General
Citation for Hon. Betty Oyella Bigombe’s Award of Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa of Makerere University
I. Overview
Hon. Betty Oyella Bigombe is a lady of outstanding achievements. She has made great contribution to Uganda, the Eastern Africa region and the international community with respect to conflict prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping, peace building and post-conflict reconstruction. Her contribution facilitated reduction of state fragility, political violence, and also contributed to social-economic growth and development.
II. Biography
Hon. Betty Oyella Bigombe was born on 21st October 1954 in Acholi land, Northern Uganda (Amuru District today). She is one of eleven children in her family. Her education is as follows: Gayaza High School; O-level which she completed in 1968; Trinity College Nabbingo, A-level, 1970. Makerere University, Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences 1974.; the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts (U.S.A) Master of Public Administration. Her rise to prominence is largely attributed to her upbringing, educational background and performance.
III. Career
Earlier in her career, Hon. Betty Bigombe served as a Company Secretary to the Uganda Mining Corporation (1981-1984) and later as Project Manager with the African Development Bank (1984-1986). She became a Member of the Parliament of Uganda representing Kilak County, Gulu district from 1986 to 1996. In 1988 she was appointed State Minister for Northern Uganda in the Office of the Prime Minster, and spearheaded efforts aimed at the pacification of north and northeastern Uganda. From 1997 to 2006, Hon. Bigombe worked as a Senior Social Development Specialist and Social Scientist with the World Bank Group, and was a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Peace in Washington D.C (2006-2008). Hon. Bigombe later returned to Uganda, serving as the Woman Member of Parliament for Amuru District and State Minister for Water Resources (2011-2014). In 2021, she was appointed Uganda’s Ambassador to Malaysia. She is a member of the Women Mediators across the Commonwealth, a network of women with interest and expertise in mediation.
IV. Contribution to Peace and Post-Conflict Settlement in Uganda
As Member of Parliament, Hon. Bigombe established relationships which facilitated delivery of humanitarian assistance in the camps.
She initiated programs for educating youths on the dangers of war, supported former child soldiers’ reintegration after combat, and formed social support groups in northern Uganda. As the Minister of State for Pacification in Northern Uganda, Hon. Bigombe initiated contact with Joseph Kony in 1993. Her efforts led to face-to-face negotiations between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) leaders, and Ugandan government officials, known as the “Bigombe talks,”. which garnered global interest. Her diplomatic skills and commitment to peace resulted in the ratification of an amnesty law which encouraged ten thousand rebels to participate in the negotiations between government and the LRA. Hon. Bigombe was honored as Uganda’s Woman of the Year in 1994.
The initial peace talks between the LRA leader and the government collapsed. However, in 2004 in the wake of the brutal Barlonyo massacre, Hon. Bigombe felt compelled to leave the World Bank, to return to Uganda to, initiate a second wave of LRA peace negotiations, where she was the chief mediator. Her efforts laid a foundation upon which the Juba Peace Talks mediated by the Government of Southern Sudan were successfully conducted, except for the final moment of signing the Peace Agreement which the LRA leader refused to honor.
Despite hiccups, Hon. Bigombe’s efforts contributed to silencing of the guns, return of Internally Displaced peoples home to rebuild their lives and communities. Considering the intensity of the armed conflict in northern Uganda, Hon. Betty Bigombe courageously faced serious risks to her life. Her efforts were recognized by the community in northern Uganda who endearingly call her “Atuku” in Acholi (for beautiful/precious woman).
V. Contribution to Peace and Post-conflict reconstruction in the Great Lakes Region
Hon. Betty Bigombe has spear headed conflict resolution within the region and emphasized the significant role of women and community members in peacebuilding. She contributed to fostering peace between the government of Uganda and Sudan through the work of the Carter Center in the years 1999 and 2000.
Following the signing of the Revitalised Peace Agreement, Hon. Bigombe mediated the unification of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army as well as conducting back door negotiations with some stake holders in order to ensure that the Revitalised Peace Agreement of 2018 is implemented in an inclusive manner.
Currently, Hon. Bigombe serves as Special Envoy for the President of Uganda to the Parties to the Revitalized Agreement of Resolution of the Conflict on South Sudan. She played a crucial role in bringing President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar together, to resolve pending issues necessary for moving forward and firming the peace process in South Sudan.
VI. Contribution to Peace and Post-conflict reconstruction at the Global level
Hon. Betty Bigombe served as a Commissioner for the Women’s Refugee Commission (2008-2014), led election observer missions in Zimbabwe and Rwanda, and continues to serve as a member of the Commission’s Leadership Program Advisory Board.
She also worked on peace-building efforts in Sri Lanka, as part of a team of mediators involved in negotiations between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers rebel group in the early 2000s. Even though the peace talks ultimately did not succeed, Hon. Bigombe’s efforts were recognized as instrumental in bringing the two sides together. She was a visiting scholar at John Hopkins, School of Advanced International Studies, Washington DC (2008-2009), where she shared her vast experience on mediation. As the Senior Director for Fragility, Conflict, and Violence at the World Bank (2014-2017), she steered the World Bank Group’s agenda in ensuring country strategies, projects, and programs are consistent with and complementary to organizational goals of reducing poverty and promoting shared prosperity.
VII. Conclusion
Hon. Betty Oyella Bigombe is outstanding and has demonstrated resilience with an unwavering commitment to peace and diplomacy in Uganda, the Great Lakes region and the world. Makerere University is proud and honored to award Hon. Betty Oyella Bigombe the Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa of Makerere University, and all the rights, duties and privileges pertaining thereto.
