General
Minister Janet Museveni Launches Emerging Leaders Program at Makerere University
The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, officially launched the Emerging Leaders Program and commissioned the first cohort of SAFE champions at Makerere University on Friday 27th September 2024.
“It gives me great pleasure to commission you as Emerging Leaders Program Champions. I charge you to become role models. Please take the training that you have received as your moral campus at the University and beyond,” said Hon. Janet Museveni amidst applause from the audience.
The launch, held at Makerere University’s Freedom Square, was attended by notable figures including the Chairperson of the University Council- Mrs. Lorna Magara, Deputy Chairperson of Council- Rt. Hon. Dan Fred Kidega, the Vice Chancellor-Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Program Chairperson-Professor Henry Alinaitwe, Co-Chair- Mrs. Barbara Kaija, and Bishop Joshua Lwere-Board Chair of the Global Leadership Summit.
The formulation of the Emerging Leaders Program followed a discussion between Hon. Janet Museveni and Makerere University Council members held on February 2, 2023. Burdened by the challenges that were being faced by students and the disastrous effects of addiction to alcohol, drug and substance abuse, corruption, HIV/AIDS, the First Lady and Hon. Minister of Education and Sports tasked the University Council headed by Mrs. Lorna Magara to partner with her and come up with a solution to save the students and young people from destruction.
The launch of the Emerging Leaders Program at Makerere University, therefore marked the beginning of the actualization of Hon. Janet Museveni’s vision to implement a national Anti-Corruption and HIV/AIDS campaign in Uganda. The SAFE campaign stands for Sexually Fortified, Addiction Free, Financially Faithful and Education Focused.
Speaking at the launch, Hon. Janet Museveni said the Emerging Leaders Program is an initiative that she holds dear in her heart because it has the potential to nurture the young generation and shape the destiny of our nation.
“My desire is that this program expands beyond Makerere University to all universities in Uganda. I pray that God will make that possible,” she said.
The Minister credited the leadership of Makerere University and the program’s partners namely the Global Leadership Summit and Life Ministry Uganda for taking up the challenge to craft the Emerging Leaders Program that will instill character in university students throughout the country.
The Emerging Leaders Program is a life skills capacity-building and behavioral intervention coded “The SAFE Campaign.” The initiative seeks to address critical challenges threatening students’ education and well-being such as addiction to drugs, corruption, substance abuse, gambling, and the risks of HIV/AIDS. These issues were viewed as not only jeopardizing students’ health and academic performance, but also affecting the social well-being of graduates entering the workforce.
According to Mrs. Barbra Kaija, the Co-Chair of the Emerging Leaders Program, this was intended to help the parents who risk a lot to educate their children so that they become important and resourceful people, but sometimes disappoint them when they engage in harmful practices which eventually threaten their education and future.
“Parents take a lot of risks to educate their children, and when your child reaches a University level, you always want to see him or her succeed and become an important person, therefore what we are trying to do is to remove those barriers which are stopping them from becoming important people,” she said.
“Through this emerging leaders program, we can help shape the new generation. What we do in this program is that; we interact with these students and talk to them, teach them, and invite experts in these fields to share ideas,” she added.
Mrs. Kaija mentioned that the Emerging Leaders Program focused on Universities because university students are the most productive and as such, we must ensure their safety.
“University students are at the most productive age, and the workforce that is building our country, so we must make sure that they are safe. The emerging leaders program will help them in character development. While our students graduate with academic degrees, they need the right set of values and character to succeed in life,” she emphasized.
In her remarks, Mrs. Kaija informed the audience comprising students who filled the Freedom Square to capacity, Makerere University stakeholders and the media that the Emerging Leaders Program implementation team conducted a baseline study, which enabled them to understand the challenges that a few of the students at Makerere University were grappling with.
According to Mrs. Kaija, the Emerging Leaders Program team targeted 473 first year students and 1041 continuing students. Some of the vices include: achohol and drug abuse, sex before marriage, and betting primarily due to peer pressure. She noted that, although some results were worrying, they also registered some good news that they can build on.
