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.
General
Are We Giving Enough Attention to the People Around Us Who Quietly Influence Lives Every Day?
By Marion Apio
On March 21, 2026, I felt a strong urge to reconnect with a close colleague and passionate leader, Owekitinisa Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki. We had not spoken since I moved to the United States to pursue my dream of becoming a journalist. The following day, I learned that he had been quietly undergoing treatment in and out of the hospital. True to his character, he had chosen to keep his condition private. I was shocked and saddened, wishing I had known earlier so I could offer support.
At first, reports from family and friends were encouraging. He had been diagnosed with malaria and low blood platelet counts and was receiving treatment. Respecting his wish for confidentiality, members of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community at Makerere University rallied discreetly around him.
However, on April 29, his condition worsened. He was transferred between medical facilities and underwent extensive tests, including a biopsy, as doctors searched for answers. Sadly, on May 29, Sylas passed away.
His death sparked an extraordinary outpouring of love and solidarity. Friends, colleagues, and former scholars mobilised to support his family, settle medical expenses, organise virtual vigils, and plan a dignified farewell. Hundreds gathered at St. Augustine Chapel to pay their respects. Within three days, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community raised approximately UGX 11 million, a testament to Sylas’ impact on countless lives.
In the days that followed, I found myself wrestling with difficult questions. In a world where we spend so much time following people online, are we paying enough attention to those quietly transforming lives around us? Why do we invest so much emotional energy in distant personalities while overlooking the people God has placed right in front of us?
Sylas lived with humility and served with grace. His death left more than 1,500 Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni grieving, alongside many others around the world who knew him. Yet his passing also exposed a contradiction in modern life.
We live in an age of unprecedented connectivity. Uganda has millions of internet users and WhatsApp subscribers, while globally, people spend hours each day on social media. We have more tools than ever to stay connected, yet many of us are becoming increasingly disconnected from the people who matter most.
Sylas resisted this trend. Through mentorship, service, and community-building, he remained deeply present in others’ lives. While many people retreat into individual pursuits, he consistently chose connection.
This challenge is especially relevant for Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni. Every year, young Africans leave home to pursue education and professional opportunities abroad. Distance, time zones, visa restrictions, and rising travel costs make it difficult to maintain relationships and remain actively involved in the communities that helped shape us.
For Sylas, the answer was simple: show up. Celebrate others. Offer support. Stay connected.
He never allowed geographical or personal barriers to become excuses for disengagement. Even while facing his own struggles, he invested in others. He embodied the values the Mastercard Foundation seeks to cultivate—ethical leadership, service, and community empowerment.
Sylas did not wait for a perfect platform to create change. He simply served where he was. He helped build bridges between education, culture, and professional development while remaining grounded in his values. He dreamed of creating a stronger alumni ecosystem and brought both passion and compassion to every initiative he touched.
Since his passing, social media has been filled with memories of his infectious smile and unwavering commitment to others. Those tributes reveal an important truth: people gave generously because Sylas had first given himself generously to them. People from different backgrounds, generations, and communities showed up because he had spent his life showing up for them. His legacy now challenges all of us.
The greatest tribute we can offer is not simply to mourn his loss but to continue his work. That means supporting the causes he cared about, helping the children whose education he championed, strengthening alumni networks, and pursuing the dreams we discussed with him.
The tragedy of modern life is not that we follow people online. It is that too often our attention to distant lives comes at the expense of meaningful relationships nearby. Yet strong relationships are as essential to our well-being as physical health.
As Ugandans, we take pride in our faith, culture, and sense of community. We contribute to fundraisers, attend ceremonies, and support family members in times of need. But increasingly, genuine connection is being replaced by passive digital interaction. Families and communities cannot thrive on likes, retweets, and emojis alone.
They require presence—phone calls, visits, conversations, and the willingness to notice when someone is struggling.
Before spending another hour immersed in the lives of strangers online, look around. Call the friend you have not spoken to in years. Check on a family member. Reach out to a colleague who seems withdrawn. Communities are not built by algorithms or celebrities. They are built by ordinary people who choose, day after day, to care for those within their reach.
Uganda needs more people like Sylas. At just 32 years old, he achieved what many spend a lifetime striving for. He served as Minister of Information in the Toro Kingdom and as President of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Association in Uganda. More importantly, he dedicated himself to serving others.
While his death is deeply painful, his life remains a powerful example of how we should live. My prayers and condolences go to his family, friends, and the entire Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community.
Rest in perfect peace, Owek. Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki.
The author is a Mastercard Foundation Alumna from Makerere University and the University of California, Berkeley. She is a journalist based in Southern California and the CEO of the Debunk Media Initiative.
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