Humanities & Social Sciences
CHUSS holds Symposium in preparation for the Archive, Memory and Method International Conference
Archives and the process of archiving are key parts of identity formation, nation-building, struggles for community justice, the consolidation of state power, and resistance to power.
Archive is one of the most capacious concepts in the humanities and social sciences. To “archive” or to consult “the archives” are often used to authorize evidence and legitimate certain knowledge at the expense of others. In an effort to re-centre the politics of knowledge from the Global South, some scholars have attempted to expand or re-imagine archival practice.
From 2022, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) has been implementing a three-year Archiving, Memory and Method (AMM) from the Global South project that has studied the intersection of archives with communities, institutions and academia. The project is expected to come to an end in December 2024. Spearheaded by a core team composed of Dr. Edgar Taylor, Dr. Edgar Nabutanyi, Dr. Charlotte Mafumbo, Dr. Levis Mugumya, Dr. Pamela Khanakwa and Prof. Josephine Ahikire, the AMM project has been centred on research and mentorship for both staff and students.
The first deliverable of the AMM from the Global South project is book that will be published by Makerere University Press by December 2024.In terms of professional growth and capacity building, the project is supporting 18 staff who hold PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy degrees), and two (2) students who are studying PhDs, and eight (8) studying MA degrees.
As the project comes to an end, CHUSS is organizing an international conference on the relationship between archiving, memory and method from the Global South. The three-day AMM International Conference will be held at Makerere University from 17th -19th October 2024.
The Call for Conference papers released in April 2024 led to submission of over 75 abstracts from scholars, archivists and community practitioners from the different parts of the world.
The Principal Investigator, Prof. Josephine Ahikire explained that whereas the AMM Conference Core team has maximally utilized the previous months to review the 60 abstracts from other scholars, it was important for this team, which is the source of 15 abstracts to meet and specifically focus on critiquing their abstracts.
Consequently, on Thursday 22nd August 2024, the AMM Conference Core team participated in a symposium, providing an opportunity to each team member to present his or her work in a plenary session, followed by an in-depth discussion of his or her work by the participants, hence receiving instant feedback.
Delivering the welcome remarks, the Principal Investigator, Prof. Ahikire thanked the AMM Conference Core team for accepting to dedicate time to listen to presentations, engagements and feedback sessions aimed at enriching the abstracts and papers ahead of the upcoming International Conference. She stressed the significance of the symposium admitting that it intended to ensure researchers are on course as well as living to the practice of peer mentoring.
She applauded Mellon Foundation for coming on board to fund the work and research in the field of archiving, memory and method (AMM) noting that such areas do not always attract funding from national and international bodies/partners. “I am grateful to Mellon Foundation that allowed us to dream and put ideas together as a team from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. This funding has elevated the level of humanities and social sciences through undertaking of research central to people’s lives as well as training staff in the College at PhD and Masters,” she remarked. The Principal Investigator also thanked the University and College management for the facilitation and the conducive environment for research and other academic engagements.
The Project Coordinator, Dr. Edgar Nabutanyi noted that archiving, memory and method underscores the power dynamics at play when dealing with de-colonization, history, knowledge, museums, artefacts, culture, language, and among other complexities in the world that we live in. During archiving and documentation, researchers, scholars and students are presented with questions, “Whose archive, whose information, and, who is exactly telling the story? This is pertinent because in many societies, archives were institutional tools and ideological prisms of colonial control.
An overview of the 15 abstracts that were presented and reviewed during the symposium highlighted the need to de-colonise Africa. Listening to the presentations, the different researchers and scholars revealed that interactions and engagements with people and the communities provided lived experiences (and in most cases first-hand information from people who are still alive) on pertinent issues such as African knowledge, artefacts, museums, art pieces, symbols, storytelling, dances, music, language and other forms of culture on the African continent.
The AMM from the Global South Project therefore presents to Makerere University through the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, a golden opportunity to document this knowledge from Africans as well as lived experiences from different communities.
