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Joyce Mpanga: It was by luck that I made it to Makerere

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“Although there are a number of things today that don’t look like the Makerere I was in. The Makerere that I entered was extremely beautiful. We had beautiful lawns and there were very few but very beautiful buildings.”

At first, Joyce Mpanga wanted to become a nurse. But the dream never came to fruition as she was still young to get admitted, she had to stay at Gayaza High School and was automatically admitted to Makerere College in 1953, after passing Cambridge School Certificate that learners took after completing junior high school, equivalent to today’s O’level. 

Mpanga graduated first in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts. She spent another year at Makerere doing a post-graduate diploma in Education which she obtained in 1958. She was hired as a part-time teacher in Makerere College and later faculty of education. 

A politician, women rights crusader and educationist in the past six decades, Joyce Mpanga is one of Makerere’s illustrious female alumni. As the university celebrates its centenary anniversary, it’s shining a light on alumni of her calibre. She is a woman of many firsts, including being the first African female lecturer in the faculty of education at Makerere University and Gayaza High School’s first African deputy headmistress.  

Now in retirement and more than six decades after graduation, Mpanga recounted her times at Makerere in a recent interview. Makerere, she says, was a beautiful place. “I entered Makerere in 1953 and I graduated in 1958. I first graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts but then I did one other year of postgraduate diploma in education,” she says. Makerere College was at the time affiliated to the University of London, hence, the degree she received was from University of London. 

In the interview, she gives nuanced tells of her time at the hill: being the only female in her Bachelor of Arts class as well as a number of university and national events that took place during that epoch of her life. Mpanga was admitted eight years after Makerere opened doors to female students. In the interview, she also talks about how she earned a job at Makerere as a lecturer.

Mpanga who had joined Gayaza High School in 1947 from Ndejje High with another girl. At Gayaza for junior one to junior three. After completing Junior three and passing continuation exams which learners sat at the time, she went for interviews at Mengo Nursing School in 1949. Other girls who she had applied with were admitted and started nursing training because they were strong enough to carry patients. Mpanga was at the time 15 years old. “They told me that if I like nursing, I can go back and come back later,” she says. She wondered what to do. The other option was King’s College Budo which had started admitting girls in 1934 yet she never wanted to go to Budo. “My father wanted to take me to King’s College Buddo but I didn’t want to leave Gayaza,” she says. 

Entry to Makerere 

At the time, she was joining what we now know as secondary level. As her parents were pondering on what do, Gayaza decided to start senior secondary level which had to run for four years which she completed in 1952 after passing Cambridge School Certificate. At first, Miss Cox who was the headmistress of  Gayza didn’t know whether the students were good enough for Cambridge School Certificate. The headmistress took them to a girls’ only school in Kenya to compare standards which she found that her students were good. Miss Cox became confident thus deciding to present them to Makerere the exams which they passed.

When results were released, Ms Cox was confident that Mpanga and another girl would be admitted to Makerere. Indeed, they were admitted after submitting their certificates to Makerere.

“I remember when my father visited the school, Miss Cox told him that they were going to try and see if Makerere could take me,” Mpanga says. Makerere accepted to admit her together with another girl from Gayaza and one from Trinity College Nabbingo. 

“The headmistress sent a teacher to come to my home and inform us that I had been given a place at Makerere. Everybody was excited. The school was excited. My parents were very excited and so was I,” she says. 

At Makerere, entrants first did what is now known as two years of Advanced Level (A level) and then studied a degree or a diploma. Degrees were both for sciences and arts. And the diplomas were for education, agriculture and veterinary. In the second year of A Level, students who were to join the degree, London intermediate exams set by University of London while for the diploma, exams were set by Makerere College.

To sit University of London intermediate exams, a student must have passed  English at O-level, Mpanga says. “Being admitted for the intermediate exam meant that I had passed with a good credit in English,” she says. 

In the first year of A Level,  the three girls Mpanga entered Makerere with–one from Gayaza, another from Trinity College Nabbingo and a third one from Kenya–were told that they weren’t going to present them for the University of London intermediate exam. Instead, they were going to take the Makerere higher Arts and go into diploma courses. “They went into education for two years and came out with a diploma in education and that too was quite high for anybody at that time,” she says.

Mpanga sat University of London intermediate exams which she passed and enrolled for Bachelor of Arts. Makerere was then a college that awarded University of London degrees. For the degree, she studied English, history and sociology. 

