Preamble

The “Anthems of the World” concert was a choral music presentation that featured national anthems of selected countries of the world in commemoration of the 2023 United Nations Day celebrations in Uganda. This concert aimed to explore connections between music and nationalism as embodied in the national anthems of different countries of the world. In line with this year’s United Nations theme: “Home and Belonging,” the concert aimed to help the public build mental images of their respective home experiences and shared values of sovereignty through the singing of select national anthems in their respective native or official languages. Ultimately, the purpose of the concert was to further contribute to the public’s appreciation of the global cultural diversity, respect and understanding for one another, and to the enhancement of the world’s social harmony and universal peace, as emphasized in the United Nations Charter. The repertoire list comprised of 24 national anthems representing countries from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe, the UN Hymn and the Makerere University anthem.

The performance procedure for the Anthems of the World concert was participatory in nature, involving the choir and the audience for the various roles of the performance. For clarity purposes, the anthems in this concert were not used in their traditional sense of performing a political function, but rather, as pieces of a country’s heritage for purposes of sharing a bit of that heritage with the public. Therefore, it was not mandatory for people to remain standing while all national anthems were being sung. Each national anthem was introduced by a national (mostly Ambassadors) by providing the inspiration behind it and a brief about the country. All nationals and associates of that country were invited to stand while the choir sung their national anthem, and thereafter, everyone celebrated that nation.

Remarks

Dr. Milton Wabyona, Convener and Choir Director

In his introductory remarks, Dr. Wabyona, referred to the notion that national anthems are compact summaries of a country at its people. He thus posited that through the singing of these anthems, we are more likely to know more about others, and more likely to understand others, hence the more likelihood to appreciate and respect others. Music provides us with an honest and universal medium of communication for all of us.

Dr. Wabyona made reference to a line in the UN Hymn: “Let music for peace be the paradigm,” as support of the ideology of music as a medium of peace for humans. He believed that through this concert, each one of us will have a little knowledge and understanding of the other, which is a sure way towards the world’s social harmony and to fostering of genuine universal peace. This is the same ideal that inspired the formation of the Makorale Choir. The Makorale, is a Makerere University community ensemble comprised of current and former students of Makerere University, faculty and other members of the university community. The overall goal of the ensemble is to harness the vast benefits of music in shaping a peaceful society and cultivating education opportunities in the performing arts for students.

Dr. Pamela Khanakwa, Dean – School of Liberal and Performing Arts (Representing the Vice Chancellor, Makerere University)

Dr. Pamela Khanakwa welcomed everyone to Makerere University. She expressed how proud Makerere was in hosting this prestigious United Nations Day celebration on the 78^th anniversary of the UN formation. Dr. Khanakwa recalled that in her early years of school, the UN seemed a distant and an abstract concept but as we grew, we got to realize that we are part of the United Nations. She reiterated the core mission of the UN as about humanity, peace and unity.

Dr. Khanakwa was touched by the UN theme of “Home and Belonging,” which she said speaks deeply to our hearts. And here at Makerere we feel as small United Nations of sorts because of the diversity of our staff, students and the multiple collaborations that we have, she added. As a university, we tow in the same line with the ideals of the UN, because Makerere is home to many students from different countries, both neighboring and beyond. Our curriculum is not only about teaching and research, but we’re also actively engaged in initiatives that promote peace. In the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, we have a department of Religion and Peace Studies. Makerere University also hosts a prestigious Rotary Peace Center, which is highly recognized around the world, and is involved in training different scholars from around the world in peace initiatives. Makerere also provides space for national, regional and international dialogues that champion the cause of peace in the world.

In regard to the day’s main activity, Dr. Khanakwa spoke passionately about anthems as part of our heritage and inspiration as a people. “There is a way we feel when we listen to anthems.” She drew from her personal experience of how she felt when she heard the Ugandan national anthem sung while she was in United States. She reaffirmed that anthems give us a sense of belonging and our identity. Dr. Khankwa concluded by thanking the UN Uganda office for supporting this event, Makerere University Innovation Hub for hosting, the Makorale choir and Dr. Milton Wabyona for making CHUSS and Makerere proud. She looked forward to listening to different national anthems of different countries and hoped the experience would help us reflect on the power of music, the power of unity and how these anthems promote nationalism and humanity.

