The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (Seated) with Prof. Peter Baguma (3rd Left) and the delegation from Ashinaga Uganda during the meeting on 23rd July 2024 at Makerere University.
Makerere University proudly hosted a delegation from Ashinaga Uganda on the 23rd of July 2024 marking a significant moment in the long-standing partnership between the two esteemed institutions. The meeting in the office of Vice-Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe was a testament to the ongoing commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for orphaned students through their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which has been in place for several years. The collaboration started in 2000.
Reaffirming Shared Goals and Vision
Professor Nawangwe warmly welcomed the Ashinaga Uganda delegates, expressing his enthusiasm for the collaborative efforts that have flourished under the MoU. He highlighted Makerere University‘s dedication to fostering academic excellence, supporting students from diverse backgrounds, and seeing future collaborations with Ashinaga Uganda.
The Ashinaga Uganda team, known for their unwavering commitment to supporting orphaned students, shared updates on their impactful projects and the progress made since establishing the MoU with Makerere University. The meeting was a platform to discuss the strides taken and explore new initiatives to further their shared goals.
Key Highlights of the Meeting
Progress Review: The meeting began with a review of the progress made under the MOU, where Professor Peter Baguma explained the collaboration of Ashinaga and Makerere University. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the collaborative initiatives that have been successfully implemented, such as scholarship programs, internships, and employment opportunities for Makerere University graduates. The Ashinaga delegates explained the history of Ashinaga and its impact on the Nansana community.
Enhanced Mentorship and Support to Ashinaga students: The idea of enhancing mentorship programs was explored in detail. Ashinaga Uganda expressed their interest in receiving mentors for their Ashinaga Africa Initiative students.
Joint Research Initiatives: The potential for joint research projects was a key discussion topic under the Psychology faculty. Both parties agreed on the importance of collaborative research that addresses societal challenges and contributes to academic knowledge. The Vice-Chancellor emphasized the need for research that has a tangible impact on the youth and development. This can be through seminars organized by Ashinaga.
Strengthening the Partnership
Vice-Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe expressed his optimism about the future of the partnership, stating that the university is happy to work with Ashinaga and happy to receive any requests and that the MoU has laid a strong foundation, and he is excited to build on it to provide even greater support to the students.
The Ashinaga Uganda delegates echoed this sentiment, expressing their gratitude for the fruitful discussions and the progress made thus far. They emphasized the transformative impact that such collaborations have on the lives of the students they support and looked forward to further strengthening the partnership.
Next Steps
As the meeting concluded, both parties agreed on the importance of continued dialogue and action. Plans were made for future meetings and activities to ensure the successful implementation of the initiatives discussed. Ceremonies, workshops by President Tami (Founder of Ashinaga Foundation), and regular progress reviews were proposed as key steps to maintain the momentum of the partnership. It was agreed that the African Leadership Seminar Series be reinvigorated and that in October 2024, a lecture in the series will be held. It was also agreed to explore the opportunity of the Deputy President of Ashinaga becoming one of the special guests to the University in October 2024
Conclusion
The visit of the Ashinaga Uganda delegates to Makerere University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the two institutions. With a shared vision of empowering orphan students through education, the partnership is poised to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape for unprivileged students in Uganda and the development of leaders in Africa. Makerere University remains committed to building strong partnerships that enhance the educational experiences of its students and contribute positively to society.
The Nottingham Trent University (NTU) Global Summer School will run from 7 July – 1 August 2025 in the heart of England.
Why join this summer?
A diverse range of credit-bearing courses The Global Summer School offers a variety of exciting courses, from cybersecurity to creative industries, and space science to entrepreneurship – truly something for everyone! With two distinct blocks of courses, students can either dive deeper into their passions or broaden their horizons by exploring new subjects.
A truly international experience Students will join peers from many countries across the world, creating a vibrant and multicultural learning environment that enhances the global student experience.
An exciting cultural and social programme Beyond the classroom NTU offers a full schedule of activities, including visits to iconic UK cities, sports and evening events ensuring that students make the most of their time in the UK.
A safe and welcoming destination Nottingham is a city renowned for its safety, having earned the prestigious Purple Flag award for its excellent night-time safety and vibrant atmosphere, ensuring your students feel at home both on and off campus.
Don’t miss out! This is the perfect chance for students to develop new skills, make new friends and experience the best of British culture. NTU looks forward to welcoming students this summer!
On behalf of Makerere University Management, I congratulate and thank you for the successful completion of Semester Two: 2024/2025.
2.End of the Second Semester
The second Semester holiday break will begin on 17th May, 2025 up to Saturday 9th August, 2025.
3. Resident Students
All resident students are expected to vacate the Halls of Residence by mid-day on Saturday, 17th May, 2025.
4. University Property
Please hand over all University property in your possession (such as: room keys, Sports & Games equipment, College property etc) before you leave the Hall of Residence.
5. Security of personal property
Please make sure that you carry with you all your property.
Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. The tournament was held in three preliminary rounds, followed by semi-finals and a grand finale.
The first round covered democracy and youth participation in politics, while the second round covered inequality and wealth distribution, and the third, the ban on export of raw materials. The semi-final round debated apprenticeship for blue-collar jobs, while the grand finale debated national budget allocations for healthcare and education. In the spirit of inclusivity, all colleges, including the Jinja Campus participated in the tournament.
One of the preliminary rounds in session at Lumumba Hall.
Commenting on the choice of topics, the organisers noted Makerere University as a bastion of academic excellence has a profound responsibility to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of our nation. These leaders, they added, ought to be equipped with 21st century skills of self-expression, critical thinking, and problem-solving so as to navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving world.
On the whole, Makerere Inter-college Debates were conceived as a strategic initiative to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and innovation. The Debating Union aims to empower the future leaders by providing a platform for students to engage in respectful discourse, articulate their thoughts, as well as develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Daphine Kemigisha submitting at the debate grand finale.
Furthermore, the Debates serve as a platform for not only honing the intellectual prowess of students but also cultivating leadership skills, teamwork, and communication abilities that are essential for success in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It is envisaged that this initiative will have a lasting impact on the lives of students, by exposing them to debates on topical issues that can shape the mindsets of transformative leaders our nation needs.
After a thrilling two days of debate, Daphine Kemigisha and Jibril Ssekandi from the School of Law (SoL) emerged as winners of the Makerere University Inter-college Debate Tournament 2025, while Olara Emmanuel George from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) was the Public Speech Champion, and Namujuzi Martha Mociita from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) was the Poetry Champion.
Debate Winners; Daphine Kemigisha (Right) and Jibril Sekandi (Left) from the School of Law (SoL).
The 2025 Tournament was organized by Mayanja Owen and Nkalubo Oprah – 91st Guild Representative Councils (GRCs) of the Debate Union, Akatwijuka Arthur – Chairperson Debate Union, and Debate Union Representatives from colleges. The Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF) partnered with the Debate Union to deliver the 2025 edition.
Addressing students at the award ceremony, UNNGOF’s Mr. Derrick Baluuku encouraged the youth to step out of their comfort zones and think of solutions to inspire change in their communities.