On September 2, 2024, the School of Social Sciences at Makerere University held a  farewell ceremony to honor three retired staff members for their exemplary service. The retirees -Ms. Doreen Anek, the Senior Assistant Registrar; Ms. Kitty Tweyanze, Senior Administrative Secretary; and Mr. Jackson Byamugisha, a security guard—were recognized for their outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to the university. Each was presented with a plaque as a symbol of appreciation for their years of dedicated service.

The farewell party and handover ceremony took place in the school’s smartroom and was attended by heads of departments, academic and administrative staff, student representatives, and relatives of the retirees. Presiding over the event, Dr. Justus Twesigye, Dean of the School of Social Sciences, emphasized the significance of the ceremony in recognizing the invaluable roles these individuals played.

“Today, we are saying thank you to our distinguished, experienced, long-serving colleagues who have diligently served us. They have touched the lives of many in the school and the university at large. It is important that we stand with them and say, ‘Thank you so much,’” Dr. Twesigye remarked.

Reflecting on a Legacy of Support

Ms. Doreen Anek joined Makerere University in 2000 as a Senior Assistant Registrar, where she managed critical administrative functions, including the organization of university graduations. Ms. Kitty Tweyanze began her career at Makerere in 1978 in the School of Education and later transferred to the School of Social Sciences in 1998. She was praised for her integrity and meticulous work in academic administration. Mr. Jackson Byamugisha, who joined the university in 2001, was recognized not only for his role in security but also for stepping up in various capacities to support the school.

Dr. Twesigye, reflecting on his own journey as Dean, shared his initial apprehensions when he took office two years ago. He recalled, “I was scared and had sleepless nights about how I would organize examinations, manage the school board, and handle cases of malpractice. But the trio reassured me that I would manage, and their reassurance became true.”

The Dean spoke highly of Mr. Byamugisha’s dedication, saying, “Jackson loved his job. He would come, sit around, and ensure that he did his work diligently. We have sometimes called him during unordinary hours on Saturdays and beyond late hours. Jackson served as a custodian when we didn’t have one; he just stepped in and did two jobs. So, he is leaving as a very happy person.”

Dr. Twesigye expressed his admiration for the trio, describing them as irreplaceable servants whom he would have wished to retain if circumstances allowed. “But we can only know that they are not retiring from work; they are retiring to something. They have special callings, some of which they will discover soon. I can tell that they will remain useful and productive,” he said.

He encouraged the retirees to cherish the friendships and memories they created during their time at the university. “These memories and friends should be things that they reflect on whenever they feel they are on their own,” Dr. Twesigye advised.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Twesigye challenged current students and staff to maintain connections with the retired staff. “We should maintain such a culture. These are part of our families forever. We are not going to let it go,” he asserted.

The Dean also congratulated the retirees for leaving with clean records, highlighting the challenges and risks of public service. “Very few people go out of public service with their heads held high. Some people exit public service through backdoors. So, we should celebrate these two ladies and this gentleman for having been here for all this time and leaving without any blemish. It is a huge achievement. Your records are intact. You can always come back anytime, and you don’t have to feel ashamed.”

The Biggest Task Was Handling Graduation, Says Anek

Retired Senior Assistant Registrar Doreen Anek expressed her gratitude to all who attended the celebration marking her retirement, describing it as a day of joy and fulfillment. Reflecting on her career at Makerere University, Anek shared insights into the challenges and accomplishments she experienced, particularly emphasizing the demanding task of managing university graduations.

Anek acknowledged that September 2nd was a special day for her, one that symbolized the end of a significant chapter in her life. She humorously noted that she had always been mentally prepared for celebrations, especially since her young daughter shares her love for festive occasions. “Today is a day of celebration,” Anek said, “and I am grateful to end this tour on a good note.”

Anek highlighted the immense responsibility of organizing graduations as one of the most challenging aspects of her role. She described the process as demanding, involving coordination with various departments and faculty members. “What we have been doing is not an easy task, but by God’s grace, we have always been able to accomplish it,” Anek reflected.

