatest African that ever lived in terms of contribution to the African people’s efforts for freedom, human rights, and dignity.”
This greatness, he notes, spilled not just to political ideals but also to economics and security. The President agreed with him and warned that “freedom without economic transformation and economic prosperity, without a robust strategic security, remains incomplete.”
Reaching out to the younger generation of scholars and leaders, the President issued a strong warning to move beyond simply remembering Nyerere to action. He said, “you must carry forward the torch of pan-Africanism, reject sectarianism and tribalism, build our regional markets, and champion the total political integration of our motherland.”
He appreciated Mwalimu for his; unwavering support for the struggle of the East African Federation, courageous backing of the armed anti-colonial struggles in the southern half of Africa, principled and decisive support for the anti-Idi Amin struggle, pro-people and pro-unity policies that kept Tanzania peaceful for decades, and ensuring that Tanzania remained a strategic rear base for the entire African resistance.
As a believer in Nyerere’s ideals, the President urged the audience to honor Mwalimu “not merely through commemorative speeches, but through completing the historical task of uniting, defending, and prospering our motherland,” for the motive is to ensure that the independence wars won by our predecessors were not in vain.
To this note, he reiterated the case for Uganda, saying “we shall never forget his profound contribution” to Africa.
Professor Nyamsenda’s Keynote Unparked Pan-Africanism
During the Nyerere-Museveni Dialogue symposium at Makerere University, Professor Sabatho Nyamsenda, a lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam delivered the Keynote Address titled “The Unfinished African Project: From Liberation Legacies to a New Generation of Transformation” during the symposium”.
He started on a lighter noticing “Nyerere is being Ugandanised.” This he said looking at the annual Public Lectures dedicated to his name and felt like challenging his home institutions to follow suit.
At the calm of the room, he presented a critique of the current state of Pan-Africanism, arguing that it has been grabbed by the ruling elites, a challenge Professor Nyamsenda identifies to have started in the period of 1960 -1980.
He explained that it was around this time period that Pan-Africanism was snatched away from the masses and it became a state project. Currently, he said the ideology exists in two forms: Boardroom and Street Pan-Africanism.
Professor, characterised Boardroom Pan-Africanism as a State Project. He said “boardroom Pan-Africanism sits comfortably with imperialism and elite-centered accumulation.” While Street Pan-Africanism to which Professor advocates, he emphasised that historically, this approach “united the African liberation movement and liberated the African continent from the most barbaric colonial powers.”
As he concluded, Professor Nyamsenda joined Mwalimu and the President of Uganda in urging youth to consider joining and leading the struggle for a better Africa.
Role of JNLC in Realising Nyerere’s Ideas
Professor Saturninus Kasozi Mulindwa, the JNLC Board Chair highlighted the primary objective of the center as “imparting knowledge and sharing experiences from the old generations to the new generations.” Therefore, JNLC contributes to the actualisation of Nyerere’s ideas by focusing on the development of the next generation of African leaders.
To supplement this, Dr. Nansozi K. Mwanga the Executive Director at JNLC said that the center is committed to “nurturing ethical, conscious, and transformative leaders inspired by Mwalimu’s ideas of service, human dignity, self-reliance, and Pan-African solidarity.”
She explained their focus is on several key areas with training as core. They have “trained over 1,500 young people and young leaders from across Uganda.”, and developed leadership programs “grounded in ethical decision-making, civic responsibility, public service, and action.”
In her remarks, it was observed that training alone is not enough; they are also doing mentorship, to provide opportunities for networking and learning from experienced leaders. There are already testimonies when you visit the Centre wall of fame. To which Dr. Nansozi revealed “leadership development matters when learning becomes service and meaningful action.”
The Centre remains proud of those they have touched and are eager to support as many cohorts.
Julius Nyerere Family Pour their Heart out
Mama Maria Nyerere, addressed the Symposium virtually and commended the Centre for keeping Mwalimu’s values alive.
As a memory of her husband, she reminded the audience that his greatest legacy was anchored on the values by which he lived: service, humility, integrity, unity and love for Africa and its people. She also urged the young people to take up leadership responsibilities and lead with humility, integrity and always remember the people they serve.
Mama Nyerere also advised the youth to learn from those who came before them like her husband with courage to build a better Africa for their generation and those who will come after them.
Joining Mama Nyerere, on behalf of the Nyerere family was Ms. Julia Nyerere, a granddaughter, who attended physically and thanked H.E. Kaguta Museveni for supporting the establishment of the Julius Nyerere Centre at Makerere University and also commended the Keynote Speaker Professor Nyamsenda for Critiquing Nyerere’s ideas.
