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Prof. Nawangwe urges fresh MCFSP graduates to embrace soft skills alongside their academic degrees

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By Bernard Buteera

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, has urged fresh graduates of Makerere University and other universities to embrace soft skills alongside the knowledge they acquired during their undergraduate training.

Prof. Nawangwe said this in a speech read for him by Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga Nsubuga, the Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), during the closing ceremony of the 3rd Pearl of Africa Summer School, for the alumni of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, at Royal Suites Hotel, Bugolobi, Kampala.

Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga Nsubuga,representing the Vice Chancellor at the function.
Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga Nsubuga,representing the Vice Chancellor at the function.

“I urge all of you graduates to be deliberate and be intentional in continuously acquiring and practicing soft skills alongside the knowledge you acquired during you undergraduate training.”Prof. Nawangwe said. “I have no doubt that once you embrace practical soft skills with quality, responsibility and integrity, you will excel in your choice of pathway whether in employment, entrepreneurship or further education.” Prof. Nawangwe further remarked.

Prof. Nawangwe called upon all institutions both public and private to emulate Mastercard Foundation in equipping young people with the 21st century knowledge and skills, which were so demanded in today’s, workspaces.

Dr. Justine Namaalwa, far left together with Ms. Damali Ssali (center) pose in a photo with some of the outstanding trainees.
Dr. Justine Namaalwa, far left together with Ms. Damali Ssali (center) pose in a photo with some of the outstanding trainees.

“I would like to thank Mastercard Foundation, for their generosity and support they offer to the young people in Africa, which has enabled Makerere University to educate and train and equip them with tangible knowledge and skills. I would like to call upon all our other partners to emulate Mastercard Foundation in equipping the young people in Uganda and Africa as a whole with work readiness skills, so much needed at the work places today.” Prof. Nawangwe appealed.

The Program Coordinator, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, Dr. Justine Namaalwa, thanked the Vice Chancellor for the strategic leadership, which has enabled the Scholars Program to stand out as the leader in training and equipping Scholars and alumni with tangible soft skills.

Dr. Justine Namaalwa, the Program Coordinator, MCF Scholars Program.
Dr. Justine Namaalwa, the Program Coordinator, MCF Scholars Program.

“I would like to thank the Vice Chancellor for his strategic leadership, which has allowed us space to innovate and come up with such training programs which have equipped our Scholars and alumni with practical soft skills, which gives them leverage in the workspaces.” Dr. Namaalwa remarked.

The Program Coordinator further thanked the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) for accepting to partner with the Scholars Program to deliver for the third Summer School, a 10-day skills development-training program, in which the alumni of Mastercard Foundation were taken through a number of skills training and business development support.

Ms. Husnah Natukunda,the Director Human Resource and Results at PSFU, taking the trainees into a session of soft skills.
Ms. Husnah Natukunda,the Director Human Resource and Results at PSFU, taking the trainees into a session of soft skills.

Dr. Namaalwa equally thanked the Steering Committee for the oversight role they have played in steering the operations of the Scholars, and the entire University community, especially the mentors of the Scholars Program for supporting and nurturing the scholars of Mastercard Foundation at Makerere University.

She appealed to trainees to take the skills and knowledge they had acquired seriously, because it was what would give them competitive advantage in the world of work. 

Scholars on industry visits at Steel and Tube industries among many other firms they visited.
Scholars on industry visits at Steel and Tube industries among many other firms they visited.

“I believe the last 10 days of professional development and business support training have been a period of learning, unlearning and relearning new knowledge and critical soft skills such as communication and branding, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, decision-making and many others that are necessary for one to thrive in the 21st Century workspace. I urge you my dear graduates to take these skills seriously, because they will give a competitive advantage as you search for job opportunities.” Dr. Namaalwa appealed.

Ms. Damali Ssali, the Chief Programs and Projects Officer at PSFU who represented the Chief Executive Officer at the function, thanked Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University for partnering with PSFU to train and equip the alumni of Mastercard Foundation with requisite knowledge and skills that are in short supply with most of the university students today.

Ms. Damali Ssali addressing Scholars during the closing ceremony of the Third Pearl of Africa Summer School.
Ms. Damali Ssali addressing Scholars during the closing ceremony of the Third Pearl of Africa Summer School.

