General
DICTS Workshop Urges Staff to Use Social Media as a Marketing Tool
The Makerere University Directorate of Information and Communication Technology Support (DICTS) held a social media workshop to equip Makerere University staff with skills and knowledge on how to use social media as an enabler of effective communication, eLearning and cyber-crime prevention. The workshop took place on 13th February 2020 in the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) Conference Hall.
According to the Director DICTS, Mr. Samuel Paul Mugabi, the workshop was aimed at discussing ways through which Makerere University staff can embrace the professional usage of social media tools to improve the Institution’s online brand, boost its visibility as well as harmonise the use of social media as a learning tool.
“Social media has evolved from a chat application to a social economic issue that can be used as a marketing tool for institutions. It is important to tap into social media’s potential of enabling effective communication, education, marketing and governance,” said Mr. Mugabi.
He noted that with over 3.5billion users, social media is a key enabler of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) thus contributing to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) which is aimed at “ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”
In a presentation on “Makerere University Communication Policy and Social Media”, the Principal Public Relations Officer, Ms. Ritah Namisango urged participants to ensure that the messages disseminated on institutional social media platforms and websites protect the University’s brand. She called upon the audience to use multiple channels of communication so as to enhance the visibility of Makerere and promote advances in teaching, learning, research and innovations.
“Makerere University’s social media platforms should be used to communicate institutional messages in line with the vision, mission, and core values. Institutional communication should be in line with the Mak Communication Policy to provide a pro-active approach to information management and dissemination, strengthen the University’s image and build good will among the stakeholders,” said Ms. Namisango.
Defining social media as an enabler of teaching and learning, Assoc. Prof. Paul Birevu Muyinda, the Deputy Principal College of Education and External Studies (CEES) said that social media applications such as WhatsApp and Facebook, promote student-student and student-teacher interaction. He added that these also motivate lonely distance learners, create a sense of belonging and support learning anytime.
“Social media fosters positive relationship between the lecturers and students. It should be recalled that interacting using social media is less formal and it creates a friendly environment between the students and faculty members. It is such interactions that will motivate the students and encourage effective learning,” said Assoc. Prof. Muyinda.
He added that social networking allows users to add value to the content they are accessing. This, he noted, leads to a seamless exchange of information building a robust body of knowledge that is sometimes called collective intelligence.
Taking the audience through social media threats, risks and security, the Director Cyber-Crime Department, Uganda Police Force, Mr. Haguma Jimmy said many people have fallen victims of social media orchestrated threats, theft and crime in Uganda. He said that the Uganda Police Force has registered several cases related to cybercrime such as cyber rape, loss of funds to conmen and online investment clubs, hackers, sim card swaps among others.
He called upon Ugandans to acquaint themselves with the laws that govern social media and also adopt the best social media practices.
“Uganda has a number of laws that regulate social media, read them so that you know your position while using social media. Do not open any emails from untrusted sources, lock your laptop or phone whenever you are away and purchase anti-virus software. Read your company’s privacy policy to understand under what circumstances you should or should not let a stranger into the building and set strong passwords,” said Mr. Haguma.
Mr. Hussein K. Isingoma, Ag. Commissioner Forensics and Risk Advisory, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development urged digital marketers and social media managers to acquaint themselves with soft skills so as to manage relationships effectively.
“A combination of soft skills and technical skills is at a center of career success. Success depends on the mastery of soft skills which include time management, discipline, conflict resolution, acknowledging colleague’s effort among others” said Mr. Isingoma.
The workshop was moderated by Mr. Yunusu Musisi, Acting End User Support Manager, DICTS.
Article by: Esther Joy Nakibombo Volunteer Mak Public Relations Office
General
Are We Giving Enough Attention to the People Around Us Who Quietly Influence Lives Every Day?
By Marion Apio
On March 21, 2026, I felt a strong urge to reconnect with a close colleague and passionate leader, Owekitinisa Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki. We had not spoken since I moved to the United States to pursue my dream of becoming a journalist. The following day, I learned that he had been quietly undergoing treatment in and out of the hospital. True to his character, he had chosen to keep his condition private. I was shocked and saddened, wishing I had known earlier so I could offer support.
