General
Israeli Amb. H.E. Lotem Visits Mak, Offers to Deepen Collaboration
On Tuesday 29th March, 2022 the Ambassador of Israel to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Seychelles H.E. Michael Lotem visited Makerere University and paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. Ambassador Lotem was accompanied by his Deputy H.E. Dvora Dorsman Yarkoni. The call was attended by Members of Management namely; the University Librarian Assoc. Prof. Helen Byamugisha, Director Internal Audit Mr. Walter Yorac Nono, Dean of Students Mrs. Winifred Kabumbuli and the Principal College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) Assoc. Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga.
Prof. Nawangwe welcomed H.E. Lotem on his inaugural visit to Makerere University and expressed the institution’s appreciation to the Government and people of Israel for the longstanding collaboration in the form of the Agrostudies Internship programme. Makerere is the coordinating institution for the programme in East and Southern Africa.
“With Uganda being a country whose economy is still very much agriculture-based, this kind of training is extremely important for us because it directly impacts on the knowledge that our farmers would require to improve their agricultural practices… our population is growing very fast, the country is already densely populated and we are told this population is likely to double in the next 30 years. And so we need to learn how to increase productivity of the limited land” remarked Prof. Nawangwe.
The Vice Chancellor expressed Makerere‘s desire to expand collaboration with Israeli Universities especially in areas such as production of electric vehicles and IT-related fields such as Artificial Intelligence among others. He added that Makerere is a comprehensive university that undertakes research in virtually all disciplines.
Contributing to the discussion, Assoc. Prof. Nabanoga shared that her college has received back over 200 graduates of the Agrostudies and was desirous of setting up a demonstration site at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK). The site, she noted, would act as a platform for the returning interns to practice the skills they learnt in Israel, and pass them on to peers who didn’t have the chance to attend the programme. Currently, over 60% of returning students are engaged in farming as a business and various agriculture-related activities.
Acknowledging the warm welcome, H.E. Lotem said the way forward on expanding collaboration would be for Makerere to specify particular areas of interest and where available, previous research publications that can be referred to. He further informed the meeting that the Israeli Embassy in Nairobi is planning to hold a seminar in September or October 2022 that will bring together various actors from East African Countries as well as the U.S.A, China, Turkey, Russia among others. Participants will discuss politics, security, economic development and a host of other topical issues.
The seminar, said the Ambassador, will bring on board Israeli academia to help them better understand the East African region, as there are not too many experts on East Africa in Israel. “We will invite you to participate,” graciously offered H.E. Lotem, adding that “this will be a venue to meet with Israeli counterparts from different institutions.”
The Vice Chancellor thanked the Ambassador for his visit and offer to help deepen collaboration between the University and Israeli institutions. He presented an assortment of branded souvenirs to the Ambassador and Deputy Ambassador and invited the Diplomats to attend the climax of Makerere‘s year-long celebration of 100 years of impactful existence on 8th October 2022.
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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