Ms. Susan Ngongi Namondo: UN Resident Coordinator, Uganda Office

Ms. Susan acknowledged their Excellency, the Ambassadors and Heads of the various Diplomatic missions present. She thanked Makerere University, Dr. Pamela Khanakwa, representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and the general Makerere University staff and the students for hosting the concert. The Anthems of the World concert at Makerere University was organized in celebration the 78th anniversary of the UN Charter’s entry into force in 1945. Ms. Susan commended the Makorale – a Makerere University community choir for putting together this incredible musical show piece, which further underlined Makerere’s leadership in various spheres.

The UN Resident Coordinator made reference national anthems described as compact summaries of a country’s heritage, history, struggles, and aspirations. She posited that the Anthems of the World Concert aimed to offer a glimpse into each other’s cherished heritage, fostering a sense of interconnectedness. She hoped that, beyond enjoying the musical performance, attendees would reaffirm their commitment to sustainable development goals, addressing global challenges such as pandemics, climate change, and economic issues. The importance of recognizing a shared humanity and interconnectedness, as much as she encouraged efforts towards a safer, greener, and more sustainable Uganda and world. Ms. Susan concluded by encouraging students to learn more about the United Nations and contribute to its development.

The President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has emphasized the need for African countries to strengthen both political and economic integration as a permanent cure of Africa’s weaknesses and marginalization around the world.  In a speech read by the former Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda on 14^th October 2023 at the Annual Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Symposium, the President said that Africa must cure herself of the victim mentality and take the initiative of shaping her own destiny.

“We have an unprecedented advantage of a market of 1.3 billion people. This is a formidable treasure in our hands, it has the potential of not only making us richer, but also earning us respect in the world as a power to reckon with,” he noted.

Reflecting on the times when NRM captured power in 1986, President Museveni said that Uganda’s population by then was a paltry 15 million people and the East Africa Community which would have compensated for Uganda’s small market had been brought to its knees. He was however, happy that the NRM government did not waste time in working with Tanzania and Kenya to revive the East Africa Community.  To him, the concerted efforts paid off in 1999 when the original members of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania signed the treaty which re-established the East African Community.  The community has since grown with the addition of Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He acknowledged the regional blocks such as Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East Africa Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for increasing the volume of trade among African countries. And with the signing and ratification by individual member states of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the President was happy that Africa now boasts of the largest free trade area in the world.

“It must be remembered that Africa was forcefully integrated into the world economy as a source of cheap labour and raw materials for western industries. Africa has donated enough wealth to the rest of the world. It is time to cut off the proboscises of parasites, whose wealth has been sucked from our mines, soils, forests and lakes,” he said.

“Our chief interest should be on securing the survival and prosperity of our children and their children. There is no better guarantee for their future than working towards the political and economic integration of Africa. For the first time, we have the opportunity of safeguarding our great human and natural resources under the African supernatural government. The African leaders, therefore need to work hard so as not share the fate of the pre-colonial tribal chiefs that let down their people,” he added.

President Museveni saluted the contribution of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere to the liberation of Africa and urged young people to carry on Mwalimu’s vision of a strong and united Africa.  To him, every year, he eagerly looks forward to this day, that was set aside to commemorate the life and legacy of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. He was happy that Uganda joins Tanzania and the rest of the entire African continent to celebrate an African hero.  “As we celebrate this day, it is important to remind ourselves of the unfinished work, which Mwalimu pioneered, and carry it forward to its logical conclusion. This will be the most befitting tribute to his great legacy,” he emphasized.

