Humanities & Social Sciences
Journalism Department Holds Annual Media Convention 2023: Youth, Media & Communication Professionals Challenged to Harness Digital Media to Preserve Culture
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) through the Department of Journalism and Communication on 12th October 2023 hosted the Annual Media Convention at Makerere University Yusuf Lule Auditorium. It was convened by Dr. Charlotte Ntulume.
The function was presided over by Her Royal Highness Sylvia Nagginda Nnaabagereka represented by the Trustee, Board of the Nabagereka Foundation Ms. Judy Kamanyi under the theme,” Bringing Culture Back in: Media, Communication and Youth Engagement in the Digital Age”. The Head of Corporation, Norwegian Embassy and the Vice Chancellor Makerere University also graced the occasion.
The key note address was delivered by Associate professor from the University of Johannesburg who runs the School of Communication, and also head of Department of Strategic Communications at the University of Johannesburg and, one of the pioneers of the Department of Mass communication at Makerere University, Prof. Elizabeth Lubinga Nviri .
The function was also punctuated by three panels. The first panel on , “Media, Entertainment and Culture: Looking back into the Future”, moderated by Dr. Evelyn Cindy Magara comprised leading practitioners in the music, art and film industry including Dr. Charles Mulekwa, Mr. Andrew Benon Kibuuka, Ms. Joanita Kawalya Muganga and Mr. Abbey Mukiibi.
The second panel on, “Young People and Culture in the Digital Age” moderated by Hannah Arinaitwe consisted of students including Sylivia Nankya, Najibu Nsubuga, Reagan Kiyimba, Andrew Sebunya and Cynthia Ashaba.
The third panel on, “Media and Civic Engagement” , moderated by Charles Odongtho brought together leading media practitioners including Dr. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo, Ms. Lydia Mirembe Jadwong, Ms. Halima Authman, Ms. Carol Alyek Beyanga and Ms. Agatha Atuhaire.
The event was crowned by the students Excellence Awards presented by representatives of the Newvision, Daily Monitor and the Public Relations Association of Uganda. Three students scooped plaques, some with cash and internship opportunities.
The event was supported by the Uganda Tourism Board, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, the Daily Monitor, the New Vision, and the Public Relations Association of Uganda.
The Nnabagereka calls for cultural revival as an important and a matter of urgency
Representing the Nnabagereka of Buganda, the member Board of Trustees on the Nnabagereka Development Foundation Ms. Judy Kamanyi described the theme of the convention as important and timely.
She said the cultural heritage is the embodiment of our nation’s history, values, traditions and collective identity.
“It encompasses the stories passed down through generations, the songs that echo in our hearts, the customs that connect us to our roots, the ways in which we are raised and taught to behave in our respective communities society, and the wisdom that guides us through life’s journey. It is a source of pride, a reflection of who we are, and a legacy we have proudly inherited from our ancestors. Our culture is our source of inspiration as a people.”
Ms. Kamanyi noted that contemporary society, is undergoing rapid change in every aspect, from how children are educated to the world of work with ways of living, cultural heritage, facing numerous challenges.
The onslaught of globalization and the widespread influence of modern technology according to Ms. Kamanyi has ushered in by digitalization which have sometimes overshadowed cultural heritage.
The digital era, she observed has reshaped the way people live, communicate and interact with the world, thus intertwining lives with technology, from the mobile phones to the platforms used to connect with one another.
While these innovations have undoubtedly brought people closer together, she noted, they have also led to the erosion of some aspects of culture. While this digitalization has brought incredible achievements, advancements and opportunities, it also poses a significant challenge to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.
She informed participants that the discussion on how we can bridge the gap between culture and the digital era through media, communication and youth empowerment and engagement is urgent in our country’s quest for social transformation.
Aware that media plays a pivotal role in shaping perceptions and understanding of the world, informing decisions and influencing values, Ms. Kamanyi reminded participants that media has the power to either erode or celebrate cultural diversity and heritage, but at the same time, it can be a powerful tool for cultural preservation.
“To bring culture back into the spotlight, we must recognize and harness the potential of media as a guardian and promoter of our culture. This is especially critical in this digital age where media, especially online and social media, has been used to spread stereotypes and misconceptions.
As professionals in the industry and to the students who are training to become media and communication specialists, we have a duty to address this problem. Media in all its forms, including the tradition or legacy newspapers, radio and TV, as well as online outlets, have a responsibility to represent our culture accurately and respectfully”, She guided
Ms. Kamanyi observed that some of the unintended consequences of globalization and the digital age is the erosion of indigenous languages.
Ms..Kamanyi reiterated the need for people to route themselves in their languages expressing pleasure to see that different languages are being taught here in Makerere University.
“We cannot talk about preserving our cultures or having an identity without preservation of our languages. I therefore urge you to promote and preserve our languages in the family, in our homes and in our communities and in our schools. And I commend the media playing a lead role in this important task through various local language media platforms and programs. I also applaud the School of Languages, Literature and Communication here at the University, which hosts the Journalism and Communications Department, for all its efforts to preserve and promote indigenous African languages.”
Turning to cultural preservation, Ms. Kamanyi said it is incumbent upon communication professionals to provide the right environment, whether in traditional media or online, and in the different spaces in which they practice, for these inter-generational interactions or engagements to take place.
Universities tasked to develop programs to engage youth in cultural activities
Acknowledging that the greater majority of Uganda’s population belong to the younger generation, Ms. Kamanyi recognized the older generation with wealth of cultural knowledge She expressed the need for the youth to continue engaging and dialoguing to ensure that traditions are not only preserved, but also adapted and integrated into modern lives.
“We are fortunate to live at a time when communication and connectivity are part of life, and therefore social networking sites are the order of the day, and often time we take this for granted” she said
Turning to youth engagement and the youth as torchbearers of our culture, Ms. Kamanyi stressed that it is important to engage the youth in cultural promotion and for preservation and the continuity of heritage as they hold the key to cultural resilience, adaptability, and agents of preservation and promotion and,also breathe life into it.
“It is my appeal therefore that this country’s leading university and chief custodians of education, knowledge and innovation to be intentional about creating
mentorship programs and educational initiatives that empower youth to actively engage in their culture”
I beseech you to add culture preservation to your priority of research interest. Her Royal Highness believes that this should be supported. To the students, please pay more attention to culture as a matter of utmost importance and urgency.”,
Uganda in need of revival of cultural values
Uganda, like most African nations, Ms. Kamanyi said, has suffered social upheaval. and disruptions, there is a breakdown in ethics and values which has led to moral decadence and deterioration of social cohesion in society.
“If we took a critical and honest look at ourselves, we would admit that as a people we have somehow lost some aspects of humanness. With the grave decline in acceptable behavior, especially when it comes around digitalization, I strongly believe that transforming our nation will entail a revival of our cultural values.”
She said although culture has always been around, there are certain aspects that have kind of receded and hence, the need to bring them back to the fore.