Minister Janet Museveni said young people have been grappling with many challenges, some of which have been imposed on them because of peer pressure. She noted with concern, that gambling in the form of sports betting is also spreading very fast in Uganda.
“Over the past few years, we have all experienced our young people grapple with many challenges such as alcohol, drug, and other substance abuse, sexual immorality, and gambling which has led to many university students dropping out. Through this program, we desire to help students rise above what has been the norm of negative peer pressure that compromises their innocence,” said the Minister.
The First Lady reiterated that the Emerging Leaders Program has the potential to engage the students and significantly save lives. The Program provides an inclusive process to nurture the young generation into impactful people by instilling values into them and improving their health. It provides life skills to enable students and youth in general to make the right choices while at the University, at places of work, in the communities and with their families.
“This program is not just about imparting leadership skills; it is about the total transformation of lives through instilling values. Furthermore, through this program young people are being prepared to make the right choices in life, that will safeguard their health and wellbeing while enabling them to succeed in their academics,” she said.
In the same vein, Mrs. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of Makerere University Council said that the program will help to curb societal moral degradation and refocus our young people on values and life skills to secure their future.
She explained that the program is timely because the country and the continent’s development relies on the quality of its leaders.
“The development of Uganda and indeed Africa hinges on the quality of its people, therefore the Emerging Leaders Program is a strategic tool to this cause with a fully-fledged behavior change program, curriculum, and messaging campaigns,” she stated.
She also revealed that Makerere University Council had approved the developed Emerging Leaders Program mandatory course and students will be required to take it over three years of their study. The course will soon be presented to the University Senate for approval. Some of the short courses of the Emerging Leaders Program are ready to be rolled out.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe commended the First Lady and Hon. Minister of Education and Sports for the initiative that is highly anticipated to reshape the future generation. Prof. Nawangwe also seized the opportunity to thank the First Lady for supporting the University’s infrastructure development initiatives.
“We thank you for the support towards the development of infrastructure at Makerere University particularly the reconstruction of the Main Building,” he remarked.
He appreciated Hon. Janet Museveni for championing the fight to save the emerging leaders from destruction and committed himself to ensure Emerging Leaders Program succeeds.
“Makerere University is committed to ensuring the safety of her students and staff. The University Council has approved the safeguarding policy, and the counselling and career guidance policy is in the offing. The University Management will make every necessary effort to ensure the success of the Emerging Leaders Program,” he said.
Prof. Nawangwe acknowledged the Students’ Guild leadership for their contribution towards the success of ELP noting that; “The Guild Leadership has implemented activities that complement the efforts of the Emerging Leaders Program.” He also appreciated Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, the Chair of the Emerging Leaders Program, Mrs. Barbra Kaija, the Co-Chair and the entire implementation team for accepting to serve.
Dr. Ronald Semyalo, a Lecturer in the department of Zoology at the College of Natural Sciences and one of the Emerging Leaders Program trainees, noted that the Emerging Leaders Program is not just another academic course, but a catalyst for personal transformation, empowering each individual to reach their full potential for the betterment of themselves and the community.
Ms Julian Kanyesigye, a student of Makerere University studying Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Economics, and one of the SAFE champions, noted that the Emerging Leaders Program has come at a time when youth are battling pandemics on multiple fronts from high rates of drug abuse to high rates of sexual immorality, with an alarming increase in the number of HIV infections among young people.
With the Emerging Leaders Program being student centred, the audience listened to a poem titled “For God and My Country,” recited by two Makerere University Students namely Grace Deborah Mirembe and Paul Tumwesigye studying Literature and English Language Studies from the College of Education and External Studies. The poem calls on students and young people to focus on the values which emphasize the need to uphold good character, humanness, knowing to say NO and when to say YES for the good of the individual and the whole society.
