General
Mak Gender Directorate to Start Women’s Forum Amidst Calls for More Female Representation in Leadership
By Marion Alina and Rachel Kanyi
The Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD) at Makerere University has embarked on an aggressive agenda to train female staff on leadership skills. This agenda is informed by the absence of women in several top leadership positions at Makerere University and other institutions of higher learning.
Makerere University, for instance, has no record of a female Chancellor or Vice Chancellor in its 100+ years of existence. As of 2024, the Vice Chancellor and his two deputies are all male. The female voices are partially comforted by the fact that the current Chairperson of Council is female. Through GMD, a wave is burgeoning to change this trend. To kick start this agenda, the Directorate held a two-day workshop (28th-29th May 2024) that attracted over 70 female staff at Makerere and other universities. The meet-up was part of activities under a Research and Innovations Fund (RIF) project titled; Enhancing Women’s Participation and Visibility in Leadership and decision-making organs of Public Universities in Uganda through Action Research. It ran under the theme: ‘Building and Sustaining a critical mass of potential women leaders at Makerere University’.
According to Ms Susan Mbabazi, a Principal Gender Officer at GMD, the workshop aimed at among other things to generate strategies on how women can position themselves for future leadership.
The project Principal Investigator who also doubles as the Director GMD, Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine, called upon women to gain confidence and stand out whenever leadership opportunities arise. “There is need for women to be on the discussion table, making decisions as opposed to keeping at the back. It is high time women gained confidence and took on these leadership opportunities. It all starts right from where you are,” she guided. She tipped women on how to balance work life with other responsibilities. A firm-talking Euzobia rebuked the scenario where women get successful in one aspect of life and fail to handle other aspects. “A woman can be successful both in her career and home. You need to adopt life skills such as excellent time management, multi-tasking and also learn to prioritize what is important. As women, you can be a mother and also a career lady, find a formula to balance life as career worker, mother and wife,” she emphasized.
“Despite all the various efforts at national and international level, the number of women is not growing as fast as needed. Across the board in public and private institutions, women are persistently few in numbers as staff, but more so in leadership and decision making organs,” explained Assoc. Prof. Consolata Kabonesa, the project Co-Principal Investigator. “Females still face a lot of challenges some of which are institutional, personal, social/family related and economic. Under this project, we will conduct a situation analysis of the gender terrain across six public universities. These include Makerere, Kabale, Gulu, Busitema, Muni & Mbarara University of Science & Technology. We intend to obtain baseline information encompassing the composition of governance & leadership organs by gender; the composition of senior staff by gender; needs assessment and profiles of potential mentors and mentees; capacity to conduct gender-responsive research; and exploration of the male staff engagement in gender equality/equity interventions,” she added.
Speaking at the same workshop, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze shared her experience as Dean, School of Public Health. “All the Heads of Department at the School of Public Health are women. The Deputy Dean is a man. When I was a student at this school, I never saw a female Head of Department or Dean. In my first week as Dean, I heard somebody say; will this woman manage? It is then that I felt that this space had to change. People had to get used to accepting that women can deliver,” she said. “Do not limit your abilities and qualifications to where you are. Do not look at Makerere for your growth, the world is big with many other opportunities. Lay your nets everywhere, it is another way of adding value to Makerere University. Work with people who are better than you. How can you become better if you dislike better? How will money come to you if you talk ill of people with money? I love working with smart people. You are as good as the company you keep,” she added.
The outgoing Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) Prof. Josephine Ahikire called upon women to be more intentional in taking up leadership positions at all levels in the university. “At CHUSS, we have a critical mass of qualifying females. But you need to aspire too. There are new ways through which patriarchy recreates itself and brings women down even when they qualify. You therefore ought to be determined and stand strong in order to take on these leadership spaces,’ she argued. Prof. Ahikire advised women to understand their work environment and policies, since this will help propel them higher. “It is quite helpful to understand the institution, policies, and have them on your fingertips so that you are not looking for favouritism. We need a critical mass in these mid-level and upper positions. We need to be more intentional and have unity among us, fighting against ourselves will not put us anywhere,” she emphasized. As she leaves office, Prof. Ahikire was proud of leaving behind a vibrant CHUSS. “I’ have enjoyed being a leader. CHUSS has five schools and one institute. Four of these schools are led by women. We have three Deans and MISR is headed by a woman too,” she said to a thunderous applause.