To this end, she added, Obuntubulamu, which is the African philosophy that espouses interconnectedness, humanity, dignity, and communal living, was integrated in Ekisaakate- the flagship program of the Nnabagereka Development Foundation that targets the young people.
Several societal values that make up Obuntubulamu were identified through research, and these are humility, civility, integrity, honesty, sense of shame, responsibility, among others.
With the support of UN Women and the United Nations Development Program, the Nnabagereka Development Foundation partnered with other cultural institutions in Uganda, including the Kingdoms of Acholi, Alur, Bonyoro, and Busoga, with an indigenous approach to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, that is the SDGs.
The Foundation has also worked, and Her Royal Highness, with other African queens and cultural women leaders from the kingdoms of Ghana, the kingdoms that exist in South Africa, Lesotho and in Nigeria, mindful that they had the power to use their status in society to influence and improve the lived realities of their people.
How can we harness media technology for cultural revival and cultural heritage preservation in the digital era?
According to Ms. Kamanyi, there are unprecedented opportunities to bring culture back into the limelight using social media, the internet, podcasts, digital storytelling to amplify cultural messages to reach a much wider national and global audience.
There is need to encourage the creation of digital content, that celebrates our culture, to engage the youth, and invite the world to explore our culture.
“Through the strategic use of technology, we can showcase our art and our music and our customs to a wider audience, promoting a deeper appreciation of our cultural diversity. The digital revolution has brought new non-traditional players in the media and communication arena.
These include the digital content creators, all producers and influencers. And young people are at the forefront in this space. I therefore implore the Department to continually equip students with the requisite skills and, even more importantly, ethics for these crucial roles.
You and your associates in the humanities field are best placed to instill a sense of pride and identity among our young people, while almost equipping them with skills needed to navigate the digital era, yet stay rooted in our culture”. Ms. Kamanyi stressed
Ms. Kamanyi highlighted challenges that come with preserving and promoting culture in the digital era. The rapid space of change and the spread of misinformation and the lure of globalized cultures, and the risk of cultural appropriation are hurdles that must be navigate.d
She however said, these challenges are not insurmountable.
“We need to embrace technology as a tool for cultural preservation rather than perceive it as a threat. With regards to solutions, I request the Department of Journalism and Communication to ponder on these challenges. At 35, surely society naturally expects you to have achieved some milestones. You are at a stage where your impact on society should be visible in many aspects and especially matters being discussed today.
I implore you to spread your reach and influence so that your impact in our nation is visible. We are looking up to you to provide professional guidance to the students, cultural associations at the university, like in Nkoba Zambogo, to make culture visible on the university’s agenda, and to encourage our young people to embrace culture with the same vigor and interest with which they have embraced digitalization and globalization.
I wish to emphasize that it is our collective duty to ensure, as our ancestors did, that the transition to modernity does not come at expense of our cultural identity and heritage. Our cultural heritage is not something of the past that we can relegate to the sidelines, but it is a living entity that should evolve with the times, that can drive national transformation.
We must factor culture back as we navigate the digital era, not just as a matter of preserving our past but about securing our future. Our cultural diversity is a source of strength, resilience and inspiration. Let’s work to embrace and promote our culture. Together, we can build a future where our national identity thrives, where diversity is cherished, and where cultural heritage is a driving force for positive change and for our country’s transformation.”She appealed.
VC commends DJC steady growth
Representing the Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs Assoc. Prof. Umar Kakumba appreciated the distinguished alumni and panelists for the wonderful and exciting engagement and insightful discussion rendered.
Kakumba, welcomed Her Royal Highness the Nnabagereka to Makerere University as guest of honor at the annual media convention 2023represented by Ms. Kamanyi and the entourage of the Nnabagereka thanking the team for accepting this second invitation to preside over this media convention, who, in a few weeks ago officiated the Sarah Ntiro Memorial Lecture.
“We want to appreciate the honor that is rendered to Makerere University, Mama Nnabagereka”
Prof. Kakumba appreciated the organization of the Media Convention 2023 and hailed the department for remaining consistent in holding this informative and educative activity every year, save the couple of years of COVID-19.
“Journalism has remained consistent and intentional. We also want to applaud you for bringing in our distinguished alumni and the keynote speakers, Professor Elizabeth Mviri Lubinga, all the way from Johannesburg,..and I also want to assure you that the University of Johannesburg and Makerere University have an ongoing collaborative engagement. We have a formal MoU. And so getting you as the head of strategic communication at the University of Johannesburg and getting you as our alumnus and proud ambassador of Makerere, it’s such a great pleasure.
And we hope that your well-delivered and insightful keynote, will definitely open more doors of collaborative engagement between journalism and communication, a school at Makerere here, and also fostering the existing relationships that we have with the university and many opportunities that will come our way”, The Vice Chancellor appreciated.
Kakumba thanked the panelists, for the participation and for their insightful and being very resourceful in tuning the audience into the digital era and how the challenges can be moderated.
“I note the challenges of the digital technologies in strengthening culture, but also in strengthening the role of the academy in mentoring our young people, the future generation of many times, of our times and the future.
I wish to salute this event, that it has also built a strong confidence over the years that the Convention has been held, the confidence has been built, but it has also helped to nurture the continuous engagement and appreciation of the role of media in transforming society”, He hailed :
Professor Kakumba commended the Department of Journalism and Communication for the remarkable endeavor, having risen from just a sub-program, not even a section or a unit under the Literature Department then in 1988.
“I want to appreciate the remarkable endeavor in growing this sub-program under the Department of Literature in 1988 to a fully-fledged Department of Journalism and Communication with enviable programs. programs in journalism and communication, which was re-branded, but also the two strong graduate programs, the master’s degree in strategic and corporate communication, and a master’s degree in journalism and multimedia, and a productive PhD in journalism and communication”,
“ I have been informed too, that the department is partnering with the School of Public Health to develop another Masters in Health Promotion and Communication, and which is interdisciplinary, which is very important. Journalism, health, because journalism, communication, communication is a critical tool in transforming society. So the role of the media in health, the role of communication in health, the role of communication in culture, the role of communication in business and entrepreneurship cannot be overstated.” He stressed.
Kakumba assured the department that once that program proposal comes in handy in his capacity as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, they should be able to fast-track it. The DVC chairs the Senate Committee on Academic Programs, Policies, and anything to do with the business of the Senate.
“So we’ll be much more delighted to have that proposal as we are completing the proposal for the Council Restructuring Committee. And indeed Journalism and Communication should should have been a school many years ago, but better late than never. We’ll appreciate that.”He pledged.
He also recognized the college, schools and departmental leadership for the well elaborated and illustrious efforts, guidance and achieving various milestones in the departments and schools of the college.
“The five schools of the college, the over 14 or 15 departments in humanities and social sciences, have really exhibited quite much in fostering our future, our vision as the institution, but also in demonstrating what the university has been able to do in building human capital development for our country and our region.”.
The professor was pleased with today’s theme, bridging culture back, noting that culture has not gone away at any time but probably culture has been alienated.
