Humanities & Social Sciences
Makerere Eulogizes Anthem Composer Grace Wilson Igaga Mutekanga: VC Unpacks the Meaning of the Anthem
On August 22, 2024, St. Francis Chapel at Makerere University was filled with mourners from all walks of life who gathered to pay their final respects to Grace Wilson Mubi Igaga Mutekanga, the esteemed alumnus, musician, and educator. Mutekanga, who passed away on August 16, 2024, at the age of 81, leaves behind a legacy rooted in education, music, and community service. His most celebrated contribution to the university was composing the Makerere University Anthem, a song that continues to resonate with pride among students and alumni alike.
The funeral service, organized by Makerere University in coordination with the bereaved family and the Department of Performing Arts and Film, was a tribute to the life of an exceptional man whose impact on Makerere University and the field of education will inspire future generations.
During the service, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe emphasized that the Makerere University Anthem, composed by Mutekanga, is not just a song but a powerful symbol of institutional pride, unity, and spirit. “We should celebrate because God has enabled us to share this path with such a great mind that was in the late Mutekanga,” Nawangwe added.
The Vice Chancellor elaborated on the personal connection he shared with Mutekanga, highlighting their shared educational background at Busoga College Mwiri. “I am in a way related to the late, first as my OB [Old Boy]; we went to Mwiri, and many good things came out of that school. We gave this country a first minister, and we gave this country a motto. We donated Mutekanga to Makerere, and he gave us a lifetime anthem that will remain alive for thousands of years. What a great man!” he remarked.
Nawangwe also spoke of the Makerere Anthem’s unique ability to evoke emotions, noting how graduates celebrate the anthem with unparalleled enthusiasm. “We always have graduations here. And of course, we always stand to our national anthem, but we never dance. But when it comes to singing the Makerere Anthem, students never just stand, they even dance and go wild because of the joy they have when it is sung. But you can’t stop them because of the joy we have when we dance with them” Nawangwe observed.
Turning to Mutekanga’s academic journey, Nawangwe described him as a man with a “restless mind” who pursued his passion for music despite initially studying social sciences. “Great minds are always restless. Mr. Mutekanga came to Makerere to study social sciences, but he loved music. And so, he was restless. He wanted to know what he really had in his heart and loved. If that had not happened, maybe we would not have this anthem,” Nawangwe reflected.
In a poignant moment, Prof. Nawangwe unpacked the meaning behind the Makerere University Anthem, describing it as a powerful summation of the institution’s values and mission. “The song says, ‘Great are the walls beside thee.’ And he said to his new students and the new staff, ‘Great are the gates beside thee.’ So, you have passed through great walls and great gates. And that gives us great hope and reminds us that we are great,” Nawangwe explained.
He continued to highlight the significance of the anthem’s call to action, “Arise, all of you arise. Makerere, arise.” “Arise means, when we want to do anything important, we stand up. That’s why they say, ‘Stand up to be counted.’ So, this gentleman had such a weight in these few sentences that he wrote that he actually talked a lot of things. So, we always, of course, arise to the occasion, as the greatest institution, in order to make the lives of our people better,” Nawangwe said.
Nawangwe concluded by emphasizing the anthem’s enduring legacy and its role in uniting people from all over the world. “From east and west, from north and south. All voices singing the great Makerere. It means the institution will welcome people from everywhere in the world, not just the people from the south and west. And that has been the legacy of the university. Makerere University is considered the most international university in the world,” he noted.
The Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Associate Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, offered her reflections. “It is so sad that we gather here not only to celebrate in a happy way but also in a sad way. However, we are celebrating a great man who has given us something to live by as Makerere University,” Nkabala said.
She lauded Mutekanga as a visionary who saw the world before it was made and as someone who celebrated the diversity of humanity. “One who did not only celebrate from east to west, but also from north to south, which takes care of the central. One who was able to know that as we are here, we are beautiful, but there are those who are poor and there are those who are proud,” she added.
