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Mak & Wits Forum on Sidelines of NAM & G77 Summits Debates African Agency

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On Friday 19th January 2024, Makerere University in partnership with the University of the Witwatersrand’s African Centre for the Study of the United States (ACSUS) held a Forum based on the theme “Africa in the Global South: Advancing African Agency, Amplifying African Voices.” Dubbed the only academic event on the sidelines of the 19th Summit of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Heads of State and Government, and the Third South Summit organized under the framework of Group 77 (G77) and China, the event was among other objectives aimed at giving a platform for youth to discuss the notion of African Agency.

Providing an overview and conceptual understanding of the forum, Prof. Gilbert Khadiagala, Director of ACSUS noted that African Agency is an important notion particularly in the gradual shift from a bipolar to a promising multipolar world. “We are celebrating the end of what we describe as American hegemony, and now moving into a phase where there is a semblance of multiplicity of powers emerging globally.”

Describing agency as “the ability of Africans to advance their voice globally”, Prof. Khadiagala noted that this agency had since the decolonization period of the 1960s been subject to the dilemma of either advancing as 50-plus sovereign African States or as a collective. He nevertheless opined that “there is no real effective African Agency if we are not talking about Agency as a collective enterprise.”

Prof. Gilbert Khadiagala (Left) and Prof. Josephine Ahikire (Right) interact during the Forum. Mak & Wits-ACSUS "Africa in the Global South: Advancing African Agency, Amplifying African Voices" Forum, 19th January 2024, Council Room, Level 3, Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Gilbert Khadiagala (Left) and Prof. Josephine Ahikire (Right) interact during the Forum.

Prof. Khadiagala therefore paid tribute to the first NAM Conference held in Bandung, Indonesia in April 1955 for inviting Africa to the discussion table even before several States had gained independence. He equally acknowledged the G77 Meeting of 1979 held in Arusha, Tanzania as having given birth to “the new international economic order”, which became a rallying point for the promotion of global economic reforms. This new international economic order, he added, was unfortunately dealt a harsh blow in 1982, when the powers in Washington and England insisted that they would only negotiate with individual Nation States.

The abyss that NAM and the G77 went into after 1982 notwithstanding, Prof. Khadiagala noted that the hosting of the NAM plus G77 and China Summits in Kampala and the subsequent assuming of the Chairmanship by Uganda was worth celebrating. He regarded this shift as an opportunity for Africa to seize the moment, begin to set the agenda and be in the driver’s seat of the Non-Aligned Movement, and not just be guests at the table where key decisions are made as has hitherto been the case.

Dr. Edward Silvestre Kaweesi from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration who moderated the forum thanked Prof. Khadiagala and ASUS for partnering with Makerere to organize the event, noting that it is in tandem with a project focused on the Historicizing and Rethinking Humanities and Humanistic Social Sciences at Makerere University since 1922. The publication from the project, he added, deeply interrogates the topic of African Agency.

Dr. Edward Silvestre Kaweesi moderates the Forum. Mak & Wits-ACSUS "Africa in the Global South: Advancing African Agency, Amplifying African Voices" Forum, 19th January 2024, Council Room, Level 3, Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Edward Silvestre Kaweesi moderates the Forum.

He further noted that whereas no NAM Youth Summit had been organized at the Kampala Edition, the outcome of the Forum, a comprehensive report, will highlight the voices of youth, “Interrogating the question of the African Agency as it is playing out at the moment in the NAM and G77.”

In addition to the report, Dr. Kaweesi shared that an edited volume of the book based on the Forum theme will be published within the year. The book will be a publication of Makerere University and the University of the Witwatersrand.

The Deputy Director ACSUS, Dr. Bob Wekesa noted that the longstanding collaboration between Makerere and Wits affords both institutions the opportunity to advance partnerships in terms of joint research, exchange of faculty and students, and joint fieldwork. Turning to the timing of the Forum, he added that the “NAM and G77 Summits provide an opportune moment for us to demonstrate in real terms that we are actually very pragmatic and working towards tangible areas of partnership.”

Dr. Bob Wekesa makes his remarks. Mak & Wits-ACSUS "Africa in the Global South: Advancing African Agency, Amplifying African Voices" Forum, 19th January 2024, Council Room, Level 3, Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Bob Wekesa makes his remarks.

