Makerere University today held a certificate award ceremony for the pioneer cohort of the Certificate in Critical Thinking and Social Intelligence, a short course offered by the Department of Philosophy in the School of Liberal and Performing Arts, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS). The ceremony brought together course facilitators, university leadership, sponsors and the 52 graduating participants to mark the successful completion of the three-week programme, which was designed to equip members of the public with practical skills in reasoning, judgment and social awareness.

The event was presided over as the culmination of weeks of work by the Department of Philosophy to design and deliver a course that speaks directly to the needs of a society grappling with an overwhelming volume of information, competing narratives and complex social interactions. From the remarks made throughout the ceremony, it was clear that the course had struck a chord well beyond the walls of the university, attracting interest that far exceeded initial expectations.

A Course Born out of Desire to Impact Society

In his remarks, the course coordinator, Dr. Spire Ssentongo of the Department of Philosophy, took the audience through the origins of the programme. He explained that the idea for the course was first developed together with the Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, out of a shared conviction that philosophy as a discipline had much more to offer the public than is often assumed.

Dr. Ssentongo told the gathering that once the course was opened up for applications, the response from the public was overwhelming, with the programme receiving more than 350 applications for what was originally intended to be a modest short course. Of these, only 52 applicants could be admitted into the pioneer cohort, a reflection of the deliberately small class size the Department of Philosophy settled for in order to preserve the quality of engagement and discussion that the course was designed around. Dr. Ssentongo described the gap between the number of applications and the number of available places as a clear indication that there is a real and growing appetite among the public for training that helps people think more clearly, question more carefully and navigate social situations more skilfully.

He went on to explain his personal motivation for designing programmes of this nature, notably his long-standing interest in using academic knowledge to make a tangible difference in society rather than confining it to lecture halls and academic journals. According to Dr. Ssentongo, critical thinking and social intelligence were deliberately combined into a single course because neither skill is sufficient on its own. He explained that the course was intentionally designed to be interdisciplinary rather than a purely philosophical undertaking, drawing on insights from psychology, communication and the social sciences alongside philosophy. In so doing, he shared that participants would leave not only able to reason more rigorously but also better equipped to read social situations, manage relationships and engage constructively with people who hold different views.

Over the three weeks, participants were taken through sessions combining lectures, guided discussions and practical exercises intended to help them apply the concepts covered to real situations they encounter in their daily lives. The structure of the course reflected Dr. Ssentongo’s emphasis on interdisciplinarity, with sessions moving between the analytical rigour associated with philosophical training and the more applied, people centred concerns of social intelligence. This combination appeared to resonate strongly with participants drawn from a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds, many of whom came to the course seeking practical tools rather than purely theoretical knowledge.

Professor Ssentongo used part of his remarks to extend gratitude to the course’s sponsors, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and UNESCO, whose support made it possible for the Department of Philosophy to design, resource and deliver the course to such a large and engaged group of participants. He noted that the partnership with these organisations reflected a shared belief in the value of equipping citizens with the intellectual tools needed to participate meaningfully in public life.

Voices From the Pioneer Cohort

Speaking on behalf of his fellow participants, the class representative of the first cohort, Mr Boniface Clever Lukwago, offered a heartfelt appreciation of the facilitators who had guided them through the three-week course. He commended the quality of teaching and the depth of engagement they experienced throughout the programme, noting that the learning environment created by the facilitators was welcoming, intellectually stimulating and conducive to open discussion.

Mr Lukwago’s remarks captured the sense of achievement felt by many in the graduating cohort, who had balanced the demands of the course with their existing personal and professional commitments over the three weeks. His appreciation for the facilitators underscored a recurring theme throughout the ceremony, namely that the success of the course rested not only on the strength of its content but also on the manner in which it was delivered.

Leadership Reflections on Critical Thinking and Its Place in Society

The Head of the Department of Philosophy, Dr Dickson Kanakulya, used his remarks to reflect on the broader importance of critical thinking in contemporary society. He emphasised that the ability to think critically, to interrogate assumptions and to evaluate evidence carefully is becoming increasingly indispensable in a world where individuals are constantly confronted with competing claims, misinformation and pressure to conform to popular opinion without adequate reflection.