In a final tribute, Nkabala emphasized the legacy Mutekanga has left behind. “We are not mourning; we are celebrating because he has left a legacy that no one can match—not now, and not tomorrow. We celebrate him, we thank God for that and to the family, for the life that we have lived with him,” she said.
The service, filled with heartfelt tributes, underscored the deep respect and admiration for Mutekanga, whose contributions will continue to inspire generations at Makerere University and beyond.
Grace Wilson Mubi Igaga Mutekanga Igaga
Grace Wilson Mubi Igaga Mutekanga Igaga was born on June 29, 1943, to Daudi Kintu Mutekanga and Erina Babyale Mutekanga in Bubula, Kamuli, Busoga. He passed away on August 16, 2024, leaving behind a rich legacy rooted in education, music, and community service. Grace was married to Frances Katusabe Mutekanga, and together they raised a large and loving family, including their children: Basalirwa Frida, Mutekanga Andrew, Igaga Isaac, Igaga Yonah, Mutekanga Erina, Bakibinga Jacob, Igaga Amos, Namutebi Irene, Igaga Matthews, and Ibembe Patrick. His life was further blessed with numerous grandchildren.
Grace’s educational journey began at Naminage and Mwiri Primary Schools from 1951 to 1956, where he completed his Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE). He then attended Busoga College Mwiri from 1957 to 1962, earning his O-Level Certificate, and Makerere College School from 1963 to 1964, where he obtained his A-Level Certificate. He briefly attended Makerere University College, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree, before transferring to Heidelberg University in Ohio, USA, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music between 1966 and 1969. He furthered his studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, from 1970 to 1971.
His career in education and music was distinguished and impactful. Grace began his professional journey at Olive-Hervey College in Chicago, USA, before returning to Uganda, where he served as a teacher and part-time lecturer at Makerere College School and the Department of Music, Dance, and Drama from 1971 to 1973. He later became the Head of the Music Department at the National Teachers College in Kyambogo from 1973 to 1975. Grace continued to shape young minds as a lecturer at Makerere University‘s Department of Music, Dance, and Drama, and later at the School of Education from 1975 to 1988. He also held leadership roles, such as Warden of Livingstone Hall and Principal of Bishop Willis Teacher’s College in Iganga from 1989 to 1995. His commitment to education culminated in his positions as Principal at Kabulasoke Teacher’s Training College and Director of the National Teacher’s College in Mubende from 1996 to 2003.
Grace’s contributions extended beyond the classroom. He composed the Makerere University Anthem and other notable songs and played a key role in proposing the Grade V Diploma Programme for Primary Teachers in Uganda, working closely with prominent figures such as Mrs. Joyce Mpanga and Mr. Eric Karuhije. His dedication to music education was recognized by his peers, earning him an honorary award from the PHI Delta Kappa Chapter at Northwestern University. Grace also served as the Chief Examiner for Music with the East African Examinations Council and contributed to various educational governing councils, including Mwiri Primary School, Iganga S.S., Buckley High School, and Kamuli Girls S.S. His work significantly impacted teacher education in Uganda, leaving a lasting legacy.
After retiring in 2003, Grace devoted himself to community development in Bufumba, Kamuli. He was deeply involved in church administration within the Church of Uganda and pursued his passion for agriculture, focusing on fruit cultivation. His contributions to Makerere University were recognized during its 90th Anniversary Grand Finale celebrations on August 3, 2013. Accompanied by his wife and family, he received an award from the Chancellor, Professor George Mondo Kagonyera, for composing the university anthem, earning a standing ovation from those present.
Mutekanga was a man of many interests and passions. He was an avid reader, a film enthusiast, and a passionate gardener who found joy in cultivating flowers. His love for music was profound, and he often sang whenever the opportunity arose. He valued laughter and happiness and cherished his time with friends and family, always generous in sharing love and joy. His life was a testament to his deep commitment to education, music, and community, and he leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations.
