General
MCF Graduates urged to become good Ambassadors of the Foundation & Makerere University
By Bernard Buteera
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University urged the Graduates of Mastercard Foundation to become good ambassadors of both the University and the Foundation in their Communities. He made the remarks in a speech read for him by Prof. Umar Kakumba, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, during a colourful function organised to congratulate and honour the 61 graduates of Mastercard of Foundation who just graduated at the 72nd graduation ceremony at Makerere University.
Prof. Nawangwe pointed out that Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University recruits academically excellent but underprivileged students and highly disciplined, therefore he expected them to excel even at their places of work and in their communities.
“Universities world over thrive from such partnerships and collaborations like Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for academic and infrastructure development. I, therefore, call upon all stakeholders to support such initiatives, so that we can attract more partnerships of this kind in Uganda and Africa,” he said.
He pledged the support of the University to the Scholars Program, and that he was confident that the partnership between the University and the Foundation would go on for many years to come.
“I thank Mastercard Foundation for its generosity in offering Scholarships to these young people, which enabled them to attain University education, and has made this graduation possible. The University is committed in giving Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program all the support they need, and I call upon all other Stakeholders to support this Program.” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
On his part, Prof. Umar Kakumba, the Deputy Vice Chancellor and Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the Scholars Program at Makerere University called upon the graduates to make good use of the knowledge and skills they had acquired to make meaningful contribution in their communities and the country at large.
“Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is designed to provide the Scholars with holistic support, which includes academic curricular that is relevant to the job market, mentorship, counseling and psychosocial support services, as well as experiential learning through volunteerism, internships and social entrepreneurship; and connections to jobs, graduate internship, and opportunities for further studies through its network of partners. I would like to urge our graduates to tap into the various opportunities that the Scholars Program presents to them both during their stay in the University and even after graduation.” Prof. Kakumba pointed out.
The Mastercard Foundation country head in Uganda, Mr. Adrian Bukenya, who represented the Foundation at the event, lauded the partnership between the Foundation and Makerere University.
“The Foundation is proud this partnership with Makerere University, which has produced tangible results through these young people who graduating today.” Mr. Bukenya remarked. He further revealed that the Scholars Program at Makerere University was one of the biggest on the African continent, and very visible through what the Scholars were doing in terms engagements within the Scholars Community.
Mr. Bukenya read the message from the President of the Mastercard Foundation, Ms. Reeta Roy, who urged the graduates to go out in the world and try out new things.
“Give yourself permission to have a dream, to try new things, to fail, and to learn. It is permission to move forward without a clearly defined path. Make mistakes and learn from them. By trying, failing, and learning you will get to know yourself.”Ms. Reeta urged graduates.
The Chief Guest at the function, Dr. Ruth Biyinzika Musoke, the Director, Skills Development at the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, urged graduates to lower their expectations as they venture out in the world of work. She cautioned them against expecting quick financial gains, emphasising that they would rather seek to gain real work experience and skills.
“My dear graduates, you are entering the job market at the time when the industry is recovering from challenges posed by COVID19, therefore lower your expectations. Do not expect to get those high paying jobs immediately; rather seek to gain real work experience from any job opportunity, however small that job may be.” Dr. Musoke said.
Dr. Musoke remarked that the Private Sector Foundation Uganda was proud to be associated with Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, and pledged to support the 61 graduates in finding placements for graduate internship and even jobs.
Dr. Justine Namaalwa, the Program Coordinator of the Scholars Program at Makerere University, congratulated the 61 Graduates, Class of 2022, and thanked them for contributing to the realization of the overall goal of Mastercard Foundation, which is;“To Educate and Empower the next Generation of African Leaders”.
Dr. Namaalwa revealed that the Scholars Program had so far recruited and educated 1,032 Scholars, surpassing the earlier target of recruiting 1,000 Scholars, of which 496 Scholars had successfully completed their academic programs and graduated.
She applauded Mastercard Foundation and Makerere University for the partnership, which had transformed the lives of many young people, through offering them quality university education.
“Today we are proud that out of 1,032 Youth that have been supported by the Program, up to 435 graduated by May 2021, and we are again proud to add another 61 bringing the mark of 496 (48%) Graduates of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.” Dr. Namaalwa pointed out.
On their part, the graduates who were represented by their two colleagues, Mr. Sylas Ruhweza, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geoscience and Production, and Ms. Angelique Iradukunda, who graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, thanked the Foundation and the University for making their education dream a reality.
“To Mastercard Foundation and Makerere University that have immensely blessed us and bestowed education upon us through the most prestigious scholarship globally, we cannot thank you well enough. The best gift we can give in return is to hold another young person’s hand and support to get an education, which is the best investment anyone can ever give to another person.” The Scholars pledged.
The colourful function was held on 28th May 2022 at Hotel African in Kampala and attended by the graduates of Mastercard Foundation together with their Parents and Guardians. This was the 5th graduation ceremony of the Scholars Program at Makerere, the first one having been held in 2018.
Bernard Buteera is the communications Officer of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
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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