“I would like to thank Mastercard Foundation and Makerere University for entrusting PSFU as the partner of choice in skilling and training these young people with the soft skills and business development ideas. PSFU is committed to skilling young people in Uganda, especially the fresh university graduates.” Ms. Ssali remarked.

Ms. Ssali urged the young people to embrace leadership and self-development if they were to make their dreams and aspirations a reality. Ms. Ssali pledged on behalf of PSFU to enroll all the 61 fresh graduates of Mastercard Foundation into the 6 months graduate internship with the industry partners, where if the individual graduates excel will be  retained by the different companies.

Scholars during team work building session.
Scholars during team work building session.

The Pearl of Africa Summer School is an annual 10-day skills development training organised by Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, to train and retool fresh graduates of Mastercard Foundation with the requisite soft skills as they transition to the world of work.

The third Pearl of Africa Summer School was organized by the Scholars Program at Makerere University in partnership with Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) as the delivery partner. The 10-days Professional and Business Development training Program took place from the 20th to 30th June 2022, at Royal Suites Hotel, Bugolobi, under the theme: Enhancing the Scholars’ potential to transition to meaningful and dignified engagements.

Bernard Buteera is the Communications Officer of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.

Mak Editor

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Makerere University Fees Waiver for 40 First Year Female Students 2025/2026

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Makerere University Tuition and Functional Fees Waiver is a Scholarship Scheme that was initiated by Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate and was approved by the Makerere University Council in December 2010. The Scheme supports bright female students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds to access education at Makerere University. The University waives off tuition and functional fees for the duration of the study of the beneficiaries of the scheme. With effect from 2021/2022 academic year, the Scheme has offered waiver of tuition and functional fees for 40 female students joining the University who meet the criteria. All Programmes in the Colleges at Makerere University Main Campus and at Makerere University Jinja Campus are eligible for this Scholarship support. These scholarships are administered by the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, Makerere University. Persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

ELIGIBILITY

Scholarship applicants should meet the following criteria:

  1. Should be female of Ugandan Nationality
  2. Should be a first-year student admitted at Makerere University Main Campus and Jinja Campus for the academic year 2025/2026 under the Direct Entry Scheme.
  3. Should be from a genuinely disadvantaged socio-economic background.
  4. Those not admitted on Uganda Government sponsorship to any public university.
  5. Those who do not hold any other scholarship e.g. District Scholarship
  6. Must be willing to participate in a selection process as shall be determined by the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate Scholarship Committee.

THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM SUBMITTED SHALL BE DEEMED COMPLETE ONCE IT CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING ATTACHMENTS;

  1. Copies of ‘O’ and ‘A’ level academic documents.
  2. One Passport size photograph.
  3. A Copy of the applicant’s birth certificate.
  4. Incase of deceased parent (s), a copy of death certificate(s)
  5. A hand drawn physical map of an applicant’s home/residence with clear directions of how to get to that home or residence from the nearest main road (indicate approximate distances in kilometres).
  6. A copy of the admission letter to Makerere University.

The scholarship covers only tuition and functional fees. The applicant must be able to pay for their feeding, accommodation and other learning necessities required by the University for the duration of the study period.

Interested and eligible applicants can pick application forms free of charge from the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, Senate Building, Level 4, Room 402 OR download a copy from the Makerere University Website: https://mak.ac.ug/

You can also access more information on our X handle @MakerereGMD

For more information or inquiries, please contact us using the following contacts:

Office Mobile Numbers: +256702960616 / +256781866728
Email Address: director.gendermainstreaming@mak.ac.ug

The Application deadline is Monday, 8th August 2025 at 5:00pm.

Euzobia Mugisha Baine (PhD)
Chief Gender Mainstreaming Officer

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Korean Language Courses-Semester

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Students walk into the Arts Quadrangle, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Centre for Language and Communication Services (CLCS), College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) Makerere University in collaboration with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) invite applications for Korean Language Classes for students and members of the public.

Courses by Level

  • Beginner
  • Elementary
  • Intermediate
  • Online
  • TOPIK

Instructor: Wongo Yoon wongoyoon@gmail.com

Registration is open, you can register to join the class at any time.

Registration:

To register, call the Centre for Language and Communication Services (CLCS): +256 756 12 8046 / +256 775 424704

Fee: UGX 80,000 a semester

For more information Whatsapp: +256 790 505658 (Yoon) / +256 757 710511 (Mariam)

See downloads for Class Timetable

The Korean Corner is located on the 2nd floor of the Main Library at Makerere University.

