General
Mak mobilises funds to save the people of Karamoja from hunger
By Ritah Namisango
As Makerere University staff and friends continue to fundraise resources to save the people of Karamoja from starvation, hunger and death, the Fundraising team appointed by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has today, Monday 12th December 2022 presented the first batch of resources mobilised consisting of cash contributions worth UGX 25 million and other relief items to the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe.
Makerere University joined the Karamoja Fundraising Drive on 7th October 2022 during a Corporate Prayer Breakfast and Staff Luncheon organized at the University’s Freedom Square by Pastors Robert and Jessica Kayanja to praise God for the 100 years of Makerere University’s transformation and contribution to humanity.
During the praise, worship and prayer engagement with Makerere University leadership and staff who had convened at the Freedom Square, Pastor Robert Kayanja shared videos of the famine in Karamoja and its consequences. The effects of climate change such as prolonged drought led to crop failures which have exacerbated the famine that continues to plague this mineral-rich region. It is hard to imagine a life where you and your family are reduced to eating leaves to stay alive.
Moved by the videos of people in Karamoja starving to death and the fundraising campaign through “The Karamoja Cry” being undertaken by the Robert Kayanja Ministries, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe pledged to champion Pastor Robert and Jessica Kayanja’s Karamoja initiative at Makerere University. In this regard, Prof. Nawangwe announced a fundraising drive aimed at helping to address the food insecurity in Karamoja sub-region. Prof. Nawangwe pledged to reach out to members of staff at Makerere University to contribute money and relief items in order to save the people of Karamoja from hunger and death.
Rallying staff to contribute to “The Karamoja Cry,” the Vice Chancellor appointed Dr. Twine Bananuka from the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) and Dr. Robinah Kulabako from the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) to receive the contributions in form of cash and relief items.
Presenting the first batch of the resources (both in cash and relief items) so far contributed, Dr. Twine Bananuka and Dr. Robinah Kulabako emphasized that the fundraising drive is still going on, and pointed out that more members of staff at Makerere University and friends are still mobilizing resources.
“We are handing over the first batch of the cash and relief items to the Office of the Vice Chancellor so that the contribution from Makerere University towards the Karamoja Cry is received by the Pastor Robert and Jessica Kayanja Ministries to support preparation for the next planting season,” Dr. Bananuka said.
Receiving the cash contribution of UGX 25 million and relief items, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe who is also the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) applauded Makerere University staff and friends for responding to the Vice Chancellor’s call to join the fundraising drive to save the people of Karamoja from hunger. Appreciating that the fundraising drive was still going on, Prof. Alinaitwe has further appealed to staff and friends of Makerere University to contribute generously towards the Karamoja Fundraising Initiative.
In the same spirit, Prof. Alinaitwe commended Pastors Robert and Jessica Kayanja for coming up with the noble cause of reaching out to Ugandans and institutions such as Makerere University in order to contribute resources to save people of Karamoja from starvation, hunger and death.
The Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has today, Friday, 26th June 2026 handed over the CCE (Complex) Hall of Residence Site to National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) Managing Director and CEO, Lieutenant General James Mugira for renovation and overhaul works. The UGX 12billion Government of Uganda-funded works, expected to be completed within a year, are the fourth project to be undertaken by NEC. They were preceded by; construction of the University Perimeter Wall, Renovation of Lumumba Hall, and Renovation of Mary Stuart Hall.
NEC’s Record Lauded
Prof. Nawangwe in his remarks at the handover ceremony lauded these projects. “The quality of work done by NEC makes us proud because we can finally say that we have Ugandans who can do the things, which we previously depended on foreigners to do.” He therefore thanked the Government of Uganda for fully funding the projects and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Museveni, whose visit set the renovation projects in motion.
The Vice Chancellor added that as the Alma mater for most members of both the Contractor and Project Management Teams, this was a moment of great pride as their expertise and skills have saved the country billions of taxpayers’ money. “Thank you for being patriotic”, he commended.
Prof. Nawangwe concluded by noting that CCE Hall, by virtue of its location, provides a first impression of Makerere University as a whole. He therefore urged the contractor to ensure that upon renovation, CCE Hall would create a memorable and lasting first impression, exceeding even that of the renovated Mary Stuart Hall.
A Project Fueled by Nostalgia
Speaking of impressions, Lt. Gen. Mugira, with nostalgia recalled that close to 42 years ago, he not only attended his first lectures in Hall 1 of the CCE Complex but also, on a more personal note added, “my wife was a resident, and so I have every motivation to put in a lot of effort and make sure that I deliver more than was done with Mary Stuart and Lumumba.”
He therefore extended heartfelt appreciation to his Alma mater Makerere University for the trust and confidence bestowed in NEC, which underscored their ability to deliver. “Trust is earned through performance, through integrity and consistency, and your decision to engage us motivates us to work even harder to exceed your expectations.”
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) Prof. Henry Alinaitwe reechoed the need to ensure that the project is executed with adherence to the cost, quality, specifications and safety related issues as earlier shared by the Acting (Ag.) Chief Engineer of Estates and Works, Eng. Ezra Sekadde.
“NEC has already demonstrated this (with previous projects), and that is why we have all the confidence that you can deliver this project within 12 months” remarked Prof. Alinaitwe. He equally lauded the Project Management Team (PMT) led by Arch. Dr. Kenneth Ssemwogerere whose supervision ensures timely project completion.
Relatedly, Arch. Dr. Semwogerere was on 25th June 2026, the eve of the handover, promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, a milestone Prof. Alinaitwe attributed to his track record as Head of PMT. He therefore, on a light note, urged him to keep up the good work as this could equally contribute to his promotion to the rank of full Professor.
Also present at the handover ceremony was the Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES) Prof. Anthony Mugagga, whose unit will be greatly affected by the renovations. He nevertheless welcomed and reiterated his full support for the project, noting that just as renovation of Lumumba and Mary Stuart Halls had resulted in many alumni revisiting, the CCE Complex would upon renovation attract former residents and teaching professionals to give back or forge new partnerships.
Student Welfare at the Forefront
On her part, the Dean of Students Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli lauded the renovations of Halls of Residence as a clear demonstration of Government’s dedication to the improvement of student welfare, and creating an environment conducive for nurturing responsible citizens who can contribute to national development. She pledged her Office’s and the Student Leadership’s readiness to ensure that the renovated facilities used responsibly for the benefit of future generations.
As a resident of the recently renovated Mary Stuart Hall, 92nd Guild President H.E. Kadondi Gracious could not help but appreciate how impactful the renovation of CCE Hall would be to student welfare. “The female students will be very excited (to occupy CCE Hall) but the male students will be left complaining – so we shall be expecting more renovations, not just for the female but also the male students,” she amiably concluded.
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