You can watch live the entire funeral service via the link:
Jane Anyango is the Principal Communication Officer, CHUSS
During a ceremony hosted by The French Embassy in Uganda on Wednesday, October 7 2026, four Makerere-affiliated academics were honoured with French Order of Academic Palms for their effort in strengthening working relations between France and Uganda.
The individuals recognised for their dedication to education, research, and the teaching of French include; Professor Edith Ruth Natukunda Togboa, Dr Agatha Tumwine, Professor Christian Kakuba, and Professor Enoch Sebuyungo.
During the ceremony, the French Ambassador H.E. Virginie Leroy highlighted that the partnership between France and Uganda partly thrives on the commitment of teachers and researchers who facilitate dissemination of knowledge and build lasting connections between the two nations.
One of the recipients, Professor Edith Ruth Natukunda Togboa, who was promoted to the rank of Officer of the Academic Palms is a long-time French instructor at Makerere University.
Professor Natukunda Togboa focused her career on bilingualism, translation, and language policy since returning from her studies in France in the 1980s.
Dr Agatha Tumwine the other recipient was appointed Knight of the Academic Palms.
As a Lecturer at Makerere University and President of the Association of French Teachers in Uganda (APFO), Dr Tumwine is recognised as instrumental in strengthening the French-teaching community and facilitating cooperation with the French Embassy.
The third is Professor Christian Kakuba who also received the rank of Knight. With nearly 30 years of experience at Makerere University in socio-demography and applied statistics. He has been a key figure in training new researchers and maintaining ties with the French National Institute for Demographic Studies (INED).
The fourth, Professor Enoch Sebuyungo, was equally appointed Knight of the Academic Palms.
Professor Sebuyungo is a linguist trained in France, and has worked to promote French as a tool for professional training and dialogue. He has also supported French-speaking refugees through translation services.
The Academic Palms (Ordre des Palmes Académiques) is an official National Order of Merit bestowed by the French Republic to honor distinguished academics, teachers, and individuals who have made valuable contributions to universities, education, science, and French culture.
Humanities & Social Sciences
MISR Director Assoc. Prof. Lyn Ossome Publishes New Book, Democracy’s Subjections
We are pleased to announce the publication of a new book by the Director, Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR), Assoc. Prof. Lyn Ossome titled Democracy’s Subjections: Colonial Modernity and the Gendered Subject of Violence. It was published by Bloomsbury Academic.
In this ground-breaking study, Lyn Ossome offers an authoritative, interdisciplinary theory of how postcolonial capitalist democracies reproduce the gendered forms of violence essential to colonial rule.
Through an interdisciplinary methodology traversing political studies, feminist political economy, historical and literary studies, Ossome shows how postcolonial, capitalist democracies in Africa, like their colonial antecedents, use various identity-markers to determine whose rights and bodies are violable, to what extent, and whether and how the violated have a right to resist. The book critically reflects on the dilemmas and contradictions produced by the colonial encounter and its subjugative orders for the postcolonial democratizing state, interrogating why the failures of democratic institutions target gendered, labouring bodies. Through evidence gathered from colonial archives in Kenya, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, as well as through critical comparisons of two artistic responses to gender-based violence and rape in South Africa and India, Ossome offers a trenchant critique that, beyond the contexts analysed, is relevant across the postcolonial Global South.
The Makerere University community heartily congratulates Assoc. Prof. Lyn Ossome on this new milestone!
Book cover
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Humanities & Social Sciences
Prof. Walakira takes over as CHUSS Deputy Principal, pledges research-driven leadership
New Deputy Principal Prof. Eddy Joshua Walakira has pledged to build on the existing foundations at Makerere University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), with a focus on strengthening research, innovation, partnerships and the college’s income-generating capacity.
Prof. Walakira made the pledge on Monday, September 14, 2026, after officially taking over as Deputy Principal of CHUSS from Associate Prof. Eric Awich Ochen, who completed his four-year tenure after assuming office in April 2022.
