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“Makerere is Like Windows, It Can No Longer Be Challenged” Prof Waswa Balunywa

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“I think you can no longer challenge Makerere. Makerere is like Windows. Everybody with a computer, it is run by windows,” Prof. Waswa Balunywa, the Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Principal said candidly on Thursday 25th November 2021 during a stakeholder engagement event. 

Prof. Balunywa who was on the panel with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Mrs. Dorothy Kisaka and the University Secretary Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, said that Makerere has mothered all the institutions in Uganda. He thinks the University has set a standard that all other institutions in the country must follow. 

Prof. Balunywa has been at the helm of MUBS since 1991 when it was still Faculty of Commerce at Makerere University and is cognisant of the institution’s academic reputation. Thus he thinks, the “pricelessness of Makerere must be leveraged to move not only Makerere ahead but higher education and the entire education system in this country. Makerere has this capacity. It needs to be a bit innovative and more free.”

Concurring with Prof Balunywa, Kiranda quipped, “Makerere has enjoyed the last 100 years as the elephant in the house.”

As Makerere prepares to mark its centennial journey next year, it will be engaging stakeholders, partners, alumni, students and staff through a series of events. Makerere University Council Chairperson, Mrs. Lorna Magara urged stakeholders to partner with the institution to make the “future more impactful.”

The panelists who discussed the topic, “leveraging 100 years of excellence in building a transformed society” tipped Makerere on areas where it needs to improve. Mrs. Dorothy Kisaka advised Makerere to focus on human capital development through collaboration and partnerships between the institution and the workplaces by creating a window for students in order to prepare them for the post university life. It’s a proposal that was reinforced by other panelists and speakers. 

Dr. Michael Walimbwa, a Lecturer in the College of Education and External Studies said the University should develop a partnership pedagogy, in which stakeholders, students, and research institutions come together, collaborate to plan and assess and get the feedback in real time.

“Partnership pedagogy is beyond internship opportunities. It is really working together with research institutions, with stakeholders out there, planning teaching activities to assess them, to evaluate them and get the impact in real time,”  Walimbwa said. 

Impact, research and innovation

In the next century, Mr. Kiranda said the University is going to be focusing on its impact on society. “We are supposed to be moving from the league of asking ourselves what is our ranking in the country, on the continent, in the world to asking ourselves, what is that impact in society which is clearly attributed to Makerere.”

As other people count first class degrees, Makerere, Mr. Kiranda said, will be counting its impactful research and innovation. “The focus in the next 100 years is helping this country to overcome challenges it has.” 

Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe said they see issues such as rapid population growth, youth unemployment, riots, climate change, food insecurity, unending conflicts, among others which must be tackled through research and innovation. To tackle these challenges,  he said, “we must modernise the research infrastructure, we must modernise laboratories, come up with central laboratories.”

The University, Prof. Nawangwe said, will also leverage science and technology power to  “help young people incubate their ideas into businesses, begin companies and create jobs for multitude of the youths coming out and of course further human resource development.”

Prof. Balunywa further applauded Makerere University for transformative research. In the coming years, he said, research conducted should be in line with the direction the country is taking, hinged on finding local solutions to our problems. 

“There is no business in this country that hasn’t been done elsewhere in the world. If you want any product, the Chinese have it. If you want any application, the Europeans have it. Our research must be focused in those areas where we think we can add value in the country and in the continent,” he said.

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Uhuru Kenyatta, African Leaders Inspire Youth at Guild Leaders’ Summit

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Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, keynote address by Former President of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, 24th April 2025, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

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. Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, keynote address by Former President of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, 24th April 2025, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
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. Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, keynote address by Former President of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, 24th April 2025, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
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. Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, keynote address by Former President of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, 24th April 2025, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
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.

Betty Kyakuwa
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Admission Lists for Diploma Holders under Government Sponsorship for 2025/2026 AY

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One of the First Class Graduands Shafik Senkubuge (2nd Right) in a group photo with part of the BEHS Class of 2024. 74th Graduation Ceremony, Day 1, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences (CHS), 29th January 2024, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

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:

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Call For Applications: AlphaFold Workshop Uganda 2025

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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.

Deadline: 30th April 2025

Apply here: AlphaFold Workshop – Uganda 2025

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