General
Chancellor Calls for Appreciation of Global Interconnectedness at 4th Kampala Geopolitics Launch
The Chancellor, Prof. Ezra Suruma while delivering his remarks at the opening ceremony of the Fourth Edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference has called for reflection on how COVID-19 demonstrated our interconnectedness as a human race, hence the need to work more closely together. The ceremony held in the Central Teaching Facility 2 (CTF 2) Auditorium on 10th November 2021 marked the beginning of the three-day conference on the theme; Crisis and Opportunity: Mapping the Geopolitical Importance of Africa.
“I am delighted to note that we indeed have people from many continents and as I was reflecting on this topic, it became clearer to me that indeed we live in one world. We may have lines drawn on the map and say this is Uganda, this is DRC and this is Egypt but these are lines on paper. In reality, we live in one global world” remarked Prof. Suruma.
He observed that the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the globe and the struggle to combat it through vaccination had led to a rise in vaccine nationalism. Prof. Suruma was therefore happy to learn that this topic would be discussed in depth at the conference.
The Chancellor further said that Uganda, given its location as a landlocked nation and the political developments in surrounding countries has a keen interest in geopolitics.
“Our hosting of large numbers of refugees, for example, is clear evidence of this fact. Geopolitics therefore is not a matter of indifference for Uganda. As seen historically and in contemporary history, Uganda has a great deal to ponder” said Prof. Suruma.
He thanked the partners Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, the French Embassy in Uganda, French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs, UN Women Uganda and Alliance Française for their commitment to ensuring that this important conference is held annually.
“And thank you especially for choosing Makerere University. We appreciate this vote of confidence at this time that Makerere is celebrating 100 years of service to Uganda and to the world. This year-long celebration through a series of events will be an occasion to reflect on our achievements, our successes and our failures in the past century. It will also an opportunity to lay strategies for the future” shared the Chancellor.
In his address, the Ambasssador of France to Uganda, H.E. Jules-Armand Aniambossou noted that as Makerere University commemorates 100 years of existence, the topic on Re-imagining Higher Education for the Post-COVID-19 Era would be of special interest to the institution and conference.
“This specific panel will open up an opportunity to re-imagine the future of Education for Africa in the context of the global family especially through the lens of digitalisation” added the Ambassador.
H.E. Aniambossou reminded the audience that one of the main ideas behind the Kampala Geopolitics Conference was to promote freedom of speech. “And I believe that as every challenge brings an opportunity, this year’s hybrid edition will enable us to give the chance to more people to enjoy this freedom of speech by interacting both physically and virtually with our guest panelists.”
The opening ceremony was also addressed by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Country Representative, Ms. Anna Reismann who noted that a university does not exist in a vacuum but is embedded into society and has impact on its development, just as society has an impact on the institution’s life.
“Therefore, also my congratulations on successful 100 years of navigating Makerere University through different political challenges, social developments and surely, some administrative constraints. Looking into the future of the university, one is certain the challenges might change but they will also always remain” said Ms. Reismann.
Turning to the Conference theme, she noted that the crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the opportunities that are arising from it have placed Africa as an important region on the global map. She added that Africa is an important player in the peace and security dialogue, as an investment destination and trading partner, as a contender in addressing global challenges as well as an arena where different powers compete for influence.
Still on the topic of influence, Ms. Sylvie Matelly, Deputy Director of the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS) who addressed the conference virtually admitted that it was a source of great pride for her institution, that their annual conference on contemporary international relations held in Nantes, France had birthed the idea of an annual Kampala Geopolitics Conference.
“Moreover, people used to think that because of the complexity of such topics the debate is just a private one but we are privileged that this is a public one and that is exactly why the Geopolitics of Kampala is a success year after year and I hope it will continue for a long time” remarked Ms. Matelly.
“After a very difficult period, we are pleased that we can again hold this event in person at Makerere University as we approach the 100 year celebration of the University as well as the 30th year since the foundation of Makerere University School of Women and Gender Studies” said Ms. Adekemi Ndieli, Deputy Country Representative UN Women, Uganda as she commenced her remarks.
Quoting the former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Ms. Ndieli said “The world is wasting a precious resource as the dramatic underrepresentation of women which results in exclusion of talents and skills in the economy.”
She therefore said that the Kampala Geopolitics Conference is an important opportunity for UN Women to elevate women’s voices and hear their input and solutions across a broad range of topics. The topics range from climate action to feminist movements building to transitional justice and to engagement in outer space. The elevation, she noted, should be viewed in the light that gender equality is not only a pressing moral or social imperative but is a critical economic challenge.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are living in unprecedented times as we all know and the COVID-19 pandemic has presented us one of the greatest challenges of our generation. Beyond the virus itself the response to COVID-19 has exposed deep inequalities in our societies and in global partnerships across the world” she added.
Ms. Ndieli continued to say that whereas COVID-19 had had disproportionate and devastating effects on social and economic life, these effects were more pronounced among the most vulnerable and as such, had tested the ability of states to come together to address the global challenges. “However, it has also presented us with unprecedented opportunities to build back better.”
The opening ceremony was followed by a panel discussion on Re-imagining Higher Education for the Post-COVID-19 Era, where the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe was joined by Ms. Sylvie Matelly, Mr. Benjamin Rukwengye, Founder and CEO – Boundless Minds Uganda and Moderator Mr. James Kassaga , ED and Co-Founder – Teach for Uganda.
The Vice Chancellor shared that through partnerships with international collaborators, Makerere University had built a formidable force of academics that do research in all areas, and in the case of COVID-19, were very much aware of issues to do with online education.
“Online education is the future, even without the pandemic” said Prof. Nawangwe. “If Uganda’s population doubles, with the infrastructure we have now, we cannot take in all those children who will be seeking higher education” he added.
Prof. Nawangwe said the university had taken advantage of the resources it had to train all staff in online education as well as alternative methods of education. This, he said, had ensured that Makerere had not suffered as much as the rest of the Ugandan education sector during COVID-19.
“We as the leading university have got the responsibility and obligation to support the other universities and other institutions to come out of this. And we are currently working with organizations around the world to train our colleagues at other universities on online education” said Prof. Nawangwe.
This panel was followed by another on Vaccine Nationalism and Diplomacy in the Times of the Pandemic, moderated by Dr. Milton Mutto, a Global Health Research Scientist. Panelists included Ms. Anne Senequier (IRIS), Dr. Alfred Driwale (MoH), Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Dean, Makerere University School of Public Health, Dr. Olaf Wientzek (KAS Geneva) and Mr. Andrew Bakainanga (WHO).
Prof. Wanyenze in her submission had noted that the struggle of who wins the vaccine war had given rise to a vaccine infodemic characterized by misinformation about the efficacy of some vaccines, resulting in their rejection by some sections of the public.
Touching on vaccine equity, she noted that up to 90% of the world vaccine market is controlled by a few companies, resulting in scarcity of vaccines such as the Covid-19 one, even for nations that had the money to purchase them.
“We talked about test kits for COVID-19. At the beginning you could hardly get them and buy them even when you had the money on the table. It was just the same dynamics as what you see for the COVID-19 vaccines. The same is true for the new COVID-19 drugs” she shared.
The Fourth Edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference that runs until Friday 12th November 2021 has adopted the format of Twitter Spaces at 12:30 PM on Day 1 and Day 2 as well as at 7:00 PM on all three days.
Join the Conversation using the #KampalaGeopolitics hashtag.
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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