The handover ceremony, held at the CHUSS Smart Room, brought together the College Principal, Associate Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, deans, heads of departments, academic, administrative and support staff, as well as representatives from the Directorate of Internal Audit.
Walakira said he was taking over at a time when CHUSS had established a strong foundation and pledged to work with the Principal and staff to take the college to greater heights.
“I’m coming in with a lot of hope, a lot of courage and a lot of optimism because the foundations are already in place and the structures are already in place,” Walakira said.
He said his immediate priority would be to understand the needs of the different schools and departments and develop practical interventions, particularly in research, innovation and partnerships.
The incoming Deputy Principal said he intends to undertake a tour of CHUSS schools and departments to assess their research, innovation and partnership needs. said the exercise would help management identify existing capacities, gaps and opportunities that could be developed into practical plans for the college.
“My thinking is that we are going to form the best team ever that has led CHUSS,” he said, stressing that the college has the human and institutional capacity to become a leading unit within the University.
Walakira said CHUSS should make greater use of the networks and partnerships already established by its academic units, arguing that these could provide opportunities for research collaboration, innovation and resource mobilisation.
He also challenged departments that have faced long-standing equipment shortages to explore sustainable solutions rather than relying entirely on external funding.
“If the Department of Journalism for the last 20 years is still crying about equipment, I don’t think that is a good song. There must be a way out from within,” Walakira said. He pledged to work closely with Principal Nambalirwa Nkabala and other college leaders to identify opportunities for strengthening research capacity, publication and partnerships.
Walakira pledges loyal and collaborative leadership
Walakira pledged to work closely with the Principal, deans, heads of departments and staff while respecting University policies and structures. He said his leadership approach would be based on humility, consultation and practical problem-solving.
“My pledge, first of all, is to be loyal and humble to my boss and, above all, to serve in the fear of the Most High and to respect the rules, the principles and the structures of the University,” he said.
Walakira said he would seek to strengthen existing research groups and explore opportunities for the college to generate more resources internally. He urged staff to embrace a collective vision and work together to address challenges facing the college.
He expressed confidence that CHUSS could become a leading college within Makerere University if its existing human resource and institutional capacity were effectively harnessed.
“We have people who can work in leadership, but we have to develop a collective vision. We have to respect and accept the capabilities that we have, and also accept to work together to address the challenges that confront us,” he said.
Assoc. Prof. Ochen highlights four years of academic and research gains
In his handover report, outgoing Deputy Principal Prof. Eric Awich Ochen highlighted progress made during his four-year tenure, including improvements in teaching and learning, academic programme development, research, internationalisation, staff capacity building and digitalisation.
Ochen said he assumed office in April 2022, in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and worked under two College Principals—Prof. Josephine Ahikire and Associate Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala.
He attributed the achievements recorded during his tenure to collective efforts by the Principal, deans, heads of departments and staff.
“Whatever I did in the office of the Deputy Principal for the last four years has been in the best interest of the students. I tried to act in good faith,” Ochen said.
He acknowledged that leadership involves mistakes and said one of his major lessons had been the importance of consultation before making decisions.
Ochen advised his successor to maintain close consultation with the Principal, particularly when dealing with issues requiring clarification.
Ochen reported that the college had developed and revised several academic programmes during his tenure, including postgraduate programmes in French language studies, African languages and anthropology.
He said several existing programmes had also undergone accreditation and urged deans and heads of departments to begin preparations early for programmes due for re-accreditation.
He warned that delays in accreditation could disrupt student admissions and programme delivery, citing previous cases where some programmes were temporarily affected.
The outgoing Deputy Principal also highlighted efforts to revive and establish scholarly journals within CHUSS, including journals in history, peace, humanities, literature and communication.
He called for greater regularity in journal publication and continued digitisation to improve the visibility and accessibility of the college’s scholarly output.
Ochen said CHUSS had also made progress in modernising teaching and learning through the adoption of digital academic management systems.