Basing on her leadership experience, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs Bunyoro University, Prof. Grace Bantebya Kyomuhendo advised women to strategise and use every opportunity available in leadership by showing up, even when they know they will not win the race. She noted that the act of showing interest is a visibility gate for them to be known and adopt good networks in the world. She tipped women on ways of navigating the maze synonymous with work environments. “Learn the insider system in order to know how things are done. Do not fear failure since it is part of the leadership game,” she counselled.
In her advice to participants about the challenges that manifest with showing interest in leadership, the Manager of the Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU) at Makerere University, Prof. Sylvia Nannyonga-Tamusuza cautioned that, “it is when you have shown interest in leadership that people start uttering all sorts of insults just to discourage and intimidate you because they think women break down so fast. Do not allow yourself to be pulled down. Know when to talk, when to engage and when to act. Sometimes give them silence and move on, it is better than fighting or responding back at insults.” Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza, who is a professor at the Department of Performing Arts and Film, CHUSS emphasized the value of mentorship. She recommended that women ought to have a mentor for these leadership positions. She praised Prof. Bantebya for having been a good mentor to her.
The Director for Africa 4W Women and Wellbeing Initiative at the School of Human Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, Dr. Deborah Kaddu-Serwadda noted that Uganda can leverage the success of Makerere University’s gender mainstreaming policy to build a critical mass of university students, faculty, and staff; able to work together. She mentioned some of the proposed objectives of a 4W Initiative Pilot at Makerere University, Uganda as: piloting an interdisciplinary multigenerational higher education collaboration for the promotion of gender equality and women’s wellbeing. The pilot project would further initiate an academic women leaders’ South to North research-to-action network for gender equality and social transformation. She emphasized the need for self-priority and love and advised women to also think about their lives first before prioritizing other people. “You offer what you have, first build yourself, then extend it to others. This does not mean that you become selfish. I refer you to 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8,” she preached.
The Senior Gender Mainstreaming Officer, Mr Eric Tumwesigye reminded participants that gender constructs are made and maintained by society. “Society has already written a script for every gender and that is how it tends to judge you. Society expects a man to provide for his family and failure to do so could be interpreted as grave on the man’s part. He will be identified with all sorts of names. This can be challenged,” he said.
Ms Caroline Abilat Asio, a Gender Officer at GMD used the Gender River of life concept to inspire women to rise to leadership. Using this analogy, she explained that every river widens and narrows at some point. And that likewise everyone experiences moment of challenges and triumph interchangeably.
With the workshop now ignited, Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine took to the stage to propose a women’s forum; a platform she hopes will help to unify the voice of women. “Where is the women’s voice in several of the issues around us? Who articulates our issues? What can we do differently so as to create that space for women? To help answer this question, we intend to launch a Makerere University Women’s Forum. This forum should be our space. We shall have regular meetings,” she said.
In her closing remarks, Ms Phoebe Kamya Lutaaya, the Deputy Coordinator at Mak-RIF encouraged the participants to broaden their network. “Experience has shown me that the higher you go in the ranks, the lonelier you become. To prevent this, learn to survive in the changing political environment at the workplace,” she said.
In a landmark event symbolizing Uganda’s stride towards sustainable transportation, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, commissioned the first Electric Fast-Charging Station at Makerere University on Friday 13th March 2026. The ceremony, held at the Senate Building Parking Lot, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s e-mobility journey, blending academic innovation with industrial application and governmental support.
The station, a DC Fast Charger C6-180 installed in collaboration with Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC), is designed to power electric vehicles efficiently, supporting Uganda’s shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. This setup ensures high-power DC charging ideal for fleet operations.
Hon. Dr. Musenero, in her keynote remarks, highlighted the profound significance of the occasion, tracing its roots back to 2011 when Makerere unveiled the Kiira EV – Uganda’s first electric vehicle prototype. “This infrastructure is the physical manifestation of a journey that began on this very hill nearly two decades ago,” she stated, emphasizing how the university’s initial proof-of-concept challenged skepticism about Africa’s role in automotive technology.
The event, she noted, completes a narrative full circle, with the birthplace of the Kiira EV now hosting the infrastructure to sustain a modern electric fleet. The commissioning aligns seamlessly with Uganda’s National E-Mobility Strategy, which aims to localize 65% of the e-mobility value chain by 2040 and create over 500,000 high-quality green jobs.
Hon. Dr. Musenero underscored the strategy’s focus on reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels while enhancing environmental well-being. “We are transforming Uganda into a net source of e-mobility solutions,” she declared, pointing to the potential for Ugandan intellect to produce vehicle parts and charging systems domestically.
