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H.E. Xingwana Visits Mak, Discusses Next Mandela Lecture

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The new South African High Commissioner to Uganda Her Excellency Lulama Mary-Theresa Xingwana on Friday 9th April, 2021 made her inaugural visit to Makerere University where she was received by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. H.E. Xingwana who presented her credentials to the President H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on 11th March 2021 was accompanied by her First Secretary: Political, Mr. A.E. Munaka.

“Your Excellency, you are most welcome to Uganda and Makerere University in particular”, remarked Prof. Nawangwe as he received the Diplomat. He noted that the University had enjoyed a cordial working relationship with the outgoing High Commissioner H.E. Prof. Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Lekoa Solly Mollo and looked forward to continuing the same with H.E. Xingwana.

In her remarks, H.E. Xingwana noted that Makerere University is a very prestigious institution on the African continent that is appreciated for both its history and current standing. “As young girls who grew up under apartheid, we always dreamt that we would one day study at the prestigious Makerere University because there were no opportunities for blacks to study in our Universities then.”

The High Commissioner then delved into the purpose of her visit, which was to revive the Annual Nelson Mandela Commemorative Lecture, despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The lecture is an initiative of the South African High Commission in Uganda and Makerere University, spearheaded by the Department of Political Science and Public Administration. The inaugural lecture was launched on 31st August 2017 by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and delivered by Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter, Ms. Zoleka Mandela.

“When I presented my credentials, I informed His Excellency the President of our readiness to revive the Annual Nelson Mandela Lecture and as part of the events celebrating Mandela Day this year, unveil a statue erected at the Mandela National Stadium” continued the High Commissioner.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (L) presents a selection of Souvenirs to H.E. Lulama Mary-Theresa Xingwana (R) during her visit to Makerere University on Friday 9th April 2021.

H.E. Xingwana then proposed the weeks either preceding or following Mandela Day on Sunday 18th July, 2021 as possible dates for holding the Annual Nelson Mandela Commemorative Lecture and Unveiling Ceremony. “I thank you for hosting us and contributing your time and resources to ensure that the Nelson Mandela Lecture lives on as an educative, conscientiousness and awareness raising programme especially for the young people.”

In response, the Vice Chancellor said it was a privilege and honour for Makerere University to host the Annual Nelson Mandela Commemorative Lecture in appreciation of the former President’s selfless sacrifice.

“We are delighted to host the Annual Nelson Mandela Lecture in recognition of the dignity that the black South Africans and indeed blacks all over the world regained when the icon was released from prison” said Prof. Nawangwe before adding that he had been a privileged to visit Mandela’s Soweto home on 2nd February 2018 and meet Ms. Winnie Madikizela Mandela.

“Although she was frail, she was extremely glad when I dressed her in the Makerere University PhD gown and cap” added the Vice Chancellor.

The Vice Chancellor and High Commissioner also discussed the possibility of establishing a Centre of Excellence in honour of Ms. Winnie Mandela. The centre would help champion Human rights and Gender activism, fight against oppression of the underprivileged and uplift economically disadvantaged women, issues that Winnie Mandela was passionate about.

Related articles:

Remembering Winnie Mandela

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni launches Annual Nelson Mandela Commemorative Lecture

Mak Honours Mrs. Winnie Madikizela Mandela

Mark Wamai

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Call For Abstracts: National Symposium on Climate Migration among Youths in Uganda

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Call For Abstracts: National Symposium on Climate Migration among Youths in Uganda. Submission Deadline: 9th June 2026

Makerere University, in collaboration with the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Tufts University, and Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), invites researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and community actors to submit abstracts for the National Symposium on:

Climate Migration among Youths in Uganda: Local Voices for Policy Impact

Date: Wednesday, 12th August 2026
Venue: Makerere University Main Hall

The symposium will examine the drivers, patterns, and impacts of climate-induced youth migration in Uganda, while advancing evidence-based and community-informed policy responses.