The Chief Guest at the Forum and Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) Prof. Josephine Ahikire thanked the key parties in the collaboration between Makerere and Wits for convening the event and expressed CHUSS’ commitment to support similar initiatives.

“We are really committed to advancing what we have called the African Voice and African Intellectualism. This is why when we talk about NAM, especially in the fact that it is described in the sense of what it is not, ‘Non-Aligned’, I think ‘What are we aligned to?’ should be the most important question” remarked the Principal.

Prof. Ahikire further emphasised the need for we the Africans to go beyond the buzzword of decolonization and mean business by revalidating African epistemologies, African indigenous knowledge systems and African languages. She therefore called for the creation of many more spaces such as the day’s Forum to articulate the African visions and what is referred to by the notion of global south.

The Chief Guest and Principal CHUSS, Prof. Josephine Ahikire. Mak & Wits-ACSUS "Africa in the Global South: Advancing African Agency, Amplifying African Voices" Forum, 19th January 2024, Council Room, Level 3, Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The Chief Guest and Principal CHUSS, Prof. Josephine Ahikire.

“Somebody asked ‘Who is an African?’ that question is as political as you can imagine but definitely, the answer and the solution is in the definition of what you mean by African, whether on the continent or in the diaspora, the voice around critiquing global marginalization, and sometimes it is self-marginalization especially when we negate everything that is African” said. Prof. Ahikire.

The Principal added that beyond the toll on human life posed by COVID-19, the pandemic demonstrated that African indigenous knowledge systems offered precious lessons that we ought to take forward. “There was a reminder to return to humanity, to Ubuntu, and the things that began to matter were not actually things (property) but new ways of living humanity. Those are the kinds of lessons that we could take to defining and envisioning our futures and not always lamenting.”

Panelists from Left to Right: Dr. Bob Wekesa, Advocate Francis Gimara, Dr. David Ngendo-Tshimba, Mr. Benon Hebert Oluka and Dr. Charles Batte. Mak & Wits-ACSUS "Africa in the Global South: Advancing African Agency, Amplifying African Voices" Forum, 19th January 2024, Council Room, Level 3, Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Panelists from Left to Right: Dr. Bob Wekesa, Advocate Francis Gimara, Dr. David Ngendo-Tshimba, Mr. Benon Hebert Oluka and Dr. Charles Batte.

Following the official opening ceremony, the Principal was gifted a copy of the book “Africa’s policy towards the US: The Biden Era” edited by Bob Wekesa. The event also served as an opportunity to launch the book “China’s Footprint in East Africa: Pessimism versus Optimism” written by Bob Wekesa.

The Forum was also enriched panel discussions based on the themes; African agency towards global South powers and The intersection of Agenda 2063, EAC policies, and the global South. The combined panel discussion from the themes was moderated by Dr. Gardner Rwakiseta Herbert from Julius Nyerere Leadership Center (JNLC) and featured as panelists; Dr. Charles Bate from Tree Adoption Uganda, and Mr. Benon Hebert Oluka from the Global Investigative Journalism Network of the African Union Media Fellowship. Additional panelists included Advocate Francis Gimara, Dr. David Ngendo-Tshimba from Uganda Martyrs University, and Dr. Bob Wekesa.

Some of the participants pose for a group photo. Left is Prof. Julius Kiiza one of the presenters of the day, while one of the panelists Dr. William Tayeebwa is Second Left. Some of the Forum Moderators are Dr. Eunice Akullo (Rear: 7th Left) and Dr. Gerald Walulya (Rear: 8th Right). Seated Right is one of the Forum Coordinators Ms. Ritah Namisango. Mak & Wits-ACSUS "Africa in the Global South: Advancing African Agency, Amplifying African Voices" Forum, 19th January 2024, Council Room, Level 3, Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Some of the participants pose for a group photo. Left is Prof. Julius Kiiza one of the presenters of the day, while one of the panelists Dr. William Tayeebwa is Second Left. Some of the Forum Moderators are Dr. Eunice Akullo (Rear: 7th Left) and Dr. Gerald Walulya (Rear: 8th Right). Seated Right is one of the Forum Coordinators Ms. Ritah Namisango.

A second panel discussion tackled the theme Amplifying African voices: media and summit diplomacy and was moderated by Dr. Gerald Walulya from Department of Journalism and Communication, Makerere University and featured Dr. William Tayeebwa from the same Department. Dr. Eunice Akullo from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration then moderated a presentation by Prof. Julius Kiiza of the same Department on the theme Gender and youth perspectives on African agency in the global South.