In his remarks at the event, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe described the launch as a “multi-faceted achievement,” not only advancing the institution’s inclusive agenda but also setting an example for public institutions in adopting e-mobility. In so doing, Makerere University has positioned itself at the forefront of this transition.
On September 26, 2025, President Yoweri Museveni commissioned the Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja and handed over three Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) buses to Makerere University to enhance staff and student mobility. The fleet included two diesel-powered Kayoola Coaches and one electric Kayoola EVS 8.5m bus donated by KMC specifically to aid the movement of differently-abled staff and students. This move demonstrates academia’s capacity to integrate home-grown solutions into daily operations, impacting the economy through practical science.
The commissioning of the fast-charging station is rooted in a long history of collaboration. The Kiira Electric Vehicle Project, hatched in the former Faculty of Technology, has evolved into a national movement for automotive manufacturing. Hon. Dr. Musenero praised this progression: “We have moved beyond proving that an electric vehicle can be built in Uganda. We are now ensuring our electric vehicles are deployed across the continent, solving Africa’s mobility problems.”
Academia’s role remains central, as Hon. Dr. Musenero elaborated. While government provides policy frameworks and the private sector offers capital, universities supply the essential knowledge. The E-Mobility Skilling Programme at Makerere University‘s Innovation Pod (Mak-UniPod) is training the next generation of electric vehicle engineers, who are tackling “moonshot projects” to redefine urban transport. Research into optimizing local resources, such as Uganda’s lithium and cobalt deposits for battery production, is also underway.
A key environmental highlight of this development is Uganda’s renewable energy advantage. With over 95% of the national grid powered by hydroelectric dams, every charge at this station utilizes clean energy. “We are using our own water to power our own vehicles, keeping our wealth within our economy rather than exporting it to purchase foreign oil,” Hon. Dr. Musenero remarked, framing the launch as Uganda plugging into the global renewable shift. She pledged the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Secretariat’s continued collaboration with Makerere University, KMC, and partners to proliferate such stations across Kampala and beyond.
Addressing Makerere students, Hon. Dr. Musenero issued a challenge: “See this charging station as a symbol of your own potential. The engineers who built the first Kiira EV were once sitting exactly where you are. They did not wait for permission to be great.” She urged them to leverage available resources to innovate, building on a legacy that has shifted national conversations.
The event drew distinguished guests, including Members of Management, Eng. Paul Isaac Musasizi, KMC’s CEO and his management team, private sector partners, development agencies, and university faculty.
Looking ahead, this launch propels Uganda towards a “Qualitative Leap” in its economy, as Hon. Dr. Musenero described. By fostering innovation and investing in young minds, the nation aims to lead in technological advancement. The station not only powers vehicles but ignites progress, ensuring Uganda remains at the forefront of Africa’s e-mobility revolution.
As the ceremony which was intermittently “blessed” by drizzles drew to a close, the feeling of hope for a cleaner, self-reliant future – one charged by Ugandan ingenuity, was unmistakable.
General
Makerere University and International Partners Sign MoU for the 9th Kampala Geopolitics Conference
Makerere University, on 10th March, 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Embassy of France in Uganda, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), and Alliance Française de Kampala to organize the 9th edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference (KGC), scheduled to take place on 15–16 April 2026 at Makerere University.
The signing formalizes the continued partnership that has established the Kampala Geopolitics Conference as one of the region’s leading platforms for dialogue on global affairs, bringing together scholars, policymakers, civil society leaders, and students to debate the major geopolitical and socio-economic transformations shaping the world.
The conference, inspired by the Nantes Geopolitics Conference in France, was first launched in Kampala in 2018 and has since grown into a unique intellectual space for cross-continental exchange between Africa and Europe.
A Platform for Ideas, Dialogue, and Youth Engagement
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, emphasized the importance of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference as a platform that connects academic discourse with global policy conversations while empowering students to engage with the complex challenges shaping the international system.
The Vice Chancellor noted that hosting the conference reflects Makerere University’s long-standing commitment to fostering intellectual exchange and positioning the institution as a hub for regional and global dialogue.
“Makerere University is proud to host the Kampala Geopolitics Conference because it creates an important platform for debate and exchange on the global issues shaping our world, while giving our students the opportunity to engage directly with leading thinkers and policymakers,” said Prof. Nawangwe.
