H.E. Dr. Karin Boven, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Uganda (3rd R) receives an assortment of Mak souvenirs from the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (C) as the Dean MakSPH, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze (2nd L) and other officials witness on 13th April 2022, CTF1, Makerere University.
This afternoon, H.E Dr. Karin Boven, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda paid a courtesy visit to Makerere University on invitation of Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, the Dean, School of Public Health (MakSPH).
She was warmly received by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in his office. The Ambassador was hailed for visiting a century-old and Uganda’s premier University; and apprised of various projects the Netherlands Government has been supporting.
H.E. Dr. Karin Boven bunches fists with Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze (2nd L) during a tour of the MakSPH’s New Home currently under construction.
While at MakSPH, H.E. Dr. Boven received a presentation on the outcomes of the Nuffic funded “Strengthening Education and Training in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Uganda (SET-SRHR)” capacity building project under the stewardship of Dr. Elizabeth Nabiwemba.
This project also supported improvements in our infrastructure including a center for SRHR in Kasangati.
The Ambassador also inspected the construction works on the MakSPH’s upcoming new home at the Main Campus that championed by the Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC) chaired Dr. Lynn Atuyambe, (Associate Professor).
Staff from the Estates and Works Department, MakSPH and the contractor join the Ambassador to give a thumbs-up to the construction works.
The Netherlands Government through Nuffic (Dutch organization for internationalization in education) also gave a generous contribution towards the auditorium construction. This will host student and faculty research and capacity building events.
Together with our consultants CNS Inc. led by Arch. Nankya Collins, the Makerere University Estates and Works Department led by Eng. Christina Kakeeto, and MakSPH staff, the Ambassador, received a guided tour of the auditorium which is nearing completion.
H.E. Dr. Karin Boven (C) receives a guided tour of the auditorium by Arch. Nankya Collins (2nd R). The auditorium is part of the New MakSPH home under construction at the Main Campus, Makerere University.
An additional US$ 6Million is required to finalise the entire project. The new building, once completed, will have space for innovation, environmental and other health laboratories, library and office space among other infrastructure.
In attendance during the Ambassador’s courtesy visit were; Professor David Serwadda, former Dean and Chair MakSPH Infrastructure Fundraising Committee, Mr. Amos Dembe Ashaba -Internal Auditor and Dr. Elizeus Rutebemberwa, Associate Professor and Deputy Dean MakSPH.
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Uganda is organizing the 2025 K-POP Festival in Uganda. K-POP stands for Korean Popular Music and this festival will include a K-POP singing or dancing contest open to both individuals and groups. There will be online auditions and a grand festival open to the public.
1. Eligibility
The contest is open to all Ugandans
Participation is as an individual or in a group
2. How to apply
Record a video of yourself of about 3 minutes of dancing or singing to a K-POP song. Upload the video on your Social Media or YouTube with the hashtag #2025KPOPUG and copy and paste the link to the video in the application form at https://han.gl/kE1xN. The application deadline is 17th October 2025.
The GRAND K-POP FESTIVAL will be held on 8th November 2025 starting 1:00PM at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University.
There will also be a K-POP Random Play Dance Event and everyone is invited to participate and watch.
The Makerere University Council and Top Management have today convened at Speke Resort Munyonyo to deliberate on the University’s Strategic Plan 2025/2026 – 2029/2030. The retreat seeks to align Makerere’s priorities with the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and ensure that all key stakeholders contribute to shaping the institution’s next five years.
Opening the discussions, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, underscored the centrality of planning in the University’s growth trajectory. He called on members of management to actively participate in the drafting of the new strategic plan. Prof. Nawangwe highlighted Makerere’s progress in recent years, noting that the University has drawn a roadmap to becoming a research-led institution, with publications rising from 700 five years ago to 2,000 currently.
He further pointed out the revision of research policies to align with the University’s research agenda, as well as the establishment of innovation hubs that support product development, commercialisation, and intellectual property management. Commending staff for their resilience and success, Prof. Nawangwe congratulated them on winning significant individual grants, some of which now surpass institutional grants. “NDP IV is intended to grow the country tenfold, and I am confident Makerere will make a huge contribution,” he remarked.
Mrs. Lorna Magara
In her keynote remarks, the Chairperson of the University Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara, described the retreat as a defining moment for Makerere’s role in Uganda’s transformation. She urged the University to move beyond traditional teaching and research, positioning itself as a central driver of national development.
“Our mandate extends beyond academia. The knowledge we generate, the leaders we shape, and the innovations we deliver must directly fuel Uganda’s growth,” Mrs. Magara stated.