He said, the idea of reimagining culture into the digital era and how culture can be made more useful in building a strong foundation for the young people and how culture can also strengthen the modern era of communication has been well expressed by the panelists in creating the enterprise, the future of the enterprise and the future of the business, but a business that should not completely be away from strengthening a society that is productive.
“So definitely it speaks to the theme that you have selected, bringing culture back in media, communication, and youth engagement in this digital age. It speaks to the impact of the fast advancing technologies of our well-being as a community, as a country, as a nation, as a region, and as a continent, and what culture can significantly contribute.
I am certain that the discussion at this convention will open our minds more about issues to how to access digital technologies, the quality of the content that is made from time to time, and how that content can be enabled to support the roles of building our strong communities and building public participation and also engaging our development processes”. Prof. Kakumba explained.
The DVC said the university would want to see this engagement and how it turns out, in the productions that are being made, the content that is being written and migrated into knowledge that can inform progressive policy and regulation on digitizing the country and the economy.
In addition, the DVC said, the university would want to see how the discussions can promote the role of the media and the role of culture in preservation, in social change and empowerment of people. And also ultimately, it should be able to drive towards the sustainability of our culture and the transformation of our country.
On behalf of the Senate of Makerere University, Kakumba thanked Her Royal Highness, Mama Wa Buganda, the Nnabagereka for accepting to grace the annual media convention 2023,the continued passion and gratitude that is extended to Makerere University.
Kakumba also appreciated the Nnabagereka Foundation and all of the programs, and the love for working among the young people in educating them, in work, in health, the work in culture, including the Kisakate teacher, among the many programs that the office of the Nnabagereka has fostered.
DJC transition to a school should have happened 30 years ago-Principal CHUSS
The Principal CHUSS Prof. Josephine Ahikire said, the department transition into the school is is something that should have happened 30 years ago.
“So the department has had a lot of impact and as a UNESCO’s center of excellence in the region, East Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond has churned out a number of professionals serving in various capacities here in Uganda and beyond in the field of Public relations, communication, media and marketing.” She noted.
Prof. Ahikire said the theme of the convention was purposed to embrace the needs of young people in strategic communication, writing for society, not just for making money, but when when writing, they should have that mission in mind and be mindful of the peoples’ culture.
The Principal thanked the university management for the support to the college and to the department, and for enabling Makerere reimagine itself as a research-led university to be able to serve society to build for the future.
Dean commends the DJC growth, supports proposal to transform into a school
The Dean, School of Languages, Literature, and Communication, Associate Prof. Saudah Namyalo reiterated that the Department of Journalism and Communication (DJC) has organized this annual media convention since 1998, and each time it has provided a platform for discussing emerging issues in the media, journalism, communication, and society in Uganda and beyond.
“This year’s theme is timely as it speaks to the central place of culture in the digital communication era. Moreover, it allows the youth who are particular to Uganda as they are the majority population.
The theme also poses a very important question on the future of the media in the light of culture and entertainment. I’m therefore looking forward to the panels that are well constituted and are certainly going to exude the same clearly”, She said.
Dean Namyalo was happy to note that the Department of Journalism and Communication has grown immensely, especially in the last few years. Adding that it’s not surprising that at 35 years old, they have built their capacity to research, graduate training, and innovation in journalism, media, and communication.
“And I want to use this opportunity, Vice Chancellor, to inform you that the Department of Journalism has presented their proposal to transform into a school of journalism, media and communication. And we are in total support because they have all the right steps to become a school
I am certain that they are a force to reckon in Uganda and in the region as well. As a school, we congratulate them on this and many other milestones and wish them even more success as they work towards building a future flying the Makerere University flag high and growing even further”, she tabled.
She thanked Her Royal Highness represented by Ms. Judy Kamanyi for accepting the invitation, aware that a few weeks ago, she was here again on a different occasion.
Convention as a platform for Debate on contemporary issues in Media and communication and guiding to curriculum review
The Head Department of Journalism and Communication Dr. Aisha Nakiwala said this annual media event brings together the academia and the industry players to debate contemporary issues in the media and communication.
“It is at these kinds of engagements that we regularly guide ourselves on what to include in our curriculum development. So for the last 35 years of the department and the program of journalism and communication,we have continued to be both forward-sighted and strategic in our approach to training our students and intentional to develop.
And as we look to the future, and specifically as we set ourselves to transition from a department to the school of journalism, media and communication, nothing can be strategic than a deliberate focus on the young people because they are not just great consumers of media content, but they are also the future of journalism, media and communication.”, Nakiwala said.
Dr. Nakiwala asserted that , there is strong evidence, about the strong influence of the media and communication on youth and culture. Thus, the rapidly changing media sector in Uganda and elsewhere in the world has conditioned the Department of Journalism and Communication, to view young people as an important site of cultural production.
She said, that explains why they chose to focus this year’s convention on the intersection between media, culture and young people.
Dr. Nakiwala appreciated Ms. Kamanyi, the office of the Nnabagereka, for accepting to offciate this convention .
“ And your being here and the support that we have received from the Foundation is testament to the great service that the Department of Journalism and Communication is rendering to the cause of young people and to the cause of national development in this country and beyond, which we know is very dear to the heart of Her Royal Highness the Nnabagereka. We therefore pledge our continued efforts in this exceptional service and in serving our clientele better,”The don promised.
Nakiwala thanked the various sponsors that have funded this event including the Uganda Tourism Board, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, the Daily Monitor, the New Vision, and the Public Relations Association of Uganda, without whom, it would be impossible.
She also recognized the diligent and meticulous planning that has gone into this event to make it a success giving credit to her team at the Department of Journalism and Communication, Dean, School of Languages and Communication and the Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences for the support rendered to the department.
Dr. Nakiwala also thanked the panelists for honoring the invitaion and sharing their experiences and expertise expressing optimism that the deliberations will spark further debate beyond the walls and gates of Makerere.
Youth – a transformative power and catalyst for innovation and change – Keynote speaker
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Elizabeth Lubinga Nviri was grateful for the strong foundation that she received from this institution, saying, it has helped us to be successful within and outside of the country.
Speaking on reimagining how culture can become an integral part of media communication and youth engagement in the digital age. Prof. Lubinga said already the world is moving towards the internet of things with artificial intelligence and robotics.
She congratulated the Department of Journalism and Communication for 35 years of organizing successful annual media conventions.
The intention, she remarked is to appreciate the transformative power of the youth as catalysts for innovation, for active participation and leadership in shaping the future of our country, Uganda.
“ It is not secret worldwide that Africa has the youngest population. 2023, Uganda’s median age is 16 years only. If you compare that to Monaco, for example, in Europe, with a median age of 55 years, it means that we have a very young population. And because of that, we would be remiss in excluding the youth in shaping our country”, she asserted.
To achieve this, she expressed the need to reflect on the role of change as inevitable, the critical influence of culture on individuals and society, the changing face of the media in this digital age, media audiences as well as the dynamic and rapid perversion of artificial intelligence.