Orator: Assoc. Prof. Rose Nakayi, School of Law
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
Education
Makerere University signs Memorandum of Understanding with International Rescue Committee to Advance Research, Innovation and Partnerships
Makerere University has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Rescue Committee to formalize undertakings in research, innovation & partnerships.
Signed in September 2025 by the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and the Country Director, International Rescue Committee, Mr. Elijah Okeyo, the MoU provides a framework to implement research intensive programmes, promote innovative teaching and learning, internationalization, and contribute to societal transformation.
According to Mr. Okeyo, the MoU re-affirms Makerere University as the academic partner of the International Rescue Committee (IRC). “This MoU formalizes IRC’s working relationship with Makerere University. This framework empowers both institutions to tap into opportunities together. We believe in equal partnership. Makerere University commits to being our partner in research to contribute to evidence based humanitarian undertakings,” he said.
Under this collaboration, Makerere University and IRC will work on developing child-centered learning resources, innovative curricula, and policy-relevant research to enhance the quality of education in crisis-affected regions.
At Makerere University, the MoU brings on board, the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), Makerere University Institute of Teacher Education and Research (MITER), and the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Research Centre.
To concretize the MoU, the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga convened a partnership meeting on Friday 12th September 2025 involving a delegation from the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Dr. David Kabugo, the Deputy Director of Makerere University Institute of Teacher Education and Research (MITER), and Ms. Ritah Namisango, the Principal Communication Officer.
The delegation from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) consisted of the following: Mr. Elijah Okeyo-Country Director, Mr. Vincent Wanyama-Senior Program Development and Quality Coordinator, Mr. Richard Omasete-Policy and Advocacy PlayMatters, and Ms. Janet Nambuya-Grants and Partnerships Coordinator.
The MoU focuses on the following areas of interest: Early Childhood Development, joint research and capacity building in education, the plight of refugees and the host communities, humanitarian aid, as well as, evidence based research to inform the education policy.
In line with its mandate, IRC brings onboard, its unmatched expertise in helping children in crisis-affected areas. The MoU therefore positions both institutions to undertake a leading role in the protection of children and families through evidence based research, access to education, and humanitarian undertakings.
Dr. Kabugo, the Deputy Director MITER, noted that the MoU opens new opportunities for joint efforts in research, training, and policy. He said: “We are committed to co-designing practitioner research, engaging in professional development, and generating evidence to guide the education policy in Uganda and beyond.” Dr. Kabugo explained that this partnership builds on years of cooperation between CEES and IRC, especially in child-centered methods such as play-based learning.
Prof. Mugagga described the MOU as a practical framework that connects Makerere University’s research with IRC’s field experiences. He stated that the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) conducts programmes focused on the future of the young people through training and empowering students/teachers. He articulated that the College significantly impacts on the education sector through delivery of quality academic programmes and research under the School of Education, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning, and the East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development.
“Our strongest synergy is education and early child-focused care,” Prof. Mugagga emphasized. He revealed that the collaboration presents CEES with a strong and reliable partner (IRC), which stands for protection and the well-being of children and families. “Through this MoU, both CEES and IRC, will significantly contribute to improving education for children, families, and communities impacted by conflict and crisis.”
Prof. Mugagga commended IRC for the earlier support and expertise extended to the College in the development of the early childhood centre, and working together to provide valuable input during the Ministry of Education and Sports’ consultative process that led to the Early Childhood development policy.
Reflecting on the increasing number of refugees enrolling for studies at Makerere University, Prof. Mugagga said: “ IRC has come at the right time. The College will tap into the IRC expertise to teach our staff and learners components in refugee education. They will equip our students and teachers with knowledge and skills in refugee education. Some of our students will cooperate with IRC to undertake research in refugee settlement and host communities.”
Prof. Mugagga implored both MITER and IRC to undertake research and develop modules on refugee education, parenting, re-tooling street children, integration of a health component into the curriculum, and management of truamatised students/learners who come from areas affected by war, conflict and crisis.
On the issue of play materials, Prof. Mugagga stressed that already made play materials derial creativing. “Both CEES and IRC should work towards a context that empowers children and learners to ignite their creative potential by developing home-made play materials,” he submitted.
About IRC
Stating a brief profile history about IRC, Mr. Okeyo explained that IRC is a global non-profit organisation that provides humanitarian aid and assistance to people affected by conflict and disaster. IRC has been active in Uganda since 1998, originally assisting displaced populations in Northern Uganda and later expanding its efforts to refugee settlements and urban areas.. Currently, IRC operates more than 35 health facilities in refugee settlements and runs a variety of programs in health, education, protection, and economic recovery. IRC also undertakes projects focusing on early childhood development, prevention of gender-based violence, and protection of refugees and families.
-
General1 week agoMastercard Foundation Scholars at Makerere University encouraged to participate in philanthropy work
-
Business & Management2 weeks agoPIM Centre Makerere, Graduates Second Cohort of Certificate in Financial Implications – Integrated Regulatory Cost-Benefit Analysis
-
Agriculture & Environment2 weeks ago13th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection – October 2026
-
Business & Management2 weeks agoPIM Centre of Excellence Steering Committee Charts Way Forward
-
Health1 week agoEkyaalo Diagnostics; Johns Hopkins University Partners with Makerere and MUST to Advance AI Innovation for Breast Cancer Diagnosis