General
Mak Gender Mainstreaming Directorate to Start a University Men’s Forum
As a way of promoting Gender equality and inclusion, the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate on Thursday 6th June 2024 held a Male Round Table discussion for Makerere University Senior Academic and Administrative Male staff. Giving the objectives for the men’s workshop, the Senior Gender Officer Makerere University Mainstreaming Directorate Mr. Eric Tumwesigye stated that the directorate realized the need to provide space for male staff at Makerere University to identify their issues in relation to promoting gender equality.
He also noted that there is need to explore ways of exercising their agency in promoting gender equality and also need to build a male champions at Makerere University and beyond.
Speaking to the audience, the Key note speaker Rev. Nathan Mugalu Balirwana an Anglican Priest in Namirembe Diocese, A Counselling Psychologist who also doubles as the National Male and Religious Champion on Sexual Reproductive and Health Rights (SRHR), and a Male Engagement Specialist echoed on how mental ill health is affecting and spreading among men in and outside Uganda calling for the need to stand with the affected people to help ease their recovery. He noted that while statistics are important in social issues, it’s important to personify numbers and consider case by case in handling Men’s issues.
Cautioning that acts of basing on numbers when discussing matters that affect people’s lives, and individuals should stand out and speak out alone, as it’s longer about statistics but an individual, and that depressed men become problematic to the society.
“Many men are suffering mental illness but because they lack enough safe spaces where they can be understood with empathy and unconditional positive regard. Men need Male more safe spaces and who to speak to, as many have resorted to ending their lives. We need to be there for each other. We should know that it’s not about statistics but an individual, depressed men, depress the entire society” remarked Rev. Mugalu.
He noted that there is need for more deliberate efforts to raise masculine Men. The absence of masculinity among men raises deficiencies in Men’s characters that worsen gender injustice, violence, inequalities etc. He noted that masculinity is a positive attribute that needs to be promoted among Men. He further stressed that Toxic Masculinity means the absence of Masculinity.
He noted the need to reach out to Men on the grassroots. Ignored Men are dangerous to their communities. It’s not about how much English we speak, it’s all about how many Men in the Ghettos, villages, Wanainchi that we reach with the message of gender equality, equity and justice. As long as Men on grassroots cannot define equality, we are far away from achieving gender equality.
He further stresses the need to involve young men and boys in the struggle of achieving gender equality.
He noted the challenges men face in society and called for creation of safe spaces, where men can meet and share their challenges and get some advice as one of the mechanisms for reducing on the high rate of gender violence men face today, stating that several men today are wounded mentally by Gender Based violence but have no one to share with and even those that they would share with expect them to be men enough to handle the problem and also to heal others.
“The untold story is that 8 of 10 men are facing mental and physical Gender Based violence and they fear to talk about it, as society expects them to be men enough to withstand such challenges, this has affected many families and work places as wounded men wound others but are expected to heal others. Only a man that has been wounded and fully healed can heal others as he understands the pains” said Rev. Nathan.
Rev. Nathan further called for mentorship and engagement of the boys and men if we are to have a better society and also if we are to stop unwanted pregnancies and abortions which occur on a daily basis and cautioned about the generation growing without men, noting that the comfort zones stagnate men, and advised men to get out of their comfort zones and plan for future to avoid retirement issues.
“We are risking a society without astute and well-adjusted masculine men, comfort zones are the most stagnating thing for men, there is need to be worried when we bring a generation that has nothing to lose, such people are determined to do anything. Men need to be engaged so much in the struggle to end abortions which occur daily. This can be through sensitization” he said.
The Principal Women in Development Officer, Ministry of Gender Labor and Social Development Hajji Mayanja Idi Mubarak noted that the percentage of men drop out is increasing highly calling for need to look into the barriers that are leading to the cause just like it was done with women.
“The same barriers that were affecting women are now affecting men, previous graduation noted that 52% were females and 48% men, a sign that there is a drop out of universities of the men in completing studies, and there is need to work on barriers of access to education by male students.” He said.
He advised men to balance work and home life to ease management of their responsibilities both at work and home as one way to reduce on the rampant causes of Gender Based Violence among homes.
As a way of reducing on the cases of child torture by domestic workers and also unpaid care, Hajji Mubaraka called for day care centers at places of work and also revealed that the Ministry is coming up with a policy to regulate on the exploitation of domestic workers to see that they earn what is worthy their labor, noting that 90% of them are under paid and yet exploited with too much work load.
“We encourage our wives, sisters and daughters to work and call for salary increment, but we forget the young girls and women whom we leave behind as maids. Most of these are under paid compared to the work they do and some are not paid at all, that’s why we keep hearing cases of house helps torturing our children at home. It’s here that Ministry is coming up with a policy to regulate on the unpaid care work to see that these maids also earn what’s fair to their services and also need to have day care centers at our workplaces.” He said.
He mentioned that the Ministry’s key objectives in male involvement strategy are;
- To guide development and review Gender Based Violence policies and programs to integrate interventions on male involvement.
