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Prof. Serwadda’s Nostalgic Student Life, Impactful Research and Joy of Mentoring Leaders

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When Prof. Serwadda travelled to universities in the USA and other countries in the 1980s, he realised that students struggled to buy books in those countries. “They work in restaurants to be able to buy books and then I said oh My God, we were so privileged,” he says.

When Prof. David M. Serwadda joined Makerere University as a student pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in August of 1977, the University was offering the best to its students.

This was both in terms of the institutional environment for academia, students’ basic needs, and the general eco-environment. Halls of residence were less congested, for instance, Prof. Serwadda, who was a Livingstone resident, says he only shared a room in the first year.

Like any other student of his time, Prof. Serwadda had an account in the bookstore that would guarantee the purchase of any book that he wanted. “I would just go there, I pick this book, they deduct from my account. I would have in my bookshelf very many books,” he says. “I would be a second-year student, but buying books for third year because if you didn’t finish your account that year, when you get into the following year, you forfeit it and reset the account to zero.”

In a wide-ranging interview, Prof. Serwadda, who is retiring this year after 31 years of teaching, discusses his time at Makerere, the challenges and opportunities for the institution that is celebrating 100 years. Prof. Serwadda was in 1985 the lead author of a research paper entitled “Slim disease; a new disease in Uganda and its association with HTLV-II infection” published in The Lancet, one of the global top medical journals that first confirmed HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

When Prof. Serwadda travelled to universities in the USA and other countries in the 1980s, he realised that students struggled to buy books in those countries. “They work in restaurants to be able to buy books and then I said oh My God, we were so privileged,” he says.

When Prof. Serwadda travelled to universities in the USA and other countries in the 1980s, he realised that students struggled to buy books in those countries. “They work in restaurants to be able to buy books and then I said oh My God, we were so privileged,” he says.

A medical doctor and professor of infectious diseases at Makerere University School of Public Health, Serwadda is a co-founder of the Rakai Health Science Program (RHSP) which has in the past three decades pioneered research on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. He was the first Ugandan academic coordinator of the Masters of Public Health program at Makerere University School of Public Health. He also served as Director of Makerere Institute of Public Health from 2003 and 2007 and Dean from 2007 to 2009 when the Institute became a School.

In December 2019, he was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the World Population Council and in the same month he was elected together with 36 others among the world’s most accomplished scientists living in or focused on the developing world by The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS).

1970 and today’s generation of students, lecturers

Contrasting students and staff activism of his time, Prof. Serwadda says it was the time of President Idi Amin, the third president of Uganda from 1971 to 1979 who had crushed Makerere’s activism spirit.

Prof. Serwadda says the current generation of students have more space for activism but also opportunities to succeed because they have more freedom, liberty, and multiple platforms through which to speak out and make their demands. “You have a highly energised and a much larger population of students that can easily be organised to rally against any grievance they have,” he says.

Whereas students of his generation seemed much more obedient, students of today know their rights and are likely to talk and make staff members and management more accountable which is good if it’s not disruptive.

Students of his time were always busy. They had many job offers. He mentions for instance that during his campus days, he would never have time to idle around. From first year, Prof. Serwadda says he was on study projects working, in laboratories and wards thus many students had no time to engage in activism. For instance in my fourth year of Medical School, under Professor Charles Olweny, I was a student during the day and a research assistant throughout the night and all weekends including Christmas at Uganda Cancer Institute.  “It is my perception that we were much busier than students of today and I feel that current context has made students much more demanding and engaged in more advocacy,” he says.

Regarding research and funding, Prof. Serwadda says the current generation of students and lecturers have better prospects to succeed. The internet has levelled the communication space, and created huge opportunity for global networks for research and learning. For example, if an organisation sends out a research fellowship, or scholarship opportunity, any person across the world can access the call and apply. But in the old days, only those countries with a functioning post office would receive information in a timely manner. “A new journal would come in the library and we were all booking to read them. But now, you go on the internet and download your journal,” he says.

“The world is flatter for all of us than it was. There are more funding opportunities and much easier ability to access them,” he adds.

For lecturers, as they complain about salary increments, they also need to broaden their concerns and to talk about the need for resources for research, health insurance, and expanding facilities for teaching. “They are in large part always complaining about pay, pay, we need to systematically advocate for a more comprehensive research and learning environment,” he says.  