Julia further shared an understanding of her grand-father’s interest in preserving humanity as a moral.
As a family they are happy that his (Nyerere) values and legacies continue to inspire Africa and beyond.
Appreciation for All who Made the Symposium Possible
Addressing the symposium, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, represented by Professor Henry Alinaitwe the Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Finance and Administration expressed the University’s appreciation and commitment.
He thanked “the government of Uganda for the support they are giving to the Julius Nyerere Leadership Center,” and requested Dr. Kiyonga to “convey the message to the fountain of honour for this initiative that Makerere University is happy for, and is going on well.”
To the leadership of the Center, he specifically thanked the Director Dr. Nansozi for her focused leadership. He stated, “I commend my friend, Dr. Nansozi, for the work that you are doing.”
Professor Alinaitwe also emphasized “we” value these symposiums, saying, “as a university, we acknowledge that such activities create great visibility.”
Dr. Kiyonga was also thanked for delivering the President’s message, together with veterans like Professor Kabwegyere, among other distinguished guests and partners that attended.
Professor Tarsis Bazana Kabwegyere as well appreciated all and emphasised the collective duty of the youth in building the next generation.
He advised “your responsibility is to identify and build Africa forward, building on the legacies and foundations of our forefathers,”.
The Professor also argued that “being young on its own is not a virtue. It is what you are when you are young.” He challenges the audience to avoid being ignorant and claim that you are young.
Background of the Nyerere Symposium
The Julius Nyerere Annual Symposium is an intergenerational gathering hosted at Makerere University. For more than six years now, it has been connecting past leadership legacies of Nyerere and other revolutionaries with current regional and continental priorities under the (JNLC) centre.
The Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC) serves as a training ground and research hub designed to mentor the next generation of African leaders. Co-hosted by Makerere University and the Uganda Management Institute (UMI), the Centre bridges the gap between older statesmen and youth by focusing on Pan-African ideals, ethical governance, and social transformation.
General
Makerere University and Xiangtan University Advance Strategic Partnership in Chemical Engineering
Makerere University and Xiangtan University are set to update their close to 20-year academic partnership, with a new focus on launching a joint Master’s degree program in Chemical Engineering and expanding student and staff exchange initiatives.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a recent visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University to Makerere University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in the company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively.
While addressing the delegation, Professor Nawangwe highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify academic offerings and contribute to national development through training in Chemical Engineering. Through this new initiative, the University will better prepare graduates for the petrochemical industry and support the country’s industrial growth.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated that the proposed collaboration aims to address Uganda’s growing need for industrial expertise, particularly as the country develops its petroleum sector. The two universities here are working toward a 1+2 training model, which will enable Makerere students to gain practical experience and access advanced laboratory facilities at Xiangtan University.
Professor Nawangwe further reiterated that “our relationship with the people of China, not just for Makerere but also for a big part of Uganda, has been opened wider by the establishment of the Confucius Institute, considering that many other collaborations like one being discussed now have come through this collaboration.”
The head of the Xiangtan delegation, Professor Dingyu Ou, expressed appreciation for the meeting, and acknowledged the history between the institutions. “As mentioned, we have a very long relationship and a very stable friendship between our two universities.”
Professor Ou extended appreciation for the support provided to the Confucius Institute at Makerere, the care shown to his colleagues, and looked forward to the successful start of the Chemical Engineering collaboration.
Assuring the delegation of Makerere’s readiness for the collaboration, Ms. Hawa Ndagire Kajumba the Lead, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, Makerere University Advancement Office, aligned with the Vice Chancellor’s emphasis of University goal to have both theory and practice imparted to the students.
She said “the curriculum of the university and Uganda as a whole is moving towards competence-based education training to ensure students are equipped to demonstrate those skills in the actual field, particularly regarding petroleum exploration.”
Ms. Ndagire Kajumba also emphasised a shift in strategy for the partnership office, saying, “we are moving away from just signing MOUs that collect dust, and moving towards those that are more collaborative to benefit our faculty and students, just like this one.”
Professor Gilbert Kumushabe aligned his remarks with those of the Vice Chancellor and Ms. Ndagire Kajumba, and described the method used at Xiangtan University as “actually competence-based teaching.”
Based on his recent visit, Prof. Gumoshabe shared that students in China are divided into groups with dedicated teachers to perform practical, hands-on work beyond the theoretical lecturers. He expressed gladness that the same was being adopted for the Ugandan context.
Both institutions are now working to finalise the specific agreements for the joint degree and exchange programs. Beyond academic training, the collaboration will advance cultural and professional exchange.
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