- To promote transformation of harmful gender norms and practices that perpetuate Gender Based Violence.
- To provide guidance on provision of male friendly services to meet victims of Gender Based Violence
- To promote strategic partnership in engaging men and boys in prevention and response to Gender Based Violence.
Revealing that government is putting up spaces to help men going through violence to enable them not only to open up but also get helped from what they go through and urged fellow men to make good use of the space created.
Mr. Mayanja continued to note that involvement of men and boys in the processes that prevent and respond to Gender Based Violence is an indispensable part of the process of changing the power of dynamics of existing gender roles and values that perpetuate Gender Based Violence as men play key role in bringing gender equality in our society, religions and traditions, since Uganda’s diverse cultural customs and taboos that define men’s status and expectations in different ways.
The Director Makerere University Gender Main streaming Directorate Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine stated that research was done on 6 universities Kyambogo University, Busitema University, Gulu University, Mbarara University with a purpose to explore the male involvement in the interventions to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in universities and findings showed that efforts to engage men in programs that promote gender equality was regarded as important and exciting topic.
Giving her closing remarks, Dr. Euzobia thanked all the male staff of Makerere University for their participation and feedback that they provided and pledged continuation of more engagements.
“We are happy for the feedback provided by everyone, this is very important for us as we build for the future and we hope for more trainings“ Said Dr. Euzobia.
General
Makerere University and Xiangtan University Advance Strategic Partnership in Chemical Engineering
Makerere University and Xiangtan University are set to update their close to 20-year academic partnership, with a new focus on launching a joint Master’s degree program in Chemical Engineering and expanding student and staff exchange initiatives.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a recent visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University to Makerere University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in the company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively.
While addressing the delegation, Professor Nawangwe highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify academic offerings and contribute to national development through training in Chemical Engineering. Through this new initiative, the University will better prepare graduates for the petrochemical industry and support the country’s industrial growth.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated that the proposed collaboration aims to address Uganda’s growing need for industrial expertise, particularly as the country develops its petroleum sector. The two universities here are working toward a 1+2 training model, which will enable Makerere students to gain practical experience and access advanced laboratory facilities at Xiangtan University.
Professor Nawangwe further reiterated that “our relationship with the people of China, not just for Makerere but also for a big part of Uganda, has been opened wider by the establishment of the Confucius Institute, considering that many other collaborations like one being discussed now have come through this collaboration.”
The head of the Xiangtan delegation, Professor Dingyu Ou, expressed appreciation for the meeting, and acknowledged the history between the institutions. “As mentioned, we have a very long relationship and a very stable friendship between our two universities.”
Professor Ou extended appreciation for the support provided to the Confucius Institute at Makerere, the care shown to his colleagues, and looked forward to the successful start of the Chemical Engineering collaboration.
Assuring the delegation of Makerere’s readiness for the collaboration, Ms. Hawa Ndagire Kajumba the Lead, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, Makerere University Advancement Office, aligned with the Vice Chancellor’s emphasis of University goal to have both theory and practice imparted to the students.
She said “the curriculum of the university and Uganda as a whole is moving towards competence-based education training to ensure students are equipped to demonstrate those skills in the actual field, particularly regarding petroleum exploration.”
Ms. Ndagire Kajumba also emphasised a shift in strategy for the partnership office, saying, “we are moving away from just signing MOUs that collect dust, and moving towards those that are more collaborative to benefit our faculty and students, just like this one.”
Professor Gilbert Kumushabe aligned his remarks with those of the Vice Chancellor and Ms. Ndagire Kajumba, and described the method used at Xiangtan University as “actually competence-based teaching.”
Based on his recent visit, Prof. Gumoshabe shared that students in China are divided into groups with dedicated teachers to perform practical, hands-on work beyond the theoretical lecturers. He expressed gladness that the same was being adopted for the Ugandan context.
Both institutions are now working to finalise the specific agreements for the joint degree and exchange programs. Beyond academic training, the collaboration will advance cultural and professional exchange.
Makerere University on October 8, 2026 commemorated Nkrumah Day with a Public Lecture at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium. The Lecture gathered students, academics, historians and distinguished guests to discuss Kwame Nkrumah’s contribution and its relevance to Africa.
Organised by Nkrumah Hall under the theme “Leadership, Self-Reliance and Transformation: Reimagining Nkrumah’s Vision for the 21st Century African Youth,” the lecture explored how Nkrumah’s ideals of Pan-Africanism, self-reliance and African unity can guide the continent beyond political independence.
Endorsing Nkrumah’s Vision of Investing in Africa
The First Deputy Prime Minister and Chancellor of Makerere University, Rt. Hon. Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga, was the chief guest.
In remarks delivered on his behalf by Dr. Charles Kahigiriza, Dr. Kiyonga said the day was a moment to reflect on Nkrumah’s views on Pan-Africanism and the lessons on self-reliance still held for Africa today and emphasised the importance of keeping Africa’s young talent at home (in Africa).