Life as a student

With three other female students she joined with going for diploma, Mpanga became the only woman in the degree intermediate class. And it was the first time she was studying with males. But during the two years of intermediate for degree entry, everybody was telling her to opt for diploma arguing that she wasn’t going to pass. Male students were telling Mpanga that intermediate was going to be very difficult for her. They were also telling her it had even been difficult for  male students.

Hon. Joyce Mpanga

“The intermediate one was the first time I studied with men and of course the men who were discouraging us. All the time they would say that you are a girl and you can’t make it. They would just be surprised to see that you’ve made it,” she says. In the degree class, Mpanga says, “I was used to studying with boys. They used to tease me and I would tease them back.”

Mpanga contemporaries at Makerere included, Prof. Namboze Josephine, the first female student to graduate with a medical degree from Makerere University. She was also the first female medical doctor in Eastern Africa. “She was very hard working as I remember,” Mpanga says. 

Nambooze’s time at Makerere: https://100.mak.ac.ug/a-dance-at-state-house-sharing-a-class-with-male-students-east-africas-first-woman-medical-doctor-tells-her-makerere-story-%ef%bf%bc/ 

At the time she joined, the University Guest House was the girl’s dormitory. There were only 13 girls in the university. They later moved to Mary Stuart Hall, whose construction started in 1947. When Mpanga left Makerere in 1958, there were about 50 female students. Male and female students were treated equally, Mpanga says, except that boys were allowed to get into their halls by midnight, girls had to be in their dormitory by 10:30PM. 

The famous undergraduate red gown was in use during the 1950s. It was mandatory for students to don the gown whenever they went out of their halls at night or wherever they went out of campus. Makerere students were very highly respected, Mpanga says. But they also respected themselves. “We had our own self-respect, I am a Makerere student. I can’t do this.  Like I see sometimes students moving from Wandegeya, eating maize on the way, how could a Makerere student eat while walking on the street? That was below us,” she says. 

Into University politics 

Mpanga was always interested in politics. There was a guild which was made up of representatives from halls of residences. Each hall had to send three or four representatives to the guild. “Since I was interested in politics from the beginning, I used to be one of the people who represented Mary Stuart in the guild,” she says. Students campaigned for leadership positions but she says they did not involve outside political parties as it is today. 

But as it is today, students took keen interest in national politics by following activities of political parties such as Democratic Party and Uganda National Congress (UNC), the first political party in Uganda formed in 1952. Political parties used to hold meetings where the old bus park is now, Mpanga says.  “There was a tree which they called omuti gwe dembe. Politicians from different political parties used to hold mass meetings there. And I remember we used to run and go and listen to them,” she says.

Unlike today when a semester can’t elapse without students’ demonstrations, there were no strikes at Makerere during Mpanga’s time.  The last strike had taken place in 1949. And that’s when Abu Mayanja was expelled from  Makerere for leading the strike over food. However, Mpanga says there were tense moments such as the deportation of the kabaka Mutesa II in 1953 that nearly led to a demonstration.

 On the day the Kabaka was exiled, she says, students were gated in their dormitories to ensure that they don’t move out. But male students forcefully moved out and went outside near the female students’ hall, calling ‘Abana ba BUganda, come out.’ The girls too moved out. They moved to the arts building lower lecture theatre and started shouting out what they were going to do. “We decided on a number of things. One was that we shall never stand up when they’re singing God, save the Queen,” she remembers. 

The Queen of England together with the duke of Edinburgh visited Uganda in 1954. As part of the trip, they were supposed to visit Makerere, open the Arts building and plant two trees in the Arts Building quadrangle. It was the reason why the Arts building was christened the Queen’s Court. The Queen’s Makerere visit never took place. Instead students were selected to go to Entebbe and meet the Queen and her entourage.  It’s the students who got the trees, brought them to Makerere and planted them on behalf of the Queen and the Duke. 

Loyalty to Buganda kingdom mattered for students like Mpanga, hence snubbing the opportunity to go to Entebbe and meet the Queen. “I was not one of the students who went to meet them. I can say that I was fairly political and politics outside concerned me. My kingdom Buganda had refused the Queen,” she says. 