“Change is inevitable. We cannot manage and control change. And we know that the youth are a very dynamic and a flexible audience that is open to change, socialization, acculturation, information, education and entertainment. We also know that change in society has been fast-tracked by digitization, socio-economic, environmental issues, among others”
Reflecting on COVID-19 pandemic, the professor said it changed the way in which the media operates, but at the same time it elevated the important role of culture in terms of treating COVID-19 to traditional medicine but at the same time, COVID affected media, a number of print media closed as they were not sustainable.
Prof. Lubinga highlighted that one of the constant variables of society is culture, because culture has been tried, it has been proved, it has been tested over a number of years. Academics, according to the keynote speaker acknowledge that culture is both individual but it’s also a social construct, because individuals vary in how they embrace and engage in attitudes, in values, in beliefs and in behavior.
Culture, she explained occurs if individuals act in harmony with particular behaviours or values. And in Uganda and other societies, there is a bidirectional relationship between the media and culture.
For example, she said, the oldest newspapers in Uganda, such as Muno in 1912 and Ebi Famu in Uganda in 1934, were premised on religion but also based on culture. There are also several culturally affiliated broadcasting and print media, including Central Broadcasting Services, radio, Uganda Broadcasting Services, television, Voice of Toro, radio, which is in both ownership and content reflecting Toro history and culture, and TV, loyal to the Busoga Kingdom, Rhino FM, Acholi cultural institution.
For many years she said, the media have has informed, educated, socialized and entertained society and have cultivated readers, listeners, viewers or consumers of our content. She however noted although today we still have consumers, there is a shift to what is termed as prosumers because prosumers co-create content, they actively participate in media making decisions.
Prof Lubinga also observed that many youth are techno savvy, and because of that they are at the forefront of processes using social, digital media, as well as artificial intelligence proficiently.
“The youth have to be involved in shaping the way forward, because they are more conversant with the digital and social media than everyone else is. So due to digitization, audiences, media and communication have shifted. receivers have changed to instant creators of content. Audiences have changed from passive receivers to influencers of crucial media narratives. Audiences have changed from listeners, viewers, readers to co-creators and innovators.
The media have converged and blurred. So we have to ask ourselves crucial questions. Who and what are the sources of information? Do we still say that the journalist is the source of information? And these are the things that we are going to debate in this convention. And so communication power is shifting from institutional communicators, journalists, public relations officers, to the influence of recipients” she said..
How do we re-imagine the interface between culture, youth and media in this digital age?
The professor suggested that collaboration between stakeholders should be increased with conscious inclusion of the youth, because no longer are the youth an apathetic audience. They are driving, they are shaping narratives on the ever-growing social media.
She proposed that youth voices should be integrated into co-creating strategies to improve development.
She also expressed the need to invest and harness artificial intelligence, social media, and digital media to preserve culture without excluding the youth through micro-engagement.
“We should consider a world where AI can do most of the jobs that we are currently doing. We already have digital news readers. Artificial intelligence can create content for us. So what do we perceive the world ahead of us to be? What is our role? We need to re-imagine our role. Micro-engagement enables users to interface with technological devices and systems, which takes place in various forms”. She advised.
Three journalists awarded
Atwine Rhonet, winner of the New Vision Cranimer Mugerwa Award
Atwine is a multimedia journalist in Uganda who is passionate about solution journalism. Currently, she serves as a health journalist at Solutions Now Africa, which stands as Uganda’s pioneering solutions newsroom. Her primary focus revolves around the creation of compelling narratives that spotlight the innovative models, systems, and solutions that are catalyzing positive change in Africa. Atwine has so far covered topics such as health access in a low-resource setting, Human rights issues, e-learning, congenital abnormalities, mental health, innovations, climate change, and neonatal health.
Handing over the award, the New vision Chief Executive Officer Don Wanyama thanked Makerere University, and specifically the Department of Journalism and Communication, for inviting them to hand over this award, saying it is very important.
Wanyama said , for about two decades, New Vision and the Department of Journalism and Communication have been recognizing the best performing journalism students through the Cranimer Mugerwa Award.
Cranimer Mugerwa was a photojournalist with the New Vision who died on March 26, 2001 at Nsambya Hospital after a short illness. He was known for his exceptional talent in capturing powerful and evocative images that told very compelling stories. He was a very brave war correspondent who fearlessly ventured into the war-torn regions, risking his own safety to document the harsh realities of conflict.
His photographs from the front lines captured the raw emotions and devastation experienced by both soldiers and civilians. His work that really stands out was his coverage of the Rwanda genocide in 1994. It was a testament to his unwavering commitment to shedding light on the darkest corners of humanity.
In the face of unimaginable violence and unspeakable atrocities, he fearlessly captured the haunting images of mass killings, displacement, and the indescribable grief of the survivors. His photographs served as a stark reminder of the consequences of hatred and intolerance, motivating the international community to take action and prevent such atrocities from happening.
Mugerwa’s indomitable spirit and determination to expose the truth will forever echo through his powerful images, especially for those victims of the regions of the DRC and northern Uganda at the time, fearlessly again capturing and torturing the despair of families torn apart, the anguish of children forced into soldiering and the destruction of entire communities.
Through his photographs, he shed light on the silent suffering endured by those caught in the crossfire, giving a voice to the voiceless. His unwavering commitment to exposing the truth and advocating for the vulnerable cemented his legacy as a fearless photojournalist and a beacon of hope in what was really some dark times.
Through these powerful images, he brought the horrors of war to the attention of the country and by extension to the world, urging for peace and justice. His courage and dedication will always be remembered in the annals of photojournalism. Mugerwa’s untimely death was a great loss to the field of photojournalism, leaving behind a void. Actually, when he died in 2001, he was just 37 years old.
“So at Vision Group, we believe in recognizing and celebrating journalists who go above and beyond the normal call of duty in their pursuit for truth and accuracy. We are therefore privileged and we are grateful to Makerere University, Department of Journalism, for working with us to keep his legacy alive and to be able to celebrate him whenever we can.
Of course, this is also a moment for us to reflect not just about Cranmer but a lot of our colleagues who have left us. And of course, coming to mind, you remember the nasty accident that took colleagues like Ken Matovu, Simon Ekarot and others, and so many others who have fallen. So it’s always good to reflect and remember and celebrate their legacy”, Wanyama narrated adding:
“ As you’ve seen, the winner, we’ve given her a million shillings as a cash prize. We’ve also given her a plaque, but as part of the offer, we are going to give her an internship opportunity at the Vision Group. And unlike a lot of the interns who come in and we do not really remunerate them because we are giving you a chance to learn, that every month she will be able to pick 500,000 shillings as net pay, beyond and above what else she will be able to make through her work. So congratulations, Rhonet, and you’re most welcome to the Vision Group”.
