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HERS-EA Sixth Academy – A Call to Rise
The HERS-EA Sixth Academy officially kicked off on 3rd July 2023 at the Grand Global Hotel, Makerere Kikoni, based on the Maya Angelou-inspired theme ‘And Still I Rise’. This year’s theme is aimed at challenging participants to rise above and beyond institutional and personal barriers to women leadership. Launched in 2014, the Higher Education Resource Services, Eastern Africa (HERS-EA) is a non-profit organisation affiliate of HERS, established in the USA in 1972. The goal of HERS-EA is to raise the proportion of women in leadership and management positions in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Eastern Africa through intensive leadership and management training and mentorship.
The Sixth Academy due to be held until Friday 7th July 2023 has attracted 42 aspiring women leaders from universities and organizations across East Africa, with Gulu University sending a ten-strong contingent of participants. The hybrid nature of the academy will allow both participants and facilitators to join the training virtually.
Delivering the welcome remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe congratulated HERS-EA’s Founder and Board Chair, Prof. Margaret Khaitsa as well as the Co-founder and Executive Director, Ms. Naomi Lumutenga on their persistence that has seen organization empower tens of women since its founding in 2014.
“Recently while appointing Deans (of Schools) it was pleasant to note that five (5) out of seven (7) of them were women… we intend to continue like that because we now have a revised policy on Gender Mainstreaming, and we are really thinking about even putting quotas in the policies” remarked Prof. Nawangwe. The quotas, explained the Vice Chancellor, will offer clear guidance on what is deemed as fairness when it comes to percentage of women appointed as leaders.
In the same breath, Prof. Nawangwe congratulated Prof. Khaitsa on being nominated for the 2023 Excellence in Community Partner Engagement Award by the Engagement Scholarship Consortium for her work with HERS-EA. The Award will be presented in October this year. “All the research we do will only be meaningful when we bring in the community because we should be doing research in order to improve the conditions of our people.”
Prof. Nawangwe equally thanked Prof. Maggie Kigozi, also a long-term supporter of HERS-EA, for accepting to deliver the keynote address. He observed that the work that HERS-EA is doing in mentoring women leaders is extremely important and encouraged the organisation to conduct a tracer study of its alumnae.
The keynote address by Prof. Maggie Kigozi was a heart-to-heart from a medical doctor turned businesswoman, who had been through many highs and lows including two flights into exile. She awed her audience when she shared that she was only two days shy of celebrating her 73rd birthday (on 5th July), despite her youthful appearance and agility.
Describing an eventful career peppered with many turning points, Prof. Kigozi couldn’t help but appreciate the pivotal role that her parents’ reassuring love and her medical degree played in her life.
“’You are wanted, you are enough. I don’t need any other daughter’” she said, quoting her parents’ reassuring words. “When your parents tell you this, you grow up with that confidence, you take that into any room and don’t let people overlook you,” added Prof. Kigozi. As an only girl and a middle child with two elder and two younger brothers, this reassurance, she said, was all she needed to avoid feeling overshadowed by her equally outstanding siblings.
“I truly believe that education is the foundation for everything” she continued, before saying of her alma matter, “There is no way I would be standing here talking to you if Makerere had not taken me in, if I did not have my medical degree”.
“And for seventeen years I was a doctor. In those years of political turbulence here, I was able to take my famous Makerere University Medical School degree, wave it in Zambia and come out with a job the next day… three years later I went to Nairobi and again I just went into the Ministry of Health with this famous degree of mine and I was employed so education is power” she emphasised.
Prof. Kigozi equally urged participants to define the big and small fights and stop fighting the latter. “I have worked with men and women and I find we do tend to worry about the small things, as women, by nature.” Additionally, she urged the women to take part in sports to stay healthy and forge friendships, accept people for their various religious beliefs, volunteer their time and expertise to the various NGOs in need of board members and not limit their networks to their professions, education or economic levels.
In line with the Sixth Academy theme, ‘And Still I Rise’, Prof. Kigozi said that whereas many would regard 72 as the age to slow down, she still rises, not for herself but to effect change for others that are not doing so well as well as many other causes. One of these causes is the Makerere University Endowment Fund (Mak-EF), where she serves as the Board Chairperson.