Graduation, return to Makerere

Mpanga graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts and a diploma in Education. “And I remember one, one newspaper put in with  ‘a double smile for a double entry’ because I got my diploma for education,” she says. Mpanga completed the degree in 1957. It took a year between students completing the degree course and when they graduated because their results had to be verified and approved by London University. She spent the would be year of waiting studying the postgraduate diploma. Her graduation brought excitement in her family and village. 

Hon. Joyce Mpanga

“My family was very excited. In fact, I had a death in the family. One of my brothers died. If that didn’t happen, I don’t know what I would have done with all my relatives, because the whole village was saying, ‘we are going to hire a car and see how our daughter is being crowned.’ Many did not come,” she says referring to the graduation day. 

However, her mother and about ten other relatives attended the graduation. Each graduand would be given two invitation cards but Mpanga says she secured more cards from Tanzanian and Kenyan students whose parents were not coming for graduation. 

Mpanga had  got a first-class diploma in education. And she was quickly earmarked to start teaching immediately after graduation. “They gave me a part-time lecture. I was actually a teacher in Makerere College School, but I also taught students who were in the faculty of education,” she says. “It was sort of saying, don’t go very far. We want you to get a second degree and be able to be appointed as a lecturer.” 

It had been the same policy with other bright students such as Kenya’s former President Mwai Kibaki who was appointed part lecturer after graduation. Mpanga taught for one and half years and then went to do a masters degree in education at University of Indiana Bloomington campus in America. When she returned from America, there was no place in the faculty at that time. But Mpanga wasn’t short of offers because Gayaza wanted her as the first African deputy headmistress.

Mpanga took Gayaza high school offer but then after a short time Makerere advertised a temporary job in the faculty of education and the subject was exactly  like she had done. This was 1964. She applied for it. Before sitting interviews, she had to get recommendations from the faculty. First, she went to professor Tom Watson who had taught her, and who had advertised the temporary job. The professor told her  that the job had been advertised for a very experienced European woman. He told Mpanga that “you are already in  a very good first class school as deputy headmistress.”

She went to another professor called Lucas requesting a recommendation. Professor Lucas had been Mpanga’s personal tutor when she was in faculty education. He gladly accepted to give her a recommendation, saying, “if we haven’t produced anybody who can lecture with us, what have we done?”

Mpanga sat the interviews together with other three applicants. She passed and was given the job. “I think I can say I was the first African woman as the lecturer. They were African men who were lecturers. But I don’t remember any woman who was a lecturer at that time. I started as a lecturer in 1964.”

She adds; “I felt proud. I won’t hide that. I felt proud because how many African lecturers were there?” Prof. Yusuf Lule, Makerere’s first black principal, was excited to have the first African female lecturer and didn’t want to let Mpanga go.  When her 18 month contract expired, it was extended. 

Mpanga stopped teaching in 1967 and went to Britain to stay with her husband who couldn’t return to Uganda following 1966 crisis in which prime minister Milton Obote abolished Buganda kingdom. Her husband was the kingdom’s attorney general in the 1966 crisis.

Final reflections

“I am very proud of Makerere,” she says, adding, “although there are a number of things today that don’t look like the Makerere I was in. The Makerere that I entered was extremely beautiful. We had beautiful lawns and there were very few but very beautiful buildings.”

As Makerere turns a century old and starts its next century journey, Mpanga says, “Makerere should keep that name as beautiful and as dignified as we used to have it.”

“We used to be very dignified and you always felt proud to come to Makerere. And of course, even those who are there now should be proud that they’ve made it.”

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Deepening Japan-Makerere Collaboration: VC Hosts Assistant Minister H.E. Amb. TAKAHASHI

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Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and H.E. Amb. TAKAHASHI Misako (C) with Members of Management and the Japanese delegation after the meeting on 28th September 2026. Professor Barnabas Nawangwe and Members of Management welcome H.E. Ambassador TAKAHASHI Misako, Director-General/Assistant Minister for African Affairs, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and her delegation, 28th September 2026, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Vice Chancellor (VC) of Makerere University Professor Barnabas Nawangwe and Members of Management on September 28, 2026 welcomed H.E. Ambassador TAKAHASHI Misako and her delegation in the Council Room at Main Building to discuss ways of deepening their academic and technical collaboration. 

H.E. TAKASHASHI is the Director-General/Assistant Minister for African Affairs, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

In the session, VC acknowledged and appreciated the long-standing partnership between the University and Japanese institutions; both private and government.