Mollan Joyce – winner of the Tebere Maudin Award of the Daily Monitor
Molan Joyce is a freelance photographer, and student passionate about freezing moments in time. A journey she began in 2019 during the COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda. She currently practices sports photography for which she has collaborated with several sports teams. For example, she has worked as an official photographer during the Valley College League, the Mushanga League and the Jo’Bok League as an assistant photographer. She has also served as official photographer for the Duncan Africa Society.. Joyce was accompanied by siblings. Daniel Kalinaki, who is the General Manager Editorial of Nation Media Group, presented this award.
Kalinaki said this award is given in honor of Rashid Maudin and Richard Tebere. Richard Tebere was one of the founders of the Monitor Newspaper in 1992, and Rashid was on the sports desk. And they were killed in a dry riverbed by a flash flood.
“We give this award out, and I think we have pretty consistently over the last 20 years, to the best journalists in the department. It is personal to me because I think, if I’m not mistaken, that I was the winner of the first award. On top of the award, cash prize and the plaque, we give a paid internship as well. So I noticed that Joyce is already working”. He explained
To the students who are going out into the world, and those who are probably still here, Kalinaki advised that:
You probably have heard there’s a lot of turmoil or disruption in the media industry. And many of you will probably be tempted to focus on following the money and going to communications and public relations. And I think there is room for communication, and I think the world needs good communicators.
But what the world needs more than anything else, and what our country and society needs more than anything else, is credible, professional, insightful, and useful journalism that are trying to democratize societies that are trying to manage the distribution of power amongst themselves, need strong institutions to arbitrate that transition.
But the building of those institutions, whether it’s the legislature, the executive and its different branches, or the judiciary, require people who can speak truth to that power. And the discussion that we listened to this afternoon speaks about the digital landscape, so the citizen role in that holds power accountable.
So I invite you all to, whatever you end up, whether it’s in mainstream journalism, whether it’s in communication, not to lose the agency that you have to speak truth to power, to be professional, to hold people accountable, especially those that have given you power, to be citizens who work for the country that they want to live in, rather than expect someone else to do it for them.
Kababikira Mary gets the PRAU Best Communication Award
The department received support from the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU), who presented the Best Communication Major Award, Kababikira Mary was the best in the Communication track. Ms. Helen Kawesa, who is an advisor at PRAU Governing Council presented the award to Kababikira. Kababikira, a student currently works with USAID, SBCA as a Communication and knowledge management intern.. She also works as a volunteer at Zente Sec, assisting the PR and marketing team to handle the company’s social media platforms.
Ms. Helen Kawesa works in the Parliament of Uganda. She thanked Makerere University for inviting PRAU to be part of this annual media convention.
“We have a partnership with the department, and every year we award the best communication students in the academic year. I’m very happy to have the best communication students in the Department of Journalism at Makerere University. So congratulations Mary. And I’m so happy that today all the winners are ladies. Ladies, communication is our field. So let’s thrive and take it away from this gentleman in a good way.
In PRAU we give our plaque. Then we have another package also of our internship. So you’ll be an intern for one year at the Node Group. Node Group is one of the biggest PR firms now in Uganda. Exciting. We give you membership in the PR Association of Uganda for one year, so starting January next year, you have free membership in that association, which is a very good one .. And then, next month, we have an East African PR week. We are hosting a very big conference where all the East African countries are coming together, practitioners are coming together from East Africa for a week in a conference which will be in Jinja. The cost of that attendance is 1.6 million. So we are giving you free attendance to that conference, that’s your crown. You’ll be able to hold on with the high and mighty in the PR field, not only in Uganda, but in East Africa. And I’m sure from there, we’ll only hear about you flying high. So congratulations to you, Mary. Wish you the best.
And, let us emphasize the professionalism in whatever field we are doing. In communications, it’s not easy, but if we are professional, we take it further and we do bigger” , Kawesa advised.
Makerere University, through the Great Lakes Center for the Study of the United States under the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), hosted a public lecture in the Main Hall to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America’s independence.
Nation building is a cumulative process
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Gilbert Khadiagala, Professor Emeritus of International Relations at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, described the United States’ 250-year journey as a cumulative process of nation-building in which successive generations built upon institutions and achievements established by those who came before them.
Prof. Khadiagala said the American experience demonstrates the importance of developing institutions that can survive beyond the individuals who establish them.
“You build on small successes, you build on small achievements in order, in fact, to build big achievements,” he said.
He traced the country’s institutional development through several historical milestones, beginning with the Declaration of Independence of 1776, the drafting and ratification of the Constitution in 1787 and 1788, the Civil War, the civil rights movement and the emergence of the United States as a major global power.
According to Prof. Khadiagala, the Declaration of Independence established foundational ideas, while the Constitution translated some of those ideas into institutional frameworks that continue to shape the country.
He highlighted figures including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and Abraham Lincoln, whose contributions, he said, represented different stages in the development and strengthening of American institutions.
Africa can learn from US institution building
Prof. Khadiagala challenged African countries to reflect on their own nation-building experiences, particularly the ideas that guided independence and Pan-Africanism in the 1960s.
He questioned why some of those ideas have weakened decades after independence and urged African countries to examine the relationship between ideas and institutions.
“If we had good ideas in the 60s, for instance, about nation building, about Pan Africanism, where are these ideas today?” he asked.
He said Africa’s abundant natural resources and youthful population can only translate into sustainable development if supported by functional institutions, education systems, infrastructure and effective leadership.
He urged African countries to learn from successful experiences without simply copying them.
“We should avoid copying, but we should not be afraid of learning,” Prof. Khadiagala said.
Understanding America through different lenses
Mikael Cleverley, Chargé d’Affaires at the United States Embassy in Kampala, said understanding the United States requires looking beyond a single historical or foreign policy perspective.
Reflecting on his personal experiences and 27 years of service in the U.S. State Department, Cleverley said his understanding of the United States had evolved through different lenses, including family history, diplomacy, international relations, philanthropy, economic development and foreign assistance.
He said these different perspectives demonstrated the complexity of the United States and cautioned against reducing the country to a single narrative.
“My appreciation for its complexity has only increased over time and grown,” he said.
Cleverley also reflected on the 1776 Declaration of Independence, noting that those who supported the document could not have known whether the new nation would survive, let alone reach its 250th anniversary.
He described the American story as one that remains unfinished, shaped by generations of citizens who have continued to build, refine and improve their institutions.
“It’s not a finished story, but one in the making,” he said.
He identified innovation, entrepreneurship, transparency, the rule of law, philanthropy and volunteerism among the elements that have contributed to American development and which continue to inform the country’s international partnerships.
Centre to strengthen academic partnerships
Prof. Sarah Ssali, Makerere University Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, representing Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, commended the United States Embassy for its continued partnership with Makerere University.
Prof. Ssali particularly appreciated the support towards the establishment of the Great Lakes Center for the Study of the United States, describing it as an important investment in knowledge generation, academic exchange and mutual understanding between the United States, Uganda and the wider Great Lakes region.
She said Makerere University envisions the centre as a regional hub for the study of the United States and a platform for academic exchange between Africa and the United States.