She emphasized the collaborative nature of the work, acknowledging the vital role played by heads of departments and other staff members. “The biggest task we have been handling is graduation—having to chase around staff, heads of departments—but at the end of it, we always come together and say, ‘We have done it.’ It has not been a personal contribution; it is a collective responsibility,” Anek remarked. She expressed her appreciation to the heads of departments, noting, “There is not a single day you would go to their offices and request something, and they don’t act. They would run around to ensure everybody plays their part.”

Anek also took a moment to thank the lecturers, acknowledging that while there were occasional clashes, the focus was always on fulfilling the school’s requirements. “So where I have wronged you, especially on the issues of results, please forgive me,” she said. “But I know it was a responsibility that you had to undertake, and sometimes I harassed you a little, but I am glad you responded.”

During her speech, Anek gave special recognition to her colleague, Ms. Kitty Tweyanze, whom she referred to as her boss and mentor. She recounted how, when she joined the School of Social Sciences in 2011, Ms. Tweyanze was working in the Dean’s office, handling marks on a locally programmed system. “Kitty taught me how that system works,” Anek shared. Their professional relationship quickly evolved into a strong friendship, particularly after Ms. Tweyanze moved to the Faculty office. “We became great friends,” Anek added, reflecting on the close bond they formed over the years.

Anek concluded her remarks by thanking all her colleagues for their support and collaboration, which she credited for the school’s continued success. Her words underscored the importance of teamwork and mutual respect in achieving shared goals, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended the ceremony.

“I Have Not Conflicted Nor Harmed Anybody,” Says Kitty Tweyanze

Ms. Kitty Tweyanze, one of the three retired staff members honored, reflected on her decades-long career during the retirement ceremony.

Having initially joined the university at the Faculty of Education, Kitty shared that she worked there for five years before leaving to pursue other opportunities. However, she was always welcomed back by the university, and in 1999, she returned to serve in the School of Social Sciences. “I was given an opportunity to come back and was posted in Social Sciences,” she recounted. “At that time, the Bachelor of Arts was a large program, with around 100,000 students in the day and 600 in Social Work.”

Kitty, who handled student results in the Dean’s office, emphasized the harmonious working relationships she had maintained throughout her tenure. “Since I joined Social Sciences many years ago, I have not found any problem with staff or students,” she said. “Staff have not had any issues with me, and students have been like colleagues to me. I am so grateful for everyone—the ones I found here and others who joined later.”

She expressed pride in the fact that she had never conflicted with or harmed anyone during her time at the university. “The work starts with me, with raw data, and I have worked closely with registrars and deans. We had to learn from one another, working on semester marks. The system then was not as advanced as today’s, and we would cross-check every complaint. All this made me work closely with deans, registrars, and heads of departments.”

Kitty also appreciated the Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Dr. Justus Twesigye, for recognizing their contributions, describing the recognition as a rare and valuable opportunity. “This could be the beginning of a new culture within the school,” she noted.

As she steps into retirement, Kitty expressed her willingness to continue supporting the school whenever needed. She encouraged colleagues to visit her at her home in Kyebando, a suburb of Kampala, assuring them that her door would always be open.

“I Am Going to Teach the Word of God,” Says Jackson Byamugisha

Jackson Byamugisha, who joined Makerere University in 2001 as a security guard, has officially retired from his position at the School of Social Sciences, where he served faithfully for many years. During the  farewell ceremony Byamugisha shared his plans for the future, expressing his gratitude and faith.

“I am not here to hand over anything because I have nothing to hand over. I have just come to say farewell to all of you,” Byamugisha said, addressing his colleagues and friends at the school. “But one beautiful thing is that I am proud of having met all of you, and we shall still meet here and there.”

Byamugisha recounted a significant personal transformation he experienced during his time at the School of Social Sciences. “While I was here, I became saved,” he shared, prompting the audience to break into a joyful rendition of the popular Luganda praise song, “Tukutendereeza Yesu.”

Reflecting on his time at the university, Byamugisha revealed that he discovered what he believes to be his true calling. “While here, I asked God to reveal my calling, and He told me I am an apostle,” Byamugisha said. “When I left Makerere two months ago, I asked God what I should do next. He told me to start teaching the Word of God.”