“The university has had good relations with the Embassy of Japan, with JICA, and with several other Japanese institutions… When we returned to normalcy after turbulent political years, the Government of Japan was among the first ones to come to revive our excellence… so Uganda has had a very long and friendly relationship with Japan” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.

He further emphasized the historical impact of this support saying “I want to claim that it could have been because of the support that was given to the Department of Geology at that time, that the discovery of oil became possible in Uganda.”

Front Row L-R: Prof. Sarah Ssali, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, H.E. Amb. TAKAHASHI Misako and Prof. Henry Alinaitwe with Members of Management and the Japanese delegation at the Main Building Staircase. Professor Barnabas Nawangwe and Members of Management welcome H.E. Ambassador TAKAHASHI Misako, Director-General/Assistant Minister for African Affairs, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and her delegation, 28th September 2026, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Front Row L-R: Prof. Sarah Ssali, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, H.E. Amb. TAKAHASHI Misako and Prof. Henry Alinaitwe with Members of Management and the Japanese delegation at the Main Building Staircase.

Contributing to the discussions, the First Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs (DVCAA), Professor Sarah Ssali shared areas such as Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery as well as Neurosurgery, where Makerere could benefit from Japanese expertise. She added that the Institute of Gender and Development Studies (IGDS) currently enjoys a collaboration with the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.

Adding on the outstanding partnership, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration (DVCF&A) Professor Henry Alinaitwe highlighted traffic management as one of the key areas supported, he said “Japan has helped Uganda in the management of traffic…”

Expounding on this, HE. TAKASHASHI said “I just visited the control center for traffic in Uganda. It was built by a Japanese aid… as of today, they are controlling 31 junctions of traffic signals in Kampala City. They are supposed to boost up their activities to cover the entire Kampala city’s traffic systems” a project, she said, the Japanese Government remains committed to.

Continuing, Professor Alinaitwe highlighted Japan’s resilient and strong structures that can withstand earthquakes. He shared that “Japanese are helping us in developing the standards for earthquake design and management.”

Picking it up from here, H.E. TAKAHASHI acknowledged Japan’s proneness to earthquakes, which has led the country to develop leading global expertise in their management. Although Uganda is not comparatively prone to earthquakes, she reaffirmed that “Japan is deliberately thinking about the sustainable development of Uganda”, as a symbol of their friendship with institutions and the young people of Uganda.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) presents the Makerere@100 Coffee Table Book to H.E. Amb. TAKAHASHI Misako (L). Professor Barnabas Nawangwe and Members of Management welcome H.E. Ambassador TAKAHASHI Misako, Director-General/Assistant Minister for African Affairs, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and her delegation, 28th September 2026, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) presents the Makerere@100 Coffee Table Book to H.E. Amb. TAKAHASHI Misako (L).

She said the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) where “President Museveni is a long-standing participant” is a vital platform for addressing Japan’s various interests in Africa. She also talked about the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FIOP) Principle, and Japan’s three pillars for Africa.

“The three pillars of Japanese foreign policy towards Africa include; realising a continent of peace in Africa, creating a virtuous cycle of growth between Japan and Africa, and finally realising a society where everyone can feel genuine prosperity through empowering young generation for co-creation,” H.E TAKAHASHI noted.

Professor Julius Kikooma the Director for Graduate Training, expressed a need to leverage the partnership further in graduate student supervision, “our biggest area for collaboration should be capacity strengthening through trainings and working together to boost co-supervision of doctoral programs.”

Agreeing with Professor Kikooma, the Principal College of Veterinary and Animal Resources, Biosecurity Professor Clovice Kankya appreciated the support from Japan, particularly in the training of staff.

“A number of our staff have moved to universities in Japan for staff exchange for competence-based kind of training, but also to mention our Japanese counterparts have given a lot of technical support, not only to Makerere College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, but also to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. This kind of collaboration has resulted to advancing some of the veterinary reference laboratories” Prof Kankya elaborated.

Appreciating H.E. TAKAHASHI’s visit, Prof. Nawangwe expressed gladness that the brief session had brought forth a number important issues for discussion, which will enhance collaborations between Makerere University, the Embassy of Japan, and the people of Japan in general.