According to him, Mwalimu Nyerere was a true champion of African freedom and liberation. Mwalimu Nyerere unlike most of the African nationalist fighters, espoused the idea that attainment of independence, by the respective African countries, was not an end in itself. His true legacy lies in the fact that he, first and fore most supported liberation struggles to break the shackle colonialism and neo-colonialism, which had unfairly parceled the powers.

Additionally, Mwalimu Nyerere recognized the urgency of uniting the small independent African states to create for the first time Africa’s Centre of Gravity. He rejected the notion of arrivalism, which gripped the ruling elites once they took over the 53 colonies that the imperialists had organized for easy exploitation. “They imagined that they had arrived and the idea of Pan-Africanism was thrown out of the window.  Mwalimu’s commitment to the goal of Pan-Africanism was demonstrated through the unification of Tanganyika and Zanzibar to create the United Republic of Tanzania. He was equally committed to the formation of the East Africa Federation,” said the President.

Every year the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre in conjunction with its co-promoters, Makerere University and Uganda Management Institute organizes a symposium to honor and celebrate the legacy of Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere.  The Annual Symposium which brings together students, academics, researchers, business people, experts and political thought leaders from across the African region provides a platform for them to reflect on how to regenerate and keep alive the powerful efforts of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere on Pan-Africanism.

Representing the Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, the Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Prof. Josephine Ahikire noted that the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Annual Symposium provides a wider platform to deliberate and conduct powerful discussions on the challenges and opportunities faced by East Africa and Africa at large.

According to the Vice Chancellor, the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Annual Symposium 2023 that was held on 13th – 14^th October 2023 created space for participants to envision and interrogate the challenges, opportunities and strategies needed to foster collaborations and unity in pursuit of shared prosperity under the theme: Building a Borderless East Africa: Championing Unity, Youth Employment, culture and Climate Resilience.

The Chairperson, Board of Directors of the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC) Dr. Mulindwa Kasozi Saturninus also noted that the rich conversations were built on the success of the 2022 Nyerere @100 Symposium that put the youth at the fore front of the debates and proposals on development.

Ms. Stella Agara, a renowned governance and youth development specialist was the Keynote Speaker on the theme; Building a Borderless East Africa: Championing Unity, Youth Employment, culture and Climate Resilience. She reflected on some of the strong and memorable words of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, “without Unity there is no future for Africa.” According to Ms. Stella Agara such words call for African countries to deepen and widen regional integration with a greater focus on prioritizing regional freedom of movement.

She questioned the essence of a borderless East Africa when some countries like Burundi and South Sudan still face hiking costs of Air tickets when accessing other countries within the region?  She questioned the idea of a borderless East Africa when African nationals are still considered “aliens” in the respective African countries and students still face long process of residential identifications to access education within the region. Furthermore, it is still difficult for African nationals to acquire a residence or work permit in most of the African countries. 

Ms. Stella Agara said that “the only way I am able to work in Tanzania is when I access a business permit at USD 100 and in the event I happen to fly out of the Tanzania before the expected exit date, I have to buy another one on return.” 

She noted that traditionally, Africans were great at hosting strangers and it is this African culture of hospitality that our society demands today. She was puzzled by the fact that Africans can refer to fellow Africans as foreigners on the African land. To her, the sentiments that fellow Africans are flowing into different African countries as foreigners to take up jobs meant for nationals still stands with disbelief.

“As a region, we need to accept the fact that we need each other since each one of us is more endowed than the other in certain areas. We need to appreciate the fact that we are all members and citizens of this continent. We are citizens of the East African community and we cannot be foreigners on our soil. Young people now are more courageous about trips and taking opportunities across borders, therefore, there is much more room for integration,” she said.

Looking at some of the frameworks that have been put in place to foster a borderless Africa, Ms. Agara acknowledged the Revised Migration Policy Framework of the African Union and its Planning Action adopted in 2018. The Framework reflects on the migration dynamics in Africa and guides African Union member states and regional communities on the management of migrants. It further provides binding legal frameworks upon which member states link their migration policies to development needs and protection of migrants’ rights.