In the presentations from the AMM Conference Core team, participants observed that patriarchy, which is entrenched in the African culture was still a dominant force, and as such, significantly influenced the quest for gender equality and equity.
The participants implored researchers or scholars to deal with the intriguing questions of: Whose archive? Whose Information? Who is the source of the information? They emphasized the need to go an extra mile to listen to the true African stories and experiences.
The participants prioritized the discourse on returning the artefacts that were “stolen” or “confiscated” from Africa to different parts of Europe. The symposium resurrected the debate on the need for Europe to return the artefacts to the African continent.
This followed watching a video containing a powerful keynote address delivered by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie at the Humboldt Forum.
Titled: Chimamanda Adichie Exposes Stolen African ‘Art’ in European Museums, the message details the painful experience of Africans losing their treasured symbols, artefacts and spiritual identities to Europe. African art tells the story or tradition or memories. She noted that missionaries were very keen on destroying African art. They would only refer to it as African magic. She emphasized that we cannot be dismissive of beliefs because they are unknown to us.
She stressed that there should be decolonization of cultural Heritage with a Perspective on Artifact Return, Ownership, and Historical Context.
She reveals the psychological impact of colonialism on African identity and the need for inclusive negotiations regarding artifact return and emphasized the importance of redefining historical narratives to acknowledge African contributions. She challenged the power dynamics in ownership dialogues.
She emphasized the need to tell European history presenting the truth. The story about colonialism in Africa is one-sided, which leaves out atrocities. This is a lie. She called upon Europe to own the stories of colonialism and its evils to Africa. She noted that all countries have parts of their past that they are not proud of, that they would rather forget, but it takes courage to face those parts and bring in some light. She stated that although we cannot change the past, we can change our blindness to the past.
“With respect to African art, we should develop the courage to say, that about art acquired illicitly, this is not ours, tell us what to do with it,” emphasized Chimamanda.
She questioned why the term “ethnological” is used for art from certain parts of the world, and not art for other parts of the world. She is also concerned that the language itself (ethnological) already suggests a hierarchy of value.
The Keynote Speaker highlighted the complex issues surrounding the return of cultural artifacts, ownership, and historical context, with a focus on African cultural heritage.
“When we talk about this art that was stolen, we are told that this art cannot be returned to Africa because Africans will not take good care of them. It is not merely condescending to say that I cannot return what I stole from you because you will not take good care of it. It is also lacking in basic logic since when has the basis of ownership been taking good care of what is owned. This position is paternalistic arrogance of the most stunning sort. It does not matter whether Africans, or Asians or Latin Americans can take good care of the art stolen from them, what matters is that this art, belongs to them,” she reiterated.
Chimammanda Ngozi Adichie also urged Europe to revisit the international humanitarian law, historical processes of artifact acquisition, and economic power dynamics regarding the Stolen African artifacts.
During the symposium, AMM Conference Core team reviewed the following abstracts:
- Archival Absences: Interrogating representation of African men in colonial and missionary archives in Uganda -Dr. Amon Ashaba Mwiine.
- Memory of Bunyoro Artefacts relocated to Europe-Dr. Ann Ninsiima.
- Memory and resilience of healing traditions of two indigenous Ugandan Communities-Prof. Julius Kikooma
- Choreo-Rhythmic provenance of Baakasimba dance as a living pedagogy meaning, memories and methods: An embodied practical Workshop-Dr. Alfdaniels Mabingo
- Archival Ambivalence: Hoarding and Professionalization in Ugandan State Archives Since 1951-Dr. Edgar Taylor.