Out of the gates of Makerere, beginning of research career

After graduation in 1982, Prof. Serwadda reminisced about his internship at Nsambya Hospital after which he later joined Mulago Hospital, a National Specialised Hospital which was and still is the teaching facility of Makerere University College of Health Sciences as a Medical Officer in the Uganda Cancer Institute, UCI, in 1983. In 1985, Dr. Serwadda enrolled as a Senior Health Officer (SHO), studying a Masters of Internal Medicine at Makerere University. He would later graduate in 1989. He says he had a dead year at Makerere which he spent in the United Kingdom, the UK studying Metabolic Medicine at Newcastle Upon Tyne Medical School.

Prof Serwadda’s research in HIV/AIDS began when he was working at the Cancer Institute between 1983 to 1985. The institute was receiving patients of “Kaposi Sarcoma,” a disease which causes plaque-like lesions on the upper arms and legs and also in aggressive form involves the lymph nodes, internal organs, and mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and throat as often is seen with individuals with immune deficiencies, such as AIDS. This was strange then because the clinical manifestations of Kaposi Sarcoma were at the time what was being seen in the United States of America where “men were having sex with men.”

More intriguing was, according to Prof. Serwadda, as time went on, almost all patients with aggressive Kaposi sarcoma that were admitted at UCI come from Masaka and Rakai districts.

“There used to be a surgeon called Mr. J.W Carswell, who linked us to a virologist in the UK called Dr. Robert Downing and we were able to send blood samples of some patients from Uganda Cancer Institute, some of whom were residents of Masaka and Rakai districts,” he says. “The results indicated that of the 25 samples I had sent, 4 were positive for HIV, which at the time was referred to as HTLV-III,” he adds.

Prof. David M. Serwadda responding to questions during the interview.
Prof. David M. Serwadda responding to questions during the interview.

Though the first cases of patients with Kaposi Sarcoma had first been identified in around 1982, these were the first blood tests to confirm HIV/AIDS in Uganda.  Prof. Serwadda and his colleagues knew they were on to something big, hence they travelled to Masaka and Rakai–self funded–tested more blood samples which confirmed more positive cases, and then drafted a paper for The Lancet based on results from the tests. It would take months of back and forth communication with editors, through snail-mail given that there was no internet.

The paper was published in October 1985. The paper brought visibility for Prof. Serwadda which consequently had positive and negative impacts.

There was political resistance at the time from the Obote government when stories of patients with Kaposi sarcoma signs and symptoms started emerging.  When local newspaper The Start, published on December 29, 1984, the headline “Mysterious disease Kills 100 people in Rakai” Ezra Nkwasibwe, the then minister of health in Obote II government sent out a team to investigate, they concluded that this was typhoid.

On the positive side, it brought recognition to the authors. Prof. Serwadda together with co-authors wrote a big proposal that was eventually funded to establish the Rakai Health Science Program (RHSP) in 1988. “It’s like when you have built a house, and you want to build another one, it’s easy to get funding,” he said, explaining how easy it becomes for researchers to get funding once they have established a reputation.

With significant funding over the years, he says they generated an impressive number of high-impact publications in the HIV/AIDS field which has enabled Uganda and the world to understand the dynamics of transmission better. But most importantly provided HIV prevention and care to over 200,000 clients in Rakai and the greater Masaka region.

Immense research output, nurturing leaders

During his three decades at Makerere University, Prof. Serwadda says he along with colleagues has contributed immensely to research, policy, and practice. This work has underpinned some of the significant contributions to the reduction of  HIV transmission and acquisition, through treatment and prevention. Prof Serwadda has on several occasions been the recipients of   annual awards from Makerere School of Public Health as the most prolific publisher. he says. “We have contributed our part in uplifting Uganda and Makerere University. Makerere University is known as a place one can do excellent medical research, however, we should and must increase our effort to invest in young researchers if it is to continue to have a top ranking.”