She noted that the university’s transition towards competence-based teaching and learning provides an opportunity for collaboration with American universities that have experience in implementing similar approaches.
Prof. Ssali proposed staff and student exchanges, joint curriculum development, pedagogical research and the sharing of best practices as some of the areas through which the partnership could be strengthened.
She also highlighted Makerere University’s ambition to become a research-led university, saying the Great Lakes Center could play an important role in strengthening research on relations between the United States and Africa.
Prof. Nkabala calls for continued support
Prof. Helen N. Nkabala commended the United States Embassy and partners for supporting the Great Lakes Center for the Study of the United States and facilitating academic exchanges.
She said the centre had contributed to Makerere University’s engagement in the public space by creating opportunities for researchers and students to participate in important public conversations.
Prof. Nkabala called for continued support for the centre, including increased opportunities for scholars and students to engage in research and academic exchange.
She also encouraged participants to draw lessons from the lecture and use them to contribute meaningfully to conversations about independence, leadership, institutions and development.
Great Lakes Center advances US Africa scholarship
The public lecture forms part of the activities commemorating the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States.
The event brought together Makerere University academics, students, researchers, United States Embassy representatives and other partners.
The Great Lakes Center for the Study of the United States is also undertaking research examining Uganda United States relations since 1945 under the framework of civilizational relationality.
The research is expected to contribute to scholarship on the historical, political, social and intellectual relations between Uganda and the United States and further strengthen Makerere University’s role in regional scholarship on the United States.
Humanities & Social Sciences
Makerere University Awards Certificates to First Cohort of Critical Thinking and Social Intelligence
Makerere University today held a certificate award ceremony for the pioneer cohort of the Certificate in Critical Thinking and Social Intelligence, a short course offered by the Department of Philosophy in the School of Liberal and Performing Arts, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS). The ceremony brought together course facilitators, university leadership, sponsors and the 52 graduating participants to mark the successful completion of the three-week programme, which was designed to equip members of the public with practical skills in reasoning, judgment and social awareness.
The event was presided over as the culmination of weeks of work by the Department of Philosophy to design and deliver a course that speaks directly to the needs of a society grappling with an overwhelming volume of information, competing narratives and complex social interactions. From the remarks made throughout the ceremony, it was clear that the course had struck a chord well beyond the walls of the university, attracting interest that far exceeded initial expectations.
A Course Born out of Desire to Impact Society
In his remarks, the course coordinator, Dr. Spire Ssentongo of the Department of Philosophy, took the audience through the origins of the programme. He explained that the idea for the course was first developed together with the Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, out of a shared conviction that philosophy as a discipline had much more to offer the public than is often assumed.
Dr. Ssentongo told the gathering that once the course was opened up for applications, the response from the public was overwhelming, with the programme receiving more than 350 applications for what was originally intended to be a modest short course. Of these, only 52 applicants could be admitted into the pioneer cohort, a reflection of the deliberately small class size the Department of Philosophy settled for in order to preserve the quality of engagement and discussion that the course was designed around. Dr. Ssentongo described the gap between the number of applications and the number of available places as a clear indication that there is a real and growing appetite among the public for training that helps people think more clearly, question more carefully and navigate social situations more skilfully.
He went on to explain his personal motivation for designing programmes of this nature, notably his long-standing interest in using academic knowledge to make a tangible difference in society rather than confining it to lecture halls and academic journals. According to Dr. Ssentongo, critical thinking and social intelligence were deliberately combined into a single course because neither skill is sufficient on its own. He explained that the course was intentionally designed to be interdisciplinary rather than a purely philosophical undertaking, drawing on insights from psychology, communication and the social sciences alongside philosophy. In so doing, he shared that participants would leave not only able to reason more rigorously but also better equipped to read social situations, manage relationships and engage constructively with people who hold different views.
Over the three weeks, participants were taken through sessions combining lectures, guided discussions and practical exercises intended to help them apply the concepts covered to real situations they encounter in their daily lives. The structure of the course reflected Dr. Ssentongo’s emphasis on interdisciplinarity, with sessions moving between the analytical rigour associated with philosophical training and the more applied, people centred concerns of social intelligence. This combination appeared to resonate strongly with participants drawn from a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds, many of whom came to the course seeking practical tools rather than purely theoretical knowledge.
Professor Ssentongo used part of his remarks to extend gratitude to the course’s sponsors, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and UNESCO, whose support made it possible for the Department of Philosophy to design, resource and deliver the course to such a large and engaged group of participants. He noted that the partnership with these organisations reflected a shared belief in the value of equipping citizens with the intellectual tools needed to participate meaningfully in public life.
Voices From the Pioneer Cohort
Speaking on behalf of his fellow participants, the class representative of the first cohort, Mr Boniface Clever Lukwago, offered a heartfelt appreciation of the facilitators who had guided them through the three-week course. He commended the quality of teaching and the depth of engagement they experienced throughout the programme, noting that the learning environment created by the facilitators was welcoming, intellectually stimulating and conducive to open discussion.
Mr Lukwago’s remarks captured the sense of achievement felt by many in the graduating cohort, who had balanced the demands of the course with their existing personal and professional commitments over the three weeks. His appreciation for the facilitators underscored a recurring theme throughout the ceremony, namely that the success of the course rested not only on the strength of its content but also on the manner in which it was delivered.
Leadership Reflections on Critical Thinking and Its Place in Society
The Head of the Department of Philosophy, Dr Dickson Kanakulya, used his remarks to reflect on the broader importance of critical thinking in contemporary society. He emphasised that the ability to think critically, to interrogate assumptions and to evaluate evidence carefully is becoming increasingly indispensable in a world where individuals are constantly confronted with competing claims, misinformation and pressure to conform to popular opinion without adequate reflection.
Dr Kanakulya’s remarks situated the course within the broader mission of the Department of Philosophy, which has long positioned itself as a custodian of rigorous thinking within the university and beyond. He expressed confidence that graduates of the programme would carry forward the skills gained during the three weeks into their various spheres of influence, whether in their workplaces, communities or personal lives, and in so doing contribute to a more thoughtful and discerning society.
Addressing the gathering, the Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala spoke to the significance of the course within the college’s broader vision for public engagement. Having been closely involved in the conception of the programme alongside Dr. Ssentongo, Prof. Nkabala’s remarks reflected on the journey from an idea to a fully fledged course that had now produced its first group of graduates. Her presence at the ceremony underscored the level of institutional support the programme had received from its earliest stages.
The Dean of the School of Liberal and Performing Arts, Dr. Pamela Khanakwa equally added her voice to those celebrating the successful completion of the course by its pioneer cohort. Her remarks reinforced the sense that the certificate programme was not an isolated initiative but one that enjoyed the backing of School and College leadership as a whole, situating it within a wider commitment to extending the reach of humanities education beyond the traditional student population.