H.E. Ambassador TAKAHASHI Misako signs the Visitors' Book during a courtesy call on Professor Barnabas Nawangwe ahead of the meeting. Professor Barnabas Nawangwe and Members of Management welcome H.E. Ambassador TAKAHASHI Misako, Director-General/Assistant Minister for African Affairs, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and her delegation, 28th September 2026, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
H.E. Ambassador TAKAHASHI Misako signs the Visitors’ Book during a courtesy call on Professor Barnabas Nawangwe ahead of the meeting.

Some of the key areas with existing collaborations include;

  1. Engineering and Infrastructure
  2. Traffic Management
  3. Health and Veterinary Sciences
  4. Students and staff exchange
  5. Space science
  6. Disaster prevention
  7. Capacity building and volunteers
  8. Library and cultural resources

Makerere currently partners with a number of Japanese Universities including; University of Kobe, University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Tottori University, among others.

The University Management appreciates the government of Japan for an impactful collaboration over the years as “We Build for the Future.”

Photos by Benite Uwase, Public Relations Office, Makerere University

Elvis Lubanga, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Elvis Lubanga

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Makerere Marathon 2026 – Running to Equip the Disability Support Center

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L-R: Rt. Hon. Jacob Oboth, Hon. Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, Dr. Lorna Magara and other officials receive a guided tour of the Disability Support Centre from Ms. Elizabeth Rwabu (R) on 27th September 2026. 6th Edition of the Makerere Marathon with Chief Runner as the Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, 27th September 2026, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Kampala – Braving the morning downpour, participants started gathering as early as 5:00 AM. University roads were awash with green and gold kits clad by thousands of runners who gathered at the Hill to participate in the 6th edition of the Makerere Marathon that took place on September 27 2026.

Attendance was representative, with students, alumni, corporate teams and distinguished guests present to run under the featured race categories including the 5km, 10km, 21km, and 42km, alongside a 3km wheelchair race. These options gave persons of different abilities and fitness levels the opportunity to take part.

All races were officially flagged off at the Makerere Main Building parking lot by various dignitaries from Makerere, and partnering institutions led by the Chief Runner, the Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth. He was joined by the Chancellor of Makerere University and Second Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga.

The other dignitaries that accompanied the Speaker included; Dr Lorna Magara the Chairperson of Makerere University Council, Mr. Mark Anthony Muyobo CEO NCBA Bank Uganda, Mr. Phrase Lubega Managing Director of MTN Mobile Money (U) Limited, and Dr Maggie Kigozi, the Board Chairperson of the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF). Representatives from partner institutions and sponsors for this year’s Marathon were also present to witness the lively flag-off ceremony.

Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) with Rt. Hon. Jacob Oboth. 6th Edition of the Makerere Marathon with Chief Runner as the Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, 27th September 2026, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) with Rt. Hon. Jacob Oboth.

Welcoming the dignitaries who convened in the Vice Chancellor (VC)’s Boardroom, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe echoed Makerere University‘s commitment and deep appreciation for the high-level government and private sector support received during the Marathon.

He reiterated that the institution feels privileged to host the Speaker of Parliament and the Chancellor, who also serves as the Deputy Prime Minister, thanking them for their dedication to flagging off the runners despite the heavy downpour.

The same dedication was on full display throughout all race categories up to the finish line. Large crowds lined the university road sides, cheering wildly, blowing trumpets, and waving flags as the runners made their final sprint. Tired but smiling runners crossed the finish line one after the other, raising their hands in victory.

Impact of the Mak Marathon on Disability Support Centre

The Marathon serves as more than just a sports activity, it comes in as a conduit for institutional progress and student empowerment.

During the Speaker Rt. Hon. Oboth’s guided tour of the Disability Support Centre, the Manager, Ms. Elizabeth Rwabu acknowledged that so far, proceeds from the Marathon have directly transformed their services.

She elaborated, “the Makerere Marathon has been the primary driver of our growth as a centre, allowing us to support approximately one hundred and fifty-five students who rely on our services.”

Rt. Hon. Jacob Oboth with dignitaries in the Disability Support Centre. 6th Edition of the Makerere Marathon with Chief Runner as the Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, 27th September 2026, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Rt. Hon. Jacob Oboth with dignitaries in the Disability Support Centre.

The highlight of the delegation of distinguished guests and runners visit was a guided tour of the Center’s facilities, where technologies so far secured were displayed and existing as well as future needs were put forth.

