Q: Why is the College of Humanities and Social Sciences fundamental in the realization of the University mandate of teaching, research, and knowledge transfer partnerships?
Firstly, I congratulate the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) on organizing this National Humanities Conference. CHUSS is a pivotal college in our University because it addresses issues that affect people directly, and that is why we call them the human sciences. CHUSS, which is constituted by the former Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Social Sciences, has been making a tremendous contribution to the name of Makerere University, to the production of key human resource for the entire region, but also to research that has made Makerere a great institution.
Q: In your view, how do the humanities fit into the core values of our University?
The core values of Makerere University are basically saying three important things; Integrity, Professionalism and Inclusivity. These are issues that are essentially taught in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS). So we have issues that are handled by Psychology, Social Sciences, Sociology, as well as the other Arts.
So if we talk about the core values of Makerere University, what we are talking about is ‘what is a Makererean expected to be in society?’ We are supposed to be the example to the rest of the community. The rest of the community should be looking to us to say ‘What should a person be like? What should a Ugandan, what should an East African be like?’ And so the values that are taught within CHUSS very directly relate to the values that we cherish as a University.
Q: You have talked about CHUSS existing for quite some time and we also understand that University is about to mark 100 years. Where does the National Humanities Conference fit within the preparations that are leading up to those celebrations?
The humanities are very much part of the history of Makerere University. Actually, you can say a great part of the good history of Makerere University is attributed to the humanities. So if you talk about people like Ali Mazrui and writers like Rubadiri and others, these are the people who made Makerere the great University we are.
So the conference is coming at the right time when we are celebrating a century of good service to our country, our region and to humanity in general. So I would say that the National Humanities Conference is very well positioned to reflect on what we have gone through, the contribution we have made as a university to humanity and looking forward to what our country, our region and the world should be and hence addressing those issues – learning from history in order to pave the future.
Q: We also understand that the University is now shifting focus to become a research-led institution. How will the humanities contribute to the realization of this strategic focus?
Makerere University is aligning herself to be a more research-led university. Currently, we are considered to be the second most research-intensive university on the African continent. We believe that we have created such capacity that we can do even much more and hence our new strategic plan seeks to make us even more research-led and more research-intensive. That calls for everybody in the university to rally behind this cause.
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences being our largest college with the most diverse disciplines has a big role to play in ensuring that we achieve this goal. The humanities have been, as I have already said, a pivotal part of the university not only in teaching but even in research and publications. So we expect that the humanities which over the last two or three years have become revitalized as far as research and publications are concerned, will put in even more effort to raise Makerere’s flag higher as far as research and publications are concerned.
The region, the country, is going through very important stages of our development and it will need our humanities experts to research into all the issues that will ensure that we consolidate our gains over the years, continue developing along the right lines, that we consolidate gains of human rights and issues like our integrity, accountability, and make our society even more resilient to the many factors that are going to affect our society as we grow.
Q: Why would the public and other stakeholders of this great institution including private students be interested in attending this conference?
I call upon all our students, our faculty, alumni and the public at large to take keen interest in the National Humanities Conference that is directly addressing what affects us every day. It would be very important that we all follow the conference virtually, in the current circumstances, and that of course gives us even a better opportunity that we can have as many people as possible attending the conference, which would not have been the case if it had been a purely physical event.
I call upon all those stakeholders to listen to what the experts say about our current status and where we are heading as a country and as a people, and may be contribute their ideas so that together we can create an atmosphere that is conducive to the wellbeing of our people.
————————Looking forward to fruitful deliberations—————————
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.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta is received upon arrival at Makerere University by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
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.”
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (2nd Right) poses for a group photo during the courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor with Left to Right: Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Ms. Sarah Kagingo and Guild President-H.E. Churchill James Ssentamu.
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:
Left to Right: The Vice President-H.E. Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Emeritus-Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Hon. Matthew Rukikaire and other dignitaries follow proceedings.
“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.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Diploma holders admitted under the Government Sponsorship Scheme for the Academic Year 2025/2026.
Under the Diploma Holders Government Sponsorship Scheme admission does not exceed 5% of the intake capacity to the respective Degree Programme.
The list can be accessed by following the link below:
Are you a researcher or student working in protein-related research, structural biology, or bioinformatics?
The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences (ACE) Uganda with support from Google DeepMind, invites researchers and students seeking to integrate AlphaFold into their work to apply for the AlphaFold Workshop to be held at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University-Kampala, Uganda from 16th to 20th June 2025.