In addition, the students from the Department of Performing Arts and Film, which is headed by Dr. Benon Kigozi captivated the audience with beautiful melodies and sounds. The Department of Performing Arts and Film is under the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
During the afternoon of September 21, 2026, Makerere University played host to regional discussions as students, academics, and government officials gathered to commemorate the International Day of Peace under the theme “Investing in Regional Peace and Trade for Shared Prosperity”.
The event organised by the Makerere University 92nd Guild Security Ministry in partnership with the Global Peace Guild, served as the official launch of the East African Peace and Trade Law Moot Court Competition. The idea was conceived as an annual event where the youth across East Africa will gather to deliberate on the nexus between regional peace and trade in fostering regional integration.
Acting Vice Chancellor (VC) of Makerere University Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga graced the event, welcomed the distinguished guests and set a reflective tone for the day.
Reminiscing about his old days the VC noted, “lecturers were the ones who used to come and talk about politics, economics, and law but somehow, somewhere, things never went well”. He appreciated the Students’ Guild, and all who were involved in organising the celebration and launch for a good job done.
Prof. Mugagga further encouraged students to look beyond the classroom, urging them to engage in critical debates in different sectors while emphasising that peace is a prerequisite for all development.
People anchor Trade – Keynote address
Representing the guest of honor who was the Minister of State for East African Community Affairs Hon. James Magode Ikuya, Dr. Andrew Musiime – Commissioner for Political Affairs, delivered a keynote address.
His entry was that you cannot talk about trade and not talk about people. Trade is done by people, and therefore as a Ministry, they facilitate free movement of people.
Dr. Musiime provided a comprehensive breakdown of the East African Community (EAC) as an intergovernmental organisation.
“So it is an intergovernmental organisation. Therefore, the governments remain with their constitution, the governments remain with their sovereignty, the governments remain with their national boundaries, the governments remain with their national laws, Musiime explained.”
He mentioned that the East African Community is anchored on the four pillars for integration that is the Customs Union, the Common Market, the Political Federation and Monetary Union.
Dr. Musiime equally challenged the students to move beyond theory, urging them to research the EAC treaty and actively participate in regional integration.
In a gesture of togetherness, he told the distinguished guests that the Ministry operates an open door policy for students and those interested in engaging can apply for opportunities across the Ministry’s various departments.
From UPE to the Halls of Parliament
The event also featured inspiring remarks from the National Female Youth Member of Parliament, Hon. Mercy Kanyesigye. Reflecting on her own journey from Universal Primary Education (UPE) to the halls of Parliament, she delivered a powerful message on peace and security.
In agreement with Prof. Muggaga, she linked the day’s theme to the practical realities of trade, noting that sustainable trade can not exist without peace.
“This moot competition is therefore not just academic exercise. It’s a training ground for the next generation of East African traders, lawyers, negotiators, judges, policy makers who will defend the spirit of our East African common market and our custom union”, Kanyesigye told the attendees.
92nd Guild Calls for Embracing Dialogue
Hon. Denis Mabirizi, the Minister of Security for the Makerere University 92nd Guild, underscored the event’s purpose by highlighting that peace is the foundation for justice, opportunity, and cooperation. He then called upon the student community to reject violence and intolerance, urging them to use dialogue and established leadership structures to address their concerns.
Mabirizi also emphasized that universities are not just centers of academic excellence, but places where the leaders of tomorrow are shaped.
“Universities are not only centers of academic excellence, they are also places where future leaders are shaped. The conversations we have, the values we promote, and the decisions we make today will influence the kind of society we create tomorrow. Peace begins with each one of us, Mabirizi noted.”
The Global Peace Guild Initiative
Mr. Joseph Micheal Tenywa, the founder and President of the Global Peace Guild, shared the vision behind the organization. He explained that the Global Peace Guild was born out of a desire to involve young people in the promotion of peace, trade, and regional integration.
“Global Peace Guild is an initiative born out of a desire to have young people get involved into the promotion of peace, trade, and regional integration.”
