General
International Students Lauded for Reporting Despite COVID-19
Makerere University on Thursday 18th March, 2021 held an orientation meeting for International Students in the Central Teaching Facility 2 (CTF2) at the College of Business and Management Sciences. Hosted by the Head, International Office, Ms. Martha Muwanguzi, the event was presided over by Acting (Ag.) Dean of Students, Mrs. Winifred Namuwonge Kabumbuli.
According to the latest Self-Assessment report, Makerere University is home to students from over 40 nationalities; up from 34 in 2020. At 17.8%, students from South Sudan make up the largest percentage of the University’s 895 international student population. The College of Health Sciences (CHS) is a popular choice for international students, who make up 9% of the student population therein.
This is followed by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) with 4% of its student population being international. The Colleges of; Engineering Design Art and Technology (CEDAT), Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Natural Sciences (CoNAS) and Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) each have 3% of their student populations being international .
The College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) has 2% of its student population as international, while the Colleges of; Education and External Studies (CEES) and Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) as well as the School of Law have 1% international student population.
Welcoming the students, Mrs. Martha Muwanguzi said that they would not only be rewarded with the best education and world class qualifications, but will also be enriched with the cultural diversity and experience.
“You are taking on a special challenge of studying in a foreign country with a foreign culture. This takes courage and a great deal of commitment! These are of course anxious times for all of us and particularly for you as international students. We are keenly aware of the hardships many of you have had to overcome in order to get where you are today and applaud the determination that you have shown.” she commended.
The Head, International Office further informed the students that Makerere in addition to students receives international scholars and researchers. “Many of our successful research projects are based on international collaborations. Your presence in our programmes and activities strengthens internationalization of our university. We see internationalization as both an opportunity and a mark of quality.”
She pledged together with the Office of the Dean of Students and all Administrative Units to accord them all the necessary support, respond to their concerns as and when they arise, and provide up-to-date information on various situations.
“Do not be quiet or shy if you are facing hardships. We are here to help you. Always observe the health precautions of wearing your face mask, sanitizing your hands regularly and observing social distance. Together, we will emerge stronger beyond the pandemic.” she concluded.
The students were also tipped on how to create their own email addresses using the self-service portal https://sso.mak.ac.ug by Mr. Arthur Opio who represented the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS). With a personal University email, students are able to sign up on the Makerere University E-Learning Environment (MUELE) and access other services.
Nations Represented at Makerere University
Belgium, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, China, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leon, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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.”
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.”
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:
“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.
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