General
Guild EC 2021 & 86th Guild Speaker Applauded for Delivering Petition-Free Election
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-DVCAA, Prof. Umar Kakumba, has this afternoon presented trophies to the Guild Electoral Commission (EC) 2021 and the 86th Guild Speaker, in recognition of their contribution and efforts that delivered a Petition-Free Election.
In her remarks, the Dean of Students, Mrs. Winifred Kabumbuli thanked the DVCAA for accepting to present trophies to the outgoing Guild Electoral Commission 2021, for their outstanding performance, the first of its kind in a long time at Makerere. She noted that the team’s efforts were exemplary to the University community, most especially the students. She emphasized how proud she was of the team’s performance and noted that the brief ceremony was in fulfillment of the DVCAA’s recommendation that outstanding performance should be acknowledged and appreciated. Members of the team that received trophies included;
- Mr. William Kananga, Chairperson
- Ms. Angel Kampi, 86th Guild Speaker
- Ms. Tracy Kirabo, Vice Chairperson
- Mr. Martin Wambona, Commissioner for Finance
- Mr. Saad Ddumba, Public Relations Officer
The DVCAA in response thanked the Dean of Students for her passion and vigour towards nurturing and instilling a great sense of responsibility amongst the young leaders. He noted that managing student affairs is never easy, especially since the students emerge from different backgrounds. He observed that the University is a point of congregation for students from all walks of life originating from close to a thousand secondary schools across the entire country. This congregation, he noted, is characterised by varying behaviour, cultural orientation and aspirations.
Prof. Kakumba therefore applauded the outgoing Guild Electoral Commission 2021 and the 86th Guild Speaker for exemplifying good leadership. He paid tribute to the tem for their focus and pointed out that leadership is about thoughtful decisions and that any leader should never suffer from indecision. He stated that every decision whether good or bad is a learning experience.
Echoing the Dean of Students, the DVCAA further applauded the team for being exemplary. He informed them that the University Council had infact commended the Students’ Affairs Committee headed by Dr. Hellen N. Nkabala and the student leadership for effectively and successfully managing the student guild electoral process. Prof. Kakumba concluded that together, the Dean of Students, Students’ Affairs Committee and the Guild Electoral Commission 2021 had indeed left an indelible mark. He therefore commended the Dean of Students organising the award ceremony despite several competing interests.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairperson, Mr. William Kananga thanked the DVCAA and the Dean of Students for appreciating their efforts. He noted that the team neither had any clashes nor intrigue during the guild electoral process. He said that his team followed the law and guidelines, received a lot of goodwill to deliver a successful election.
He was also happy to inform the DVCAA and the Dean of Students that the entire team of the Guild Electoral Commission 2021 and the 86th Guild Speaker would be graduating this May, which was a rarity with student leaders.
The DVCAA congratulated the team upon achieving such matching their exemplary leadership with good academic performance.
Written by: Doreen Tazwaire, Personal Assistant, Office of the DVCAA
Emmanuel Akandwanaho, a Bachelor of Science in Land Economics (BSLE) graduate from Makerere University’s Class of 2022, has been selected to join the Schwarzman Scholars Class of 2026. He will pursue a fully funded, one-year Master’s degree in Global Affairs at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University, in Beijing, China.
Emmanuel makes history as the first undergraduate alumnus from Makerere University and the second Ugandan to be awarded the Schwarzman Scholarship, one of the world’s most competitive and globally renowned graduate fellowships. The Schwarzman Scholars Program was founded in 2015 by Stephen A. Schwarzman, Co-founder and CEO of Blackstone, to equip the next generation of leaders with a deep understanding of China’s role in global trends. Each year, 150 exceptional young leaders from across the world are selected for their academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to building a better future.
About Emmanuel Akandwanaho
Emmanuel studied Land Economics from 2017 to 2022 and graduated with Second Class Upper Honours. Throughout his time at Makerere, he was deeply involved in student leadership and campus initiatives that shaped his personal and professional growth. He served as Class Representative for five consecutive years, Speaker of the Makerere Association of Surveying Students, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission at the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT), and Student Representative on the 31st Governing Council of the Institution of Surveyors of Uganda.
Recognizing a gap in communication and personal development on campus, Emmanuel founded the Makerere Gavel Club in 2019, an affiliate of Toastmasters International to improve student’s public speaking skills. The club has since helped students build confidence, become effective communicators, and develop leadership skills. The club continues to thrive as a leading platform for personal and professional development, nurturing confident communicators and emerging leaders. Today, the club is one of the most active student-led platforms on campus, having trained over 200 students since its inception.
Outside leadership, Emmanuel’s curiosity led him into entrepreneurship. He co-founded a startup aimed at improving student access to accommodation by helping them search and book hostels online. The project won Best Student Project at the 2019 International Engineering Students’ Conference at the University of Nairobi, and later received regional recognition, winning Best East African PropTech Startup at the 2021 Africa PropTech Competition.
Reflecting on his journey, Emmanuel shares:
“I saw my time at Makerere as more than just academics—it was an opportunity to grow, lead, and solve real-world problems. From my first year, I threw myself into leadership roles that stretched me and helped me discover what I was capable of. These experiences laid the foundation for my Schwarzman Scholarship journey.”
After graduating, Emmanuel explored a range of professional interests. He worked with a microfinance institution, volunteered with the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction on land governance projects, and served as Partnerships and Community Lead at Hindsight Ventures, supporting African tech startups. He also authored a policy paper on the role of public venture funds in financing startups.
“I’ve never seen myself as just one thing. My education in Land Economics was foundational, but I’ve always asked myself: what problems do I want to solve? That question has guided me into new spaces—policy, entrepreneurship, technology—all connected by a deep desire to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s future.”
Now preparing for Schwarzman College, Emmanuel is eager to explore China-Africa policy relations, understand China’s urbanization and infrastructure development, and experience Mandarin language immersion and cultural exchange. He is especially interested in exploring how China has managed its rapid urbanization and lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty—areas that resonate with Uganda’s own developmental challenges.
“What excites me most about Schwarzman is its holistic approach. You don’t just study; you engage. You travel across China, study Mandarin, explore cities, and collaborate with some of the most brilliant minds from over 40 countries. It’s the perfect place for someone like me—curious, ambitious, and eager to make sense of the world.”
He also sees this experience as an opportunity to build a truly global network.
“You live and study with 149 other scholars; engineers, doctors, entrepreneurs, diplomats, all passionate about changing the world in different ways. These are the people I’ll learn from, collaborate with, and build lifelong friendships with. That, to me, is priceless.”
Emmanuel encourages other Makerere students to consider applying:
“If you’re a final-year student or recent graduate and you’re curious about the world, the Schwarzman Scholars program is worth exploring. My leadership experience at Makerere played a crucial role in my application. Applications for the next cohort are already open, and I would love to see more Ugandans and Makerereans apply. We need more African voices in global conversations.”
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