General
Mak, MSU and MFAI Partner to Addressing Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM)
By Rachael P. Kanyi
Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (MakGMD), Michigan States University (MSU) and Michigan Fellows Africa Initiative (MFAI), held capacity building trainings for lecturers and students on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM). The two days’ symposium was held from 10th -11th October 2024 at the Makerere University Telepresence Center-Senate Building. Participants across different Colleges including lecturers, senior staff members and students were joined by experts from MSU and civil society organizations at Makerere University.
The keynote speaker who is the Cultural Affairs Officer at the US Mission in Uganda, Amy Petersen commended Mak Gender Mainstreaming Directorate for its great work in fighting against sexual harassment. Amy noted that Mak GMD has on several occasions contacted the U.S Embassy to support the Annual International 16 days of Activism with the goal of enhancing safe learning environments. She mentioned that the embassy has always supported higher institutions leading to a good relationship between the two parties.
She noted that sexual relationship violence is one of the biggest challenges hindering girls from meeting their goals. Amy advocated for more efforts in addressing sexual harassment not only at Makerere University, but also beyond the university pointing to Gender Based Violence (GBV) contribution to the spread of HIV/AIDs in Uganda.
Reiterating the impact of sexual harassment, the Guest of Honor Prof. Sylvia Tamale, a distinguished scholar and human rights defender called upon the Mak GMD to ensure that the sexual harassment policy is implemented. She emphasized the need to revisit the interpretation of the policies against GBV citing instances where the policy may be exploited by perpetrators to commit abuses outside the confines of the university.
“We have the policy and laws on sexual harassment, but we haven’t made them touch the root cause of sexual harassment. Many people haven’t felt its impacts and that’s why most perpetrators tend to intimidate the victims and go away with it. We need to implement every part of this policy and, have these laws enforced,” she said.
Prof. Tamale further disclosed that men too are violated, but the rate of women violation is overwhelming, a sign that women need more protection and education against sexual harassment and Gender Based Violence (GBV). She noted that the root causes of such injustices are anchored in colonial histories, patriarchy and sexuality.
Addressing the participants, the Director Mak Gender Mainstreaming Directorate Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine, pointed out that the Directorate has since 2019 handled many cases. She observed that majority of the cases are not reported because the victims fear to be victimized and stigmatized and some are intimidated by the perpetrators. She called upon all university staff and students who face sexual harassment to reach out and file complaints in those cases.
“Since 2019, the Directorate has registered a number of cases and action has been taken. However, some victims of sexual harassment fear to open up and file cases against the perpetrators for fear of being victimized and being intimidated by the perpetrators. So they keep it to themselves and some give up on the cases, while some victims leave the university and join other universities to continue with their studies,” said Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine.
She revealed that the Directorate’s desires to shift the institution from being a reactive to proactive institution when addressing issues of Gender Based Violence. Dr Mugisha Baine called upon staff and students to join the Directorate to campaign for a zero tolerance to sexual harassment culture in the university.
The Director GMD revealed that the directorate has a lot of programs to implement, but it lacks enough resources such as technical human resource and funds. She appreciated Michigan State University for offering the Directorate an opportunity to learn and engage with initiatives from a different context. She emphasized that the Directorate looks forward to implementing some of the knowledge it has acquired.
The Co- founder of Michigan Fellows Africa Initiative (MFAI) Raymond Musiima noted that partners are purposeful in addressing the persistent challenge of Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM) within higher education institutions to enhance campus safety, increase support for RVSM victims and survivors through response to developing RVSM cases.
Musiima who is also a student at Michigan State University thanked the Mak Gender Mainstreaming Directorate for its efforts in fighting against sexual harassment in Makerere University pledging partnership continuity with MFAI.
Addressing the policy and regulations against sexual harassment, the Executive Director of the Prevention, Outreach and Education (POE) Department under the office of Civil Rights at MSU Kelly Schweda explained that sexual harassment conduct has the purpose or effects of unreasonably interfering with individual’s work or academic performance by creating an intimidating, threatening and hostile offensive working or learning environment.
When sharing the global impacts of gender based violence among men and women, Kelly highlighted that 1 out of 3 women worldwide have experienced gender based-violence and 1 of 10 men experience an instance of GBV during their lifetime necessitating a proactive response when handling the cases. She reminded the participants on the need for each and everyone’s intervention, and tipped the participants on the 5 steps of intervention.
Kelly acknowledged the challenge of power and authority where the perpetrator is in high position and takes that as an advantage over the victim and tipped participants on how to handle the situation and the reporting mechanism through use of the 5Ds cautioning them to be mindful of their body language as it speaks volume of what they intended to communicate.
Presenting about the health and unhealthy relationships, the Director for Employee and Graduate Students Programs within the Prevention, Outreach and Education department Mr. Michael Allensworth advised students to avoid toxic relationships. He tipped them on identifying and distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
He elaborated on the importance of having boundaries such as time, physical, emotional, conversational, social among other boundaries guiding that its one way to help them keep safe in the university spaces. He stressed to the participants the power of their consent in everything advising them on how to make restrained consents to avoid making wrong decisions.
The workshop was moderated by the Programs Manager Michigan Fellows Africa Initiative Dorcus Asiimwe who reminded the participants that they have a key role to play in ending the sexual violence in their communities.
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.
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