At first, reports from family and friends were encouraging. He had been diagnosed with malaria and low blood platelet counts and was receiving treatment. Respecting his wish for confidentiality, members of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community at Makerere University rallied discreetly around him.
However, on April 29, his condition worsened. He was transferred between medical facilities and underwent extensive tests, including a biopsy, as doctors searched for answers. Sadly, on May 29, Sylas passed away.
His death sparked an extraordinary outpouring of love and solidarity. Friends, colleagues, and former scholars mobilised to support his family, settle medical expenses, organise virtual vigils, and plan a dignified farewell. Hundreds gathered at St. Augustine Chapel to pay their respects. Within three days, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community raised approximately UGX 11 million, a testament to Sylas’ impact on countless lives.
In the days that followed, I found myself wrestling with difficult questions. In a world where we spend so much time following people online, are we paying enough attention to those quietly transforming lives around us? Why do we invest so much emotional energy in distant personalities while overlooking the people God has placed right in front of us?
Sylas lived with humility and served with grace. His death left more than 1,500 Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni grieving, alongside many others around the world who knew him. Yet his passing also exposed a contradiction in modern life.
We live in an age of unprecedented connectivity. Uganda has millions of internet users and WhatsApp subscribers, while globally, people spend hours each day on social media. We have more tools than ever to stay connected, yet many of us are becoming increasingly disconnected from the people who matter most.
Sylas resisted this trend. Through mentorship, service, and community-building, he remained deeply present in others’ lives. While many people retreat into individual pursuits, he consistently chose connection.
This challenge is especially relevant for Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni. Every year, young Africans leave home to pursue education and professional opportunities abroad. Distance, time zones, visa restrictions, and rising travel costs make it difficult to maintain relationships and remain actively involved in the communities that helped shape us.
For Sylas, the answer was simple: show up. Celebrate others. Offer support. Stay connected.
He never allowed geographical or personal barriers to become excuses for disengagement. Even while facing his own struggles, he invested in others. He embodied the values the Mastercard Foundation seeks to cultivate—ethical leadership, service, and community empowerment.
Sylas did not wait for a perfect platform to create change. He simply served where he was. He helped build bridges between education, culture, and professional development while remaining grounded in his values. He dreamed of creating a stronger alumni ecosystem and brought both passion and compassion to every initiative he touched.
Since his passing, social media has been filled with memories of his infectious smile and unwavering commitment to others. Those tributes reveal an important truth: people gave generously because Sylas had first given himself generously to them. People from different backgrounds, generations, and communities showed up because he had spent his life showing up for them. His legacy now challenges all of us.
The greatest tribute we can offer is not simply to mourn his loss but to continue his work. That means supporting the causes he cared about, helping the children whose education he championed, strengthening alumni networks, and pursuing the dreams we discussed with him.
The tragedy of modern life is not that we follow people online. It is that too often our attention to distant lives comes at the expense of meaningful relationships nearby. Yet strong relationships are as essential to our well-being as physical health.
As Ugandans, we take pride in our faith, culture, and sense of community. We contribute to fundraisers, attend ceremonies, and support family members in times of need. But increasingly, genuine connection is being replaced by passive digital interaction. Families and communities cannot thrive on likes, retweets, and emojis alone.
They require presence—phone calls, visits, conversations, and the willingness to notice when someone is struggling.
Before spending another hour immersed in the lives of strangers online, look around. Call the friend you have not spoken to in years. Check on a family member. Reach out to a colleague who seems withdrawn. Communities are not built by algorithms or celebrities. They are built by ordinary people who choose, day after day, to care for those within their reach.
Uganda needs more people like Sylas. At just 32 years old, he achieved what many spend a lifetime striving for. He served as Minister of Information in the Toro Kingdom and as President of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Association in Uganda. More importantly, he dedicated himself to serving others.
While his death is deeply painful, his life remains a powerful example of how we should live. My prayers and condolences go to his family, friends, and the entire Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community.
Rest in perfect peace, Owek. Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki.
The author is a Mastercard Foundation Alumna from Makerere University and the University of California, Berkeley. She is a journalist based in Southern California and the CEO of the Debunk Media Initiative.
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