General
“Strive to become valuable citizens,” Prof. Nawangwe tells Mastercard Foundation Scholars
By Bernard Buteera
Tuesday, August 20, 2024, was a joyful day for the 100 newly recruited Mastercard Foundation Scholars at Makerere University. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, officially recognized them as scholars and confirmed their status at a vibrant Scholarship Award Ceremony.
During the lively event, Prof. Nawangwe didn’t just officiate, he inspired. He urged the new scholars to not just be students, but to strive to become valuable citizens of Uganda and the African continent.
“Makerere University is not just any university; it is one of the best in Africa. It is a top choice for many young people seeking higher education in Africa. Therefore, take advantage of this unique opportunity to be at Makerere and strive to become valuable citizens of Uganda and Africa as a whole,” remarked Prof. Nawangwe.
Prof. Nawangwe also expressed profound gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation for its transformative support of young people in Africa through higher education funding, a beacon of hope in the face of significant obstacles to accessing quality university education.
“I want to take this opportunity once again to thank our valued partner, the Mastercard Foundation, for providing scholarships for the second time as part of phase two. This support helps young people access quality university education at Makerere University. In the first phase, we exceeded the target of educating 1000 scholars by educating 1,032. This time, too, we should aim to surpass the target,” pointed out Prof. Nawangwe.
Speaking at the same event, Mr. Adrian Bukenya, the Country Director of Mastercard Foundation-Uganda, pledged continuous support to young people in Uganda and Africa through funding higher education and promoting financial inclusion.
“The Mastercard Foundation is unwavering in its commitment to supporting young people in Africa in two key areas: access to higher education and promoting financial inclusion through the Young Africa Works strategy. We are dedicated to empowering young people in these critical areas.” Mr. Bukenya reassured.
Mr Bukenya also expressed gratitude to the University for creating a safe and supportive environment for young people and for reasonable accommodation for those with disabilities.
“I would like to express my gratitude to Prof. Nawangwe and the university’s management for their efforts in creating a safe environment. They have ratified the safeguarding policy and provided reasonable accommodation for young people with disabilities by installing ramps in different buildings to facilitate access,” remarked Mr. Bukenya.
The Chairperson of the Selection Sub-Committee for the Scholars Program at Makerere University, Prof. Ibrahim Okumu, highlighted the challenges faced while recruiting scholars. One of the biggest challenges was selecting a small number of scholars from a large pool of applicants.
“For the academic year 2024/2025, we received over 4,000 applications for 95 available undergraduate slots. Out of these, 1,809 applicants were admitted to Makerere University, with 1,236 being eligible for scholarships – 691 females and 545 males. It was challenging to select only 95 applicants from this pool of eligible candidates.” Prof. Okumu highlighted.
Prof. Justine Namaalwa, the Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, congratulated them and encouraged them to take advantage of the Scholarship to achieve their dreams.
“I would like to congratulate each one of you and thank you and your parents for the efforts you put in from primary to high school, which have enabled you to get to where you are today.” Prof. Namaalwa remarked.
Prof. Namaalwa further pledged that the Program Implementation of the Scholars Program will ensure that Scholars are supported to achieve their dreams.
“Together with my colleagues, I am deeply committed to supporting scholars to ensure that they achieve their dreams and career aspirations.” Prof. Namaalwa pointed out.
Speaking on behalf of parents and guardians, Ms. Nakitto Teopista, a mother to one of the students with disabilities, moved the audience to tears as she lamented the struggles she had faced while ensuring that her daughter acquired an education, like all other children.
“I have no words to thank the Mastercard Foundation and Makerere University for this scholarship opportunity, which has given me hope and enabled my daughter to join the university after spending three years out of school,” Ms. Nakitto expressed gratitude.
The three scholars who spoke on behalf of the rest of the scholars, Mr. Nsamba Anthony, Ms. Laja Margaret, and Ms. Atayi Jackline, all expressed gratitude for the scholarship and pledged their commitment to using the opportunity to aspire to achieve their dreams.
The Scholarship Award ceremony is an annual event in which the Vice Chancellor formally hands out Scholarship award letters to newly recruited Mastercard Foundation scholars who will study at Makerere University.
Bernard Buteera is the Communications and Public Relations Officer of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
Makerere University staff have been urged to embrace servant leadership, integrity and compassion as they prepare to welcome students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The call was made during the Makerere University Staff Prayer Breakfast held on 31st July 2026 at St. Francis Students Centre Upper Hall under the theme “Faithful Stewards: A Servant Heart with Integrity and Wisdom,” drawn from Colossians 3:23–24 and Mark 10:35–45.