As a qualified adult educator, Byamugisha acknowledged that his new path in ministry might require additional qualifications. He appealed to his former colleagues for support as he embarks on this new journey. “This ministry work I am going into may require other qualifications, so I ask you all to assist me where needed,” he said.

Byamugisha’s announcement was met with encouragement and well-wishes from those present, who appreciated his dedication both to the university and to his newfound spiritual mission.

Retirees Among the Few to Witness Both Manual and Digital Systems – Dan Kiganda

The incoming School Registrar, Dan Kiganda, praised the retirees as invaluable resources who can continue to provide guidance and counseling even after their official retirement. Speaking at the farewell ceremony, Kiganda emphasized the unique experience and knowledge these retirees possess, having worked through both the manual and digital eras at Makerere University.

Kiganda described Ms. Kitty Tweyanze and Ms. Doreen Anek as “mothers” of the university’s administrative staff, noting that they played a crucial role in mentoring younger colleagues. “When I started working in the Academic Registrar’s office in 2010, Anek was one of the senior staff members guiding us in curriculum management,” Kiganda recalled. “Her level of wisdom and experience is something the school can still borrow from.”

He highlighted the significance of Anek and Tweyanze’s careers, pointing out that they are among the few who have had the opportunity to witness and work with both the university’s manual and digital systems. “Back then, when the university still had some funds, they would send non-teaching staff like Anek to South Africa to train on systems management,” Kiganda explained. “She has seen it all—from the manual systems to the current digital transformation.”

Kiganda expressed gratitude to both Anek and Tweyanze for their dedicated service, acknowledging the invaluable role they played in the Registrar’s department. “They are not so many who have had this dual experience. When I started in 2010, I was fortunate to have mentors like them, who could compare the manual and digital systems and help elevate the level of service we provide to this institution,” he said.

Kiganda concluded by thanking the retirees for their contributions and expressed confidence that their expertise would continue to benefit the university community even after their retirement.

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The Department of Journalism and Communication (DJC) at Makerere University will host the Annual Media Convention (AMC) 2024 on 3^rd September 2024 in the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium. The Department has held the Annual Media Convention since 1998 with the aim of providing a forum for discussing emerging issues media, journalism and communication in Uganda and beyond.

Theme: ‘Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Social Networks to Combat Misinformation in Uganda’

The convention will provide an opportunity for participants to share experience for improving and advancing journalism and communication in Uganda with a critical focus on Artificial Intelligence and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT). Practitioners, scholars, policy makers, regulators, researchers and students in the field of media, journalism and communication are expected to attend.

What to Expect

• Keynote addresses
  • Executive Director, Uganda Communication Commission (UCC)
  • Dr. Bruce Mutsvairo, Professor and Chair of Media, Politics and the Global South; Faculty of Humanities at Utrecht University in The Netherlands
• High-level Panel Discussion
  • The Minister Of ICT and National Guidance
  • Vice Chancellor, Makerere University
  • Chief Executive Officer, Vision Group
  • Managing Director, Nation Media Group
  • Chief Executive Officer, Next Media
• Panel Discussions
  • Positioning Uganda’s Journalism, Media and Communication Sector for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Open Source Intelligence. (Panelists: Mr. Waiswa Abdu Salam, Head of Legal Affairs, UCC, Mr. Solomon Serwanjja: Executive Director, African Institute for Investigative Journalism (AIIJ), Mr. David Birungi: PR Manager, Airtel Uganda, Ms. Sarah Kagingo, Managing Director, SoftPower Communications, Mr. Edwin Danze, Chief Marketing Officer, Next Media)
  • Identities, Influencer Culture and AI: Perspectives from Gen Z. (Panelists: Ms. Lucy Bunyenyezi (Influencer/ YouTuber), Mr. Kabuulwa Muzafaluh: Host, Out of the Box (X-space), Ms. Hannah Arinaitwe, Ms. Agnes Nayebare, Ms. Twine Bella (DJC))
• Student Excellence Awards
  • Cranmer Mugerwa Photojournalism Award – New Vision
  • Tebere-Mudin Journalism Award – Daily Monitor
  • PRAU Communication Award
• Exhibitions
• Entertainment

Please see downloads for the Concept Note and Event Programme.

Archives and the process of archiving are key parts of identity formation, nation-building, struggles for community justice, the consolidation of state power, and resistance to power.