Prof. Serwadda says seeing his former students climbing ladders in academia and leadership gives him boundless joy. “Dean Rhoda Wanyenze was my student, I supervised her Masters of Public Health, we have done a number of projects together with her, and she is now the Dean, School of Public Health,” he says.  Prof. Serwadda says there is no head of the Department at School of Public Health who has not been his student at the undergraduate, post graduate level. “Now they are my bosses and I like that. That is building for the future and that’s what Makerere is all about. Seeing my students in positions of effective leadership and being able to help where I can give me enormous satisfaction.”

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Makerere University Affirms E-Mobility Push with Fast-Charging Station Launch

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Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero (L) and Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) hold the Electric Fast-Charging Station's cables after the launch on 13th March 2026. Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero commissions first DC Electric C6-180 Fast-Charging Station installed in collaboration with Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC), Senate Building Parking Lot, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa on Friday 13th March 2026.

In a landmark event symbolizing Uganda’s stride towards sustainable transportation, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, commissioned the first Electric Fast-Charging Station at Makerere University on Friday 13th March 2026. The ceremony, held at the Senate Building Parking Lot, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s e-mobility journey, blending academic innovation with industrial application and governmental support.

The station, a DC Fast Charger C6-180 installed in collaboration with Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC), is designed to power electric vehicles efficiently, supporting Uganda’s shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. This setup ensures high-power DC charging ideal for fleet operations.

Hon. Dr. Musenero, in her keynote remarks, highlighted the profound significance of the occasion, tracing its roots back to 2011 when Makerere unveiled the Kiira EV – Uganda’s first electric vehicle prototype. “This infrastructure is the physical manifestation of a journey that began on this very hill nearly two decades ago,” she stated, emphasizing how the university’s initial proof-of-concept challenged skepticism about Africa’s role in automotive technology.

Participants who included differently-abled students pose for a group photo in front of the Kayoola Diesel Coaches. Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero commissions first DC Electric C6-180 Fast-Charging Station installed in collaboration with Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC), Senate Building Parking Lot, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa on Friday 13th March 2026.
Participants who included differently-abled students pose for a group photo in front of the Kayoola Diesel Coaches.

The event, she noted, completes a narrative full circle, with the birthplace of the Kiira EV now hosting the infrastructure to sustain a modern electric fleet. The commissioning aligns seamlessly with Uganda’s National E-Mobility Strategy, which aims to localize 65% of the e-mobility value chain by 2040 and create over 500,000 high-quality green jobs.

Hon. Dr. Musenero underscored the strategy’s focus on reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels while enhancing environmental well-being. “We are transforming Uganda into a net source of e-mobility solutions,” she declared, pointing to the potential for Ugandan intellect to produce vehicle parts and charging systems domestically.

In his remarks at the event, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe described the launch as a “multi-faceted achievement,” not only advancing the institution’s inclusive agenda but also setting an example for public institutions in adopting e-mobility. In so doing, Makerere University has positioned itself at the forefront of this transition.

On September 26, 2025, President Yoweri Museveni commissioned the Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja and handed over three Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) buses to Makerere University to enhance staff and student mobility. The fleet included two diesel-powered Kayoola Coaches and one electric Kayoola EVS 8.5m bus donated by KMC specifically to aid the movement of differently-abled staff and students. This move demonstrates academia’s capacity to integrate home-grown solutions into daily operations, impacting the economy through practical science.

Hon. Dr. Musenero hands over the keys to the KMC buses to Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero commissions first DC Electric C6-180 Fast-Charging Station installed in collaboration with Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC), Senate Building Parking Lot, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa on Friday 13th March 2026.
Hon. Dr. Musenero hands over the keys to the KMC buses to Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.

The commissioning of the fast-charging station is rooted in a long history of collaboration. The Kiira Electric Vehicle Project, hatched in the former Faculty of Technology, has evolved into a national movement for automotive manufacturing. Hon. Dr. Musenero praised this progression: “We have moved beyond proving that an electric vehicle can be built in Uganda. We are now ensuring our electric vehicles are deployed across the continent, solving Africa’s mobility problems.”

Academia’s role remains central, as Hon. Dr. Musenero elaborated. While government provides policy frameworks and the private sector offers capital, universities supply the essential knowledge. The E-Mobility Skilling Programme at Makerere University‘s Innovation Pod (Mak-UniPod) is training the next generation of electric vehicle engineers, who are tackling “moonshot projects” to redefine urban transport. Research into optimizing local resources, such as Uganda’s lithium and cobalt deposits for battery production, is also underway.