The prayer breakfast brought together members of Council, University Management, academic, and administrative staff to dedicate the new academic year to God while reflecting on their responsibility of serving students with excellence, humility and integrity.
A Call to Seek God’s Wisdom
Host Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa reminded staff that no amount of professional experience or academic expertise can replace God’s guidance.
She noted that the University’s mission can only be fulfilled when staff continually seek God’s wisdom in serving students and one another.
“There is no amount of experience or expertise that can replace God’s wisdom.”
Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed that students remain the reason universities exist and challenged staff to approach their work as a calling rather than merely employment.
“Without students, there is no university,” she said, encouraging members of staff to remain united, avoid unhealthy competition and trust God as they begin another academic year.
She further urged staff to become faithful stewards who work together in harmony, which she summed up as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research
In her remarks, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Members of Management to the breakfast, and reminded staff that a university’s value cannot be measured by research and innovation alone.
She described Makerere as a community held together by the spiritual as well as academic wellbeing of its people, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
Draw Inspiration From Stewardship
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Sarah Ssali told staff that this year’s breakfast carried special significance.
“This is the first prayer breakfast we are having ever since we launched our strategic plan,” she said, referring to the University’s new Strategic Plan, launched on 2nd July 2026.
She encouraged staff to hold on to the morning’s reflections as a guide for implementing the plan over the next five years, describing Makerere as an institution many families choose above all others for the vision and training it offers their children. She urged staff to see themselves as stewards of that trust rather than simply employees carrying out a job.
Compassion and Discipline Must Go Together
Delivering her remarks, Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara challenged staff to strike a balance between compassion and discipline when dealing with students.
She observed that many students face different personal and academic challenges, making encouragement and timely support essential throughout their university journey.
“A word of encouragement can restore hope and prevent costly mistakes,” she noted.
Dr. Lorna encouraged lecturers and administrators to respond promptly to students’ concerns, explaining that delays, insensitive decisions and abuse of authority can discourage students and negatively affect their academic experience.
She reminded staff that students often remember how they were treated long after they have forgotten what was taught in class.
“Students may eventually forget what we teach them, but they will always remember how we treated them.”
She added that education goes beyond transferring knowledge.
“Education is more than knowledge. We communicate life, character and values.”
Quoting Mark 10, Dr. Lorna called upon staff to embrace servant leadership by exercising authority with humility, integrity and accountability.
She encouraged members of staff to ask themselves whether they would treat every student the same way ashey would treat their own child.
“We may not always have all the answers,” she said, “but we can communicate honestly, take responsibility and treat every student with dignity.”
She concluded by urging different colleges and administrative units to work together instead of operating in isolation, noting that unity strengthens the University community.
Referring to Galatians 6:2, she reminded staff to carry one another’s burdens and remain faithful stewards of the responsibility entrusted to them.
Servant Leadership Begins with Faithfulness
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. James Magara, husband to Dr. Lorna Magara, called on members of staff to embrace servant leadership grounded in humility, faithfulness and service to others.
Drawing from Mark 10:35–45, Dr. Magara reflected on the account in which James and John asked Jesus for positions of honour in His kingdom, prompting discontent among the other disciples. He observed that despite walking closely with Christ, the disciples continued to struggle with the desire for status and recognition. He noted that such competition remained evident even during the Last Supper, where concerns over positions and prominence persisted.
Dr. Magara said that Jesus responded to these human tendencies by redefining leadership through service rather than authority. He described Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet as the ultimate demonstration of servant leadership, explaining that genuine leaders are willing to undertake even the humblest responsibilities in service of others.
Referencing Philippians 2, he urged staff to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness, contrasting it with the pride and self-exaltation illustrated in Isaiah 14. He emphasised that lasting influence and greatness are not measured by titles, positions or recognition, but by one’s willingness to serve faithfully and put the needs of others before personal ambition.
Drawing on his own leadership journey spanning several decades, Dr. Magara challenged leaders across the University to cultivate humility, integrity and a servant heart in the execution of their responsibilities. He cautioned that leadership driven by pride and personal ambition undermines both individual effectiveness and institutional progress, whereas servant leadership strengthens organisations and fosters lasting impact.
The prayer breakfast concluded with a call for unity and collective commitment as Makerere University prepares to begin a new academic year. Organisers noted that the reflections on stewardship, integrity and servant leadership would provide a strong foundation for the University community as it advances the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
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