She outlined priority national development areas— agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral-based development, and advances in science and technology—where Makerere’s expertise can make a decisive impact. Emphasising the urgency of challenges such as youth unemployment, climate change, food insecurity, and fragile health systems, she noted that within these lie opportunities for Makerere to lead in testing and scaling solutions.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
“This retreat is about discipline and focus. Our strategy cannot be a wish list; it must be a blueprint for measurable national impact,” she said, challenging participants to critically reflect on how Makerere can anchor Uganda’s food security, nurture digital innovators, strengthen health resilience, and raise transformative leaders.
She concluded with a call for boldness and clarity in execution: “The next five years are decisive. Makerere must shift from being a participant in national development to being its strongest driver. What we agree here must position Makerere not only as Uganda’s premier university but also as a trusted national partner and a beacon of Africa’s transformation.”
Participants in a group discussion
The retreat involved detailed discussions and contributions from University leaders, aimed at developing a practical and impact-driven strategic plan that cements Makerere’s role in advancing Uganda’s development agenda.
On Thursday, 11th September 2025, there was joy and ululations as Makerere University officially welcomed 236 new Scholars, 206 under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and 30 under the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative.
This follows the December 2023 renewal of the partnership between Makerere University and the Mastercard Foundation, which will enable 1,000 young women and men to receive quality, inclusive education at Makerere over the next decade.
During the joint scholarship award ceremony held in the Main Building, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, in remarks delivered by Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, urged scholars to approach the opportunity with diligence and purpose.
“Equip yourself to conquer the world with confidence! Your resilience and ability to think critically will be put to the test. Stay true to your values, the values of Makerere University, and the values of Mastercard Foundation,” Prof. Nawangwe noted.
Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the Ag. DVC AA, speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, during the event.
He further cautioned the Scholars to uphold the University’s regulations as they navigate their academic journey and expressed gratitude to the Foundation for renewing the partnership for a further ten years and launching the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative.
Rigorous Selection Process According to Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, Chairperson of the Scholars’ Selection Sub-Committee, this year’s selection was highly competitive and lasted nearly six months.
“For undergraduate scholarships, the Program received 2,559 applications for 290 slots. Of these, 568 were shortlisted for interviews, 407 validated and 194 ultimately selected (142 female and 52 male),” Prof. Okumu said.
He further explained that for graduate (Master’s) scholarships, there were 784 applicants for 11 slots. 64 were shortlisted, 28 validated, and 12 successful.
The Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative attracted 190 Master’s degree applicants, with 30 selected (20 female and 10 male).
Behind these numbers are stories of resilience and courage: 73% of the new Scholars are women; 45 are refugees; 22 are persons with disabilities; and 14 are international students from Rwanda, South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia. The cohort represents 67 districts of Uganda and 17 refugee settlements,” Prof. Okumu noted.
Words of Encouragement Mr. Adrian Bukenya, Country Director of the Mastercard Foundation, urged the Scholars to embrace resilience as the foundation of their journeys.
Mr. Adrian Bukenya, the Executive Director, Mastercard Foundation Uganda, addressing the gathering during the event.
“How you start is not necessarily how you will finish. You belong here, and you earned this scholarship. Take on the responsibility of leadership by developing yourself to uplift your community,” he said.
In her remarks, Prof. Justine Namaalwa Jjumba, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Director, emphasized that the partnership’s goal is to expand inclusive university education and nurture youth into transformative leaders.
During the award ceremony, Prof Namaalwa, who was overjoyed, explained that of the 1,000 scholarships available from 2024 to 2034, 70% are reserved for women and 30% for men.
“The 206 Scholars recruited in Cohort 8 mark 30.6% of the renewed phase’s target, bringing the total to 1,338 Scholars supported since 2013,” Prof. Namaalwa said.
Scholars and Parents Speak Out Speaking on behalf of Cohort 8, Scholars, Mungurumo Stephen described the opportunity of being awarded the Mastercard Foundation scholarship as life-changing.
“Education is not merely about acquiring knowledge; it is about transformation. Our backgrounds do not define our future; they prepare us to recognise success when it arrives. We are here not just for ourselves but to light the way for others and contribute to Africa’s transformation,” he said.
Liong Annet Sworo, a scholar pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and Technology from Parolinya Refugee Settlement, added:
“Receiving this scholarship has reignited our hopes and ambitions. For many of us who have faced educational interruptions, this is not just an opportunity but a stepping stone to elevate our aspirations.”