Dr Kanakulya’s remarks situated the course within the broader mission of the Department of Philosophy, which has long positioned itself as a custodian of rigorous thinking within the university and beyond. He expressed confidence that graduates of the programme would carry forward the skills gained during the three weeks into their various spheres of influence, whether in their workplaces, communities or personal lives, and in so doing contribute to a more thoughtful and discerning society.

Addressing the gathering, the Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala spoke to the significance of the course within the college’s broader vision for public engagement. Having been closely involved in the conception of the programme alongside Dr. Ssentongo, Prof. Nkabala’s remarks reflected on the journey from an idea to a fully fledged course that had now produced its first group of graduates. Her presence at the ceremony underscored the level of institutional support the programme had received from its earliest stages.

The Dean of the School of Liberal and Performing Arts, Dr. Pamela Khanakwa equally added her voice to those celebrating the successful completion of the course by its pioneer cohort. Her remarks reinforced the sense that the certificate programme was not an isolated initiative but one that enjoyed the backing of School and College leadership as a whole, situating it within a wider commitment to extending the reach of humanities education beyond the traditional student population.

Certificates Awarded by the DVCAA

The high point of the ceremony was the awarding of certificates to the members of the pioneer cohort, presided over by the Chief Guest, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs (DVCAA), Prof. Sarah Ssali. As each participant received their certificate, the ceremony took on a celebratory atmosphere, marking the formal recognition of three weeks of dedicated learning and engagement.

In her remarks, Prof. Ssali congratulated the graduating cohort and commended the Department of Philosophy on designing a programme that spoke so directly to the needs of the public. “This is exactly the kind of impact we want Makerere University to have on society,” she said, urging the graduates to put what they had learned to good use in their homes, workplaces and communities. She added that the university would continue to support and encourage initiatives that extend knowledge beyond the classroom and make academic training accessible to the wider public, describing such programmes as central to the university’s mission of service to the nation.

Prof. Ssali’s presence was clear demonstration of the importance the university’s top leadership attaches to initiatives that extend academic training to members of the public. Her role in presiding over the award of certificates brought the ceremony full circle, connecting the ambitions expressed by Dr. Ssentongo at the course’s inception with the tangible achievement now being celebrated by the graduating participants.

A Model for Future Short Courses

The overwhelming response to the Certificate in Critical Thinking and Social Intelligence, evidenced by the more than 350 applications received against only 52 places available in the pioneer cohort, points to a significant and largely underserved demand for accessible, high-quality short courses that bridge the gap between academic scholarship and everyday public life. The Department of Philosophy’s willingness to design a course that speaks directly to practical, everyday needs, while still being grounded in rigorous academic work, offers a model that other departments within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and indeed across the university, may seek to replicate.

The support extended by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and UNESCO further illustrates the potential for partnerships between Makerere University and international organisations to fund and scale initiatives that have direct public benefit. As the Department of Philosophy reflects on the successful conclusion of this first cohort, attention will likely turn to how the course can be expanded, refined and made available to more members of the public who continue to express interest in developing their capacity for clearer thinking and sharper social awareness.

For the graduates who received their certificates today, the three-week journey represented more than the acquisition of a new credential. As captured in the remarks of Mr Lukwago and reinforced by the reflections of Dr. Ssentongo, Dr Kanakulya, Prof. Nkabala, Dr. Khanakwa and Prof. Ssali, the course offered participants a chance to sharpen tools of reasoning and social engagement that they will carry with them well beyond the classroom, into their families, workplaces and communities, at a time when such skills are needed more than ever.

The ceremony closed on a note of optimism, with speakers repeatedly returning to the idea that this pioneer cohort of 52 marked not an end point but a beginning, both for the individual graduates and for the Department of Philosophy’s broader ambitions of public engagement. With more than 350 applications received for the first cohort, the Department, together with its sponsors and the wider College of Humanities and Social Sciences, now faces the stimulating task of determining how best to meet that demand in the months ahead.

