Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University presenting a lead paper on “Enhancing Safeguarding at institutions of higher Learning” at the Vice Chancellors’ Forum, a side-event of the 19th RUFORUM AGM held in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Right is Prof. Jude Lubega, the Vice Chancellor Nkumba University.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has urged Universities and other institutions of higher learning in Africa to embrace the approach of having comprehensive safeguarding policies where important elements of safety and protection are considered and all the common forms of risk, abuse and harm are emphasized.
This was during the Vice Chancellors’ Forum, one of the high powered side events of the RUFORUM Annual General Meeting that provides significant platforms for Vice Chancellors of all RUFORUM member Universities to engage, discuss, deliberate and guide on how universities, government and development partners can support the RUFORUM vision and mission of becoming a leader in higher agricultural education.
The Vice Chancellors’ Forum 2023 that was held in Yaoundé Cameroon during the 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting that proceeded from 28th October- 2nd November 2023 was the most attended ever with over 150 Vice Chancellors from 40 African countries and other parts of the world. The Forum deliberated on emerging and contemporary issues in higher education to strengthen university systems, promote inclusion and enhance the relevance of universities in national and regional development.
Prof. Theresia Nkuo-Akenji, RUFORUM Board Chair and Vice Chancellor University of Bamenda, Cameroon giving her welcome speech.
In her welcome speech, Prof. Theresia Nkuo-Akenji, RUFORUM Board Chair and Vice Chancellor University of Bamenda, Cameroon welcomed all Vice chancellors in attendance and acknowledged their strong commitment to the RUFORUM as a Network. She also appreciated the efforts of the Vice Chancellors in setting the agenda for the network to ensure its competitiveness.
According to her, RUFORUM has come of age but growth across every life’s journey comes along with its own challenges and opportunities. She therefore thanked all the Vice Chancellors that have committed and continue to clear the membership fees in time on annual basis. “Your contribution of US$5,000 is what keeps the Secretariat operational,” she said.
Prof. Theresia Nkuo-Akenji drew the attention of the Vice Chancellors to some critical issues such as low institutional burn-out rates of grant funding, the terrible completion rate of graduate students across the network, curriculum reviews that do not incorporate innovative academic programmes and policies that do not respond to global discourses. Noting that such issues have posed serious barriers achieving the network’s objectives.
Prof. Openjuru L. George, the Vice-Chancellor of Gulu University (Right) with some of the Vice Chancellors that attended the 2023 Forum.
She urged all universities to collectively support the RUFORUM Secretariat during resource mobilization. “It is important to note that RUFORUM Secretariat is not a donor as many of the members might perceive it. Rather, RUFORUM Secretariat works with all of us to raise resources that can either be sub-granted and/or directly disbursed by the funding agency to each of the universities that is participating. The Secretariat can support the universities efforts in training and ideation processes as well as brokering partnerships with ease. However, we need to ensure that we are all cooperative,” She stated. Presenting a lead paper titled, Enhancing Safeguarding at institutions of higher Learning, Prof. Nawangwe noted that Makerere University is committed to being a professionally governed, equitable, inclusive and gender mainstreamed institution. In line with this commitment, Makerere University has cited the need to have a comprehensive safe guarding policy that is intentional in ensuring that important elements of safety and protection are considered and all the common forms of risk, abuse and harm are emphasized.
According to Prof. Nawangwe, over the years Makerere University has built a record of governing and administrative policies and frameworks such as the Makerere University Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment, Makerere University Gender Equity Policy, the Student Accommodation Policy, the Risk Management Plan, the Policy on Persons with Disabilities, the Human Resources Manual as amended, Information and Communication Technology Policy which addresses issues of cyber security and abuse and the Open Distance and E-learning Policy. However, these do not adequately and comprehensively address the key elements of safety and protection.
Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, the Vice Chancellor of Uganda Christian University (Right) and Prof. Jude Lubega, the Vice Chancellor of Nkumba University (Left) attending the 2023 Forum.
“These policies only feature identification and prevention as elements of safeguarding hence guidance on the report procedures are least provided for. They much highlight emotional risk and harm and neglect cyber security threats, financial exploitation, limitation of academic freedoms for staff and students,” he said.
“All in all, the policies lack some of the internationally considered forms of risk, abuse and harm. In Africa, we are the second recipients of refugees in the whole world, but we lack anything about protecting refugees in our policies and some of the policies do not have the strategic plans to address any form of risk, abuse and harm,” he added.
He mentioned that the COVID 19 pandemic escalated the issue of mental health with so many cases of mental illnesses globally, an indicator that it is only in a safe and protected environment that people are mentally healthy to be fully creative and innovative.
The Vice Chancellors Forum 2023 also deliberated on topics such as exploring mechanisms for integrating universities into national and regional innovation systems and aligning African agricultural higher education to the future-of-work on the continent and globally.