He reminded the audience that regional integration would only become a reality when young people actively participate in the market and hold policy makers accountable.
“As we commemorate the International Day of Peace, it’s an invitation for young people to get involved, not only in ensuring that there is no violence, but that we also put in place the conditions that take our strength, and these are our economic provisions, we call it trade.”
The launch of the East African Peace and Trade Law Moot Court Competition marks a significant milestone for the student community as it brings together academic rigor with a focus on regional policy.
International Day of Peace is observed globally on September 21, 2026, under the unified United Nations theme: “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day”. The day emphasizes that achieving lasting peace requires continuous local action, shared civic responsibility, and strategic conflict mitigation to ensure long-term regional development.
Makerere University has urged female students admitted under the Makerere University Council Tuition and Functional Fees Waiver Scholarship for the 2026/27 academic year to take the opportunity seriously, focus on their academic performance, and stay alert about their personal safety.
The message was delivered during an orientation for the scholarship beneficiaries at the Senate Conference Hall, where officials from the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate welcomed the students and shared guidance on academic success, security, mentorship, and responsible social conduct.
The Chief Gender Mainstreaming Officer cautions students on safety and self-reliance
Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine, Chief Gender Mainstreaming Officer, congratulated the students on receiving the scholarship and urged them not to take it for granted.
She advised them to seek information from the relevant university offices instead of relying on assumptions or what fellow students tell them, and to keep records of official communication whenever they raise concerns or follow up on university matters.
Dr. Baine said students should take responsibility for their own security, warning them not to trust strangers easily and urging them to be careful about where they go and who they interact with.
She also reminded them that strong academic performance is required to keep the scholarship, and encouraged them to ask for help early whenever they face academic, social, or other challenges instead of waiting until the situation becomes harder to manage.
Students urged to aim for first-class results
The officers welcomed the students and encouraged them to put their studies first, urging them to aim for first-class academic results during their time at Makerere.
They advised them to use the academic support available to them, including help from course mates and any tutorials or mentoring offered within their colleges, and not to hesitate to seek assistance when they have concerns about their results or coursework.
The GMD team also spoke to scholars about personal safety, cautioning students against accepting help from strangers, including with luggage or transport, and referred to a recent incident in which a student’s belongings were stolen. She urged them to stay alert as they settled into university life.
Focus on academic foundations and safe social conduct
Other speakers, including Ms. Susan Mbabazi, who is the Principal Gender Officer, Ms. Abilat Lozirah, and Cynthia Ayaa Kamaketch emphasised the need to build a strong academic foundation from the start of the semester. They encouraged students to attend lectures regularly, read beyond classroom notes, use university resources such as internet access and the library, and develop steady study habits instead of waiting until exams are near.
They also warned students to be careful when meeting people they do not know well, advising them to hold academic discussions and social meetings in open, public spaces such as Freedom Square rather than in private rooms.
The students were also encouraged to seek mentorship from university staff and others who could guide them in their academic and career development, and to identify a mentor before leaving the orientation.
The orientation also pointed students to key university services and locations they should know, including the university health facilities, the Makerere Police Post, the Counselling and Guidance Centre, and places of worship on campus.
Speakers reminded the students that the scholarship gives them a chance to pursue their education at Makerere University, and that keeping it depends on their discipline, academic performance, and willingness to seek support when needed.
-
Computing & IS2 weeks agoProf. Engineer Bainomugisha Takes Over as Principal of CoCIS, Pledges Focus on Excellence, Research and Innovation
-
General2 weeks agoUndergraduate Admissions: Students allowed to Change Programs/Subjects 2026/27
-
General5 days agoAR Department Bids Farewell to Mr. Ssentongo and Ms. Akoli
-
General2 weeks agoProf. Sarah Ssali urges the Makerere University Community to embrace local philanthropy
-
Engineering, Art & Tech2 weeks agoMakerere & Partners Kick Off FLOWERS Project to Turn Restaurant Waste into a Regenerative Resource