The Forum was coordinated by Dr. Edward Silvestre Kaweesi, Mr. Solomon Winyi, and the Principal Public Relations Officer Ms. Ritah Namisango.

Click the video below to watch full proceedings of the Forum

Mak & Wits (ACSUS) Africa in The Global South Forum – Sidelines of 19th NAM & 3rd South G77+China Summits

Mark Wamai

Humanities & Social Sciences

Dr. Brian Semujju: A Bright Burning Torch Extinguished

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Left to Right: Prof. Gorretti Nassanga, Dr. John Baptist Imokola, Ms. Harriet Sebaana, Dr. Wilson Kaija, Dr. Aisha Nakiwala, Dr. Charlotte Ntulume and other colleagues lay a wreath on Dr. Brian Semujju's casket in St. Francis Chapel on 5th August 2025. Funeral service in honour of Dr. Brian Semujju-Senior Lecturer, Department of Journalism and Communication, School of Languages Literature and Communication, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), 5th August 2025, St. Francis Chapel, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Makerere University fraternity is mourning the loss of a dedicated and hardworking academic, Dr. Brian Semujju. At the time of his passing, Dr. Semujju was serving as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Communication, School of Languages, Literature and Communication, where he had worked for eight years. He was a prolific scholar with more than 20 publications to his name, the most recent of which was published in February 2025.

In a condolence message from the Vice Chancellor delivered by Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, the University extended its heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family. Prof. Ireeta noted that Dr. Semujju was widely known for his enthusiasm and commitment to academic research. Drawing from scripture, he offered comfort to mourners with a quote from Psalms 34:14: “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” He also extended condolences to Dr. Semujju’s students, fellow scholars, and colleagues.

Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta pays tribute to Dr. Semujju. Funeral service in honour of Dr. Brian Semujju-Senior Lecturer, Department of Journalism and Communication, School of Languages Literature and Communication, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), 5th August 2025, St. Francis Chapel, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta pays tribute to Dr. Semujju.

On behalf of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Principal, Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala and the Deputy Principal, Dr. Eric Awich Ochen, shared heartfelt condolences. The College Leadership acknowledged Dr. Semujju’s immense contributions and the deep void his death left in the college following his passing on 3rd August 2025. Equally commended was Dr. Semujju’s remarkable journey from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer—a clear testament to his passion and commitment to research. Dr. Semujju’s dedication to his work was described as extraordinary, and Dr. Awich Ochen confirmed that he was due for promotion to Associate Professor at the time of his death, a reflection of his unwavering pursuit of academic excellence.

Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala (Right) is joined by Dr. Eric Awich Ochen (Left) and Dr. Eve Nabulya to lay a wreath on Dr. Brian Semujju's casket. Funeral service in honour of Dr. Brian Semujju-Senior Lecturer, Department of Journalism and Communication, School of Languages Literature and Communication, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), 5th August 2025, St. Francis Chapel, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala (Right) is joined by Dr. Eric Awich Ochen (Left) and Dr. Eve Nabulya to lay a wreath on Dr. Brian Semujju’s casket.

Prof. Gorretti Nassanga delivered a message on behalf of the Head of the Department, Dr. Aisha Nakiwala, describing Dr. Semujju as a man who left behind a strong legacy of academic excellence. She traced his academic journey at Makerere University, beginning as a Master’s student in 2010, graduating in 2012, and completing his PhD in 2017—the same year he joined the Department as a Lecturer. She highlighted his significant research contributions, including publications in high-impact international journals and involvement in diverse research projects covering community media, gender and media, environmental and climate change communication, and the use of mobile phones in journalism practice. Prof. Nassanga praised his critical mind and eagerness to explore new frontiers of knowledge, adding: “Apart from his work at the Department of Journalism and Communication, he took interest in other areas like music, he composed several songs including some on how to tackle climate change.”

Prof. Gorretti Nassanga (Holding Microphone) is joined by members of the Department of Journalism and Communication to deliver their message. Funeral service in honour of Dr. Brian Semujju-Senior Lecturer, Department of Journalism and Communication, School of Languages Literature and Communication, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), 5th August 2025, St. Francis Chapel, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Gorretti Nassanga (Holding Microphone) is joined by members of the Department of Journalism and Communication to deliver their message.