Prof. Paul Waako, the Vice Chancellor of Busitema University attending the 2023 Forum.
Presenting on behalf of Prof. Bonang Mohale, Chancellor, University of Free State, South Africa, Agnes W. Mwang’ombe, a Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology- Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection- University of Free State said that university education has become very competitive yet it is crucial for universities to remain ahead and relevant to their clients and other stakeholders through inclusive virtual modes that have set in new dimensions such as in-house pool of talent that in most cases await to be tapped. She mentioned that it is high time for Universities to shun away from the rampant blame games of how African graduates are not ready to tackle community challenges and focus on revamping, modifying and creating new systems of conducting research.
“As universities, we are expected to produce relevant information, knowledge, technologies, and innovations to fulfill aspirations; develop mechanisms to tap on human resource and mobilize research funds for the university. There is need for actual retooling of academic staff to be able to harness the various competences and skills represented in the universities including students through building alliances and effective teams to grant calls with wider society impact,” she said.
In the context of food and nutrition insecurity, Prof. Mwang’ombe noted that the changing climate has dwindled natural resources and increased social and economic inequalities hence raising concerns for more health food systems and eco-system services. She therefore called for collective efforts towards building resilience for sustainable agriculture and economic empowerment of those most affected by climate change through bio diversity restoration using natural based solutions.
Some of the Vice Chancellors that attended the 2023 Forum.
“Food and nutrition is constrained by many factors including the heavy reliance on very few staple crops yet Africa has the diversity of crops some of which can handle some of the current situations,” she noted.
Painting a picture of the Future of Work for a competitive Africa, Prof. Peter Kamwi Matengu, Vice Chancellor, University of Namibia, was concerned about the role of higher education in developing interventions as a mitigating factor towards decreasing jobs in the agricultural sector. According to him, a report published in 2023 by the World Economic Forum recorded 673 million jobs across the globe. It is however expected that this number will decline by 83 million hence creating a job deficit of about 2%.
“It is not surprising that the field of agriculture which has increasingly been mechanized and automated will lose up to 60% of the jobs. The World Economic Forum report also notes that although the automation in Agriculture will create up to 25% of jobs, it is also expected that 75% of job will be lost in Africa if there is no intervention of up scaling and re scaling. This also means that 44% of the workers whose skills need to be upgraded will face a disruption,” he said.
Prof. Kamwi Matengu called upon universities in Africa to undertake relevant, impactful, responsive research that majorly focus on participation. “ The kind of research, I am talking about should enable us translate our knowledge into practice and African education should focus on national self- reliance and train people to be internationally competitive and to be very aware that we have the responsibility of the welfare of everyone,” he emphasized. The Vice Chancellors’ Forum 2023 was moderated by Prof. Roger Tsafack Nanfosso, Vice Chancellor, University of Dschang and Canon Prof. Olivia Nassaka Banja, Vice Chancellor of Ndejje University.
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Uganda is organizing the 2025 K-POP Festival in Uganda. K-POP stands for Korean Popular Music and this festival will include a K-POP singing or dancing contest open to both individuals and groups. There will be online auditions and a grand festival open to the public.
1. Eligibility
The contest is open to all Ugandans
Participation is as an individual or in a group
2. How to apply
Record a video of yourself of about 3 minutes of dancing or singing to a K-POP song. Upload the video on your Social Media or YouTube with the hashtag #2025KPOPUG and copy and paste the link to the video in the application form at https://han.gl/kE1xN. The application deadline is 17th October 2025.
The GRAND K-POP FESTIVAL will be held on 8th November 2025 starting 1:00PM at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University.
There will also be a K-POP Random Play Dance Event and everyone is invited to participate and watch.
The Makerere University Council and Top Management have today convened at Speke Resort Munyonyo to deliberate on the University’s Strategic Plan 2025/2026 – 2029/2030. The retreat seeks to align Makerere’s priorities with the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and ensure that all key stakeholders contribute to shaping the institution’s next five years.
Opening the discussions, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, underscored the centrality of planning in the University’s growth trajectory. He called on members of management to actively participate in the drafting of the new strategic plan. Prof. Nawangwe highlighted Makerere’s progress in recent years, noting that the University has drawn a roadmap to becoming a research-led institution, with publications rising from 700 five years ago to 2,000 currently.
He further pointed out the revision of research policies to align with the University’s research agenda, as well as the establishment of innovation hubs that support product development, commercialisation, and intellectual property management. Commending staff for their resilience and success, Prof. Nawangwe congratulated them on winning significant individual grants, some of which now surpass institutional grants. “NDP IV is intended to grow the country tenfold, and I am confident Makerere will make a huge contribution,” he remarked.