- Diachronic changes of folklore genre: an exploration of language archiving in praise Recitals-Dr. Levis Mugumya
- Between dialogical imaginations and archival discourse in the context of the Ganda Folktale-Dr. Eve Nabulya
- Folk Collection of archival forms of Language-Dr. Celistino Orikiriza
- Joy Kwesiga Facing the Mak@100 Monument: Memory Moments in Makerere’s quest for Gender Equality-Prof. Josephine Ahikire
- Humour, Satire and Socio-Political Commentary in Selected Emmanuel Tumusiime Rushedge’s (Tom Rush’s Old Fox Columns)-Dr. Edgar Nabutanyi
- “The Government says that we are running our land”: Land Tenure concerns in colonial Bugisu-Dr. Pamela Khanakwa
- Abazeeyi B’e Bama: Memory, Honour and Compensation of Uganda’s World War II Ex-Servicemen, 1945 to 2021- Dr. Zaid Sekito, Dr. Christopher Muhoozi, and Dr. Deogratius Kyanda.
Humanities & Social Sciences
Dr. Pamela Khanakwa Honored for Steering Record 18 PhD Candidates for the Mak 2026 Graduation
Six personally supervised, three completed in record time, as School of Liberal and Performing Arts sets a historic milestone. Dr. Pamela Khanakwa got the Award as Best PhD Supervisor and Dean
A Historic Academic Milestone for SLPA
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) recognised the Dean of the School of Liberal and Performing Arts (SLPA), Dr. Pamela Khanakwa, for outstanding academic leadership that has seen the School field 18 PhD candidates for the next 2026 Makerere University Graduation Ceremony scheduled for 24th-27th February. Remarkably, six of these doctoral graduates were directly supervised by Dr. Khanakwa, with three completing within the official three-year timeframe, an exceptional achievement in graduate training. The recognition was announced during the CHUSS End-of-Year Get-Together, where staff applauded Dr. Khanakwa’s dedication, humility, and relentless commitment to postgraduate supervision and timely completion.
Message to Academic Staff
Q: What message do you have for your staff following this achievement?
Dr. Khanakwa:
First, I celebrate my staff and thank them for their dedication to supervision and student support. Academic work is demanding, and material rewards are often limited, but the true satisfaction comes from seeing students succeed.
I encourage my colleagues to remain committed. Yes, the workload is heavy, but many things are possible with dedication and teamwork. Let us continue working for the good of our students, our School, and Makerere University.
Leadership Rooted in Humility
Q: Many colleagues describe you as humble, down to earth, and hardworking. What shapes this character?
Dr. Khanakwa:
I think it is largely my upbringing. My mother was a primary school teacher from the 1950s until the mid-1980s. She worked extremely hard to raise us, combining teaching with farming to ensure we had school fees and basic needs. From her, I learned humility, discipline, and the value of hard work.
I also learned that leadership positions are temporary. You occupy them today, and tomorrow you move on. So humility is essential.
My graduate training also shaped me significantly. My PhD supervisor emphasized that graduate study is a full-time job and that results matter more than noise. Let people see your work through outcomes, not announcements.
Supervision as a Two-Way Commitment
Q: How would you describe your supervision style?
Dr. Khanakwa:
I read my students’ work thoroughly, word by word. Sometimes my comments are tough, but they are honest. Supervision is a two-way commitment. I give feedback, but students must also respond and remain engaged. When that relationship works, progress happens.
Balancing Leadership, Scholarship, and Family
Q: How do you balance being a Dean, scholar, wife, mother, and daughter?
Dr. Khanakwa:
Honestly, I am not sure I balance perfectly. My mother lives far away in Bukwo, so visiting requires careful planning. My children grew up understanding the demands of academic life. I pursued my PhD in the United States and spent long periods away, but we adapted as a family.
Work has become part of my lifestyle. I use weekends to read dissertations, review manuscripts, and write. Sometimes my children ask if I ever sit without working, but this is the commitment I made. As we often say jokingly, “We humbly applied for the job, so let us do the job.”
Scholarship Beyond Supervision
Dr. Khanakwa is also an active scholar and editor. In the past year alone, she has:
- Edited scholarly volumes on archives, memory, method, and pedagogy
- Published a book with Routledge Companion
- Co-authored journal articles and book chapters with graduating students, including Priscah Asiimwe and Anatoli Lwasa Mpijja
“I feel an obligation to write with students,” she notes. “It takes time, energy, and commitment, but it is part of academic mentorship.”