“This policy was however developed with a lot of thinking inclined towards addressing challenges of African young people who are dying on seas trying to access Europe. The AU has engaged in conversations to develop the African Continental Free Trade Agreement which speaks about the single passport, opportunities across borders, movement of services and goods and this brings quite great opportunities for managing migration but also collapsing our borders to create space,” she stressed.

She however highlighted the responsibility of the East Africa Community to cascade some of these policy frameworks and actions down to the East African Region noting that the East Africa Community has worked fast towards a Customs Union and common market protocol to create space and opportunities and making it easier for business carried across borders.

Ms. Agara called upon African countries to address extensively the issues of poverty and corruption that have created very strange differences when it comes to borderless movements within the region. In the same spirit, she urged them to break the barriers of strict cultures, behaviors and manners that create a rift to regional integration. She also encouraged African countries to appreciate the gendered face of borderlessness.

“Our borderlessness is going to promote conversations on climate change and also create opportunities to address the climate crises in solidarity. Young people today unlike our predecessors, have more international friends, spaces and people that they have not actually met by virtue of the fact that they control the digital space. This power from the youth can be harnessed for positive purposes or end up affecting how we view issues that we need to address today,” she said.

According to Ms. Agara, climate conversations are more narrative based and depend on who is controlling that narrative. Africa has done quite a lot of work and the leaders have actually developed a framework of how the Africa Union is going to approach the climate crisis. They have adopted the adaptation as the main mechanism through which countries should address the climate crisis and this is extremely important to the continent because it is being pushing towards resilience and tolerance.

“Africa has not contributed much to the carbon emission conversations, yet we are now being asked to stop mining oil, gold among other mineral resources and we are saying if we are to stop doing so, there is a conversation we must drive, it is impossible for us to engage in conversations without having addressed cross border relations,” she said.

The Keynote speaker called upon African countries to reflect on how they can replicate the Doom’s Day Seed Vault noting that the relevance of preserving African seeds on the African continent should be prioritized.

Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere

Julius Kambarage Nyerere was born on April 13^th 1922 in Butiama on the eastern shores of Lake Victoria in North Western Tanganyika. His father was the chief of the small Zanaki tribe. He was 12 years before he started school (he had to walk 26 miles to Musoma to do so). Later he was transferred for his secondary education to Tabora Government Secondary School. His intelligence was quickly recognized by the Roman Catholic Fathers and with their support, he trained as a teacher at Makerere University in Kampala-Uganda.  On gaining his certificate, he taught for three years and then went on a government scholarship to study history and political economy for his Masters of Arts at University of Edinburgh. He was the first Tanzanian to study at a British university.

In Edinburgh, partly through his encounter with Fabian thinking, Nyerere began to develop his particular vision of connecting socialism with African communal living.  On his return to Tanganyika, Nyerere worked towards bringing a number of different nationalist factions into one grouping and he achieved this in 1954 with the formation of TANU (the Tanganyika Africa Union). He became the President of the Union and joined the Legislative Council in 1958. He became the Chief Minister in 1960. A year later Tanganyika was granted internal self-governance and Nyerere became Premier.  Full independence was attained in December 1961 and he was elected President in 1962.

When paying tribute to his legacy Uganda’s High commissioner to the Republic of Tanzania H.E., Rtd. Col. Fred Mwesigye described Mwalimu Julius Nyerere as a civilized, considerate and courteous person. Mwalimu Nyerere was persuasive, kind and empathetic

 “He was a teacher, who was able to simplify complex issues; a peacemaker and a peace builder. He had the capacity to persevere and he was a consensus builder. He appreciated different opinions and he was studious, he had enormous capacity to debate, he was a Pan-Africanist and yearned for a federated East Africa,” he said.

According to the acting High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania to Uganda, H.E. Mr. Lucas Mayanga, the Charge d’Affairs, Mwalimu Nyerere’s idea of Pan-Africanism was gradual whereby he stressed the significance of nation building and regional integration before continental unity. To promote his idea, he was willing to delay the independence of Tanganyika in order to enable by then Tanganyika, Uganda and Kenya achieve their independence together as a single federal state.

