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“Look to the future with faith”, Archbishop Kaziimba charges Makerere University
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 2nd 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
Prof. Edward Bbaale, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at Makerere University, on November 10 2026 welcomed a delegation from the International Water Association (IWA), led by Mr. Keith Robertson, the Learning and Events Director at International Water Association (IWA). Mr. Robertson, in his remarks, highlighted their visit to Makerere University as a fact-finding mission regarding the potential establishment of a new regional IWA office in Africa to support the continent in solving challenges relating to water.
The International Water Association is a leading global nonprofit organisation and knowledge hub for the water and sanitation sector. Connecting more than 10,000 individual members and 500 corporate entities across 140 plus countries, the association bridges the gap between scientific research and practical engineering to solve global water crises, improve sanitation, and secure clean water systems. Currently, IWA is evaluating potential host cities in Africa; Makerere University in Kampala is the first they have visited out of their three countries and venues earmarked.
This meeting held at Makerere Main Administrative Building, was attended by university leadership, faculty from College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), and representatives from the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). Discussions explored possibilities of the yet to be established office bridging the gap between academic research and practical application in the water sector not only in Uganda but also on the continent.
On behalf of University Management, Prof. Edward Bbaale underscored this engagement that focused on possible Water and Sanitation advancement partnership as one that aligns well with the strategic direction of the University.
Projected Impact of a Kampala-Based IWA Office
Dr Philip Nyenje, Head of Department, Civil and Environmental Engineering (DCEE), expressed optimism about the collaboration, saying, “this is a very good opportunity for us to grow our interest in the sector of water and sanitation.”
In addition, Dr Seith Mugume, a Senior Lecturer at DCEE, noted that the regional office would unlock research and innovation opportunities in the real world for our students and also provide incentives for them to pursue projects within local research and innovation angles.
Eng. Zainab Mpakiraba, Acting Senior Manager at NWSC framed Kampala as a very unique venue for the centre and highlighted Makerere as one of the core academic partners for the regional Eastern and Southern Africa hub of the Global Sanitation Graduate School. Eng. Mpakiraba further endorsed Makerere, saying that, as a top-notch university in Uganda and in the region, when it leads on any aspect, it is able to pull most of the other universities.
Makerere’s Strategic Initiatives and Activities so far in the Area of Water
Dr Nyenje noted that his Department has a very strong base in water and sanitation, covering disciplines like water resources, environmental, structural, and highway engineering. Dr. Mugume added that they are conducting research on “modeling of water resource systems, hydrological and hydraulic modeling,” “water quality management,” and “fecal sludge management, sanitation in low-income and peri-urban areas.”
The two also mentioned that the department has introduced a “master’s in sanitation, and also a postgraduate program… a diploma in sanitation” to address growing interest in the sector.
All these strategies have been made possible through good will and funding from the Government of Uganda, strategic partnerships, and International Collaborations that have positioned Makerere as a key player in the region.
Concluding the session, Prof. Edward Bbaale reaffirmed Makerere’s ability to run this Office when established as the University has human resources in multidisciplinary research, global credibility and working relationships with many organisations and institutions on the continent and far.
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