Certificates Awarded by the DVCAA
The high point of the ceremony was the awarding of certificates to the members of the pioneer cohort, presided over by the Chief Guest, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs (DVCAA), Prof. Sarah Ssali. As each participant received their certificate, the ceremony took on a celebratory atmosphere, marking the formal recognition of three weeks of dedicated learning and engagement.
In her remarks, Prof. Ssali congratulated the graduating cohort and commended the Department of Philosophy on designing a programme that spoke so directly to the needs of the public. “This is exactly the kind of impact we want Makerere University to have on society,” she said, urging the graduates to put what they had learned to good use in their homes, workplaces and communities. She added that the university would continue to support and encourage initiatives that extend knowledge beyond the classroom and make academic training accessible to the wider public, describing such programmes as central to the university’s mission of service to the nation.
Prof. Ssali’s presence was clear demonstration of the importance the university’s top leadership attaches to initiatives that extend academic training to members of the public. Her role in presiding over the award of certificates brought the ceremony full circle, connecting the ambitions expressed by Dr. Ssentongo at the course’s inception with the tangible achievement now being celebrated by the graduating participants.
A Model for Future Short Courses
The overwhelming response to the Certificate in Critical Thinking and Social Intelligence, evidenced by the more than 350 applications received against only 52 places available in the pioneer cohort, points to a significant and largely underserved demand for accessible, high-quality short courses that bridge the gap between academic scholarship and everyday public life. The Department of Philosophy’s willingness to design a course that speaks directly to practical, everyday needs, while still being grounded in rigorous academic work, offers a model that other departments within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and indeed across the university, may seek to replicate.
The support extended by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and UNESCO further illustrates the potential for partnerships between Makerere University and international organisations to fund and scale initiatives that have direct public benefit. As the Department of Philosophy reflects on the successful conclusion of this first cohort, attention will likely turn to how the course can be expanded, refined and made available to more members of the public who continue to express interest in developing their capacity for clearer thinking and sharper social awareness.
For the graduates who received their certificates today, the three-week journey represented more than the acquisition of a new credential. As captured in the remarks of Mr Lukwago and reinforced by the reflections of Dr. Ssentongo, Dr Kanakulya, Prof. Nkabala, Dr. Khanakwa and Prof. Ssali, the course offered participants a chance to sharpen tools of reasoning and social engagement that they will carry with them well beyond the classroom, into their families, workplaces and communities, at a time when such skills are needed more than ever.
The ceremony closed on a note of optimism, with speakers repeatedly returning to the idea that this pioneer cohort of 52 marked not an end point but a beginning, both for the individual graduates and for the Department of Philosophy’s broader ambitions of public engagement. With more than 350 applications received for the first cohort, the Department, together with its sponsors and the wider College of Humanities and Social Sciences, now faces the stimulating task of determining how best to meet that demand in the months ahead.
Photography by Allan Ainematsiko
Humanities & Social Sciences
Symposium on Pan-Africanism and Reparatory Justice Ignites Debate on African Unity and Decolonisation of Systems
By Charles Iga and Ritah Namisango
On 21st May 2026, candid discussions and reflections on the dignity and survival of the African people took centre stage as Pan-Africanists, youths, global diaspora leaders, esteemed royals, and scholars, convened at Makerere University, for the Inter-University Symposium on Pan-Africanism and Reparatory Justice.
Held ahead of the Africa Day Celebrations on 25th May 2026, the Symposium with over 23 participating Universities re-awakened the spirit of Pan-Africanism, African Unity, and the need to defend the dignity and the future of the African People.
The different speakers, panelists and participants rallied African nations to demand for reparation from those who dehumised the African people through slaverly, torture, conolialism, and any form of injustice.
“Pan-Africanism is about survival, dignity and power. It’s the understanding that Africa’s problems cannot be solved in isolation. It has a huge diaspora. It has to be holistic. Division is our greatest weakness. Unity is our strongest weapon,” said Chief Eric Phillips, the Keynote Speaker at the Inter-University African Symposium hosted by Makerere University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, in partnership with the Pan Afican Fraternity in Uganda, CARICOM, and AIDO International Network.
This is global citizenry in action
Opening the symposium on behalf of Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Henry Alinaitwe described the gathering as a historic convergence of global African identity.
“As we gather in the Makerere University MainHall, we are deeply honoured to host distinguished delegates from across Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and the wider global African diaspora,” Prof. Alinaitwe said.
He added, it is a meeting of minds, cultures, generations, and visions committed to shaping Africa’s collective future, emphasizing that African liberation must extend beyond political independence into economic and intellectual sovereignty.
“This symposium is happening at a critical moment in global history when Africa and people of African descent are redefining their place in a multipolar world,” he said.
Makerere re-affirms role as Pan-African Intellectual Hub
Re-affirming Makerere University as a critical centre for intellectual liberation and African-centred knowledge production, Prof. Alinaitwe noted that the struggle for African liberation continues through economic sovereignty, reparatory justice, cultural dignity, and decolonisation of knowledge systems.
He tipped the students that the future of Pan-Africanism will be shaped by their ideas, courage, and innovation.
Humanities hold the key to transformation
Citing the theme of the Symposium, Pan-African Intellectualism: The Urgency to Defend the Dignity and Future of the African People, the Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Makerere University, Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, stressed the central role of African scholarship in social transformation.
“Our presence here reflects the urgency of defending the dignity and future of African people through knowledge,” Prof. Nkabala said.
She added, “Humanities and Social Sciences are vital for social transformation because without those disciplines, there can never be societal change. The humanities and social sciences hold the key to understanding society and reshaping it.”
The issue of reparations is central
The Deputy Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Eric Awich Ochen, reiterated the African voices on the need for reparation. “In December 2025, I represented Makerere University at the African Diaspora Summit in Accra, Ghana. The President of the Republic of Ghana, and the President of the Republic of Togo, spoke very strongly about the issue of reparation justice,” he said.
“When we talk about reparation. Africa suffered from slavery and a lot of injustices during that period. Those responsible for that kind of injustice to us, may need to find away of making some compensation to Africa,” said Prof. Awich Ochen.
Inter-University Symposium kicks off the Africa Week celebrations
In a very special way, Dr Sarah Hasaba, the Chairperson of the Organizing Committee for the Pan-African Liberation Week (21st to 25th May 2026) welcomed the participants who had travelled from the different parts of the world and within Uganda, to be part of the 5th Inter-University Symposium.
“As we celebrate the 63rd Africa Liberation day, we are honoured to start with the Inter-University symposium at Makerere University. As we engage in dialogue today, let us exchange ideas and build strategic partnerships. May this symposium be an opportunity for practical solutions, strong collaboration, and renewed commitment to the Pan-African vision of unity and transformation,” remarked Dr. Hasaba.
The Youth are an integral pillar of the Pan-African agenda
Her Highness Dr Queen Grace Eganda, was delighted to return to Makerere University, where her academic and leadership potential was nurtured in the 1990s. During that time, she was privileged to have served as the Chairlady of Mary Stuart Hall, and happy to return to Makerere University, in the capacity of a global leader, and General Secretary of AIDO Network International.