He then discussed ways of encouraging young people to achieve Nkrumah’s vision, pointing out that Africa is losing skilled people to brain drain as many go abroad to work.
He encouraged young Africans to stay and contribute to the continent’s growth, describing Africa’s potential as a promising asset.
Transformation Requires Discipline
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Gerald Karyeija, a political analyst and Head of Quality Assurance at the Uganda Management Institute (UMI).
He discussed Nkrumah’s role in championing Pan-Africanism and the formation of the African Union. He acknowledged that “his legacy was also very complex” due to a number of challenges.
Regarding leadership, the professor argued, “leadership does not begin with the title. It begins with responsibility,” adding that “leadership is not only about power, privilege, entitlement, or status. It’s about service. It’s about stewardship.”
He encouraged attendees to emulate Nkrumah by using their knowledge and power for good.
“Don’t get the intellectual power from Makerere to become evil,” he cautioned, stressing that transformation requires discipline.
Universities Turn Knowledge into Action
Associate Professor Gorettie Nabanoga, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, represented Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University.
She aligned herself with the previous speakers and urged participants to move beyond simply celebrating Kwame Nkrumah’s memory and begin implementing his vision.
She called for practical action, urging the mobilisation of Pan-Africanism beyond slogans. “Perhaps the Pan-Africanism of this generation must therefore move from solidarity to capacity, from rhetoric to institutions, from potential to production, and from aspirations to implementation,” she said.
On the role of universities, she reiterated that Makerere University is a hub for innovation rather than just a degree-granting institution.
“We are building for the future when we develop people who can think critically, when we generate knowledge, when we challenge perceived knowledge and wisdom, and when we innovate,” she said.
Addressing the students present, she said, “You are not simply the leaders of tomorrow; you are citizens of Africa today. The opportunity you enjoy at Makerere University comes with responsibility.”
Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, the Dean of Students at Makerere University, set the tone at the 2026 Nkrumah Day Public Lecture.
She revealed that this lecture organised under Nkrumah Hall highlights its significance as a symbol of Makerere University‘s commitment to Pan-Africanism. “The name Nkrumah Hall has stood the test of time and sounds like a horn beautifully over the African continent and beyond,” she said.
She elaborated on the lecture’s theme of leadership, self-reliance and transformation, noting its alignment with the university’s mission to nurture future leaders.
Direction of Pan-Africanism
During a panel discussion, speakers questioned how far Africa has come. Associate Professor Zahara Napeewo, Deputy Dean of the School of Law at Makerere University, stated that the continent was still lagging behind the progress Nkrumah would have wanted.
She shared that while educational institutions provide knowledge, they must go further and encourage graduates to become problem-solvers who can create employment for themselves rather than wait to be employed.
Dr. Zaid Sekitto, a Lecturer in the Department of History, Archaeology and Heritage Studies at Makerere, added that the structures of colonialism that Nkrumah fought against were still in place. “They must be addressed”, he said, or Africa would remain trapped in colonialism and lose sight of Nkrumah’s vision.
The Youth and the Unfinished Struggle
The students also had an opportunity to share their perspectives on the unfinished struggle for Pan-Africanism.
Nkrumah Hall Chairperson Joseph Sekabira noted that the Africa Nkrumah fought for was not the Africa that exists today.
He urged young people to take up leadership now rather than wait until they were older.
Mark Kwikiriza, a final-year Bachelor of Arts in Music student and resident of Nkrumah Hall, said Nkrumah’s legacy remained relevant because the problems he faced in Ghana were similar to those society faces today.
He recommended that society could rejuvenate the spirit of “Osagyefo,” the title meaning “redeemer” by which Nkrumah was known.
Honouring 13 Years of Service
The event also recognised Mr. John Kamya for his 13 years of outstanding service as Warden of Nkrumah Hall, a position he held from 2007 to 2020.
He received an appreciation award presented by the Chief Guest’s representative in the presence of the Hall Chairperson and other dignitaries.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Kamya noted that the 2018 visit to the Hall by Kwame Nkrumah’s daughter, Ms. Samia Yaba Nkrumah, was one of the fondest memories of his time in office. He thanked Makerere for the opportunity to serve the University community and its stakeholders.
At the peak, the event concluded with tree planting and cake-cutting activity in front of Nkrumah Hall. The audience was left contemplating one message of Kwame Nkrumah’s vision of a united, self-reliant Africa, freed first in the mind, that remains unfinished and in the words of some speakers, has been handed to the current generation as a task to accomplish.
-
General2 weeks agoStatement on Concerns Circulating Regarding a Member of Academic Staff
-
General2 weeks agoBeyond Map Size: Africa’s Agency Should Not Be Funded by Other People
-
General6 days agoTimothy Khabusi: From Barefoot Walks to shaping Uganda’s Eye health Future
-
General2 weeks agoPress Statement: Incident Involving Death of a Student at Makerere University
-
Health1 week agoUganda’s HIV Treatment Gains Bring the Youth Gap into Focus