General
Vice Chancellor urges MCF Scholars to be Responsible Leaders
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, urged Scholars of Mastercard Foundation (MCF) to strive to become responsible leaders and not leaders of riots. He said this while addressing the 53 Cohort Six Scholars during their Scholarship Award Ceremony held on 12th March 2021 in the Central Teaching Facility 2 (CTF2) Auditorium, Makerere University.
“Mastercard Foundation and Makerere University are training you to become the next generation of leaders who will champion transformative change in your communities and the African continent.” Prof. Nawangwe said.
Prof. Nawangwe pointed out that every year Makerere University loses over 1000 students who drop out due to lack of tuition and functional fees. He therefore called upon the Scholars to count themselves lucky for having received the prestigious Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, which will enable them to attain quality university education at Makerere University.
Prof. Nawangwe further pointed out that out of the two million pupils who join primary schools every year only 90,000 make it to University, of which Makerere University admits only 10,000 students. He encouraged Mastercard Foundation Scholars to stay focused on their studies and be honest when dealing with others and/or transacting any business. He further advised them to make the best of the Scholarship they received by concentrating on their studies and associating with the right people who will add value to their academic and social life.
Prof. Umar Kakumba, the Chairperson of the MCF Steering Committee highlighted that the Scholars Program was uniquely designed to provide Scholars with academic curricular that is relevant to the job market. He added that the program also provides extra support in terms of mentorship, counseling and psychosocial support services, as well as experiential learning through volunteerism, internships and social entrepreneurship; and connections to jobs and internship opportunities through its network of partners.
Prof. Kakumba thanked the MCF Selection Committee and the Secretariat of the Scholars Program for recruiting the Cohort Six Scholars amidst the COVID-19 challenges.
Dr. Muhammad Ntale, the Chairperson of the Selection Committee informed the guests that the Scholars Program had recruited 1,032 Scholars since its inception in 2014. He added that this was a remarkable achievement because they had exceeded the earlier target of recruiting 1000 students.
Dr. Justine Namaalwa, the Program Coordinator, thanked the University Management for the unwavering support they had given to the Scholars Program, which enabled the Program to operate smoothly in the University. She urged Cohort Six Scholars to make the best of the opportunity that was offered to them by Mastercard Foundation.
“I would like to urge you Cohort Six Scholars to tap into the various opportunities that the Program presents to you during your stay at the University. You will realize that unlike other University students, you are going to enjoy a number of benefits and extra skills training opportunities.” Dr. Namaalwa pointed out.
Dr. Namaalwa thanked Mastercard Foundation in championing the education of the girl child in the higher education sector. She pointed out that out of the 1,032 students so far recruited on the Program, 780 were girls, which represented 76% of the Scholarships. She called upon other organizations to emulate Mastercard Foundation in educating the young people, because it was the only way to achieve meaningful change in Uganda and the African continent.
General
Are We Giving Enough Attention to the People Around Us Who Quietly Influence Lives Every Day?
By Marion Apio
On March 21, 2026, I felt a strong urge to reconnect with a close colleague and passionate leader, Owekitinisa Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki. We had not spoken since I moved to the United States to pursue my dream of becoming a journalist. The following day, I learned that he had been quietly undergoing treatment in and out of the hospital. True to his character, he had chosen to keep his condition private. I was shocked and saddened, wishing I had known earlier so I could offer support.
At first, reports from family and friends were encouraging. He had been diagnosed with malaria and low blood platelet counts and was receiving treatment. Respecting his wish for confidentiality, members of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community at Makerere University rallied discreetly around him.
However, on April 29, his condition worsened. He was transferred between medical facilities and underwent extensive tests, including a biopsy, as doctors searched for answers. Sadly, on May 29, Sylas passed away.
His death sparked an extraordinary outpouring of love and solidarity. Friends, colleagues, and former scholars mobilised to support his family, settle medical expenses, organise virtual vigils, and plan a dignified farewell. Hundreds gathered at St. Augustine Chapel to pay their respects. Within three days, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community raised approximately UGX 11 million, a testament to Sylas’ impact on countless lives.
In the days that followed, I found myself wrestling with difficult questions. In a world where we spend so much time following people online, are we paying enough attention to those quietly transforming lives around us? Why do we invest so much emotional energy in distant personalities while overlooking the people God has placed right in front of us?
Sylas lived with humility and served with grace. His death left more than 1,500 Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni grieving, alongside many others around the world who knew him. Yet his passing also exposed a contradiction in modern life.
We live in an age of unprecedented connectivity. Uganda has millions of internet users and WhatsApp subscribers, while globally, people spend hours each day on social media. We have more tools than ever to stay connected, yet many of us are becoming increasingly disconnected from the people who matter most.
Sylas resisted this trend. Through mentorship, service, and community-building, he remained deeply present in others’ lives. While many people retreat into individual pursuits, he consistently chose connection.
This challenge is especially relevant for Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni. Every year, young Africans leave home to pursue education and professional opportunities abroad. Distance, time zones, visa restrictions, and rising travel costs make it difficult to maintain relationships and remain actively involved in the communities that helped shape us.
For Sylas, the answer was simple: show up. Celebrate others. Offer support. Stay connected.
He never allowed geographical or personal barriers to become excuses for disengagement. Even while facing his own struggles, he invested in others. He embodied the values the Mastercard Foundation seeks to cultivate—ethical leadership, service, and community empowerment.
Sylas did not wait for a perfect platform to create change. He simply served where he was. He helped build bridges between education, culture, and professional development while remaining grounded in his values. He dreamed of creating a stronger alumni ecosystem and brought both passion and compassion to every initiative he touched.
Since his passing, social media has been filled with memories of his infectious smile and unwavering commitment to others. Those tributes reveal an important truth: people gave generously because Sylas had first given himself generously to them. People from different backgrounds, generations, and communities showed up because he had spent his life showing up for them. His legacy now challenges all of us.
The greatest tribute we can offer is not simply to mourn his loss but to continue his work. That means supporting the causes he cared about, helping the children whose education he championed, strengthening alumni networks, and pursuing the dreams we discussed with him.
The tragedy of modern life is not that we follow people online. It is that too often our attention to distant lives comes at the expense of meaningful relationships nearby. Yet strong relationships are as essential to our well-being as physical health.
As Ugandans, we take pride in our faith, culture, and sense of community. We contribute to fundraisers, attend ceremonies, and support family members in times of need. But increasingly, genuine connection is being replaced by passive digital interaction. Families and communities cannot thrive on likes, retweets, and emojis alone.
They require presence—phone calls, visits, conversations, and the willingness to notice when someone is struggling.
Before spending another hour immersed in the lives of strangers online, look around. Call the friend you have not spoken to in years. Check on a family member. Reach out to a colleague who seems withdrawn. Communities are not built by algorithms or celebrities. They are built by ordinary people who choose, day after day, to care for those within their reach.
Uganda needs more people like Sylas. At just 32 years old, he achieved what many spend a lifetime striving for. He served as Minister of Information in the Toro Kingdom and as President of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Association in Uganda. More importantly, he dedicated himself to serving others.
While his death is deeply painful, his life remains a powerful example of how we should live. My prayers and condolences go to his family, friends, and the entire Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community.
Rest in perfect peace, Owek. Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki.
The author is a Mastercard Foundation Alumna from Makerere University and the University of California, Berkeley. She is a journalist based in Southern California and the CEO of the Debunk Media Initiative.
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