Archive is one of the most capacious concepts in the humanities and social sciences. To “archive” or to consult “the archives” are often used to authorize evidence and legitimate certain knowledge at the expense of others. In an effort to re-centre the politics of knowledge from the Global South, some scholars have attempted to expand or re-imagine archival practice.

From 2022, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) has been implementing a three-year Archiving, Memory and Method (AMM) from the Global South project that has studied the intersection of archives with communities, institutions and academia. The project is expected to come to an end in December 2024. Spearheaded by a core team composed of Dr. Edgar Taylor, Dr. Edgar Nabutanyi, Dr. Charlotte Mafumbo, Dr. Levis Mugumya, Dr. Pamela Khanakwa and Prof. Josephine Ahikire, the AMM project has been centred on research and mentorship for both staff and students.

The first deliverable of the AMM from the Global South project is book that will be published by Makerere University Press by December 2024.In terms of professional growth and capacity building, the project is supporting 18 staff who hold PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy degrees), and two (2) students who are studying PhDs, and eight (8) studying MA degrees.

As the project comes to an end, CHUSS is organizing an international conference on the relationship between archiving, memory and method from the Global South. The three-day AMM International Conference will be held at Makerere University from 17^th -19^th October 2024.

The Call for Conference papers released in April 2024 led to submission of over 75 abstracts from scholars, archivists and community practitioners from the different parts of the world.

The Principal Investigator, Prof. Josephine Ahikire explained that whereas the AMM Conference Core team has maximally utilized the previous months to review the 60 abstracts from other scholars, it was important for this team, which is the source of 15 abstracts to meet and specifically focus on critiquing their abstracts.

Consequently, on Thursday 22^nd August 2024, the AMM Conference Core team participated in a symposium, providing an opportunity to each team member to present his or her work in a plenary session, followed by an in-depth discussion of his or her work by the participants, hence receiving instant feedback.

Delivering the welcome remarks, the Principal Investigator, Prof. Ahikire thanked the AMM Conference Core team for accepting to dedicate time to listen to presentations, engagements and feedback sessions aimed at enriching the abstracts and papers ahead of the upcoming International Conference. She stressed the significance of the symposium admitting that it intended to ensure researchers are on course as well as living to the practice of peer mentoring.

She applauded Mellon Foundation for coming on board to fund the work and research in the field of archiving, memory and method (AMM) noting that such areas do not always attract funding from national and international bodies/partners.  “I am grateful to Mellon Foundation that allowed us to dream and put ideas together as a team from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. This funding has elevated the level of humanities and social sciences through undertaking of research central to people’s lives as well as training staff in the College at PhD and Masters,” she remarked. The Principal Investigator also thanked the University and College management for the facilitation and the conducive environment for research and other academic engagements.

The Project Coordinator, Dr. Edgar Nabutanyi noted that archiving, memory and method underscores the power dynamics at play when dealing with de-colonization, history, knowledge, museums, artefacts, culture, language, and among other complexities in the world that we live in. During archiving and documentation, researchers, scholars and students are presented with questions, “Whose archive, whose information, and, who is exactly telling the story? This is pertinent because in many societies, archives were institutional tools and ideological prisms of colonial control.

An overview of the 15 abstracts that were presented and reviewed during the symposium highlighted the need to de-colonise Africa. Listening to the presentations, the different researchers and scholars revealed that interactions and engagements with people and the communities provided lived experiences (and in most cases first-hand information from people who are still alive) on pertinent issues such as African knowledge, artefacts, museums, art pieces, symbols, storytelling, dances, music, language and other forms of culture on the African continent.

The AMM from the Global South Project therefore presents to Makerere University through the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, a golden opportunity to document this knowledge from Africans as well as lived experiences from different communities.

In the presentations from the AMM Conference Core team, participants observed that patriarchy, which is entrenched in the African culture was still a dominant force, and as such, significantly influenced the quest for gender equality and equity.

The participants implored researchers or scholars to deal with the intriguing questions of: Whose archive? Whose Information? Who is the source of the information? They emphasized the need to go an extra mile to listen to the true African stories and experiences. 

