General
VC Launches Mak-NC STATE “HIV/AIDS in Uganda” Book
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on Friday 13th May, 2022 launched an eleven-chapter book titled “HIV/AIDS in Uganda: Achievements and Challenges” edited by alumnus Prof. James Kiwanuka-Tondo and published by the Makerere University Press (MUP). The book that chronicles the history of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Uganda also traces the public policies and infrastructure put in place by the Government and other actors to respond to the disease as well as the campaigns designed to raise awareness and reduce its spread.
Prof. Kiwanuka-Tondo who obtained is Bachelor of Arts degree from Makerere University is a Professor of Communication at North Carolina State University (NC STATE) and a College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor 2019/2020. Speaking at the launch, he noted that the book makes a significant contribution to the literature and understanding of one of the major challenges of our time, which still has neither cure nor vaccine.
“In 1986 with the help of the World Health Organisation, the country established the AIDS Control Programme as a model for the rest of Africa. And now it is not just a model for the rest of Africa but the whole world… Consequently, the Government established the Uganda AIDS Commission to oversee policies, organisations, mobilisation of resources to respond to the pandemic. Moreover, Uganda was the first country in Africa to acknowledge the problem and come up with vigorous campaigns to respond to HIV/AIDS” said Prof. Kiwanuka Tondo.
He added that he was inspired to embark on the book because Uganda’s success story in reducing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS was against the backdrop of limited Government resources and an impoverished population. “Nevertheless, Uganda was able to do something about it without much money despite having the highest HIV prevalence rates in the 1980s.”
Dr. Stephen Watiti, the Chairperson of the National Forum of People Living with HIV/AIDS Networks in Uganda (NAFOPHANU) is one of the most resounding voices for positive living in Uganda. Delivering the keynote address at the event, he congratulated Prof. Kiwanuka-Tondo for documenting this journey, noting that it was important to learn from the past.
He added that the recent fight against COVID-19 stood to gain a lot from the well-documented approach, expertise gained and interestingly, mistakes made by health practitioners and other actors in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Dr. Watiti therefore commended Makerere University for publishing the book, which he opined will offer valuable insight into Uganda’s fight against HIV/AIDS in the face of looming pandemics associated with the rising incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and other diseases.
“The reason why I publish in the New Vision every Monday is because I found that there was either a lot of trivialisation or fearmongering of things about HIV. And so I convinced the Editor that I was going to start by sharing my personal experience and I must confess that it hasn’t been an easy job” admittted Dr. Watiti.
He concluded his keynote by tasking his audience, especially the younger ones to read more and, upon developing the culture, document their personal stories for the benefit of future generations.
“Professor Kiwanuka-Tondo is a very good example of a patriotic Ugandan and a proud alumnus of Makerere University. Thank you for loving your country. With this book you have given us a gift as we celebrate 100 years of existence and set a good example for the very many Ugandans living in the diaspora” said the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe as he delivered his remarks.
He thanked Prof. Kiwanuka-Tondo for initiating and collaborating the visit of Professors from NC STATE to Makerere, which birthed an MoU between the two institutions, signed on 16th September 2015. As a result of the agreement, students from Makerere are currently pursing PhDs at NC STATE, and 11 journal articles have been jointly published in various disciplines. The book by Prof. Kiwanuka-Tondo is the latest product of the Makerere-NC STATE collaboration.
The Vice Chancellor equally thanked Dr. Watiti for delivering the day’s Keynote Address and for his column in the New Vision, which has over the last sixteen (16) years reassured the public that contracting HIV/AIDS is not a death sentence. He equally congratulated the MUP Managing Editor, Dr. Samuel Siminyu upon his resilience in reviving the activities of the Press.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Umar Kakumba in his capacity as Chairperson Editorial Board affirmed MUP’s readiness to rejuvenate the publishing culture at Makerere.