“When I was asked to join the Makerere University Endowment Fund last year, I didn’t even take one minute to think about it. Yes I’m tired, yes I’m overworked, but I can make a difference and so I’m going to do this because if I can raise money to get scholarships and get research done and get buildings put up, I will drop other things and do it but we need your help” remarked Prof. Kigozi. She therefore urged the alumnae to sign up on the Endowment Fund Platform and give back to their alma mater.
As a mother and grandmother, Prof. Kigozi stressed the need for fellow women to prioritise their children’s school activities over their own professional engagements, noting that this would greatly encourage and motivate them.
On a motivational note, Prof. Kigozi introduced Ms. Jackie Nansubuga, a Makerere alumna and co-founder of Quality Management Services, a business that has been in operation since 2002. Ms. Nansubuga urged participants to always choose great partners when starting up businesses, have a personal vision and equip themselves with a growth mindset that allows other people in the team, particularly the younger ones, to communicate freely. She equally urged them to never compromise on honesty, integrity and excellent service, always work hard, accept criticism and always persevere.
In her remarks, Ms. Naomi Lumutenga thanked the Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe for being a dependable and long-term supporter of HERS-EA as well as Prof. John David Kabasa for his ardent backing of the organisation’s vision. She equally thanked Prof. Kigozi for her keynote address and generosity towards HERS-EA, as exemplified by her bringing along Ms. Nansubuga and many other inspiring professionals at previous academies.
Ms. Lumutenga shared that the training programme will be woven around the three core themes of (1) Personal Development, (2) Institutional Development and (3) Networking. She said that participants had received one template for a leadership project and another to prepare participants to pitch about collaborative interests of their respective universities to fellow participants.
Particularly addressing herself to the impact that past leadership projects have had, Ms. Lumutenga said, “The fact that we are here today running this workshop in-person is part of an outcome of last year’s alumni who worked with us and sought a small grant that has managed to cover registration for most of you or subsidize it at the very least.”
Furthermore, on the impact of presentations by participating teams on future institutional collaborations, she cautioned, “Don’t underestimate that because previous pitches by other universities have led to faculty exchange and student exchange programmes, just because somebody did a good pitch during those ten minutes.”
The HERS-EA Sixth Academy sessions will cover topics such as; Gender Mainstreaming, Navigating gender stereotypes, Grants Management, Grant Writing and Budgeting for Grants. Other sessions will cover; Mentorship, Collaborative Opportunities, Navigating the Political Environment, Developing a Career Map and Evidence-based Community Engagement. The academy will officially close on Friday 7th July with a certificate award ceremony presided over by the President and Executive Director of HERS, Dr. Gloria Thomas.
Zoom Link for the Closing Ceremony
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89133216548?pwd=ZEVnRFhldmdOK1NEU0h2M2orRzFOQT09
Meeting ID: 891 3321 6548
Passcode: 197775
A significant development unfolded at Makerere University during a strategic, hour-long meeting in the vice chancellor’s boardroom on 7th October 2025, marking a deepening bond with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The primary goal was to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program. Prof. Sarah Saali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, set the tone by emphasizing that institutional partnerships are crucial to Makerere University, which she proudly called the leading research and most collaborative university in the world.
The discussion promptly formed the core structure of the program: a four-year PhD (or three if the master’s was research-based), with supervision duties split 50-50% between the two institutions. A key feature is the mobility requirement, stipulating that PhD candidates would spend a total of six months in the Netherlands, potentially divided into two three-month periods. Crucially, the University of Groningen confirmed there would be no teaching requirement during this stay, allowing students full access to focus on their research. A major financial hurdle was overcome with the adoption of a fee-waiver policy; Makerere would waive tuition for incoming Groningen candidates, and Groningen would reciprocate for Makerere‘s students, significantly boosting the program’s financial viability.
However, the critical issue of the stipend remained. Dr. Anita Veltmaat explained that to meet the required living standard of approximately €1,875 per month in Groningen, the incoming candidate must secure a partial external scholarship of around €250 per month. The positive news is that if the candidate secures this minimum scholarship, the University of Groningen is prepared to top up the amount to the full living standard for the six months the student spends in the Netherlands. It was noted that this initial financial hurdle might be simplified for Makerere students, as many are already staff members receiving a salary, which could help cover the required €250.
The path forward was clear: it was to complete the agreement template guided by the setup committee from both institutions. The plan culminated in scheduling an online follow-up meeting for Tuesday, November 11th, to review the first revision of the agreement, capping a highly constructive discussion that solidified the two universities’ shared future in graduate education.