A key environmental highlight of this development is Uganda’s renewable energy advantage. With over 95% of the national grid powered by hydroelectric dams, every charge at this station utilizes clean energy. “We are using our own water to power our own vehicles, keeping our wealth within our economy rather than exporting it to purchase foreign oil,” Hon. Dr. Musenero remarked, framing the launch as Uganda plugging into the global renewable shift. She pledged the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Secretariat’s continued collaboration with Makerere University, KMC, and partners to proliferate such stations across Kampala and beyond.

Addressing Makerere students, Hon. Dr. Musenero issued a challenge: “See this charging station as a symbol of your own potential. The engineers who built the first Kiira EV were once sitting exactly where you are. They did not wait for permission to be great.” She urged them to leverage available resources to innovate, building on a legacy that has shifted national conversations.

Hon. Dr. Musenero (3rd R) with R-L: Eng. Paul Isaac Musasizi, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa and Prof. Moses Musinguzi. Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero commissions first DC Electric C6-180 Fast-Charging Station installed in collaboration with Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC), Senate Building Parking Lot, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa on Friday 13th March 2026.
Hon. Dr. Musenero (3rd R) with R-L: Eng. Paul Isaac Musasizi, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa and Prof. Moses Musinguzi.

The event drew distinguished guests, including Members of Management, Eng. Paul Isaac Musasizi, KMC’s CEO and his management team, private sector partners, development agencies, and university faculty.

Looking ahead, this launch propels Uganda towards a “Qualitative Leap” in its economy, as Hon. Dr. Musenero described. By fostering innovation and investing in young minds, the nation aims to lead in technological advancement. The station not only powers vehicles but ignites progress, ensuring Uganda remains at the forefront of Africa’s e-mobility revolution.

As the ceremony which was intermittently “blessed” by drizzles drew to a close, the feeling of hope for a cleaner, self-reliant future – one charged by Ugandan ingenuity, was unmistakable.

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Makerere University and International Partners Sign MoU for the 9th Kampala Geopolitics Conference

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From the Left: H.E. Virginie Leroy, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Ms. Anna Reismann, Mr. Loïc Boivin. Signing the MoU with the Embassy of France in Uganda, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), and Alliance Française de Kampala to organize the 9th edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference (KGC), 15–16 April 2026 at Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University, on 10th March, 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Embassy of France in Uganda, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), and Alliance Française de Kampala to organize the 9th edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference (KGC), scheduled to take place on 15–16 April 2026 at Makerere University.

The signing formalizes the continued partnership that has established the Kampala Geopolitics Conference as one of the region’s leading platforms for dialogue on global affairs, bringing together scholars, policymakers, civil society leaders, and students to debate the major geopolitical and socio-economic transformations shaping the world.

The conference, inspired by the Nantes Geopolitics Conference in France, was first launched in Kampala in 2018 and has since grown into a unique intellectual space for cross-continental exchange between Africa and Europe.

A Platform for Ideas, Dialogue, and Youth Engagement

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, emphasized the importance of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference as a platform that connects academic discourse with global policy conversations while empowering students to engage with the complex challenges shaping the international system.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe at the signing of the KGC 2026 MOU. Signing the MoU with the Embassy of France in Uganda, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), and Alliance Française de Kampala to organize the 9th edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference (KGC), 15–16 April 2026 at Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe at the signing of the KGC 2026 MoU.

The Vice Chancellor noted that hosting the conference reflects Makerere University’s long-standing commitment to fostering intellectual exchange and positioning the institution as a hub for regional and global dialogue.

Makerere University is proud to host the Kampala Geopolitics Conference because it creates an important platform for debate and exchange on the global issues shaping our world, while giving our students the opportunity to engage directly with leading thinkers and policymakers,” said Prof. Nawangwe.

Prof. Nawangwe further commended the Embassy of France in Uganda, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and Alliance Française de Kampala for their continued collaboration with Makerere University in organizing the conference over the years. He expressed confidence that the 2026 edition will once again provide a dynamic platform for dialogue, bringing together scholars, policymakers, and students to examine the geopolitical trends shaping Africa and the wider world.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, H.E. Virginie Leroy, Ambassador of France to Uganda, highlighted the significance of the conference as a platform that encourages dialogue on global issues while empowering young people to participate in shaping the future.