“While he fell short of realizing this vision, he united Tanganyika and Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanzania shortly after the independence of these two countries. This Union remains until today. It is in this regard that we welcome today’s Symposium theme of Building a Borderless East Africa Region,” the Commissioner stated.

The Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC)

In 2018, the President of the Republic of Uganda advocated for and supported the establishment of the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre as a Presidential Initiative.  Hosted by Makerere University and Uganda Management Institute, the Centre is responsible for inter-generational dialogues on African history and study and conducting research on Africa revolutionary movements.

On October 6^th 2018, President Museveni established the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC), at Makerere University, as a Presidential initiative. Co-promoted by Makerere University and Uganda Management Institute, the Centre was to provide leadership skills, training and mentorship to young people. Specifically, it was to conduct Leadership training of a new and emerging generation of African leaders; to foster Cross-generational dialogue and conversations on African history and revolutionary movements in order to align needs and plans for the future as one; and to conduct Policy leading Research that aspires to close that gap between academia and practical policies.   

Dr. Nansozi K. Muwanga, the Executive Director of JNLC reveals that since it was established five years ago, the Centre has strived to fulfil these ambitious objectives and also to put students at the center of its activities as an important part of JNLC’s mission and vision.The Centre has thus provided trainings and mentorship sessions to young people on selfless leadership as part of historical and political perspectives of the African continent.

In addition to customized leadership training, the Centre also holds regular cross-generational fireside (Ekyooto) conversations on unity and Pan-Africanism as well as supporting student leaders to attend regional conferences, student debates on issues that affect them, national and regional development. To illustrate its commitment to Mwalimu Nyerere’s legacy and unity agenda, the Centre, with the support of the Language Department, has developed a Basic Kiswahili course to be implemented alongside its leadership training. Dr. Muwanga says that “these activities provide students with important eye-opening experiences, exposure and skills, which the recent drastic 80% budget cuts of the JNLC’s funding undermine. Muwanga says that these budget cuts notwithstanding the JNLC as a Presidential initiative has gained traction among students and Makerere University management. The JNLC’s leadership training has been endorsed by Makerere University Council that has made it mandatory for all those aspiring for leadership positions. Furthermore, “the Centre’s relevance is in ensuring it responds to students’ needs as it evolves to take into account emerging national and geopolitical issues whilst staying true to the legacy and aspirations of Mwalimu Nyerere.”

She acknowledged the support and contribution of long standing partners including the President of Uganda who is the Patron for his tremendous support towards the creation of the Centre; Makerere University and Uganda Management Institute for their steadfast financial and logistical support; the High Commission of the Republic of Tanzania to Uganda; Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS); NBS and Afro Mobile; Simba Telecom; United Nations Development Programme; the Tanzania Community in Uganda; the Private Education  Development Network; Future Generation Trust; aBi Development among others.

In the same spirit, she appreciated the Board of Directors of the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre chaired by Dr. Kasozi Mulindwa for the invaluable support and constructive guidance. “To the staff of Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre, I thank you very much for your hard work and your consistent and committed efforts.” 

Article by: Mak Public Relations Office and JNLC

A number of possibilities and opportunities for young people exist within the East African Community (EAC). By fostering collaboration in the pursuit of building a borderless East Africa Region, young people will be the beneficiaries of this unity. Speaking at the fireside conversation also known as Ekyooto held at Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC), Makerere University on October 13, 2023 Ms. Bhoke Wankyo Nyerere urged the youth to make good use of their innovation, creativity and the available technology to communicate in order to curb the challenges and at the same time appreciate the opportunities that come with regional integration.

As part of the two-day youth-focused symposium, the Ekyooto brought together thought leaders, the youth, academics and other stakeholders from across the region to envision and strategize for a more integrated and harmonious future of the East African youth.  Associate Professor Sarah Ssali, the Dean, Makerere University School of Women and Gender Studies and JNLC-Board Member moderated the fireside conversation under the theme, “Building a borderless East Africa.”