Who Is Dr. Pamela Khanakwa?
Dr. Pamela Khanakwa is the Dean, School of Liberal and Performing Arts, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Makerere University. She is a seasoned scholar, supervisor, administrator, and mentor whose leadership continues to redefine graduate training excellence. Details about Dr. Pamela Khanakwa can be accessed at: https://chuss.mak.ac.ug/en/personnel/pamela-khanakwa/
More details are available in her attached curriculum vitae.
The CHUSS End- Of-Year-Get-Together
On 12th December, 2025 the college leadership organised a get-together end of year gathering to take stock of the achievements, challenges and brainstorm together on how to move forward. The event was marked by entertainment, team building games, appreciation speeches, sharing a meal and a Christmas package for every staff
Retirees and staff recognised
Five retired staff Dr. Micheal Wangotta Masakala, Dr. Anatole Kirigwajjo and Dr. Jackson Kizza Mukas (all from the School of Languages, Literature and Communication), Assoc. Prof. Florence Nansubuga (School of Psychology), Dr. Tusabe Gervase (School of Liberal and Perforing Arts) and Ms. Scovia Nganda Sekweyama (secretary from the School of Social Sciences) were recognised for their dedicated services to the university.
In addition to Dr. Pamela Khanakwa’s Award as Best PhD Supervisor and Dean, Ms. Birabwa Florence scooped the award of Best Registrar of the year. Birabwa is the registrar for the School of Liberal and Performing Arts.
Administrative and support staff including Ms. Mary Gyezaho and Annet Kashumbusha(both administrative secretaries in the Principals office), Farouq Lule (IT Officer), Godfrey Kakooza (cleaner), Charles Sebuguzi (driver) and Jane Anyango (Communications officer) were recognise with awards for outstanding service. Dr. Mohamed Mayanja Kajumba was from the School of Pyschology was recognised as the person with an outstanding talent in Handwriting.
The celebrations held in the Arts quadrangle were graced by the Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs Prof. Sarah Ssali and the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Adminstration Prof. Ireeta Tumps.
Humanities & Social Sciences
Ugandan Journalists Trained on Peace and Gender-Sensitive Reporting Ahead of 2026 Elections
Kampala, Uganda – January 9, 2026
Ahead of the January 15 general elections, Ugandan journalists have undergone specialized training on peace and gender-sensitive reporting to ensure responsible media coverage during the election period. The two-day training, held from 8th to 9th January 2026 at Makerere University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences Smart Room, was organized by the Women’s Situation Room (WSR) in partnership with various stakeholders and brought together journalists from across print, broadcast, and online platforms.
The main objective of the training was to strengthen the capacities of media in reporting and documenting electoral processes in a responsible and gender-sensitive manner. The specific objectives included: strengthening journalists’ skills to cover the 2026 elections in a fair, balanced, gender-sensitive, and non-violent partisan way; enhancing the role of media to enable citizens to be well-informed and actively participate in the election process; ensuring focused and balanced reporting on peace during and after elections; and strengthening partnerships between the WSR and media houses during the election period.
The training covered multiple critical modules. Day one focused on responsible conflict-sensitive reporting, emphasizing principles such as balance, impartiality, and accuracy. Participants explored the role of media as a relayer of the population’s voice, election monitor, catalyst for social cohesion and reconciliation, contributor to the accountability of political actors, and a platform for detecting and debunking digital media misinformation and hate speech.
Day two addressed responsible and gender-sensitive reporting. Key aspects included the definition of gender-sensitive reporting, how to become a gender-sensitive reporter, critical elements in reporting with gender awareness, packaging gender-sensitive stories, and a checklist for detecting and avoiding gender-insensitive reporting.
Her Lordship, retired Judge Justice Mary Mayitum, emphasized the importance of peace as the foundation of development and democratic engagement. “Because we value peace more than anything. Without peace, really, you can do nothing. But where there is peace, you can have time to reflect, discuss with others, and join in meaningful dialogue,” she said. She warned that the country’s past conflicts, such as those in Gulu, underscored the necessity of maintaining national harmony.
