General
Campus France visits Makerere University: Pledges to strengthen partnerships
By Ritah Namisango
On Wednesday 15th March 2023, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe received a delegation from Campus France and the French Embassy in Uganda to discuss matters of common interest including strengthening partnerships between Makerere University and Universities in France, research, study opportunities as well as staff and student mobility.
The visiting team consisted of Mr. Olivier Chiche-Portiche, Director in charge of Geographical Coordination at Campus France and the Head of the Delegation, Ms. Oumou Diakite- Assistant Head of Africa Department at Campus France, in charge of sub-saharan Africa, Mr. Yves Mercier- Head of Cooperation at the French embassy in Uganda, Ms Léa Tracol – Education Attaché at the French Embassy in Uganda and Ms. Mercy Twinomujuni-Head of Campus France Uganda.
The delegation is holding a five-day visit (15th to 19th March 2023) to explore more collaboration opportunities in Uganda. The Campus France delegation, accompanied by members of the French Embassy has scheduled meetings with several senior Ugandan ministerial and academic officials, CEOs of foreign companies, diplomatic missions and agencies, and alumni.
Campus France, an operator of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, is the French agency in charge of promoting higher education and hosting and managing the international mobility of students, researchers, experts and guests. Campus France is present in 124 countries (including Uganda) around the world, relying on a network of over 250 Campus France Spaces and Antennas.
Mr. Chiche-Portiche who handles international promotions and foreign funded scholarships informed the Vice Chancellor, Central Management and College Principals that Campus France is interested in ensuring that Makerere University students and staff access study opportunities in France. He stated that the tuition fees in universities in France were affordable and greatly subsidized throughout the Universities in France compared to other Universities in the USA and United Kingdom. On the issue of accommodation, Mr. Chiche-Portiche notified the University Management that the hostel fees are affordable and international students are accorded the equal treatment as the nationals (French students).
Ms Oumou Diakite, Deputy Director of the Africa Department said that increased collaborations and partnerships between Makerere University and Campus France would facilitate the process of ensuring that Ugandans access affordable education services in France.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended the good working relationship between Makerere University and the French Embassy in Uganda. He noted that the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (School of Languages, Literature and Communication) was working closely with the Embassy to promote the teaching of the French language. The Vice Chancellor also pointed out the existing working relationship between Campus France and Makerere University International Office.
Prof. Nawangwe mentioned that such partnerships are anchored in the internationalization agenda of the University as well as internationalization of higher education in general. The Vice Chancellor welcomed the idea of strengthening the existing collaborations and partnerships and strategies aimed at widening the collaboration scope to the wider university community. He expressed his commitment to supporting avenues and programmes aimed at enhancing staf and student mobility.
He however, noted the need to address the issue of language if Makerere University is to attract students and staff to access opportunities in France. “Most of us in Uganda speak English. That means that we need to put up mechanisms for students and staff to learn French. Professors and researchers at Makerere University need to learn some basics in the French language to undertake joint research with counterparts in Universities in France,” said Prof. Nawangwe.
During the interaction, the audience was informed that the College of Business and Management through its capacity building programme had finalized an agreement with Alliance Francaise, Kampala to train staff in the French language.
Inspired by the ongoing efforts, the Vice Chancellor commended the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences, Dr. Eria Hisali and his team, for the initiative aimed at ensuring that staff in that College study and learn the French Language. Prof. Nawangwe reiterated that learning the French language would facilitate access to research opportunities.
Noting that the visiting delegation had highlighted the School of Law-Public Interest Law Clinic as an area of interest, the Vice Chancellor requested Dr. Ronald Naluwairo, the Acting Principal, School of Law to pursue this matter for the mutual benefit of students and staff. To facilitate the flow of information between Makerere University and Campus France, the Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi emphasized the need for Campus France to establish information spaces/centres in Uganda.
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
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