Emphasizing the importance of the symposium, she said: “This is a significant moment because we are looking at a bridge between the past and the present. As we reflect on the journey of Pan-Africanism, we are looking at our historical realities, present situations, and exploring how do we move forward progressively. We are working with the youth and the academia to promote the Pan-Africanism agenda.”
Underscoring the role of the youth, the Queen articulated: “ Any space where there’s no youth, any organization or planning where there is no youth is a dying moment. We are therefore encouraged to see many brilliant young people participating in the Symposium, we are passing the baton, the future is bright, and where we end, we know that the fire will keep burning.”
Building partnerships and promoting collaboration
With nostalgia, the President of AIDO Network International, and Chairman of the Global Africa Diaspora Kingdom, His Highness Papa, Dr Paul Jones Eganda, was pleased to return to Makerere University.
“In the 1990s, I was at this great University. I stayed in Lumumba Hall. Today, I come back, not as a student, but as a King and global leader with over 2.5 million followers globally,” he said amidst applause from the audience.
He informed the audience that the delegation consisted of 70 royals and key personalities who travelled to Uganda to participate in the activities of the Africa Liberation Week. “Some of them have remained at Speke Resort Munyonyo because the Head of State, H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is launching the Uganda Tourism Expo. Some of us have made it to Makerere University, to participate in the Inter-University symposium,” he remarked.
His Highness Papa Dr Eganda said the AIDO Network International and the Inter-University Symposium, present to the African people, a platform to strengthen partnerships and collaboration, undertake joint research, and advocate for scholarships.
“We are here to listen and learn from each other, and build partnerships. We would like to promote inter-university collaborations, research opportunities, and scholarships,” he stated.
In a very special way, he recognized Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye and Lieutenant Gen. Amanda Magambo, for their commitment to the Pan-Africanism agenda.
Keynote Speech on Pan-Africanism and Reparation
A sense of quiet reflection and re-awakening was evident as the Keynote Speaker, Chief Eric Phillips, passionately shared his views about Pan-Africanism and reparation.
Highlighting the roots of Pan-Africanism, he said: “Before borders were drawn, before Africa was divided in Berlin, before the world told us who we were, Africans were already connected by culture, by trade, by identity and by civilization. But then came slavery, colonization, and the forced scattering of millions of Africans across the world.”
The keynote speaker articulated that from that pain, Pan-Africanism was born-starting in the hearts of enslaved Africans who refused to forget who they were.
“Today, the chains may look different, economic dependency, mental colonization. But the mission of Pan-Africanism remains the same. A united Africa is not a dream. It’s a necessity,” he emphasized.
Geopolitics of Reparatory Justice
The Keynote Speaker informed the participants that the geopolitics of reparatory justice is not often spoken about, yet it impacts people of Africans daily.
“European nations do not want to pay financial reparations. Financial reparations have been paid to the Jewish nation, the Japanese, and to many other people across the world. But when it comes to reparations for people of African descent, there seems to be a resistance, a denial, as if they still consider us as not being human,” he wondered.
Panel on Pan-Africanism and Intellectualism
Moderated by Callistus Mubangizi, the panel consisted of the following discussants: Dr. George Okiror-Makerere University, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, the Keynote Speaker-Chief Eric Phillips, Prof.Eria Hisali-Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences, Associate Professor Robert Ojiambo- Department of History, Archaeology, and Heritage at Kyambogo University, and Dr. Shadat Semakula from Canada.
The discourse indicated that Intellectualism still continues to be the basis upon which Pan-Africanism lives. The panel tackled the relevance of Pan-African intellectualism as the framework for addressing structural inequalities and neocolonialism, as well as, the need for a unified African-led development.
Reparatory Justice is about Dignity, Not Only Money
Throughout the symposium, scholars and activists repeatedly emphasised that reparatory justice must go beyond financial compensation. “Reparations is not just about money. It is about restoring dignity, identity, truth, education, land, psychology, and institutions.”
It was crystal clear that reparatory justice must begin with us. “We cannot ask for reparations while abandoning our languages, our knowledge systems, and our identity. Reparatory justice must begin internally.”
We Lost Kingdoms, Artifacts, and Memory
Dr Davidson Amooti, representing Bunyoro cultural and administrative structures, gave a deeply historical account of colonial-era losses. “On behalf of Bunyoro Kingdom, we lost 2.5 million human beings during colonial wars,” he said.
Additionally, “We also lost more than 3,000 artifacts. The British government could not allow me to access museums and libraries. I had to go to court to obtain permission.”
Dr Amooti called for structured documentation and legal action. “We must mobilise every citizen in our cultural institutions for development. We cannot keep begging. We must research, document, and sign agreements.”
Education is not neutral
Dr Zaid Sekito, Lecturer in the Department of History, Archaeology & Heritage Studies at Makerere University, reframed reparatory justice as an educational and intellectual process.
“Reparatory justice is a pedagogical practice. We must understand what was destroyed, how it was destroyed, and how to rebuild it,” he said.
He highlighted that education systems continue to shape consciousness. “The classroom is not neutral. Even today’s curriculum is not neutral.”
Dr Sekito urged students to take leadership in transformation. “You have the power to influence institutional change. Youth movements have always been at the centre of African transformation.”
We must transform education and mindset
Speakers consistently called for curriculum reform and African-centred education. Some of the proposed reforms included: Introducing African-centred history from primary school; funding African research; supporting African languages; and building exchange programs with the diaspora.
A critical analysis indicated that colonial education was designed to produce obedience, not freedom. “Africans must now design education for liberation.”
Reparations requires Organisation, Not Rhetoric
Tackling this pertinent issue, the panelists and participants agreed as follows:
- Pan-Africanism must move beyond conferences into action. Any plan is dependent upon discipline and execution.
- Reparations will not be achieved by governments alone. It requires organised people, informed people, and committed youth.
- CARICOM’s reparations agenda did not happen by chance. It happened because people organised, studied, and persisted.
You are the Next Movement
Dr Hilary Brown urged young Africans to take ownership of the Pan-African struggle. “To the young brother who asked, ‘What next?’ — you are the next,” she said. “The movement needs scholars, lawyers, journalists, musicians, filmmakers, and entrepreneurs. Everybody has a role.”
Therefore, “I request you to form reading circles, join Pan-African organisations, document your histories, engage leaders, and build networks across borders.”
Unity between Africa and its diaspora
The convening emphasised unity between Africa and its diaspora. “Africa and her diaspora are one people—different histories, but one destiny. Pan-Africanism is not an event. It is a lifelong commitment.”
The symposium that included cultural performances, and a session on promoting a “drug free world” concluded with renewed calls for youth engagement, research collaboration, and institutional reform across Africa and the diaspora. The symposium also marked the official launch of Pan-African Week activities leading to Africa Day 2026, reinforcing calls for research-driven advocacy, continental unity, and structured reparatory justice frameworks.
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