Photography by Allan Ainematsiko

_{By Charles Iga and Ritah Namisango}

On 21^st May 2026, candid discussions and reflections on the dignity and survival of the African people took centre stage as Pan-Africanists, youths, global diaspora leaders, esteemed royals, and scholars, convened at Makerere University, for the Inter-University Symposium on Pan-Africanism and Reparatory Justice.

Held ahead of the Africa Day Celebrations on 25^th May 2026, the Symposium with over 23 participating Universities re-awakened the spirit of Pan-Africanism, African Unity, and the need to defend the dignity and the future of the African People.

The different speakers, panelists and participants rallied African nations to demand for reparation from those who dehumised the African people through slaverly, torture, conolialism, and any form of injustice.

“Pan-Africanism is about survival, dignity and power. It’s the understanding that Africa’s problems cannot be solved in isolation. It has a huge diaspora. It has to be holistic. Division is our greatest weakness. Unity is our strongest weapon,” said Chief Eric Phillips, the Keynote Speaker at the Inter-University African Symposium hosted by Makerere University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, in partnership with the Pan Afican Fraternity in Uganda, CARICOM, and AIDO International Network.

This is global citizenry in action

Opening the symposium on behalf of Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Henry Alinaitwe described the gathering as a historic convergence of global African identity.

“As we gather in the Makerere University MainHall, we are deeply honoured to host distinguished delegates from across Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and the wider global African diaspora,” Prof. Alinaitwe said.

He added, it is a meeting of minds, cultures, generations, and visions committed to shaping Africa’s collective future, emphasizing that African liberation must extend beyond political independence into economic and intellectual sovereignty.

“This symposium is happening at a critical moment in global history when Africa and people of African descent are redefining their place in a multipolar world,” he said.

Makerere re-affirms role as Pan-African Intellectual Hub

Re-affirming Makerere University as a critical centre for intellectual liberation and African-centred knowledge production, Prof. Alinaitwe noted that the struggle for African liberation continues through economic sovereignty, reparatory justice, cultural dignity, and decolonisation of knowledge systems.

He tipped the students that the future of Pan-Africanism will be shaped by their ideas, courage, and innovation.

Humanities hold the key to transformation

Citing the theme of the Symposium, Pan-African Intellectualism: The Urgency to Defend the Dignity and Future of the African People, the Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Makerere University, Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, stressed the central role of African scholarship in social transformation.

“Our presence here reflects the urgency of defending the dignity and future of African people through knowledge,” Prof. Nkabala said.

She added, “Humanities and Social Sciences are vital for social transformation because without those disciplines, there can never be societal change. The humanities and social sciences hold the key to understanding society and reshaping it.”

The issue of reparations is central

The Deputy Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Eric Awich Ochen, reiterated the African voices on the need for reparation. “In December 2025, I represented Makerere University at the African Diaspora Summit in Accra, Ghana. The President of the Republic of Ghana, and the President of the Republic of Togo, spoke very strongly about the issue of reparation justice,” he said.

“When we talk about reparation. Africa suffered from slavery and a lot of injustices during that period. Those responsible for that kind of injustice to us, may need to find away of making some compensation to Africa,” said Prof. Awich Ochen.

Inter-University Symposium kicks off the Africa Week celebrations

In a very special way, Dr Sarah Hasaba, the Chairperson of the  Organizing Committee for the Pan-African Liberation Week (21^st to 25^th May 2026) welcomed the participants who had travelled from the different parts of the world and within Uganda, to be part of the 5^th Inter-University Symposium.

“As we celebrate the 63^rd Africa Liberation day, we are honoured to start with the Inter-University symposium at Makerere University. As we engage in dialogue today, let us exchange ideas and build strategic partnerships. May this symposium be an opportunity for practical solutions, strong collaboration, and renewed commitment to the Pan-African vision of unity and transformation,” remarked Dr. Hasaba.

