General
CEBL phase 2 launched
Researchers at the College of Education and External Studies on January 13, 2024, launched a study on the Comprehensive Evaluation of Blended Learning (CEBL) among graduate students.
The study, funded by the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF), will this time take into consideration graduate teaching at Makerere University. While Makerere had had online teaching and learning since 1991, it was only rolled out to the entire university in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers argue that while emergency online and distance e-learning (ODEL) enabled continuity of teaching and learning, it is important to evaluate its performance by getting the voices of learners who are the primary beneficiaries. The first phase of the evaluation took into account only undergraduate students. The second phase will cover graduate training. Dr. Harriet Najjemba, one of the researchers, said the objectives of this phase of research are to establish the current postgraduate learners’ blended learning status at Makerere University, document challenges from a graduate learner’s perspective about blended learning, and modify the phase one blended learning framework.
It is envisioned that the results of the study will influence policy on BL. Speaking during the launch of the research project, the Principal of CEES, Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga, congratulated the research team, saying ICT is very pivotal in this new age. He emphasized the importance of incorporating blended learning into higher education institutions to enhance the quality of education and prepare students for the digital era. Prof. Mugagga also expressed his hope that the findings of this research project will contribute to the development of effective strategies for implementing blended learning at Makerere University and beyond.
He called on projects like Love Binti to also explore incorporating ICT into their program so that the participants can benefit from the advantages of being tech-savvy. By doing so, they can enhance their educational experiences and improve their skills in a more efficient and comprehensive manner.
The guest of honour, Dr. Eddy J. Walakira, who represented the Chair of MakRIF, emphasized the importance of embracing technology in the program.
He congratulated the research team led by the principal investigator, Mr. Arthur Mugisha, and said he was happy to be among those scholars working with colleagues at CEES and tapping into the wealth of knowledge available at the college. He expressed his confidence in the program’s ability to drive innovation and make significant contributions to the field. He expressed his confidence in the program’s ability to drive innovation and make significant contributions to the field. He thanked the government of Uganda and the funding agency of the MakRIF for their continued support of research and innovations intended to drive the development of the country.
He said MakRIF is committed to providing value for money and ensuring that every research and innovation project funded yields fruitful results for the country’s development. He called on the project team to implement the project within the project parameters and ensure timely accountability. He informed the staff that the call for RIF 5 was out, and he encouraged them to apply, as it was a great opportunity for professional growth.
The Director of IoDEL, Prof. Paul Muyinda Birevu, said Makerere University is embracing blended learning and smart education to enhance the student experience and address the needs of distance education programs in Africa. He said the university is developing online pedagogy, facilitating skills for teaching staff, and supporting other universities in Africa. The importance of quality assurance in blended learning programs was also highlighted to ensure their value to employers. The university aims to provide accessible and high-quality education to students in Africa through its distance education programs. “We have the Master of Instructional Design and Technology in the School of Distance and Lifelong Learning, and the purpose of this program is to indeed grow the discipline of open distance and eLearning,” Dr Birevu said. The said IoDEL was working with people outside the university, such as Boda Boda riders, on using mobile phones for eLearning purposes.
The research team
- Mr. Arthur Mugisha – PI
- Dr. Harriet Najjemba
- Prof. Paul Muyinda Birevu
- Ms. Rose Akanya
- Prof. Jessica Aguti
- Mr. J Bateeze
- Dr. R Aine
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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