Justice Mayitum also urged other key election stakeholders to uphold peaceful conduct. “Being peaceful is the very heart of life. We have spoken to police, security personnel, political parties, and the Electoral Commission. We want politicians to have a code of conduct and to understand that it’s okay to think differently without fighting or hating one another,” she added.
Dr. William Tayebwa, lead facilitator and senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University, said, “This training is about conflict-sensitive reporting, peace journalism, and gender-sensitive reporting in the context of the elections. The emphasis was on giving female political candidates a voice while ensuring journalists report responsibly on election-related matters.”
Participants described the training as timely and impactful. Tony Banizengabo of CBS Wakiso District said, “We’ve benefited a lot. We’ve been trained to write stories which bring peace, not conflict. Ahead of the elections, we are very ready to be part of peacemakers.”
Dorcas Kimono of UBC TV Kampala added, “It was so timely and rich. We learned how to report without promoting or fueling violence, giving voice to victims without angering them or encouraging violators. This is very vital, especially as we approach the 2026 elections.”
The training aims to equip media personnel with the knowledge and skills to uphold professional ethics while contributing to a peaceful, inclusive, and gender-sensitive electoral process.
Humanities & Social Sciences
CHUSS Invests Over UGX 100 Million in Interactive Smart Screens, Upgrades Teaching Infrastructure
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) has invested over UGX 100 million in the acquisition and installation of state-of-the-art interactive smart screens, marking a major step in strengthening digital teaching and learning at Makerere University.
Under the investment, 86-inch interactive 4K smart screens have been installed in major lecture rooms across the college’s schools, replacing traditional projectors and whiteboards. The upgrade is intended to modernise instructional delivery, enhance student engagement, and support blended and hybrid learning models.
The touch-sensitive smart screens enable lecturers to write, draw, and annotate content directly on the display, while simultaneously integrating multimedia resources such as videos, presentations, and online materials. The screens support wireless screen casting from laptops, tablets, and smartphones, allowing for smooth, cable-free presentations and real-time sharing of students’ work during lectures and group discussions.
Designed to promote interactive and learner-centred pedagogy, the smart screens feature multi-touch capability that allows several users to interact with the board at the same time. This functionality supports collaborative learning, problem-solving exercises, and group presentations, making lessons more engaging and inclusive for students with diverse learning styles.
The boards are equipped with built-in cameras, microphones, and speakers, enabling seamless hybrid teaching through platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet. This allows lecturers to conduct virtual and physical classes simultaneously, record full lectures, and share them with students for later review, revision, or catch-up purposes.
Running on dual Android and Windows operating systems with full internet connectivity, the smart screens provide direct access to online academic resources, digital libraries, and learning management systems. Their AI-powered features further enhance lesson organisation, content clarity, and efficient, paper-free instruction, contributing to a more sustainable learning environment.
To ensure safety and prevent misuse, the smart screens are secured in fabricated metallic safety boxes installed in the lecture rooms.
Beyond digital infrastructure, CHUSS has also undertaken additional physical improvements. The Russian Lecture Room in the School of Languages, Literature and Communication has been furnished with new chairs, tables, and a projector screen, significantly enhancing its teaching environment.
The college has further improved staff working spaces, with the School of Psychology renovating office space and classrooms in Block A, while similar renovations have been carried out in the School of Social Sciences.
The infrastructural upgrades underscore CHUSS’ commitment to improving the quality of teaching, learning, and staff working conditions in line with Makerere University’s digital transformation agenda.
-
General1 week agoPress Statement: Makerere University Congratulates Former Staff and Students on Successful Election to Public Office
-
General1 week agoPress Statement: Makerere 76th Graduation Ceremony
-
General1 week agoRe-Advert for the Position of the Second Deputy Vice Chancellor
-
Health3 days agoCall For Applications: MakNCD Masters and PhD Training Opportunities
-
General2 weeks agoMak Hosts NCHE Competence-Based Education Standards Validation Meeting