General
67 Minutes of Community Service for 67 Years of Mandela’s Service
On the 14th of July, 2023, Makerere University in collaboration with the South African High Commission kicked off commemoration of the Nelson Mandela International day with a community service at the Makerere University Primary School. On this day, we honored and celebrated Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of service of selfless service. In so doing, members of the society converged at Makerere University Primary School and conducted a community service for 67 minutes, each minute reflecting the aforementioned 67 years.
The event which started at 9:00am at the Makerere University Primary School begun with a band led by the pupils who welcomed the delegates with a marching procession. Present at the venue were the South African High Commissioner, H.E Lulama Xingwana, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and the Headmistress, Makerere University Primary School, Ms. Nabirye Juliet. Also in attendance were a number of partners to the South African High Commission namely, Stanbic Bank Uganda, Tree Adoption Uganda, Gustro Book Centre, Multichoice Uganda Limited and MTN Uganda Limited.
After the band march and welcome, the primary school pupils assembled for an address from the school’s visitors. The Headmistress warmly welcomed the delegates to the school and ushered in the start of the community service. Secondly the assembly was addressed by the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe who encouraged the pupils to work hard, be disciplined and read their books so that they can join Makerere University and reach heights as great as becoming Vice Chancellors like him.
All assembled then listened to H.E Lulama Xingwana who was very happy to meet the pupils. She started off by introducing them to who Nelson Mandela was and thanked them for singing the South African National Anthem very well.
After the school assembly, the visitors and guests planted fruit trees around the school compound. The fruit trees included mangoes, avocados, guavas and oranges. The trees were planted by the following parties; the South African High Commissioner, the Vice Chancellor, COO Stanbic Bank Uganda, KCCA (Kampala Capital City Authority) Administrator, a representative from Multichoice Uganda and lastly the Headmistress of the host school.
The delegates present proceeded to clean the school compound by sweeping, engaging in proper garbage disposal and later painting of the classrooms and pavements along the walkways of the school. The 67 minutes of community service were culminated by session speeches from the various partners present and the school administration.
In her speech, the Headmistress said, “I thank God for the grace and opportunity He has given us to receive you in our school and choosing us as an activity ground for commemorating Nelson Mandela Day. Makerere University Primary School is beautiful in that we have all it takes to make a good school and also have the opportunity to grow because we are accessible, have space, and at the same time connected to Makerere University as an institution of higher learning.
She further noted, “I would like to thank the Vice Chancellor for the support he always extends to the school through the School of Education and the Estates and Works Department. The School Management Committee has done well in terms of managing the school and Estates Department has contributed tremendously by providing us firewood and recently, it fenced the school with wire mesh and barbed wire. We are really grateful to have you.”
The various organizations present donated a number of items which were received by the chief guests and the school administration. Among the donations rendered were; 70 trees by Tree Adoption Uganda, Gustro Book Centre which donated 2 boxes of children’s books and primary school textbooks. MTN Uganda donated yellow T-shirts, Coca Cola Uganda limited donated cartons of soda for the pupils, Plascon Uganda donated Paint, and the South African High Commission donated 10 garbage bins, cleaning materials, scholastic items, 100 kilograms of rice to staff, to mention but a few.
Makerere University staff have been urged to embrace servant leadership, integrity and compassion as they prepare to welcome students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The call was made during the Makerere University Staff Prayer Breakfast held on 31st July 2026 at St. Francis Students Centre Upper Hall under the theme “Faithful Stewards: A Servant Heart with Integrity and Wisdom,” drawn from Colossians 3:23–24 and Mark 10:35–45.
The prayer breakfast brought together members of Council, University Management, academic, and administrative staff to dedicate the new academic year to God while reflecting on their responsibility of serving students with excellence, humility and integrity.
A Call to Seek God’s Wisdom
Host Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa reminded staff that no amount of professional experience or academic expertise can replace God’s guidance.
She noted that the University’s mission can only be fulfilled when staff continually seek God’s wisdom in serving students and one another.