The Youth are an integral pillar of the Pan-African agenda

Her Highness Dr Queen Grace Eganda, was delighted to return to Makerere University, where her academic and leadership potential was nurtured in the 1990s.  During that time, she was privileged to have served as the Chairlady of Mary Stuart Hall, and happy to return to Makerere University, in the capacity of a global leader, and General Secretary of AIDO Network International.

Emphasizing the importance of the symposium, she said:  “This is a significant moment because we are looking at a bridge between the past and the present. As we reflect on the journey of Pan-Africanism, we are looking at our historical realities, present situations, and exploring how do we move forward progressively. We are working with the youth and the academia to promote the Pan-Africanism agenda.”

Underscoring the role of the youth, the Queen articulated: “ Any space where there’s no youth, any organization or planning where there is no youth is a dying moment. We are therefore encouraged to see many brilliant young people participating in the Symposium, we are passing the baton, the future is bright, and where we end, we know that the fire will keep burning.”

Building partnerships and promoting collaboration

With nostalgia, the President of AIDO Network International, and Chairman of the Global Africa Diaspora Kingdom, His Highness Papa, Dr Paul Jones Eganda, was pleased to return to Makerere University.

“In the 1990s, I was at this great University. I stayed in Lumumba Hall. Today, I come back, not as a student, but as a King and global leader with over 2.5 million followers globally,” he said amidst applause from the audience.

He informed the audience that the delegation consisted of 70 royals and key personalities who travelled to Uganda to participate in the activities of the Africa Liberation Week.  “Some of them have remained at Speke Resort Munyonyo because the Head of State, H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is launching the Uganda Tourism Expo. Some of us have made it to Makerere University, to participate in the Inter-University symposium,” he remarked.

His Highness Papa Dr Eganda said the AIDO Network International and the Inter-University Symposium, present to the African people, a platform to strengthen partnerships and collaboration, undertake joint research, and advocate for scholarships.

 “We are here to listen and learn from each other, and build partnerships. We would like to promote inter-university collaborations, research opportunities,  and scholarships,” he stated.

In a very special way, he recognized Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye and Lieutenant Gen. Amanda Magambo, for their commitment to the Pan-Africanism agenda.

Keynote Speech on Pan-Africanism and Reparation

A sense of quiet reflection and re-awakening was evident as the Keynote Speaker, Chief Eric Phillips, passionately shared his views about Pan-Africanism and reparation.

Highlighting the roots of Pan-Africanism, he said: “Before borders were drawn, before Africa was divided in Berlin, before the world told us who we were, Africans were already connected by culture, by trade, by identity and by civilization. But then came slavery, colonization, and the forced scattering of millions of Africans across the world.”

The keynote speaker articulated that from that pain, Pan-Africanism was born-starting in the hearts of enslaved Africans who refused to forget who they were.

“Today, the chains may look different, economic dependency, mental colonization. But the mission of Pan-Africanism remains the same. A united Africa is not a dream. It’s a necessity,” he emphasized.

Geopolitics of Reparatory Justice

The Keynote Speaker informed the participants that the geopolitics of reparatory justice is not often spoken about, yet it impacts people of Africans daily.

“European nations do not want to pay financial reparations. Financial reparations have been paid to the Jewish nation, the Japanese, and to many other people across the world. But when it comes to reparations for people of African descent, there seems to be a resistance, a denial, as if they still consider us as not being human,” he wondered.

Panel on Pan-Africanism and Intellectualism

Moderated by Callistus Mubangizi, the panel consisted of the following discussants: Dr. George Okiror-Makerere University, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, the Keynote Speaker-Chief Eric Phillips, Prof.Eria Hisali-Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences, Associate Professor Robert Ojiambo- Department of History, Archaeology, and Heritage at Kyambogo University, and Dr. Shadat Semakula from Canada.

The discourse indicated that Intellectualism still continues to be the basis upon which Pan-Africanism lives. The panel tackled the relevance of Pan-African intellectualism as the framework for addressing structural inequalities and neocolonialism, as well as, the need for a unified African-led development.

Reparatory Justice is about Dignity, Not Only Money

Throughout the symposium, scholars and activists repeatedly emphasised that reparatory justice must go beyond financial compensation.  “Reparations is not just about money. It is about restoring dignity, identity, truth, education, land, psychology, and institutions.”