He noted that staff had transitioned from the Academic Information Management System to ACMIS for the management and uploading of students’ results.
Timetable coordinators had also been trained to upload teaching timetables and workloads electronically.
The college also installed smart interactive screens in several lecture rooms, which Ochen said had improved the teaching environment and supported blended learning.
He urged the incoming leadership to continue investing in digital infrastructure, particularly for smaller postgraduate teaching spaces.
Ochen reported that CHUSS had significantly expanded its research and grants portfolio, with the college managing grants estimated at about US$12 million.
He attributed the growth partly to the development of research groups across departments and encouraged the new leadership to strengthen these groups to increase grant applications and scholarly publications.
“I believe in the last four years we have grown as a college. I think we have quite a higher portfolio of grants,” Ochen said.
He also cited numerous conferences, public lectures and international academic events as having contributed to CHUSS’s visibility nationally and internationally.
These included philosophy events, social work conferences, peace-related events, language celebrations, history and climate-migration conferences and other scholarly engagements.
Ochen said CHUSS had expanded its international collaborations through mobility programmes, academic partnerships and international conferences.
He pointed to Erasmus+ programmes and other collaborations involving universities in Europe, Africa and other parts of the world.
He also highlighted the Rotary Peace Centre and its growing international student community as important contributors to the college and University’s internationalisation agenda.
Despite the progress, Ochen identified inadequate equipment, particularly in journalism and multimedia production, as one of the challenges requiring attention.
He also cited concerns around support for staff supervising students, marking dissertations and other academic work, as well as the need to better recognise academic work conducted outside normal university hours.
He urged the incoming leadership to continue engaging staff and seeking practical solutions to these challenges.
Leadership transition will not disrupt CHUSS
Principal Associate Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala thanked Ochen for his service and said the transition would not destabilise the college.
She described Ochen as a committed colleague whose passion, energy and humility had contributed to the college’s progress.
Nambalirwa said the college was entering a new phase under Walakira, whose appointment comes as CHUSS implements its strategic priorities.
She said the college’s newly developed strategic plan provides a framework for advancing research, social protection, innovation, partnerships and other institutional priorities.
“We are very ambitious. We are hoping that we shall get a lot of wealth. For this college to move further, we are moving with stability,” Nambalirwa said.
The Principal also urged staff to continue supporting the new Deputy Principal as they had supported Ochen.
“Please, support that you have given Professor Ochen should be extended to Professor Walakira, because service is only fun when you have all your hands,” she said.
Staff commend Ochen, welcome Walakira
Staff members who spoke during the ceremony commended Ochen for his leadership and commitment to students while welcoming Walakira to the new role.
Mr. Gidange Moses from the Directorate of Internal Audit praised the Principal for nurturing staff and creating opportunities for them to take up leadership responsibilities.
He commended Ochen for completing his tenure and urged Walakira to embrace the responsibility of leading the college alongside the Principal.
Dr. Charlotte Mafumbo, Head of the Department of History, Archaeology and Heritage Studies, described Ochen as a passionate leader and thanked him for his contribution to the college.
She pledged the department’s support to the incoming Deputy Principal.
Dr. Denis Muhangi, Head of the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, representing the Dean of the School of Social Sciences, praised Ochen for his resilience in following up decisions and his commitment to student welfare.
He assured Walakira of the school’s support as he takes on his new responsibilities.
Maria Gyezaho, from the Principal’s office, also thanked Ochen for his guidance and leadership, saying the skills he had imparted to staff would continue to benefit them.
The handover formally marked the end of Ochen’s tenure as Deputy Principal and the beginning of Walakira’s term, with the college leadership calling on staff to maintain the momentum achieved over the previous four years while pursuing new opportunities for growth.
For details about Prof. Eddy Joshua Walakira, please click on the link below:
https://chuss.mak.ac.ug/en/personnel/eddy-joshua-walakira/
Jane Anyango is the Principal Communication Officer CHUSS
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