Mrs. Lorna Magara
In her keynote remarks, the Chairperson of the University Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara, described the retreat as a defining moment for Makerere’s role in Uganda’s transformation. She urged the University to move beyond traditional teaching and research, positioning itself as a central driver of national development.
“Our mandate extends beyond academia. The knowledge we generate, the leaders we shape, and the innovations we deliver must directly fuel Uganda’s growth,” Mrs. Magara stated.
She outlined priority national development areas— agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral-based development, and advances in science and technology—where Makerere’s expertise can make a decisive impact. Emphasising the urgency of challenges such as youth unemployment, climate change, food insecurity, and fragile health systems, she noted that within these lie opportunities for Makerere to lead in testing and scaling solutions.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
“This retreat is about discipline and focus. Our strategy cannot be a wish list; it must be a blueprint for measurable national impact,” she said, challenging participants to critically reflect on how Makerere can anchor Uganda’s food security, nurture digital innovators, strengthen health resilience, and raise transformative leaders.
She concluded with a call for boldness and clarity in execution: “The next five years are decisive. Makerere must shift from being a participant in national development to being its strongest driver. What we agree here must position Makerere not only as Uganda’s premier university but also as a trusted national partner and a beacon of Africa’s transformation.”
Participants in a group discussion
The retreat involved detailed discussions and contributions from University leaders, aimed at developing a practical and impact-driven strategic plan that cements Makerere’s role in advancing Uganda’s development agenda.
On Thursday, 11th September 2025, there was joy and ululations as Makerere University officially welcomed 236 new Scholars, 206 under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and 30 under the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative.
This follows the December 2023 renewal of the partnership between Makerere University and the Mastercard Foundation, which will enable 1,000 young women and men to receive quality, inclusive education at Makerere over the next decade.
During the joint scholarship award ceremony held in the Main Building, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, in remarks delivered by Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, urged scholars to approach the opportunity with diligence and purpose.
“Equip yourself to conquer the world with confidence! Your resilience and ability to think critically will be put to the test. Stay true to your values, the values of Makerere University, and the values of Mastercard Foundation,” Prof. Nawangwe noted.
Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the Ag. DVC AA, speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, during the event.
He further cautioned the Scholars to uphold the University’s regulations as they navigate their academic journey and expressed gratitude to the Foundation for renewing the partnership for a further ten years and launching the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative.
Rigorous Selection Process According to Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, Chairperson of the Scholars’ Selection Sub-Committee, this year’s selection was highly competitive and lasted nearly six months.
“For undergraduate scholarships, the Program received 2,559 applications for 290 slots. Of these, 568 were shortlisted for interviews, 407 validated and 194 ultimately selected (142 female and 52 male),” Prof. Okumu said.
He further explained that for graduate (Master’s) scholarships, there were 784 applicants for 11 slots. 64 were shortlisted, 28 validated, and 12 successful.
The Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative attracted 190 Master’s degree applicants, with 30 selected (20 female and 10 male).
Behind these numbers are stories of resilience and courage: 73% of the new Scholars are women; 45 are refugees; 22 are persons with disabilities; and 14 are international students from Rwanda, South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia. The cohort represents 67 districts of Uganda and 17 refugee settlements,” Prof. Okumu noted.
Words of Encouragement Mr. Adrian Bukenya, Country Director of the Mastercard Foundation, urged the Scholars to embrace resilience as the foundation of their journeys.
Mr. Adrian Bukenya, the Executive Director, Mastercard Foundation Uganda, addressing the gathering during the event.
“How you start is not necessarily how you will finish. You belong here, and you earned this scholarship. Take on the responsibility of leadership by developing yourself to uplift your community,” he said.
In her remarks, Prof. Justine Namaalwa Jjumba, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Director, emphasized that the partnership’s goal is to expand inclusive university education and nurture youth into transformative leaders.
During the award ceremony, Prof Namaalwa, who was overjoyed, explained that of the 1,000 scholarships available from 2024 to 2034, 70% are reserved for women and 30% for men.
“The 206 Scholars recruited in Cohort 8 mark 30.6% of the renewed phase’s target, bringing the total to 1,338 Scholars supported since 2013,” Prof. Namaalwa said.
Scholars and Parents Speak Out Speaking on behalf of Cohort 8, Scholars, Mungurumo Stephen described the opportunity of being awarded the Mastercard Foundation scholarship as life-changing.
“Education is not merely about acquiring knowledge; it is about transformation. Our backgrounds do not define our future; they prepare us to recognise success when it arrives. We are here not just for ourselves but to light the way for others and contribute to Africa’s transformation,” he said.
Liong Annet Sworo, a scholar pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and Technology from Parolinya Refugee Settlement, added:
“Receiving this scholarship has reignited our hopes and ambitions. For many of us who have faced educational interruptions, this is not just an opportunity but a stepping stone to elevate our aspirations.”