It was crystal clear that reparatory justice must begin with us.  “We cannot ask for reparations while abandoning our languages, our knowledge systems, and our identity. Reparatory justice must begin internally.”

We Lost Kingdoms, Artifacts, and Memory

Dr Davidson Amooti, representing Bunyoro cultural and administrative structures, gave a deeply historical account of colonial-era losses. “On behalf of Bunyoro Kingdom, we lost 2.5 million human beings during colonial wars,” he said.

Additionally, “We also lost more than 3,000 artifacts. The British government could not allow me to access museums and libraries. I had to go to court to obtain permission.”

Dr Amooti called for structured documentation and legal action. “We must mobilise every citizen in our cultural institutions for development. We cannot keep begging. We must research, document, and sign agreements.”

Education is not neutral

Dr Zaid Sekito, Lecturer in the Department of History, Archaeology & Heritage Studies at Makerere University, reframed reparatory justice as an educational and intellectual process.

“Reparatory justice is a pedagogical practice. We must understand what was destroyed, how it was destroyed, and how to rebuild it,” he said.

He highlighted that education systems continue to shape consciousness. “The classroom is not neutral. Even today’s curriculum is not neutral.”

Dr Sekito urged students to take leadership in transformation. “You have the power to influence institutional change. Youth movements have always been at the centre of African transformation.”

We must transform education and mindset

Speakers consistently called for curriculum reform and African-centred education. Some of the proposed reforms included: Introducing African-centred history from primary school; funding African research; supporting African languages; and building exchange programs with the diaspora.

A critical analysis indicated that colonial education was designed to produce obedience, not freedom. “Africans must now design education for liberation.”

Reparations requires Organisation, Not Rhetoric

Tackling this pertinent issue, the panelists and participants agreed as follows:

• Pan-Africanism must move beyond conferences into action. Any plan is dependent upon discipline and execution.
• Reparations will not be achieved by governments alone. It requires organised people, informed people, and committed youth.
• CARICOM’s reparations agenda did not happen by chance. It happened because people organised, studied, and persisted.

You are the Next Movement

Dr Hilary Brown urged young Africans to take ownership of the Pan-African struggle. “To the young brother who asked, ‘What next?’ — you are the next,” she said. “The movement needs scholars, lawyers, journalists, musicians, filmmakers, and entrepreneurs. Everybody has a role.”

Therefore, “I request you to form reading circles, join Pan-African organisations, document your histories, engage leaders, and build networks across borders.”

Unity between Africa and its diaspora

The convening emphasised unity between Africa and its diaspora. “Africa and her diaspora are one people—different histories, but one destiny. Pan-Africanism is not an event. It is a lifelong commitment.”

The symposium that included cultural performances, and a session on promoting a “drug free world” concluded with renewed calls for youth engagement, research collaboration, and institutional reform across Africa and the diaspora. The symposium also marked the official launch of Pan-African Week activities leading to Africa Day 2026, reinforcing calls for research-driven advocacy, continental unity, and structured reparatory justice frameworks.

In collaboration with Yours2Read, the Department of Literature at Makerere University calls for short story entries into the 2025/2026 Short Story Competition. This competition encourages talent from students in the University at all levels, and offers an opportunity for you to tell your story and to exhibit your creative ability for the world stage.

Eligibility

• Open to students presently studying at Makerere University.
• Entries must be original works not previously published or submitted elsewhere.
• Limit of one entry per person.

The story should include at the end the following sentence:

“Entry for the Makerere University-Yours2Read short story competition, commencing April 22, 2026, concluding June 15 2026”.

Failure to include this sentence will result in the entry being accepted as a general submission and not for the competition.

How to Submit an entry

Submissions should be made via the Yours2read website. You will need to register (free of charge) as an author first.

For more information, please get in touch with the following

Isaac Tibasiima, isaac.tibasiima@mak.ac.ug
Bonface Nyamweya, bonnybony7@gmail.com