A table flag at the virtual event to launch the AFROHUN brand and showcase Year 1 of the One Health Workforce – Next Generation (OHW-NG) Project under the theme ‘Innovations in the Face of COVID-19’, 28th October 2020, Kampala Uganda.
The USAID STOP Spillover program provides a critical opportunity to enhance global understanding of the complex drivers of viral spillover and to augment sustainable national capacities in surveillance, risk analysis, and behavior change. Implementation of the project envisions priority ten countries across Africa and Asia to gain critical knowledge about their Spillover Ecosystems, to refine and use that knowledge effectively, efficiently, and sustainably to reduce the risk of zoonotic viral spillover and spread. This is a five year project from October 2020 to September 2025.
STOP Spillover is a USAID-funded project to anticipate and address threats posed by the emerging zoonotic diseases that pose the greatest risk of jumping from animals to humans. Tufts University, together with an international consortium of nine core partners including Africa One Health University Network (AFROHUN) and six core sub-award partners are working collaboratively utilizing diverse capabilities among consortium members and stakeholders to implement the STOP project in five countries in Africa over the next five years.
AFROHUN under the STOP project is looking for a competent and passionate person for the position of Regional Lead Africa (RLA).
The RLA is a key position for the STOP project and will preferably be located at AFROHUN Regional Secretariat located in Kampala, Uganda with frequent travels where possible within project target countries.
JOB TITLE: REGIONAL LEAD AFRICA
Reports to: AFROHUN Chief Executive Officer
Responsibilities: The RLA will provide leadership to project implementation in Africa and serve as a member of the Global project’s leadership team. S/he will offer technical leadership to the project working very closely with global consortium members and AFROHUN leadership. The RLA will be under the overall administrative supervision of the AFROHUN Chief Executive Officer. This is a full-time position, renewed yearly based on performance evaluation, and availability of funds.
Qualifications:
Master’s degree in any discipline with relevance to One Health (public health, human health, animal health, wildlife, behavioral sciences, environmental health), project management, international development or related relevant discipline.
Experience with developing and managing projects of partnerships at the highest levels with government partners, academia, international partners, funders, and private sector.
Understanding of One Health concepts and expertise in areas critical to surveillance, risk reduction and management, intervention implementation and mitigation of zoonotic disease amplification and spread, public health and ecosystem health
Excellent collaboration capabilities, working in multi-cultural and multidisciplinary settings.
10-15 years in program/project management experience.
Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
Proven experience in managing donor funded projects especially USAID.
Gender and cultural awareness and sensitivity.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, digital communications.
Willingness to travel locally and internally
How to apply:
If your career aspirations, qualifications and experience match the above requirements, please email your application in English stating Regional Lead Africa as the subject to secretariat[at]afrohun.org and copy to nainembabazi[at]afrohun.org by 17h00 East African Time on January 8th 2021. The application package should include, application letter, CV with 2 referees, and copies of relevant academic certificates.
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta is received upon arrival at Makerere University by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (2nd Right) poses for a group photo during the courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor with Left to Right: Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Ms. Sarah Kagingo and Guild President-H.E. Churchill James Ssentamu.
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
Left to Right: The Vice President-H.E. Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Emeritus-Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Hon. Matthew Rukikaire and other dignitaries follow proceedings.
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Diploma holders admitted under the Government Sponsorship Scheme for the Academic Year 2025/2026.
Under the Diploma Holders Government Sponsorship Scheme admission does not exceed 5% of the intake capacity to the respective Degree Programme.
The list can be accessed by following the link below:
Are you a researcher or student working in protein-related research, structural biology, or bioinformatics?
The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences (ACE) Uganda with support from Google DeepMind, invites researchers and students seeking to integrate AlphaFold into their work to apply for the AlphaFold Workshop to be held at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University-Kampala, Uganda from 16th to 20th June 2025.