_{By Sadiiki Adams}

As Makerere University celebrates 100 years of academic excellence, the Chairman of the Council of Presidents of Inter Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) and Archbishop of Church of Uganda, The Most Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu has commended the leadership of the University for the thought of thanksgiving and charged them to look to the future with faith.

“Today we are celebrating 100 years of God’s faithfulness and acknowledging that in all success, there has been God. Thanksgiving is a sign of people’s gratitude towards God. I am glad that the University leadership thought it wise to thank the Lord and to commit the future to God.” Archbishop Kaziimba said.

The Archbishop made make the remarks while preaching in a thanksgiving Service for the 100 years of Makerere University at the University’s Freedom Square today, Friday 2^nd September, 2022.

“We thank God for the small beginnings with big surprises, small beginnings with big impact, mindful that whatever we begin is not ours but for the next generation. We are called to look to the future with faith.” Archbishop Kaziimba advised.

He called for dialogue amongst the students, staff and other stakeholders.

“There must be a deliberate effort to consider using dialogue to solve the problems affecting the University. It’s very bad for the University of intellectuals to use strikes and riots as a solution. It paints a bad image and does not portray the glory of God in Uganda’s premier public University.” Archbishop Kaziimba said.

He added, “My prayer is that the University continues to remain relevant with the world’s changing dynamics, continues to stand the challenges of this world and continue to magnify the glory of the Lord.”

Mrs. Lorna Magara, Makerere University Council Chairperson said that the thanksgiving service was to acknowledge God’s goodness towards the University since it’s establishment in 1922.

“We have gathered to say thank you Lord for all we have gone through. To thank God for the last 100 years and to remember those who were here before us beginning with the Late Nsibirwa who was killed because of giving land to this University.” Mrs. Magara said.

Prof. Ezra Suruma, the University Chancellor lauded the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda for his message of gratitude to God.

“I have always called upon students and other stakeholders here to have an attitude of gratitude. The existence of God has enabled us to reach this far. All we have to express is love, unity and gratitude.” Prof. Suruma said.

He added, “The example of Makerere University as an Institution which gives, empowers, supports and gives an opportunity for people to serve and be better should be copied in our hospitals, schools and other Institutions.” 

He called for teaching of love in Schools and society for the nation to be stable.

“We need to teach love in our schools and society so that we bring back our Country. This country does not belong to the government but to us. We need to make it a God-centered country.” Prof. Suruma advised.

The thanksgiving Service to mark 100 years of Makerere University was held under the theme, “Ebenezer, Thus far the Lord has brought us” (1 Samuel 7:12) and was jointly led by the Presidents of IRCU.

Sadiiki Adams is the Communications Officer, Church of Uganda | Tel: +256778854739, +256701550775 | Email: asadiiki@churchofuganda.org