Ms. Bhoke Wankyo Nyerere, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s granddaughter who represented the Nyerere family at the symposium explained that a real borderless East African Community should be inclusive and people-centred with the youth as its primary target. She said that the young people need to take responsibility and use their innovation, creativity and the technology at hand to disseminate the information they have in order to bring onboard their fellow youth who may lack knowledge about the EAC.

“We are talking about the youth possibilities and opportunities and how to lead a borderless East African Community having the youth involved. According to Ms. Bhoke the greatest challenge lies in communication. Most of the young people do not know what the EAC is all about and unfortunately, some of them do not even care! With the available technology, you are all interacting through social media and to the majority of you-borders are not an issue. So, I think it is up to you, the young people to take the lead and share the information of EAC with the rest of the people within your countries,” Ms. Bhoke said.

Ms. Bhoke challenged the youth who are knowledgeable about the EAC work, to first of all help their societies appreciate what the Community is before reaching out to other countries. In her view, most of the East African Youth especially in the rural areas lack information about EAC and the opportunities a borderless East African Community presents. She however noted that a prerequisite to an integrated East African Community, is the need to put aside our differences, stay united and to respect one another.

“If we really want to succeed in uniting East Africa, we need to have that critical mass of young people who are creative, innovative and interested in the EAC integration. What is most important is respect for every person, despite our differences. We need to focus on the things that bring unity; those things that we have in common. We should look at our similarities and those are the things we should embrace, support and uphold,” Ms. Bhoke said.

In the same spirit, Dr. Saturninus Mulindwa Kasozi, Chair – JNLC Board of Directors and Director of Programs and Students Affairs at Uganda Management Institute (UMI) reminded the young people that they were privileged to have technology at their disposal. He noted that the JNLC creates a vibrant platform to give young people an opportunity to share their ideas in order to survive in the 4^th Industrial Revolution (4IR) and create a better future for East Africa and Africa at large. He urged the young people to use the different technologies, experiences and their cultural values to advance their society as well as the Pan-African ideals of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.

“The opportunities you have should challenge you to possibly think about how you will survive in the fourth industrial revolution. You have been told about Artificial Intelligence (AI), but how are you exposed to it? How will you use AI to advance the agenda of your country, East Africa and that of Africa such that you can be able to be competitive in this global world where mankind must live and use the machines to advance the wellbeing of humanity, especially for Africans who are at threat because of technology,” Dr. Kasozi mentioned.

He pointed out that JNLC was initiated by His Excellency the President of Uganda to bring young people on board to advance the ideals of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere as a to preserve his legacy and advance the Pan-African agenda. According to Dr. Kasozi, JNLC has been intentional about providing the youth with information on the EAC and engaging them by organizing leadership trainings that bring together young people from different institutions to see how they can work together to unite and develop East Africa and the whole of Africa as envisioned by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.

“If we recall, our forefathers created the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to bring Africans together. So,beyond thinking of getting visas to cross borders, what are you as the young people in your generation doing to bring together all the youth in East Africa and beyond? If you choose to move, what are you carrying with you across the borders? All you are looking for are employment opportunities. We want you to think beyond that and shape the future of East Africa to one where boundaries are no longer a hindrance to our movements,” Dr. Kasozi said.

Dr. Kasozi revealed that Africa is endangered and being re-colonized using indirect approaches. He therefore emphasized the need to address the mindset of young people to think beyond individualism and look at the big picture-their country, East Africa and the African continent at large. He said that JNLC provides a platform for the youth to share their ideas and think beyond their boundaries and he hoped that the JNLC and its programmes would nurture a cadre of young leaders who can promote the ideals of Julius Nyerere and drive the agenda of a borderless East Africa region.

