_{By Ritah Namisango}

On Tuesday 2^nd May 2023, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe hosted the Heads of Partner Organisations’ meeting to plan and formulate strategies for the upcoming 6^th Edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference scheduled to take place mid-October 2023 at Makerere University.

The Heads of partner organisations’ meeting including the French Embassy in Uganda, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, UN Women, Makerere University and Alliance Française Kampala, aimed at fostering a high-level reflection on the conference, discussing strategic plans, commitments, high-quality debate and involvement of other regional and international partners. Another partner namely IRIS (Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques) will join in due course.

The Kampala Geopolitics Conference is an annual academic, public event organised at Makerere University to discuss current geopolitical trends and hot topics. The conference started in 2018 and has become a regional flagship bearer for Geopolitical debates. It complements global conversations with regional and African perspectives, sets the course for a balanced discourse and places sustainable development, the new scramble for Africa, global peace and international cooperation in the limelight.

The 6^th Edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference will bring on board researchers and academia at the national and international levels, professionals in different spheres of life, diplomatic missions, the government, private sector, civil organisations, the media, staff, alumni and students.  During the meeting, the Head of Partner Organisations also resolved to focus on attracting panelists, speakers and participants beyond Uganda to include the East African region and countries in Europe.

The Vice Chancellor re-affirmed the commitment of Makerere University to host and participate in this discourse that presents an opportunity to researchers, scholars, staff and students to share ideas through intellectual debates.

Prof. Nawangwe stressed the need to mobilise, engage and involve students from Makerere University and other Universities to participate in the 6^th Edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference.  “The topical issues to be discussed will equip our students and youth who end up taking on various leadership positions in the country with knowledge and a balanced perception and appreciation of national and global affairs,” said Prof. Nawangwe.

As the 6^th Edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference takes shape, the Heads of Partner Organisations highlighted some of the potential topics to be included in the conference programme. These include: The New Scramble for Africa – emerging geopolitics and international relations in Africa; Rapid population growth and implication for the growth and stability of Africa; Closing the Global Digital Divide: Advancing Digital Inclusion and Economic Opportunities for All; Gender and Climate Security: Implications for Women’s Rights and Security; Empowering Youth for Effective Leadership and Participation in African politics and development: Opportunities and Challenges; The refugee crisis in Africa; Water governance – the transboundary water peace and democracy; Cultural and creative industry as an influential tool for East African Countries; The African Union Mission in Somalia; The East Africa as part of the “Indo Pacific Theatre”; The effectiveness of the East African Community Regional force as security provider, the case of Congo.

The following personalities attended and participated in the high-level Heads of Partners meeting at Makerere University:  Mr.  Jean-François Hasperue – Embassy of France, Mr. Yves Mercier –Embassy of France; Gregory Meyer – Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Nils Wörmer – Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Paulina Chiwangu – UN Women, Lisa Dardis – UN Women, Valentine Corbel – Alliance Française Kampala, Mr. Victor Petit – Alliance Française Kampala, Awel  Uwihanganye – Mak Advancement, Ritah Namisango – Mak Public Relations, and Ayub Kiranda – Representative of Mak on the Planning Committee.