The participants prioritized the discourse on returning the artefacts that were “stolen” or “confiscated” from Africa to different parts of Europe. The symposium resurrected the debate on the need for Europe to return the artefacts to the African continent.

This followed watching a video containing a powerful keynote address delivered by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie at the Humboldt Forum.

Titled: Chimamanda Adichie Exposes Stolen African ‘Art’ in European Museums, the message details the painful experience of Africans losing their treasured symbols, artefacts and spiritual identities to Europe. African art tells the story or tradition or memories. She noted that missionaries were very keen on destroying African art. They would only refer to it as African magic. She emphasized that we cannot be dismissive of beliefs because they are unknown to us.

She stressed that there should be decolonization of cultural Heritage with a Perspective on Artifact Return, Ownership, and Historical Context.

She reveals the psychological impact of colonialism on African identity and the need for inclusive negotiations regarding artifact return and emphasized the importance of redefining historical narratives to acknowledge African contributions. She challenged the power dynamics in ownership dialogues.

She emphasized the need to tell European history presenting the truth. The story about colonialism in Africa is one-sided, which leaves out atrocities. This is a lie. She called upon Europe to own the stories of colonialism and its evils to Africa.  She noted that all countries have parts of their past that they are not proud of, that they would rather forget, but it takes courage to face those parts and bring in some light. She stated that although we cannot change the past, we can change our blindness to the past.  

 “With respect to African art, we should develop the courage to say, that about art acquired illicitly, this is not ours, tell us what to do with it,” emphasized Chimamanda.

She questioned why the term “ethnological” is used for art from certain parts of the world, and not art for other parts of the world. She is also concerned that the language itself (ethnological) already suggests a hierarchy of value.

The Keynote Speaker highlighted the complex issues surrounding the return of cultural artifacts, ownership, and historical context, with a focus on African cultural heritage.

“When we talk about this art that was stolen, we are told that this art cannot be returned to Africa because Africans will not take good care of them. It is not merely condescending to say that I cannot return what I stole from you because you will not take good care of it. It is also lacking in basic logic since when has the basis of ownership been taking good care of what is owned. This position is paternalistic arrogance of the most stunning sort. It does not matter whether Africans, or Asians or Latin Americans can take good care of the art stolen from them, what matters is that this art, belongs to them,” she reiterated.

Chimammanda Ngozi Adichie also urged Europe to revisit the international humanitarian law, historical processes of artifact acquisition, and economic power dynamics regarding the Stolen African artifacts.

During the symposium, AMM Conference Core team reviewed the following abstracts:

• Archival Absences: Interrogating representation of African men in colonial and missionary archives in Uganda -Dr. Amon Ashaba Mwiine.
• Memory of Bunyoro Artefacts relocated to Europe-Dr. Ann Ninsiima.
• Memory and resilience of healing traditions of two indigenous Ugandan Communities-Prof. Julius Kikooma
• Choreo-Rhythmic provenance of Baakasimba dance as a living pedagogy meaning, memories and methods: An embodied practical Workshop-Dr. Alfdaniels Mabingo
• Archival Ambivalence: Hoarding and Professionalization in Ugandan State Archives Since 1951-Dr. Edgar Taylor.
•  Diachronic changes of folklore genre: an exploration of language archiving in praise Recitals-Dr. Levis Mugumya
• Between dialogical imaginations and archival discourse in the context of the Ganda Folktale-Dr. Eve Nabulya
• Folk Collection of archival forms of Language-Dr. Celistino Orikiriza
• Joy Kwesiga Facing the Mak@100 Monument: Memory Moments in Makerere’s quest for Gender Equality-Prof. Josephine Ahikire
• Humour, Satire and Socio-Political Commentary in Selected Emmanuel Tumusiime Rushedge’s (Tom Rush’s Old Fox Columns)-Dr. Edgar Nabutanyi
• “The Government says that we are running our land”: Land Tenure concerns in colonial Bugisu-Dr. Pamela Khanakwa
• Abazeeyi B’e Bama: Memory, Honour and Compensation of Uganda’s World War II Ex-Servicemen, 1945 to 2021- Dr. Zaid Sekito, Dr. Christopher Muhoozi, and Dr. Deogratius Kyanda.

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