“There is no amount of experience or expertise that can replace God’s wisdom.”
Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed that students remain the reason universities exist and challenged staff to approach their work as a calling rather than merely employment.
“Without students, there is no university,” she said, encouraging members of staff to remain united, avoid unhealthy competition and trust God as they begin another academic year.
She further urged staff to become faithful stewards who work together in harmony, which she summed up as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research
In her remarks, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Members of Management to the breakfast, and reminded staff that a university’s value cannot be measured by research and innovation alone.
She described Makerere as a community held together by the spiritual as well as academic wellbeing of its people, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
Draw Inspiration From Stewardship
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Sarah Ssali told staff that this year’s breakfast carried special significance.
“This is the first prayer breakfast we are having ever since we launched our strategic plan,” she said, referring to the University’s new Strategic Plan, launched on 2nd July 2026.
She encouraged staff to hold on to the morning’s reflections as a guide for implementing the plan over the next five years, describing Makerere as an institution many families choose above all others for the vision and training it offers their children. She urged staff to see themselves as stewards of that trust rather than simply employees carrying out a job.
Compassion and Discipline Must Go Together
Delivering her remarks, Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara challenged staff to strike a balance between compassion and discipline when dealing with students.
She observed that many students face different personal and academic challenges, making encouragement and timely support essential throughout their university journey.
“A word of encouragement can restore hope and prevent costly mistakes,” she noted.
Dr. Lorna encouraged lecturers and administrators to respond promptly to students’ concerns, explaining that delays, insensitive decisions and abuse of authority can discourage students and negatively affect their academic experience.
She reminded staff that students often remember how they were treated long after they have forgotten what was taught in class.
“Students may eventually forget what we teach them, but they will always remember how we treated them.”
She added that education goes beyond transferring knowledge.
“Education is more than knowledge. We communicate life, character and values.”
Quoting Mark 10, Dr. Lorna called upon staff to embrace servant leadership by exercising authority with humility, integrity and accountability.
She encouraged members of staff to ask themselves whether they would treat every student the same way ashey would treat their own child.
“We may not always have all the answers,” she said, “but we can communicate honestly, take responsibility and treat every student with dignity.”
She concluded by urging different colleges and administrative units to work together instead of operating in isolation, noting that unity strengthens the University community.
Referring to Galatians 6:2, she reminded staff to carry one another’s burdens and remain faithful stewards of the responsibility entrusted to them.
Servant Leadership Begins with Faithfulness
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. James Magara, husband to Dr. Lorna Magara, called on members of staff to embrace servant leadership grounded in humility, faithfulness and service to others.
Drawing from Mark 10:35–45, Dr. Magara reflected on the account in which James and John asked Jesus for positions of honour in His kingdom, prompting discontent among the other disciples. He observed that despite walking closely with Christ, the disciples continued to struggle with the desire for status and recognition. He noted that such competition remained evident even during the Last Supper, where concerns over positions and prominence persisted.
Dr. Magara said that Jesus responded to these human tendencies by redefining leadership through service rather than authority. He described Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet as the ultimate demonstration of servant leadership, explaining that genuine leaders are willing to undertake even the humblest responsibilities in service of others.
Referencing Philippians 2, he urged staff to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness, contrasting it with the pride and self-exaltation illustrated in Isaiah 14. He emphasised that lasting influence and greatness are not measured by titles, positions or recognition, but by one’s willingness to serve faithfully and put the needs of others before personal ambition.
Drawing on his own leadership journey spanning several decades, Dr. Magara challenged leaders across the University to cultivate humility, integrity and a servant heart in the execution of their responsibilities. He cautioned that leadership driven by pride and personal ambition undermines both individual effectiveness and institutional progress, whereas servant leadership strengthens organisations and fosters lasting impact.
The prayer breakfast concluded with a call for unity and collective commitment as Makerere University prepares to begin a new academic year. Organisers noted that the reflections on stewardship, integrity and servant leadership would provide a strong foundation for the University community as it advances the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
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