General
Mak Students Benefit from NBL-Equality Scholarships Programme
Nile Breweries Limited (NBL) has extended financial support worth UGX 80 Million to 30 University students under its Equality Scholarship Programme. Received by the Principal Education Officer from Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) Mrs. Mercy Mugoowa and Makerere University Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (DVCFA) Assoc. Prof. Josephine Nabukenya on behalf of students, the money will be allocated towards students’ tuition and welfare expenses for the academic year 2021/ 2022.
The Equality Scholarship is an annual programme initiated in 2011 by Nile Breweries Limited as one of its Corporate Social Responsibility activities. The programme is geared towards supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4; Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
The Programme supports academically excellent but financially disadvantaged students who have succeeded in their Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) but lost hope of continuing with studies due to financial constraints. With a total of 72 beneficiaries supported from Senior one (S1), Nile Breweries supports 30 students that are currently at University and 42 students that are still in secondary school.
According to the Country Director Mr. David Valencia, the Equality Scholarship Programme doesn’t only fulfil the company’s commitment towards society improvement but also help NBL to recognize the catalytic role of education in promoting human security by fulfilling the academic dreams of a Ugandan child.
The Equality Scholarship Programme targets rural primary schools in the districts that grow sorghum and Barley for Nile Breweries Limited. These include; Budaka, Bukedea, Buikwe Bundibugyo Dokolo, Hoima, Isingiro, Kabarole, Kamuli, Kanungu, Katakwi, Kiryandongo, Kisoro, Kitgum, Kween, Lira, Mubende, Nebbi, Ngora, Ntungamo, Oyam, Soroti and Zombo.
“Students are supported from senior one until they finish university, with the current enrollment costing the company 300M per year. Approximately UGX 3bn has been invested in students from senior one till completion of their undergraduate studies,” Mr. Valencia noted.
Of the 30 university beneficiaries, 14 are Makerere University students placed at the respective colleges. Speaking at the colorful ceremony on 29th April 2021 at NBL Company Offices in Luzira, the DVCFA Assoc. Prof. Josephine Nabukenya congratulated the pioneer beneficiaries John Ochom, Ivan Subile and Emmanuel Okello upon successfully completing their studies at Makerere University. The students are graduating with Bsc. Biochemistry, Bsc. Industrial Chemistry and Bsc. Sports Sciences respectively.
In the same spirit, she congratulated the beneficiaries from other respective Higher Institutions of Learning that are soon graduating. She urged the beneficiaries to make most use of the scholarship opportunity to study, and participate in community empowerment activities that will transform lives. She also encouraged them to utilize the networking platforms well and find solutions to problems that affect communities.
Assoc. Prof. Nabukenya, applauded Nile Breweries for uplifting individuals and creating positive difference in the lives of students, families and communities through supporting access to education. She also thanked the Government of Uganda for creating a favorable environment that has enabled strong partnerships especially in the education sector.
“As outlined in the Gender Equality Policy, Makerere University is committed to the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment where all students, academic, administrative and support staff, female and male enjoy equal opportunities. We are therefore thankful to be part of this achievement as we support the girl and boy child on equally accessing education,” she noted.
“Furthermore, the University Council during the 147th Meeting held in August 2019, approved the Affirmative Action Policy providing for a 40% enrollment quota for female students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). It is therefore, gratifying to learn that three (3) of the four (4) females in the cohort of continuing students at Makerere University are perusing STEM-based Programmes,” she added.
The Principal Education Officer at Ministry of Education and Sports appealed to students to use the positive attributes that education provides to build solutions to community challenges. “Education is a trigger to individual and national development. It remains the most important force that enables a person to pursue development goals with requisite knowledge and capabilities.”
She called for more support from the private sector towards Uganda’s education development. And, urged the private sector to support students during internships, field attachments as well as initiating vocational skills among the students.
The Corporate Affair Director at Nile Breweries Limited Mr. Onapito Ekomoloit noted that given its role as a major player in Uganda’s economy and community, Nile Breweries Limited’s mandate is to bring people together for a better world.
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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