General
Former Lions Clubs International President Lion Douglas X. Alexander pays a courtesy visit to Vice Chancellor
On 23rd August 2022, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe received a delegation of Lion leaders from Lions Clubs International in his office as a sign of friendship and recognition of Makerere@100 years.
The delegation included the Immediate Past International President (IPIP) Lion Douglas X. Alexander on his maiden visit to the Lions of the District 411B, Uganda. Douglas X. Alexander, from Brooklyn, New York, USA, was elected to serve as international president of Lions Clubs International at the association’s 103rd International Convention held on June 25 through June 29, 2021. As of June 28, 2022, Douglas will serve as Chairperson for Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) through July 11, 2023. Douglas has been a Lion for the last 38 years. Douglas was accompanied by the respective and distinguished Lion leaders from the Multiple District 411 led by Past International Director Lion Dr. Manoj Shah, his spouse Lion Jayna Shah and District 411B Governor Lion Amongin Aporu Christine Hellen. Several other Lions leaders including Multiple Council Person, Past Council Chairpersons, Past Governors, Cabinet Officers and Club Presidents accompanied the visitor. During the brief meeting in the Vice Chancellor’s Board Room, Lion Douglas Alexander thanked Prof. Nawangwe for empowering and mentoring young people to serve humanity. He glorified Makerere University for nurturing leaders as was evidenced by the several Makerere Alumni being part of the delegation providing outstanding leadership at various levels in the leadership structures of Lions Club International. He pointed out that because of the great leadership, the Lions numbers in Uganda is growing very fast and that Makerere University could further contribute to this growth.
Currently there are 57 Clubs in Uganda with 1879 members and globally with about 1.4 million members. These members serve humanity through the main five global serve areas of Vision, Diabetes, Hunger, Childhood Cancer and Environment. In addition to these mentioned areas, Lions all over the world respond to community needs in their specific locations and any form of disasters that strike the world. “ Wherever there is a need, Lions are there” with their motto “We Serve”. The District Governor Lion Amongin Aporu Christine Hellen extended the invitation to Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe to join the association that serves humanity.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the Lion Leaders with a special welcome to the Immediate Past International President (IPIP) Lion Douglas X. Alexander to Uganda and specifically to Makerere University as the university commemorates 100 years of existence. Prof. Nawangwe appreciated Douglas X. Alexander for finding time in the short stay of only 3 days in Uganda to visit Makerere University amidst tight schedules. He was extremely happy by the kind gesture of Lion leaders. He briefly narrated the history of Makerere University from 1922 and acknowledged that the journey has had some challenges and at the same time registered several achievements in providing quality education for generations. He noted that the Alumni of Makerere University can be found in every continent and if not every country serving in different positions. He was happy to see his members of staff among the top leaders of the association i.e Lion Eng. Dr. Dans Naturinda – from College of Engineering Art and Design, Prof. Mercy Mirembe Ntangaare – from College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Associate Professor Lawrence Mugisha – from College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity as well as all other Makerere Alumni. The two leaders called for continued friendship and partnership in serving humanity. They exchanged the sign of friendship with label pins and flagship banner.
The Lion Leaders guided by the Lion Dr. Lawrence Mugisha, Club President, Kampala Central proceeded to plant trees in the Makerere Lions Leisure Park below Nsibirwa Hall of Residence.
Makerere University and the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (ND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University and Rev. Robert A. Dowd, the 18th President signed on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony, which was held at the University of Notre Dame campus at South Bend, Indiana was witnessed by Dr. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Council of Makerere University, who led the Mak delegation.
Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.
General
Press Release: Government of Uganda and Partners Launch SAY Plus+ to Scale Youth Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) Impact in Underserved Regions
USD 50 million national programme moves into full implementation, strengthening
adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to youth-responsive
services in 13 districts across five sub-regions
KAMPALA, 7 MAY 2026: The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda’s underserved regions.
The launch, held at Makerere University‘s Freedom Square under the theme “My Voice Matters: Youth Voices for SAY Plus+” and the tagline “Nothing for us, without us”, marks the programme’s transition into full implementation.
SAY Plus+, formerly known as Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment: Scaling Impact, is led by the Ministry of Health, in coordination with other Ministries, with UNFPA Uganda serving as the Managing and Technical Agency.
Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the initiative is scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. It is currently being rolled out across thirteen districts within five sub-regions, providing targeted assistance to regional referral hospitals in Jinja, Mbale, Moroto, Yumbe, Arua, and Gulu. Furthermore, the programme supports the Human Capital Development goals established in Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
“SAY Plus+ represents a shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated national effort that meaningfully places young people at the centre of both design and delivery. Through our partnership with the Government of Uganda, development partners, and implementing partners, we are investing not only in services, but in the systems, communities, and environments that enable adolescents and young people to thrive not only today but also in the future,” said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, Representative – UNFPA Uganda.
Officially launched by the Minister of State for Health Hon. Margaret Muhanga, the SAY Plus+ programme targets adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 years, with particular focus on adolescent girls and young women, refugees and host-community youth, out-of-school young people, those not in employment, education or training, adolescents with disabilities, and young people in humanitarian and post-conflict settings.
“For many of us, things like this one are designed without listening to what we go through every day, think or even feel. SAY Plus+ feels different because it starts with our voices and gives us a real role in shaping solutions. It is not just about information, it is about being supported to make decisions, access services, and build the future we want.” – Jovia Dranzoa, Young person.
SAY Plus+ operates through three pillars. First, it empowers youth to exercise their rights and make informed choices. Second, it engages families, communities, and leaders to address harmful social norms. Third, it strengthens youth-responsive SRHR, HIV, and gender-based violence services via health facilities and community platforms, aiming to reach over 2.3 million direct and indirect beneficiaries.
The SAY Plus+ initiative stands as a model of international cooperation and multi-sectoral synergy. Through the combined support of the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and the technical leadership of UNFPA, Uganda is now equipped to scale-up critical interventions in HIV prevention, gender-based violence response, and reproductive health. With implementation now in high gear through 2030, the programme is poised to make a lasting contribution to the nation’s human capital development goals.
— ENDS —
Photos from the event
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