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.
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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