H.E. Virginie Leroy reading her remarks at the signing of the KGC 2026 MoU. Signing the MoU with the Embassy of France in Uganda, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), and Alliance Française de Kampala to organize the 9th edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference (KGC), 15–16 April 2026 at Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
H.E. Virginie Leroy reading her remarks at the signing of the KGC 2026 MoU.

Since its inception, the Kampala Geopolitics Conference has created opportunities for students, researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to engage with some of the most pressing global debates. The Ambassador noted that the curiosity and engagement of Ugandan students have become one of the defining features of the conference.

“This conference has become a unique space where students, researchers, policymakers and civil society exchange ideas on the major transformations shaping our world,” Ambassador Leroy said, adding that the event demonstrates the intellectual vitality of Uganda’s youth and the strength of the partnerships that sustain it.

Strengthening Partnerships for Global Dialogue

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a long-standing partner in the initiative, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting platforms that foster meaningful discussions on international affairs and regional dynamics.

Speaking during the ceremony, Anna Reismann, Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Uganda, emphasized the importance of the conference in connecting local perspectives with global debates.

Anna Reismann responding to the Q&A from the media. Signing the MoU with the Embassy of France in Uganda, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), and Alliance Française de Kampala to organize the 9th edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference (KGC), 15–16 April 2026 at Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Anna Reismann responding to the Q&A from the media.

She noted that Africa has increasingly become a focal point in global geopolitics, attracting engagement from a wide range of international actors through investments, trade, security cooperation, and diplomatic partnerships. While these engagements create new opportunities for economic growth and technological advancement, they also raise important questions about sustainability, governance, and the terms of international cooperation.

According to Reismann, the conference provides an important forum to examine these issues and to encourage dialogue that bridges academic perspectives with practical policy considerations.

The 2026 edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference will focus on key global and regional issues shaping international relations and development.

Among the themes to be explored are the future of development cooperation, particularly as global aid dynamics evolve and countries explore more sustainable and balanced partnerships. Another panel will examine youth and public policy in Africa, recognizing the critical role that young people play in shaping governance, innovation, and development across the continent.

With Africa home to the youngest population in the world, discussions will highlight the importance of ensuring that young people are not only beneficiaries of public policies but also active contributors to their design and implementation.

Makerere University at the Centre of Global Conversations

Hosting the conference reflects Makerere University’s continued commitment to fostering intellectual exchange and positioning the institution as a hub for regional and international dialogue.

Through its partnerships with global institutions such as the Embassy of France, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and Alliance Française de Kampala, Makerere continues to create platforms that connect academic knowledge with policy discussions and real-world challenges.

Representatives from the all participating partners of the KGC 2026 in a group photo. Signing the MoU with the Embassy of France in Uganda, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), and Alliance Française de Kampala to organize the 9th edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference (KGC), 15–16 April 2026 at Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Representatives from the all participating partners of the KGC 2026 in a group photo.

The Kampala Geopolitics Conference is expected to once again bring together leading experts, scholars, and practitioners from across Africa and Europe, while providing students with a rare opportunity to engage directly with global debates.

As preparations for the 2026 edition gather momentum, the partners expressed confidence that the conference will continue to inspire critical thinking, encourage dialogue across disciplines and generations, and strengthen cooperation between Africa and its international partners.

Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.

Caroline Kainomugisha
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AI SHOWDOWN: Careers Fair 2026 Kicks Off at Makerere

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Chief Guest-Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero (5th L) with Prof. Moses Musinguzi (3rd L), Chair Organising Committee-Prof. Anthony Gidudu and other Speakers on Day 1 of the Makerere Careers Fair. Three-day Careers Fair 2026, bringing together students, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss the future of work in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Day 1 held under the theme “Machine vs. Man” and sponsored by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), 11th March 2026, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University has kicked off the three-day Careers Fair 2026, bringing together students, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss the future of work in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The first day of the expo, held under the theme “Man or Machine: Exploring AI’s Impact on Careers” and sponsored by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), explored the impact of AI on industries and careers.