Prof. Nawangwe further commended the Embassy of France in Uganda, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and Alliance Française de Kampala for their continued collaboration with Makerere University in organizing the conference over the years. He expressed confidence that the 2026 edition will once again provide a dynamic platform for dialogue, bringing together scholars, policymakers, and students to examine the geopolitical trends shaping Africa and the wider world.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, H.E. Virginie Leroy, Ambassador of France to Uganda, highlighted the significance of the conference as a platform that encourages dialogue on global issues while empowering young people to participate in shaping the future.
Since its inception, the Kampala Geopolitics Conference has created opportunities for students, researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to engage with some of the most pressing global debates. The Ambassador noted that the curiosity and engagement of Ugandan students have become one of the defining features of the conference.
“This conference has become a unique space where students, researchers, policymakers and civil society exchange ideas on the major transformations shaping our world,” Ambassador Leroy said, adding that the event demonstrates the intellectual vitality of Uganda’s youth and the strength of the partnerships that sustain it.
Strengthening Partnerships for Global Dialogue
The Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a long-standing partner in the initiative, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting platforms that foster meaningful discussions on international affairs and regional dynamics.
Speaking during the ceremony, Anna Reismann, Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Uganda, emphasized the importance of the conference in connecting local perspectives with global debates.
She noted that Africa has increasingly become a focal point in global geopolitics, attracting engagement from a wide range of international actors through investments, trade, security cooperation, and diplomatic partnerships. While these engagements create new opportunities for economic growth and technological advancement, they also raise important questions about sustainability, governance, and the terms of international cooperation.
According to Reismann, the conference provides an important forum to examine these issues and to encourage dialogue that bridges academic perspectives with practical policy considerations.
The 2026 edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference will focus on key global and regional issues shaping international relations and development.
Among the themes to be explored are the future of development cooperation, particularly as global aid dynamics evolve and countries explore more sustainable and balanced partnerships. Another panel will examine youth and public policy in Africa, recognizing the critical role that young people play in shaping governance, innovation, and development across the continent.
With Africa home to the youngest population in the world, discussions will highlight the importance of ensuring that young people are not only beneficiaries of public policies but also active contributors to their design and implementation.
Makerere University at the Centre of Global Conversations
Hosting the conference reflects Makerere University’s continued commitment to fostering intellectual exchange and positioning the institution as a hub for regional and international dialogue.
Through its partnerships with global institutions such as the Embassy of France, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and Alliance Française de Kampala, Makerere continues to create platforms that connect academic knowledge with policy discussions and real-world challenges.
The Kampala Geopolitics Conference is expected to once again bring together leading experts, scholars, and practitioners from across Africa and Europe, while providing students with a rare opportunity to engage directly with global debates.
As preparations for the 2026 edition gather momentum, the partners expressed confidence that the conference will continue to inspire critical thinking, encourage dialogue across disciplines and generations, and strengthen cooperation between Africa and its international partners.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.
Makerere University has kicked off the three-day Careers Fair 2026, bringing together students, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss the future of work in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The first day of the expo, held under the theme “Man or Machine: Exploring AI’s Impact on Careers” and sponsored by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), explored the impact of AI on industries and careers.
The annual expo offers career guidance, job opportunities, entrepreneurship training, and networking platforms for students. It builds on previous themes focused on employability, innovation, and adapting to rapidly changing work environments.
In her keynote address, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, stressed the need for Uganda to strategically position itself in the digital economy.
She noted that Africa missed the first and second industrial revolutions and warned that the current digital revolution could also bypass the continent if deliberate efforts are not made to participate in it.
“Africa was just here, minding her own business, hunting her animals, resting. A distant industrial revolution impacted us very negatively,” she said, referencing the slave trade and colonization that followed the first industrial revolution.
The minister emphasized that Uganda must focus on producing digital goods and services rather than merely consuming them.
“We are still down there, but we are facing up. We must give Uganda a clear chance at sustainable and progressive transformation,” she said.
She observed that Uganda’s digital economy is currently skewed toward consumption, resulting in significant financial outflows.
“Our net flow in this digital economy, including AI, is negative. We are losing money, jobs, and opportunities,” she added.
Musenero urged young people to move beyond simply using digital tools and instead focus on creating value.
“Mind or machine, it must give us a positive economic voice. Whichever one gives us that, we should go for it,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Moses Musinguzi, the Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology acknowledged the inevitability of Artificial Intelligence in modern society and urged stakeholders to focus on harnessing its potential.
“The general consensus worldwide is that we cannot condemn AI. Instead, we should see how we can make better and more productive use of it,” he said.
Musinguzi highlighted some of the challenges posed by AI in academia, noting that students can easily generate answers within minutes, potentially undermining the learning process.