Speaking about developing leadership skills, JNLC Executive Director, Dr. Nansozi K. Muwanga said that the Centre works to empower young people, especially student leaders, to do their job. She added that the Centre developed the JNLC leadership curriculum which is anchored in the ideals and ideas of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Pan Africanism. She informed the participants that the Centre recently trained guild leaders from all over Uganda as a way to test-drive its newly consolidated and tailor-made leadership curriculum that now incorporates two new modules on Financial Literacy and Mental Health and Wellbeing.

“In partnership with the School of Languages, JNLC has developed a basic Kiswahili curriculum to go hand-in-hand with our leadership program that is supposed to provide a platform and a beginning for students to be able to communicate with other communities within East Africa. So, not only do you have the skills set to bridge the gap between academia and the workplace, but also the ability to speak a language albeit not perfectly that is currently used by over 152 million people across Africa, which is a good beginning.” Dr. Muwanga said.

Mr. Andrew Tumusiime, a member of the founding board of JNLC explained that the central point and focus must be on the rural youth who lack the exposure. He noted that most of the exposure has focused on the youth in urban areas.

He stated that as East African countries struggle to integrate, they still have a lot of challenges to overcome. Mr. Tumusiime expressed the need for the East African community member countries to ensure that they have a customs union and common market, adding that they cannot survive individually but as a team that continues to interact, benchmark best practices and build on each other’s strengths.

“It is true that East Africa has its own challenges such as slow economic growth implying that you have a small formal labour market. As a region, we have the biggest market anybody can ask for, we have the mineral resources that we can exploit and we have the labour force. This means that as we prepare to face our challenges, you would not only have to plan, but to prepare in order to have the right prepared structures in place. What we have to do is to have this great collaboration, set up taskforces with experts from different countries and timelines to achieve our objectives.” Tumusiime advised.

He told the elder generation of leaders that it is incumbent upon every individual in the East Africa community to strive and support the vision of the East Africa Community if they are to survive in the next generation that is waiting to see, audit and judge how well they have prepared for them.

According to Mr. Joram Nkumbi, the Country Coordinator of the African Youth Leadership Forum and representative of PLO Lumumba Foundation in Tanzania, there are a lot of possibilities in the East African Community, and the region cannot develop them without unity and integration. He said that a united East African region will realize a great market, unlike the one we have today.

“Remember all the four pillars of the East African Community and all its protocols; the customs union and the benefits it brings, the common market and the benefits it brings, the free movement of goods and people and some services from one place to another as well as the monetary union. Though we have not yet achieved them, they point to future possibilities. Once we achieve them, we will have the possibility of achieving regional integration where we have one government, one army, one voice and peace and security will be better. So, the development is almost impossible without these four pillars,” Mr. Nkumbi said.

Recalling the early years of the EAC before it collapsed, Mr. Nkumbi said that EAC was a better community with one single currency called the East Africa Shilling, one University, the University of East Africa, one telecommunications company, one railway system and one airline. He said that those are the possibilities that can be brought back when we come together as the East African Community.

“Our forefathers did what they could to bring us here, so, we must carry and refuel that torch of our great ancestors to spread the message of unity, integration and face the challenges we have. The next step is perhaps the most difficult one, but we must do it because we have no other option, but to assume this responsibility and burden of uniting ourselves. With this integration, we can exchange ideas, interact more with our friends in the region and come together. In Kiswahili-speaking communities, we have a proverb that says, ‘Umoja ni nguvu, utengano ni udhaifu’ which translated means ‘Unity is strength, disunity is weakness,” Mr. Nkumbi remarked.

In her submission, Ms. Jovia Nazziwa, the Equity and Inclusion Lead–MasterCard Foundation Alumni Association Uganda reiterated that majority of the youth intervention programs have favored those in the urban areas, leaving the rural youth behind. Most of the platforms are within the urban areas where they would have live broadcasts on the televisions, online spaces, but then those in the rural settings may miss all those opportunities.  She said that majority of youth in rural areas cannot relate with the EAC topic due to the information gap.