She pointed out an all-in-one printer, explaining, “this printer is special because it has regular print. We also use it for large print… and scanning.”

She highlighted the machine used for tactile learning, saying, “we have an embosser here. And when students have their soft copy and hard copy notes, they bring them to the center, and we transcribe them to braille format.”

She also described the emergency solution for mobility, stating, “we also procured electric wheelchairs, which students with disabilities can actually borrow and use.”

Among students who added their voice to Ms. Rwabu’s was Ms. Catherine Nakibuuka, Chairperson of the Makerere University Disability Students Association. She is a student with visual impairment pursuing a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) who volunteered to explain to the Speaker how important some of the machines current in use are;

1. Eye Magnifier – This is a complex machine used to magnify small prints. It assists students who have visual impairments and rely on large print to read.

2. Focus Blue 40 – This is a modern device used for taking notes. It replaces older, large, and noisy Braille machines. It is portable enough to fit in a bag, making it suitable for use in meetings or courtrooms. Additionally, it can connect to a computer to display the Braille information on a screen, allowing sighted individuals to see what the user is reading.

Ms. Nakibuuka expressed deep gratitude for the support received through the Endowment Fund, Makerere University, and the organizers of the Marathon.

She stated, “We love these things,” noting that the Makerere Marathon’s goal to support the center makes education more inclusive.

Dr. Maggie Kigozi. 6th Edition of the Makerere Marathon with Chief Runner as the Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, 27th September 2026, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Maggie Kigozi.

The sharing by staff and students at the centre moved Dr Maggie Kigozi, who in turn appreciated them noting that “I’m glad to hear we are being useful as the Makerere Endowment Fund” and pledged that the Fund “will continue to work with the centre until they achieve more.”

Institutional Vision

The Chairperson of the Makerere University Council Dr. Lorna Magara acknowledged that the current Student with Disability Support Centre space may not be enough for the entire university.

In the spirit of remedying this, she shared that, “one of our goals is to have these centers in every other department of the university.”

“If we can have four or five or even maybe in every Hall of Residence, a smaller unit like this, then students with disabilities don’t have to walk long distances, that’s our target,” Dr. Magara explained.

Dr. Lorna Magara flags off one of the races. 6th Edition of the Makerere Marathon with Chief Runner as the Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, 27th September 2026, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Lorna Magara flags off one of the races.

Rt. Hon. Oboth Commends Makerere for the Marathon and Inclusivity

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth thanked the leadership for the Marathon, stating, “we want to thank the leadership of this university for innovative leadership that has brought the sixth Makerere Marathon to fruition.” He added that it is “gaining traction and momentum” and is “going a long way in creating awareness for persons with disability and its other yearly themes.”

While touring the Disability Centre at the Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility, Rt. Hon. Oboth addressed the students with disabilities, and emphasised a distinction between sympathy and compassion, noting, “what the students with disability need is not our sympathy. you need our compassion. You need the support. Sympathy will not help because it varies, but compassion remains.”

Regarding Parliamentary support, the Speaker made an individual contribution and also pledged, “as Parliament of Uganda, we are here to support the cause.”

Rt. Hon. Jacob Oboth. 6th Edition of the Makerere Marathon with Chief Runner as the Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, 27th September 2026, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Rt. Hon. Jacob Oboth.

He specifically invited the University to partner with Parliament for future events, saying, “we want to further pledge that for the next Marathon, please work with us through the Clerk of Parliament, so that we can take center stage.”

On a lighter note, he encouraged the students with disability to persevere, remarking, “after all, Makerere University is built on a hill, so every day you climb the hill, you are breaking a barrier. So take those barriers as a hill you are breaking.”

Makerere Marathon from a Student with Disability’s Perspective

Nalumansi Sharon, a student with disability in her third-year pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Psychology secured first place in the 3-kilometer wheelchair race. Beyond her athletic success, Sharon is a passionate advocate for fellow students with disabilities.

In an interview with Makerere Public Relations team, Sharon confessed that her personal motivation to participate in this event was the appreciation of challenges faced by persons with disabilities and desire to contribute to causes that support her peers.

Ms. Nalumansi Sharon, one of the winners of the 3km Wheelchair Race receives her dummy cheque from the DVCAA-Prof. Sarah Ssali (C) and Lord Mayor of Kampala City, HW Eng. Ronald Balimwezo (R). 6th Edition of the Makerere Marathon with Chief Runner as the Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, 27th September 2026, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Ms. Nalumansi Sharon, one of the winners of the 3km Wheelchair Race receives her dummy cheque from the DVCAA-Prof. Sarah Ssali (C) and Lord Mayor of Kampala City, HW Eng. Ronald Balimwezo (R).