Theme: Climate-Induced Youth Migration and Urban Futures in Uganda: Evidence, Voices, and Pathways for Action

Submission Deadline: 9th June 2026

Submit Abstracts To: citiesofyouth@musph.ac.ug

Researchers and practitioners are encouraged to contribute research findings, case studies, policy analyses, and practice-based experiences. Abstracts will be considered for oral and poster presentations.

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Call for Research Support Applications from Master’s Students who have Completed their First Year of Taught Classes at Makerere University

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Call for Research Support Applications from Master’s Students who have Completed their First Year of Taught Classes at Makerere University. Photo: Nano Banan 2

Makerere University, in partnership with Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Independent University of Bangladesh, Eduardo Mondlane University, and Pokhara University, with funding from Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED), is implementing a project: ‘Co-creating Knowledge for Local Adaptation to Climate Change in LDCs (COLOCAL).

The expected outputs of the project include strengthened educational and research capacity, improved knowledge on inclusive Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) and Community Based Adaptation (CBA) including delivering skilled knowledge co-creators, and partnerships to support needs-driven, locally-based and contextually sensitive adaptation. The outputs are anticipated to influence policy, planning and practice around LLA and CBA through collaborative learning and knowledge translation.

In line with targets and activities for 2026/2027, COLOCAL project is offering research support for three (3) Master’s students who have completed their first academic year of taught classes at Makerere University and are interested in undertaking research under one of the following thematic areas. The students MUST have undertaken the course offered under the auspices of the project on Disability, Social Justice and Climate Resilient Development.

Requirements:

  • A first degree from a reputable university in a field related to the focus of the project
  • Ugandan citizen below 35 years
  • Good command of English (spoken and written)
  • Demonstrated interest in inclusive and climate resilient development
  • Evidence of practical experience in conducting relevant research during and after undergraduate level
  • Evidence of full payment of all university fees for the first academic year
  • The Masters programme being undertaken MUST have explicit content on climate change mitigation and adaptation
  • Special consideration will be given to students with disabilities, financial challenges, students from ethnic minority groups, internally displaced students, among others

Scholarship and study/research conditions

Availability to complete all research activities in a maximum of 10 months.

Scope of the scholarship

The project will specifically cover stipends and support for field activities only. Support with tuition fees, for the research year, will be provided for students who will complete and submit the research thesis for examination within 10 months from the date of receiving the scholarship offer letter.

How to apply

Interested and eligible candidates should submit the following documents: Application letter, research concept note of not more than 2 pages, academic transcripts/certificates, an updated CV (including contacts of at least two referees) and two recommendation letters.

Send applications via email to: colocal.caes@mak.ac.ug, not later than 20th May, 2026. This contact can as well be used for inquiries, where necessary.

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Request For Consultancy Services: Training & Digital Solutions Expert

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Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) Request For Consultancy Services: Training & Digital Solutions Expert. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa

The Makerere University Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) Limited implemented a Gates Foundation training program dubbed “Principle of Management Excellence for Research training” PRIMER in francophone countries, namely, Mali, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This training was delivered by content experts and experienced practitioners, not professionally trained experts. As such, limiting the quality of slide decks, which were largely fragmented with text rather than graphical and infographic elements that suit a mature audience. To effectively deliver a research training program, advanced, engaging, and efficient tools are critical for fostering audience engagement and participation, and for learning and assessment in research management excellence. To achieve this, IDI seeks to hire an expert to:

  1. design and deliver a set of integrated advanced slide decks combining text, visual learning materials (graphical and infographics) and case scenarios
  2. develop a virtual bilingual community learning platform (VBCLP), i.e. with in-built French and English to engage alumni,
  3. develop and automate a pre-course assessment system that potential trainees fill out, and it automates results that are presented in statistical form for easy interpretation and decision making.

Details: https://shorturl.at/Rzn8d

Apply to: EAkankwasa@idi.co.ug

Deadline: 5 June 2026, 5 PM EAT

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