“We in the Press are trying hard to prioritise documentation of research, which if followed up with engagement, will help to close the gap between the University and wider stakeholder community” said Prof. Kakumba. He thanked Prof. Kiwanuka-Tondo for entrusting the publication of his book with the Makerere University Press.
Representing Dr. Bernard Etukoit, Executive Director, The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO), Mr. Samuel Isiko informed the audience that although his organisation has gathered a lot of data, models and best practices over the last 30 years of its existence, it lacks the expertise to convert it into material beneficial to academia. He therefore called upon Makerere and other institutions to continue from where Prof. Kiwanuka-Tondo had left off, by partnering with TASO to publish even more materials that will benefit future generations of decision makers.
The book launch was also graced by the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) Prof. Henry Alinaitwe and the Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training, Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, represented by his Deputy, Assoc. Prof. Robert Wamala. Dr. Samuel Siminyu in commending Prof. Kiwanuka-Tondo’s academic effort quoted his former Professor of Literature Timothy Wangusa’s famous line, “the faintest ink is stronger than the strongest memory”.
The event was organised by the Head, International Office, Ms. Martha Muwanguzi and moderated by the Department of Journalism and Communication’s Dr. Fred Kakooza, who also authored a chapter in the book.
The book may be purchased form the Makerere University Press at a fee of UGX 25,000. Inquires: Contact Enos 0771 563469
By the Program Communication Team
On Friday, January 17, 2025, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars celebrated a significant milestone as they graduated from Makerere University. The day was filled with enthusiasm and pride as 36 dedicated students completed their Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program journey. This achievement reflects their hard work and commitment and paves the way for new opportunities in their future endeavours.
At the event, Mr. Adrian Bukenya, the Country Director of Mastercard Foundation Uganda and the chief guest, encouraged the new graduates to create jobs for their peers rather than solely seeking employment for themselves.
“As fresh graduates, your first step shouldn’t be simply searching for jobs. Instead, focus on creating job opportunities for your peers. The university degree you have earned puts you in a unique position. The knowledge and skills you’ve gained and the experiences and connections you have made empower you to thrive in this country,” Mr. Bukenya remarked.
Mr. Bukenya further expressed his gratitude to Makerere University‘s leadership and acknowledged the profound relationship the University shares with the Foundation. He emphasized that the partnership with Makerere University was essential to the Foundation.
“The Mastercard Foundation values its partnership with Makerere University, as the university continues to produce exceptional talent essential for Uganda’s development. The country would struggle to achieve its national aspirations without this contribution,” noted Mr. Bukenya.
Mr. Bukenya emphasized the core mission of the Mastercard Foundation, which is to alleviate poverty in areas where it is most prevalent and to enhance access to education. He pointed out that the Scholars Program is a fundamental component of this initiative. He noted that earning a degree is a valuable tool and a testament to an individual’s ability to learn, perform tasks, and achieve results within structured and organized frameworks.
He further stressed the Foundation’s commitment to empowering young people to lead and transform Africa.
“The Mastercard Foundation has made a strategic commitment to focus uniquely on Africa, home to the world’s youngest population. Through its ‘Young Africa Works’ strategy, the Foundation supports entrepreneurship and enterprise development among young people, empowering them to shape the future of their communities and the continent.” emphasized Mr. Bukenya.
Speaking on behalf of the University Management, Professor Buyinza Mukadasi, the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Chairperson of the Steering Committee for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, congratulated the program for achieving an impressive 94% graduation completion rate.
“The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University has graduated 964 scholars—78% female and 22% male—representing 94% of the 1,032 recruits from Phase One. We expect to achieve 100% graduation for all Phase One scholars at the 76th Graduation Ceremony next year.” Prof. Buyinza remarked.
Prof. Buyinza expressed gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation for its ongoing support of the university, which has significantly added value, particularly in educating young people from vulnerable communities.
