General

Katikkiro Visits Main Building Site, Expresses Solidarity

Published

9 months ago

October 3, 2020

Mark Wamai

Deputy Katikkiro-Owek. Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa (Centre) and his delegation; Dr. Prosperous Nankindu Kavuma (2nd Left) and Owek. Noah Kiyimba (Left), are received upon arrival at CTF2, Makerere University by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd Right) and DVCAA-Dr. Umar Kakumba (Right) on 1st October 2020.

A delegation from Buganda Kingdom led by the Second Deputy Katikkiro and Minister for Finance and Economic Planning-Owek. Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa on Thursday 1^st October, 2020 paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe to express the Kingdom’s solidarity and sympathies following the fire incident that ravaged the Main Building on 20^th September 2020. The Deputy Katikkiro was accompanied by Buganda Minister for Youth, Sports and Recreation-Owek. Dr. Prosperous Nankindu Kavuma and Buganda Minister for Information, Cabinet, Lukiiko, Protocol and Kingdom Spokesperson-Owek. Noah Kiyimba. Also present to receive the delegation was the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-Dr. Umar Kakumba.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor welcomed and thanked the delegation for not only sending messages of support when they heard about the fire incident but also taking time visit Makerere University and express their solidarity. He noted that there has been an outpouring of messages of sympathy and support from alumni and friends of Makerere University from all over the world ever since the shocking news of the fire broke early on that Sunday morning.

This, he noted, was a reaffirmation that “Makerere is possibly the most international University in the world owing to two factors i) if we consider the number of Memoranda of Understanding signed with most major institutions in the world and ii) that our staff do research and publish with researchers and academics in other institutions around the world more than any other university.”

Prof. Nawangwe shared that as a result of this support, a number of individuals and institutions have already sent in their contributions either to help restore the iconic Main Building or ensure business continuity for the affected departments. He informed the delegation that earlier in the day, the University Management had unveiled two bank accounts and an MTN MoMo Pay merchant code through which contributions to the restoration may be sent. The Vice Chancellor concluded by announcing that the official fundraising drive would be held at a later date.

In her brief remarks prior to inviting the Deputy Katikiro, Dr. Nankindu Kavuma shared that as an alumna and researcher who resided in Africa Hall and Quarry flats respectively, the news of the fire outbreak was both unbelievable and sad. She nevertheless reassured that the spirit of Buganda in donating the land on which the University was built is still alive and that the Kingdom remains committed to working with Makerere to nurture other Universities.

L-R: The Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Owek. Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, Dr. Prosperous Nankindu Kavuma, Dr. Umar Kakumba and Owek. Noah Kiyimba (2nd Row Right) make their way past the Main Library to the Main Building site on 1st October 2020.

In his personal remarks prior to reading the Katikkiro’s message, Owek. Waggwa Nsibirwa said Buganda Kingdom’s contribution to Makerere has been well documented beyond the land donations in 1922 at the start of the Technical School and in 1949 when the institution became a College affiliated to the University College of London. He added that century-old collaboration between the two institutions can only grow stronger.

“Many of us serving in the Buganda Kingdom Government are alumni of Makerere University” remarked the Deputy Katikkiro before adding “I used to reside in University Hall while I did my Bachelor of Statistics and I returned for my second degree (Master of Arts) in Economic Policy and Planning.”

He added that as members of alumni, they were personally touched when they saw that the iconic Ivory Tower had been gutted by fire. However, this only served to strengthen their resolve. “We shall rise again and have an even more iconic Main Building.”

The Katikkiro’s Message of Solidarity noted that the gutting of the Ivory Tower was one of the saddest occurrences in Makerere’s 98 year old history and conveyed his personal and Kingdom’s sympathies to the Vice Chancellor, academic and non-academic staff, students, alumni and Government of Uganda upon this most tragic incident.

“I trust that the government will support management to establish the cause of the fire, and more importantly, to restore the Ivory Tower to its original state and appearance” concluded Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga’s message.

The delegation then proceeded to the Main Building site, where they somberly observed the gutted Ivory Tower before once again reassuring the Management of Buganda Kingdom’s willingness to support efforts to restore the iconic Main Administration Building.

Article by Public Relations Office

Related Topics:Buganda Fire Katikkiro Makerere Solidarity

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General

Veteran Professor changed Makerere and Higher Education

Published

2 days ago

June 21, 2021

Mark Wamai

Professor Pancras John Mukasa Ssebuwufu (L) receives a plaque and citation from RUFORUM Board Member and Vice Chancellor Ndejje University-Professor Eriabu Lugujjo (Right) on 6th May 2021 at the RUFORUM Secretariat, Plot 155 Garden Hill, Makerere University Main Campus,

When Professor John Ssebuwufu ambled up to receive a certificate of recognition for his ‘exceptional’ contribution to higher education from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) at Makerere University (MU), he was thinking of many things, such as rewarding staff, that he could have done differently to impact university education more.

But he did what he could have done, under the circumstances.

He presided over MU (in 1993) when student enrolment was 5,000 and left in 2004 when the population was surging to more than 15,000.

He emphasised the use of information communication technologies in almost all the institutions he had been involved in and sent many academic staff on exchanges to boost research and innovation. Now, more African universities engage in ground-breaking research.

So, he proceeded to accept his recognition and make his acceptance speech, which was mostly about gratitude.

Ssebuwufu, 74, who is currently the chancellor at Kyambogo University and the vice-chancellor of the University of Kisubi, is credited for his exemplary leadership and pragmatic methods that have shaped higher education in Uganda and Africa as a whole.

General

Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2021/2022

Published

2 days ago

June 21, 2021

Mark Wamai

Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2021/2022. Photo credit: AfDB

The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program is a capacity building project by the AfDB and Japan which was initiated in 2017 with the aim of providing two-year scholarship awards to highly achieving African graduate students to enable them to undergo post-graduate studies (i.e. a two-year Master’s degree program) in selected priority development areas on the continent and Japan. The overarching goal the AfDB and the Government of Japan seek to attain is to enhance skills and human resources development in Africa in under the Bank’s High 5s agenda (i.e. “Feed Africa”, “Light up Africa”, “Industrialize Africa”, “Integrate Africa” and “Improve the quality of life of the people of Africa”) and key Japanese development assistance initiatives. JADS core areas of study focus include energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, and engineering. The program also seeks to promote inter-university collaboration and university-industry partnerships between Japan and Africa. Upon completion of their studies, the JADS scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate their newly acquired knowledge and skills in the public and private sectors, and contribute to national and continental socio-economic development.

About the JADS program

The JADS Program is open to applicants from AfDB member countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a graduate degree program in energy development and related discipline. The program does not provide scholarships to any other graduate degree program.

The scholarship program provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.

Upon completion of their studies, the beneficiary scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate their newly acquired knowledge and skills, and contribute to the promotion of sustainable development of their countries.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

The program is open to those who have gained admission to an approved Masters degree course at a Japanese partner university. Candidates should be 35 years old or younger; in good health; with a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the energy area or related area; and have a superior academic record. Upon completion of their study programs, scholars are expected to return to their home country to contribute to its economic and social development.

Application Procedures

Applicant requests for information and application forms and procedures from the chosen JADS partner university. For any inquiries, please contact JADS@AFDB.ORG
Applicant completes required documents and sends them to the university.
University evaluates and selects applicants.
University sends selected candidates to the AfDB.
AfDB reviews submissions from universities, prepares and approves the final list.
AfDB contacts selected awardees, and informs the universities.