“A student using AI can generate your answer in less than a minute. And that’s not what we want. We want to impart knowledge and skills to students,” he stressed.
He encouraged institutions to adopt AI responsibly while maintaining the core objective of producing skilled graduates.
“We are now trying to see better methods of using AI while still maintaining the objective of producing students who have the skills and knowledge to advance the world,” Musinguzi said.
He further noted that AI will inevitably affect traditional careers, making adaptation essential.
“If we don’t innovate, there is a threat that we shall be exterminated,” he warned, urging students to embrace innovation and contribute to Africa’s development.
Earlier, Lameck Kavuma from AI Studio Uganda explained the fundamentals of AI, describing it as a system built on pattern recognition and mathematical models that predict the next word or action.
“AI is all about pattern recognition,” he said, noting that the technology still has limitations, particularly when dealing with noise or changes in context.
Kavuma observed that AI has existed since the 1990s in forms such as spam filters and recommender systems. However, recent advances in generative AI now allow machines to process long texts and hold conversations, making it appear as though AI is crossing into traditionally human roles.
He emphasized that AI could level the playing field by increasing productivity and removing traditional barriers to access.
“AI is a leveler. It removes gatekeepers,” Kavuma said.
On his part, Gerald Paul Kasato, Deputy Managing Director of NSSF, stressed the importance of collaboration between humans and machines.
“The future is not about humans competing with machines. It is about humans learning how to work with machines,” he said.
Kasato noted that AI, automation, and digital technologies are rapidly reshaping the workplace and creating new opportunities.
“AI, automation, and digital technologies will transform industries, but they will also create new careers, new businesses, and new opportunities,” he said.
He urged students to equip themselves with the right skills, mindset, and adaptability to thrive in the evolving job market.
“The real challenge is ensuring that young people are equipped with the right skills, mindset, and adaptability to thrive in this new world,” Kasato emphasized.
Kasato revealed that NSSF continues to promote financial literacy among young people, with more than 130,000 students registered and over UGX 235 billion saved.
“The future belongs to those who are curious, adaptable, innovative, and willing to continuously learn,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Michael Ssegwaya, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer at ABSA Bank, emphasized the need to adapt to a rapidly changing world driven by AI.
“The world is changing, and the banking sector is also changing. We handle millions of transactions, many of which are processed through AI systems,” he said.
Ssegwaya encouraged students to use AI tools to enhance productivity while maintaining independent thinking.
“I told my daughter, you can use AI, but your answers should not look like they came directly from AI. I need you to think and think differently,” he said.
He also highlighted ABSA’s “Ready to Work” program, which aims to prepare students for the evolving job market.
Ssegwaya urged students to develop skills such as creativity, communication, and empathy, which are less likely to be replaced by machines.
“Critical thinking is going to be important. Creativity may not necessarily be replaced,” he said.
He challenged students to become job creators rather than job seekers.
“I hope you are going to the university to become a job creator and not just a job seeker,” he added.
Similarly, Charlotte Kukunda from ACCA highlighted the need for professionals to adapt to the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
“The pace of change in AI is phenomenal, and it is also scary,” she said.
Kukunda revealed that ACCA is reimagining its qualification structure to include employability modules such as entrepreneurship, digital technology, and innovation.
“We have included optional employability modules so that students can choose what makes sense for their career paths,” she explained.
ACCA’s revised qualification, set to launch in June and September 2027, will emphasize skills such as data analysis, financial investment, and sustainability reporting.
She encouraged students to embrace AI while strengthening human intelligence.
“Accountants are embracing artificial intelligence and exploring its potential while paying attention to the risks,” she said.
Meanwhile, Douglas Opio, Executive Director of the Federation of Uganda Employers, challenged students to consider becoming employers.
“We have an acute shortage of employers,” he said.
Opio emphasized the importance of strong theoretical foundations, describing theory as the basis for practical innovation.
“Theory is like the operating system of practice,” he noted.
He urged students to view skills as a renewable resource that can drive growth and innovation.
“AI must be part of the skill set that you actively look for,” he added.
The NSSF Career Expo, launched in 2010, aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by equipping students and graduates with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to thrive in the modern workforce.
The event promotes a culture of saving, innovation, and entrepreneurship while bringing job opportunities closer to students.
Key features of the expo include career guidance and counseling, job opportunities, entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and networking platforms. This year’s expo is being held in 15 universities across Uganda, including Makerere University, Kyambogo University, and Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi.
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