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NCBA Commits UGX 1.45 Billion to Makerere Marathon, Pledges Five-Year Support for Inclusive Education

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Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (C) flanked by Dr. Maggie Kigozi (R) and Mr. Mark Muyobo (L) on 9th July 2025 at Makerere University. Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF)’s flagship initiative – the Makerere University Marathon unveiling of NCBA Bank Uganda as Platinum Sponsor with UGX 1.45 Billion over five years, 9th July 2025, Kampala, East Africa.

By Eve Nakyanzi and Atwenda Nancy

Makerere University has officially unveiled NCBA Bank Uganda as the platinum sponsor for the 2025 Makerere University Marathon (#MakRun2025), marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey toward inclusive and sustainable student support. The partnership was formally announced during a colourful event held at the university, attended by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Dr. Maggie Kigozi, Chairperson of the Makerere University Endowment Fund, and NCBA Bank Uganda CEO, Mr. Mark Muyobo.

NCBA Bank Uganda’s UGX 1.45 billion sponsorship over the next five years is the largest corporate contribution to the Makerere Marathon to date. It underscores the bank’s commitment to supporting quality education, community development, and equity.  Mr. Muyobo said that, “We are driven by the desire to leave every community better than we found it”. He added that the goal is to empower disadvantaged students to live without limitations, describing this initiative as a bold stride toward establishing a world-class international marathon.

Left to Right: Mr. Mark Muyobo, Dr. Maggie Kigozi and Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe pose for a photo at the Main Building entrance. Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF)’s flagship initiative – the Makerere University Marathon unveiling of NCBA Bank Uganda as Platinum Sponsor with UGX 1.45 Billion over five years, 9th July 2025, Kampala, East Africa.
Left to Right: Mr. Mark Muyobo, Dr. Maggie Kigozi and Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe pose for a photo at the Main Building entrance.

“This is more than just a sponsorship, it is a strategic partnership built on shared values,” Dr. Kigozi remarked. “With this support, we are positioned to establish a fully equipped Disability Support Unit and a sustainable pool of funds to assist economically disadvantaged students.”

The marathon, slated under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future,” seeks to unify students, alumni, corporate entities, and professional athletes in pursuit of a common cause. At its core, the MakRun2025 promotes active lifestyles, social inclusion, and a sense of communal responsibility.

“It’s not just a race,” Prof. Nawangwe emphasized. “It is a movement to break barriers, change lives, and build a resilient, inclusive university.”

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe poses with the #MakRun2025 photo frame. Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF)’s flagship initiative – the Makerere University Marathon unveiling of NCBA Bank Uganda as Platinum Sponsor with UGX 1.45 Billion over five years, 9th July 2025, Kampala, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe poses with the #MakRun2025 photo frame.

The marathon’s broader impact includes fundraising for students living with disabilities and those facing financial hardship, contributing directly to the university’s Endowment Fund.

A major highlight of the event is the introduction of a full 42.2-kilometer marathon—bringing international standards to the annual run. Organizers have promised a professional, accredited experience with traffic-free routes and ample support for runners.

“This edition will elevate the MakRun into a world-class event,” said Mr. Muyobo. “We are proud to support Makerere University in realizing its dream of a globally recognized marathon that reflects Uganda’s commitment to education and inclusivity.”

Beyond the race itself, the event will feature a vibrant line-up of activities, including music, drama, and games for all age groups. It is designed to foster a festival-like atmosphere that welcomes every member of the community.

Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF)’s flagship initiative – the Makerere University Marathon unveiling of NCBA Bank Uganda as Platinum Sponsor with UGX 1.45 Billion over five years, 9th July 2025, Kampala, East Africa.
Officials pose with runners in the Freedom Square.

Organizers and university leaders have extended an open invitation to students, staff, alumni, corporate partners, and Kampala residents to participate, cheer, or donate to the cause.

“Every step taken is a step towards hope for a student,” Dr. Kigozi stated. “Together, we are building a Makerere that cares, includes, and uplifts.”

The partnership is expected to significantly enhance the university’s ability to support underprivileged students and improve campus infrastructure for students with disabilities. It also sets the tone for future collaborations that align with the values of compassion, excellence, and innovation. The fifth edition of the MakRun is scheduled to take place on August 17th, 2025.

The Writers are Interns in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University

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