Prof. James Kiwanuka-Tondo, Dean at the School of Journalism, Media and Communication at Uganda Christian University, and Prof. Monica Chibita both spoke about Dr. Semujju’s insatiable curiosity and commitment to his work. Prof. Chibita noted his exceptional sense of duty, as evidenced by his latest publication in February despite battling illness. She emphasized the importance of preserving his legacy: “He leaves a gap in many people’s hearts but Brian also leaves a legacy of academic excellence. As many of his mentees who are here, we all have a duty to keep this legacy alive.”

Prof. Monica Chibita (Front) and Prof. James Kiwanuka-Tondo (Left) spoke on behalf of Uganda Christian University (UCU). Funeral service in honour of Dr. Brian Semujju-Senior Lecturer, Department of Journalism and Communication, School of Languages Literature and Communication, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), 5th August 2025, St. Francis Chapel, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Monica Chibita (Front) and Prof. James Kiwanuka-Tondo (Left) spoke on behalf of Uganda Christian University (UCU).

Dr. Robert Kakuru, Chairperson of the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), reflected on the collective loss felt by the academic fraternity: “As the academic fraternity we have lost a hardworking man. We have lost a man that was destined to achieve much.” He expressed appreciation to the University Management, especially the Vice Chancellor, for their support during this difficult time. Dr. Kakuru also used the occasion to promote the MUASA Social Support Fund, encouraging both new membership and mutual support among existing members.

Dr. Robert Robert Kakuru delivers his message. Funeral service in honour of Dr. Brian Semujju-Senior Lecturer, Department of Journalism and Communication, School of Languages Literature and Communication, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), 5th August 2025, St. Francis Chapel, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Robert Robert Kakuru delivers his message.

Representing the Fulbright Scholars where Dr. Semujju served as President of the Alumni Association, Dr. Saul Daniel Ddumba also expressed his sympathies: “He accepted to be our Fulbright President, which was another job on top of what he already had,” he said, praising Dr. Semujju’s enthusiastic spirit.

Mr. Baker Batte, one of Dr. Semujju’s earliest Master’s students, shared a memory that reflected his high standards and intolerance for mediocrity: “I think I gave him approximately 15 drafts for him to accept that my dissertation was good for submission.”

Mr. Baker Batte ( Holding Microphone) pays tribute to his former supervisor. Funeral service in honour of Dr. Brian Semujju-Senior Lecturer, Department of Journalism and Communication, School of Languages Literature and Communication, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), 5th August 2025, St. Francis Chapel, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Baker Batte ( Holding Microphone) pays tribute to his former supervisor.

A family representative, Dr. Semujju’s brother, spoke of his strong work ethic and obsession with quality, recounting his frequent reminder to the family: “Every time he would tell us that we cannot teach if we are not doing research.” He expressed gratitude to the Department of Journalism and Communication and the University for their support, particularly through financial assistance.

The funeral service held on 5th August 2025 at St. Francis Chapel and was presided over by the Chaplain, Rev. Canon Dr. Lydia Kitayimbwa. In her sermon, the Chaplain urged the bereaved family to turn to God for comfort, describing Him as “not distant, but… the God of Comfort.” She read from 2 Corinthians 1:3–7, reminding the congregation of God’s enduring presence in times of suffering: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction… Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort,” she preached.

Rev. Canon Dr. Lydia Kitayimbwa leads congregants in song. Funeral service in honour of Dr. Brian Semujju-Senior Lecturer, Department of Journalism and Communication, School of Languages Literature and Communication, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), 5th August 2025, St. Francis Chapel, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Rev. Canon Dr. Lydia Kitayimbwa leads congregants in song.

The event was graced by several dignitaries from the Media, including the CEO of Vision Group, Mr. Don Wanyama, and the Head of Bukedde TV, Mr. Richard Kayiira.

Eve Nakyanzi
Eve Nakyanzi

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Diploma in Performing Arts Admission List 2025/26

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The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released the admission list of candidates who passed the special entry examinations for the Diploma in Performing Arts held on Saturday 17th May, 2025

The following have been admitted by the University’s Admissions Committee on Private Sponsorship for the 2025/26 Academic Year

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Special Exam Results -Diploma in Performing Arts 2025/26

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The results for the 2025/2026 special entry examination for the Diploma in Performing Arts held on Saturday 17th May, 2025. Candidates who scored a final mark of 50% and above passed the Examination and have been recommended to the university’s Admissions Committee for consideration.

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