“We sincerely thank the Mastercard Foundation for partnering with Makerere University to educate and empower the next generation of leaders and change-makers. The statistics regarding the number of young people supported and the impact that the program’s alumni have made in society are a testament to the energy and potential of young individuals when provided with the right education, guidance, and support.” Prof. Buyinza pointed out.
Program Director Prof. Justine Namaalwa emphasized her team’s commitment to ensuring the successful operation of the Scholars Program at Makerere University for years to come.
“Makerere University and the nation greatly appreciate the Mastercard Foundation for its generosity and foresight, which continue to transform human capital in Africa. There is no doubt that your vision for Africa is being realized. We are committed to this mission, even as we enter phase two of the program,” noted Prof. Namaalwa.
Prof. Namaalwa expressed gratitude to the University Management, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Nawangwe, for their support and commitment to the Scholars Program. She pointed out that the strong backing from the university management has enabled the Program to meet its goals and succeed at the University.
“I sincerely thank the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, and the entire University Management and the governing structures of the Program for their effective leadership, which continues to yield positive results from our strong partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.” Prof. Namaalwa pointed out.
Prof. Namaalwa equally appreciated the graduates for helping achieve the Mastercard Foundation’s goals, which aims to educate and empower the next generation of African leaders. She noted that Makerere University has begun implementing the second phase of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, which will span the next ten years. In this phase, the Mastercard Foundation has committed to providing scholarships to 1,000 academically talented youth facing economic hardships, enabling them to access quality education at Makerere University.
She asserted that the Mastercard Foundation prioritizes three key transition pathways: formal employment, entrepreneurship, and further education. She urged the graduates to remain active on all the program’s social media platforms, especially the Alumni WhatsApp platform, as it will be a vital channel for sharing ongoing opportunities from the Mastercard Foundation and other partners.
Ms Aida Aol, the mother of graduate Mr Okello Godfrey, expressed gratitude on behalf of parents and guardians. She thanked the Mastercard Foundation and Makerere University for providing her son and other vulnerable young people with the opportunity to study at one of the best universities in Uganda. Ms. Aol highlighted that she had lost hope for her son’s university education due to financial constraints.
“I cannot thank Mastercard Foundation and Makerere University enough for providing our children with the opportunity to attend one of the best universities in the country. Many of us parents could not afford to send our children here because we did not have the resources to pay for their education,” Ms. Aol remarked.
Ms. Aol stated that she lost her husband when her son was only four years old, and she had since committed herself to ensuring he completed both elementary and high school. However, she reached a critical point where she could no longer afford to support his university education.
Graduates speak out
Awien Rose Madot, a Journalism and Communication graduate, expressed her gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for transforming her life. The program enabled her to achieve her academic goals and instilled in her a strong sense of responsibility to use her degree to create positive change in the world.
“Accessing higher education can often feel like a distant dream for refugees like me. However, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has served as a powerful beacon of hope. It clearly demonstrates that education is a vital tool for empowerment and transformation, even in the face of adversity. The Program has provided us with financial resources, as well as invaluable mentorship, guidance, and a strong support network for all the scholars involved,” said Madot.
Dr. Raphael Kasuku, a dental surgery graduate, pledged to continue the spirit of giving back to his community by offering dental services. He urged his fellow graduates to utilize the knowledge and skills they acquired through their education to uplift their communities.
“To my fellow graduates, this moment marks not just the end of a chapter but the beginning of an exciting new journey. The world ahead is vast and brimming with opportunities that we are ready to seize. It won’t always be easy, but we must remember that the resilience, determination, and passion that brought us here will continue to propel us forward as we strive to serve our communities.” Dr. Kasuku remarked.
The colourful event was a vibrant gathering held in the gardens of the University Guest House, bringing together a diverse community of program stakeholders. Attendees included members of the University management and the Steering and Selection Committees. Mentors of the Scholars Program, parents and guardians, and alumni also contributed to the inspiring atmosphere. Additionally, representatives from the Mastercard Foundation and program partners joined the celebration, along with numerous well-wishers who continue to support the Program’s mission.
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