Makerere University was represented by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics Affairs; Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Head of the Department of Gender Studies; Dr. Patricia Ndugga, School of Statistics; Dr. Stella Achen and Dr. Joseph Watuleke, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning; Agatha Ainemukama, School of Engineering; Racheal Nuwagaba, School of Psychology; Awel Uwihanganye, Martine Rugamba, and Hawa Ndagire from the Advancement Office; and Muhammad Kiggundu from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.
The University of Groningen was represented by Dr. Dinie Bouwman, Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalization and Quality Assurance; Dr. Anita Veltmaat, Faculty of Social Behavior and Social Sciences, Department of International Studies, involved in mentorship programs for women; and Dr. Alette Arendshorst, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, working on graduation/collaboration for students/staff.
Makerere University on Tuesday, 7th October 2025 hosted a delegation from Nelson Mandela University (NMU), South Africa in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom in a bid to strengthen academic partnerships and operationalize their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The delegation, led by Prof. Azwinndini Muronga, Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, NMU, aimed to turn earlier agreements into actionable collaborations and build sustainable partnerships with various colleges.
The Acting (Ag.) Deputy Vice Chancellor; Finance and Administration, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, provided an overview of the institution’s structure—nine colleges, two schools, and two institutes—while acknowledging the challenges of maintaining excellence amid resource limitations and post-pandemic recovery. He emphasized that collaboration must serve the broader goal of research-driven development, calling for teamwork and resilience among African universities. “We have to work together to sustain high academic standards and contribute to the continent’s progress,” he noted.
Prof. Muronga spoke passionately about the NMU’s “African footprint agenda.” He urged both institutions to start with small, practical projects that can build confidence and momentum for larger initiatives. “We must grow partnerships within Africa first,” he stated, “before we expand globally. True collaboration begins when both sides contribute equally, share capacity, and build self-reliance.”
Prof. Muronga also expressed interest in joint research projects, doctoral supervision, and shared grant applications, noting that NMU and Makerere are strategically positioned to lead regional academic innovation.
In her remarks, Prof. Judy Peter, Senior Director in the International Office at NMU emphasized the University’s commitment to African-centered collaboration and the importance of internationalizing the curriculum and expanding research capacity.
Prof. Peter underscored the importance of student mobility, joint supervision of postgraduate students, and the recruitment of talented African scholars, noting that such exchanges enrich both institutions’ academic communities. She also emphasized the need to internationalize the curriculum, particularly through virtual learning platforms and co-teaching models, to ensure broader accessibility and shared expertise.
Contributions also came from Prof. James Wokadala, Deputy Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), further amplified the need to “start small and build on existing collaborations.” He proposed developing a clear roadmap that defines short-term goals and identifies areas for mutual growth.
From the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Richard Idro, the Deputy Principal highlighted opportunities for fellowship, training and collaboration in clinical subjects, emphasizing the need for practical exchanges that benefit students and staff alike. He also addressed logistical challenges such as transportation and coordination, urging for targeted partnerships that can yield tangible results.
The meeting reaffirmed the universities’ commitment to collaboration in areas including faculty exchange for guest lectures, seminars, and sabbaticals; joint research and grant applications for regional and international funding; co-supervision of postgraduate students; virtual classroom exchanges; curriculum internationalization and exchange of academic materials; and capacity development for academic and administrative staff.
The teams also identified “quick-win” projects that could be implemented in the short term and agreed to establish a joint implementation team to monitor progress. Further discussions will explore funding mechanisms, including the possibility of leveraging programs like Erasmus+, to support student exchange and joint research initiatives.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Muronga reaffirmed Nelson Mandela University’s commitment to ensuring that the partnership yields visible outcomes. Both universities agreed that future engagements will be structured around mutual respect, accountability, and measurable results.
The meeting concluded on a note of optimism, with both institutions expressing confidence that their partnership will not only advance academic excellence but also contribute to Africa’s broader vision of educational and research self-reliance.
The meeting was attended by several officials from Makerere including; Prof. Eric Awich Ochen-Deputy Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze-Deputy Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Prof. Godfrey Akileng-Dean School of Business, Dr. Geoffrey Nuwagaba-CoBAMS, Mr. Martine Rugamba-Ag. Chief Advancement Office, and Ms. Hawa Kajumba-Advancement Office.
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