The annual expo offers career guidance, job opportunities, entrepreneurship training, and networking platforms for students. It builds on previous themes focused on employability, innovation, and adapting to rapidly changing work environments.

In her keynote address, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, stressed the need for Uganda to strategically position itself in the digital economy.

Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero. Three-day Careers Fair 2026, bringing together students, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss the future of work in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Day 1 held under the theme “Machine vs. Man” and sponsored by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), 11th March 2026, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero.

She noted that Africa missed the first and second industrial revolutions and warned that the current digital revolution could also bypass the continent if deliberate efforts are not made to participate in it.

“Africa was just here, minding her own business, hunting her animals, resting. A distant industrial revolution impacted us very negatively,” she said, referencing the slave trade and colonization that followed the first industrial revolution.

The minister emphasized that Uganda must focus on producing digital goods and services rather than merely consuming them.

“We are still down there, but we are facing up. We must give Uganda a clear chance at sustainable and progressive transformation,” she said.

She observed that Uganda’s digital economy is currently skewed toward consumption, resulting in significant financial outflows.

Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero (R) and NSSF's Gerald Paul Kasato (L) confer. Three-day Careers Fair 2026, bringing together students, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss the future of work in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Day 1 held under the theme “Machine vs. Man” and sponsored by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), 11th March 2026, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero (R) and NSSF’s Gerald Paul Kasato (L) confer.

“Our net flow in this digital economy, including AI, is negative. We are losing money, jobs, and opportunities,” she added.

Musenero urged young people to move beyond simply using digital tools and instead focus on creating value.

“Mind or machine, it must give us a positive economic voice. Whichever one gives us that, we should go for it,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Moses Musinguzi, the Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology acknowledged the inevitability of Artificial Intelligence in modern society and urged stakeholders to focus on harnessing its potential.

Prof. Moses Musinguzi. Three-day Careers Fair 2026, bringing together students, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss the future of work in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Day 1 held under the theme “Machine vs. Man” and sponsored by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), 11th March 2026, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Moses Musinguzi.

“The general consensus worldwide is that we cannot condemn AI. Instead, we should see how we can make better and more productive use of it,” he said.

Musinguzi highlighted some of the challenges posed by AI in academia, noting that students can easily generate answers within minutes, potentially undermining the learning process.

“A student using AI can generate your answer in less than a minute. And that’s not what we want. We want to impart knowledge and skills to students,” he stressed.

He encouraged institutions to adopt AI responsibly while maintaining the core objective of producing skilled graduates.

A section of the audience. Three-day Careers Fair 2026, bringing together students, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss the future of work in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Day 1 held under the theme “Machine vs. Man” and sponsored by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), 11th March 2026, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
A section of the audience.

“We are now trying to see better methods of using AI while still maintaining the objective of producing students who have the skills and knowledge to advance the world,” Musinguzi said.

He further noted that AI will inevitably affect traditional careers, making adaptation essential.

“If we don’t innovate, there is a threat that we shall be exterminated,” he warned, urging students to embrace innovation and contribute to Africa’s development.

Earlier, Lameck Kavuma from AI Studio Uganda explained the fundamentals of AI, describing it as a system built on pattern recognition and mathematical models that predict the next word or action.

“AI is all about pattern recognition,” he said, noting that the technology still has limitations, particularly when dealing with noise or changes in context.

Lameck Kavuma. Three-day Careers Fair 2026, bringing together students, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss the future of work in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Day 1 held under the theme “Machine vs. Man” and sponsored by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), 11th March 2026, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Lameck Kavuma.

Kavuma observed that AI has existed since the 1990s in forms such as spam filters and recommender systems. However, recent advances in generative AI now allow machines to process long texts and hold conversations, making it appear as though AI is crossing into traditionally human roles.

He emphasized that AI could level the playing field by increasing productivity and removing traditional barriers to access.

“AI is a leveler. It removes gatekeepers,” Kavuma said.

On his part, Gerald Paul Kasato, Deputy Managing Director of NSSF, stressed the importance of collaboration between humans and machines.

“The future is not about humans competing with machines. It is about humans learning how to work with machines,” he said.