“How can we achieve this objective by sending information to those in rural areas? Can we relate with the village systems or the districts systems and go back to being local with the areas that do not have the Internet, in areas where we know that people do not want to know because they are not informed about the benefits? We can take this information to the rural areas and share with them the benefits of integration like having a common market for their agricultural produce with no boundaries; letting them know that they can trade beyond Uganda,” Ms. Jovia Nazziwa said.

She noted that majority of the young people do not relate to most of the issues that concern the EAC. Furthermore, she pointed out the need to share the positive messages about the EAC, to give young people hope with the right information at the right time about the projects being developed and how the youth will benefit from them in the future.

“If projects are being created and planned and issues are discussed today but they are going to be beneficial at a certain time, let us share with them that information earlier and to know where to target and what to choose because when they get the information, they act. Those parents who received information about the existence of oil in Uganda sent their children to study oil courses and right now, some have PhDs in Oil and gas.  They received the right information that there will be Oil and it will be beneficial in the next 20 years, so, they were able to act on this information,” Nazziwa mentioned.

She urged participants and training institutions to always provide information in a positive manner.She noted that whereas the young people have various innovations in line with climate change, waste management and technology, they don’t know how to proceed and use that knowledge. She thus advocated for the need to provide the information, knowledge and mentorship to the young people.

H.E. Mariat Namiiro, the Vice President of Makerere University 89^th Students’ Guild proposed that the best way to achieve regional integration was to collaborate and share ideas regarding the EAC unity through the organization of debates among the fellow youth to sensitize and raise awareness, especially for those in remote areas.

H.E. Namiro believes that awareness is really important aspect of EAC unity. “Very many youths are not aware of the EAC. With awareness, I believe that they will get to know what it will feel like and why we should fight towards having that integration. Collaboration is also important. I would feel warm and pleased if at all we can share as youth of East Africa, combine ideas and see how we can help each other,” H.E. Namiiro said.

In his opinion, H.E. Alionzi Lawrence Dangote, the 88^th Guild President of Makerere University said the EAC opportunities for the young people are right in the possible solutions to problems that are found in realizing full integration of East Africa. According to him, what they ought to do is to draw inspirations from the journey that they have walked as the EAC, and completely address themselves to what they ought to do as the young people to come together and unite for a cause.

“If the young people through the Uganda National Youth Council demand for the EAC integration, and the youth in their engagement programmes put pressure on their government and use every avenue they have to speak up, that the future is about the integration of East Africa more than before, this might be their most prominent contribution.” Mr. Alionzi said.

Alionzi highlighted the successful journey that has so far been walked in the integration of East Africa. He said that as early as the year 1917, Uganda and Kenya came together to form the customs union which Tanzania joined in 1927. Important to note was the year 1977 when the EAC was dissolved due to economic disparities among the member states, with Kenya way ahead of others, and also due to significant differences in political ideologies. Fortunately, it was revived in the year 2000 when Burundi and Rwanda joined.

Wrapping up the session, Associate Professor Sarah Ssali commended the stakeholders and management of JNLC as well as the young people for the active participation that made the conversation both provocative and informative. She called upon all stakeholders and young people committed to the region’s growth to join hands and work collectively in the transformative journey towards achieving a Borderless East African Community.

The JNLC Fireside conversation (Ekyooto) was one of the activities in the two-day youth symposium to commemorate Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s ideals. Hosted by Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre in partnership with Uganda Management Institute and Makerere University, the Symposium aims to foster and maintain the strong values of African unity and Pan-Africanism that Mwalimu Nyerere stood for.

Mwalimu Julius Nyerere passed away on October 14^th 1999. To commemorate his passing, Nyerere Day is observed annually on 14^th October. The Annual Nyerere Symposium, which is now part of the Makerere University activity calendar provides JNLC and Makerere University with an opportunity to recognize Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere, one of its distinguished alumnus who fought for the independence of Tanzania and Africa in general.

 Article by: Mak Public Relations Office and JNLC