General
Mr. Yorac Nono Hands over Director Internal Audit Office, Receives Warm Sendoff
On Tuesday 31st October 2023, Mr. Walter Yorac Nono officially handed over the Office of Director Internal Audit to Mr. Patrick Akonyet at a ceremony presided over by the Acting Director of Human Resources, Mr. Deus Tayari Mujuni. Present at the ceremony were the University Bursar, Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha and Senior Auditor, Mrs. Joan Mutekanga.
Mr. Walter Yorac Nono officially took over from the Acting Director Mr. Benson Barigye on 12th February 2018. He thanked the University Management and Council for the support extended to the Directorate for over years and thanked his colleagues for the team work exhibited throughout his tenure. The outgoing Director asked Mr. Akonyet to take particular note of the Directorate’s role as Secretariat to the Audit Committee of Council as well as external membership to some Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (MakRIF) projects.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Patrick Akonyet thanked the University Leadership for nominating him to serve as Acting Manager until December 2023 as substantive appointment procedures continue. He thanked Mr. Yorac Nono for successfully steering the Directorate right from his appointment to the official hand over ceremony, and requested him to remain available for consultation.
“Expiry of your contract isn’t the expiry of your ability. Your skills and abilities shall still be required out there” remarked the incoming Director.
Mr. Akonyet expressed happiness to take over from Mr. Yorac Nono, accepted the list of assets as presented, and pledged to continue from where he had left off. He thanked Mr. Mujuni, Mr. Bainomugisha, Mrs. Mutekanga and the Public Relations Office for coming to witness the handover ceremony.
In his remarks, Mr. Bainomugisha admitted that it was a tough to witness the handover of a colleague, with whom he had worked cordially and whose leadership had helped shape and guide the Internal Audit and Finance Directorates.
“I thank you for exhibiting professionalism and dedicating time to do University work. Your technical and behavioural competences cannot be taken for granted and we thank God for having helped you to perform very well, and for where He is taking you. I know He is going to open another window for you” commended the University Bursar.
He asked the incoming Director, Mr. Akonyet to help provide solutions on how the University Management can overcome challenges and pledged to provide any information or documents he might need. Mr. Bainomugisha wished the incoming Director a successful term and urged him to carry on with the spirit of team work exhibited during Mr. Yorac Nono’s term.
The Acting Director of Human Resources thanked Mr. Yorac Nono for preparing an elaborate handover report and contributing to the University’s Audit function over the past five years. He acknowledged that the achievements registered by the Internal Audit Directorate had been as a result of motivation, team work and demonstrated competence.
“On behalf of Management, I wish to thank you for all that you have done for the function of Audit and request you to come and visit us. Management will be happy to support you,” added Mr. Mujuni, in reference to any recommendations Mr. Yorac Nono could need.
Turning to the incoming Director, Mr. Mujuni pledged Management’s readiness to continue extending the same support accorded to Mr. Yorac Nono to him. “Whatever work plan you have, please engage us and we will support you.”
The official handover was followed by a luncheon organized by staff from the Internal Audit Directorate at the Makerere University Guest House. It was heartwarming as speaker after speaker praised Mr. Yorac Nono for his professionalism, mentorship and being more than a supervisor by providing fatherly advice.
It was brought to the outgoing Director’s attention that his mentorship, had inspired some of his staff to take up positions of leadership. Notable among these are; Mr. George Turyamureeba, Chairperson of the Makerere University Convocation and Member of Council, and Mr. Bennet Magara, Chairperson of the Makerere University Administrative Staff Association (MASA).
Speaking on behalf of the luncheon organisers, Mr. Amos Dembe Ashaba thanked Mr. Yorac Nono for his leadership that nurtured collegiality and team work. He noted that the luncheon was a small token of appreciation from the staff in recognition of the fatherly advice that Mr. Yorac Nono regularly dispensed, and the friendships he nurtured as a result. The lead organiser, Ms. Winnie Mbabazi thanked the outgoing Director for his mentorship and helping the team to become better professionals.
In his concluding remarks, Mr. Yorac Nono thanked staff for the heartwarming messages and sparing time and resources to organise the surprise luncheon. “When I came for the official handover today, I did not expect this, (the luncheon) and so I thank you all very much for your contributions and sparing time to be here.”
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
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