Kasato noted that AI, automation, and digital technologies are rapidly reshaping the workplace and creating new opportunities.

“AI, automation, and digital technologies will transform industries, but they will also create new careers, new businesses, and new opportunities,” he said.

Gerald Paul Kasato. Three-day Careers Fair 2026, bringing together students, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss the future of work in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Day 1 held under the theme “Machine vs. Man” and sponsored by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), 11th March 2026, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Gerald Paul Kasato.

He urged students to equip themselves with the right skills, mindset, and adaptability to thrive in the evolving job market.

“The real challenge is ensuring that young people are equipped with the right skills, mindset, and adaptability to thrive in this new world,” Kasato emphasized.

Kasato revealed that NSSF continues to promote financial literacy among young people, with more than 130,000 students registered and over UGX 235 billion saved.

“The future belongs to those who are curious, adaptable, innovative, and willing to continuously learn,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Michael Ssegwaya, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer at ABSA Bank, emphasized the need to adapt to a rapidly changing world driven by AI.

“The world is changing, and the banking sector is also changing. We handle millions of transactions, many of which are processed through AI systems,” he said.

Ssegwaya encouraged students to use AI tools to enhance productivity while maintaining independent thinking.

“I told my daughter, you can use AI, but your answers should not look like they came directly from AI. I need you to think and think differently,” he said.

He also highlighted ABSA’s “Ready to Work” program, which aims to prepare students for the evolving job market.

Michael Ssegwaya. Three-day Careers Fair 2026, bringing together students, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss the future of work in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Day 1 held under the theme “Machine vs. Man” and sponsored by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), 11th March 2026, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Michael Ssegwaya.

Ssegwaya urged students to develop skills such as creativity, communication, and empathy, which are less likely to be replaced by machines.

“Critical thinking is going to be important. Creativity may not necessarily be replaced,” he said.

He challenged students to become job creators rather than job seekers.

“I hope you are going to the university to become a job creator and not just a job seeker,” he added.

Similarly, Charlotte Kukunda from ACCA highlighted the need for professionals to adapt to the rapidly evolving technological landscape.

“The pace of change in AI is phenomenal, and it is also scary,” she said.

Kukunda revealed that ACCA is reimagining its qualification structure to include employability modules such as entrepreneurship, digital technology, and innovation.

Charlotte Kukunda. Three-day Careers Fair 2026, bringing together students, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss the future of work in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Day 1 held under the theme “Machine vs. Man” and sponsored by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), 11th March 2026, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Charlotte Kukunda.

“We have included optional employability modules so that students can choose what makes sense for their career paths,” she explained.

ACCA’s revised qualification, set to launch in June and September 2027, will emphasize skills such as data analysis, financial investment, and sustainability reporting.

She encouraged students to embrace AI while strengthening human intelligence.

“Accountants are embracing artificial intelligence and exploring its potential while paying attention to the risks,” she said.

Meanwhile, Douglas Opio, Executive Director of the Federation of Uganda Employers, challenged students to consider becoming employers.

“We have an acute shortage of employers,” he said.

Opio emphasized the importance of strong theoretical foundations, describing theory as the basis for practical innovation.

Douglas Opio. Three-day Careers Fair 2026, bringing together students, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss the future of work in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Day 1 held under the theme “Machine vs. Man” and sponsored by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), 11th March 2026, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Douglas Opio.

“Theory is like the operating system of practice,” he noted.

He urged students to view skills as a renewable resource that can drive growth and innovation.

“AI must be part of the skill set that you actively look for,” he added.

The NSSF Career Expo, launched in 2010, aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by equipping students and graduates with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to thrive in the modern workforce.

The event promotes a culture of saving, innovation, and entrepreneurship while bringing job opportunities closer to students.

A member of the audience poses a question. Three-day Careers Fair 2026, bringing together students, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss the future of work in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Day 1 held under the theme “Machine vs. Man” and sponsored by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), 11th March 2026, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
A member of the audience poses a question.

Key features of the expo include career guidance and counseling, job opportunities, entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and networking platforms. This year’s expo is being held in 15 universities across Uganda, including Makerere University, Kyambogo University, and Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi.

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

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