“It feels good to be part of this mobilisation because I also have a disability, and I feel good if I do something that will help my other colleagues,” Sharon confessed.

She added that Makerere University‘s hilly terrain makes mobility difficult but with resilience, students with disability can overcome. She urged donors to contribute toward electric wheelchairs, which would significantly improve students’ ability to study and navigate campus.

Sharon therefore appreciated the Makerere University Endowment Fund for bringing together sponsors and the general public to raise funds for the betterment lives of students with disability at Makerere.

As the conversation deepened, Sharon praised the Makerere Disability Support Center for providing an environment where students with disability can complete coursework, receive guidance, and access printing services, allowing them to focus on their studies without unnecessary distractions.

Ms. Nalumansi Sharon shows off her medal. 6th Edition of the Makerere Marathon with Chief Runner as the Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, 27th September 2026, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Ms. Nalumansi Sharon shows off her medal.

She concluded by praying that God blesses all who pool their resources for the good of Persons with Disability.

Sponsors’ Inspiration to partner and support Mak Students with Disability

Speaking at the launch on July 1, 2026, Mr. Mark Muyobo, the Chief Executive Officer of NCBA, the Platinum Sponsor of the Makerere Marathon, highlighted that the partnership reflects a shared belief in the power of education to shape the future.

He said “our partnership with Makerere University is founded on a shared conviction that education remains one of the greatest investments any nation can make. For generations, Makerere has produced leaders, innovators and professionals who continue to shape Uganda and Africa. Supporting its future is an investment in our country’s future.”

In an interview, the Managing Director Mr. Phrase Ronald Lubega emphasized that MTN Mobile Money is driven by the belief that every Ugandan deserves the benefit of a modern quality of life.

Runners, both young and old, in green and gold kits race off the start line. 6th Edition of the Makerere Marathon with Chief Runner as the Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, 27th September 2026, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Runners, both young and old, in green and gold kits race off the start line.

He stated that MTN aims to positively impact communities within Uganda, ensuring they are healthy, supported, and progressing. By focusing on these areas, the company believes they help communities serve the country more effectively.

Beyond their core mobile money services, Lubega highlights the importance of connecting people through initiatives like sports, which help individuals integrate and network. He explained that these connections are essential for innovation and moving forward.

Organised through the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MAKEF) together with partners, this 6th edition will equip Makerere University’s Disability Support Centre and provide students with disabilities with assistive equipment that enables them to read, type, and hear university assignments and participate more fully in academic life.

This initiative reflects Makerere’s commitment to ensuring that disability does not become a barrier to accessing quality university education.

Photography by Benite Uwase, Public Relations Office, Makerere University

View Flickr Album: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD68fW

Elvis Lubanga, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Elvis Lubanga

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Call for Applications: RLRH Graduate Traineeship Programme

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Call for Applications: Refugee-Led Research Hub (RLRH) Graduate Traineeship Programme.

The Refugee-Led Research Hub (RLRH) is inviting applications for a six-month professional traineeship programme for master’s graduates who have been affected by forced displacement with refugee status.

This next cohort will run from November 2026 to April 2027 at RLRH offices in three locations: Nairobi, Kakuma refugee camp, and Kampala. The programme is designed for recent master’s graduates and alumni of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at any partner university. 

The traineeship provides graduates with training and mentorship to support their transition into professional careers. During the programme, trainees will receive specialised training in research and project coordination, as well as the opportunity to pursue an independent project. Upon completion, they will access a range of paid professional and research placements at RLRH and/or partner organisations.

  • Location: Nairobi (Kenya), Kakuma refugee camp (Kenya) or Kampala (Uganda) 
  • Duration: Six months (November 2026 to April 2027).
  • Time commitment: 25 hours per week, 3 days in-person at RLRH offices  
  • Stipend: 450 GBP per month; plus reimbursement for local travel which will be provided for the duration of traineeship.
  • Application form: https://bit.ly/traineeship26
  • Deadline: Friday 2nd October 2026 @ 11.59pm EAT (Nairobi time)

Please see download for further details.

Mak Editor

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