Dr. Nansozi Muwanga (3rd Left) and Ms. Angella Kasekende (2nd Right) together with other officials present a certificate to one of the female Student Leaders - Sheilla Oyella on 5th November 2024.
On December 5, 2024, the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC), in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), concluded its three-day Youth Leadership Training Programme with a cross-generational dialogue on peace and security. This dynamic gathering, held in the serene gardens of Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre at Makerere University, brought together student leaders and alumni from various universities to exchange insights with seasoned experts and practitioners.
The “Ekyooto” Experience: Bridging Generations
The event, modeled after the traditional “Ekyooto” fireside gathering, facilitated open conversations between youth and experienced leaders. Discussions tackled peacebuilding, conflict resolution, gender, and regional politics. Participants explored innovative solutions to local and global peace and security challenges, enriched by intergenerational wisdom.
Leadership Perspectives
Dr. Nansozi Muwanga, JNLC Executive Director, emphasised the dialogue’s purpose: bridging young and experienced voices to provide a holistic view of peace and security challenges. She lauded participants’ enthusiasm and highlighted their potential to translate lessons into actionable solutions for their communities.
Ms. Angella Kasekende (Right) delivers her remarks at the Ekyooto. Left is Dr. Nansozi Muwanga.
Ms. Angella Kasekende of KAS highlighted the transformative nature of cross-generational conversations, sharing how similar dialogues had shaped her leadership journey. She stressed the value of interactive learning over information-heavy training, enabling participants to directly engage with experts.
Insights from Prof. Julius Kiiza
Prof. Julius Kiiza, a political science and political economy expert, delivered a thought-provoking presentation on Servant Leadership, Pan-Africanism, and Peacebuilding in the Great Lakes Region. Addressing the question Whose Security Counts?, he argued that true peace extends beyond the absence of war to encompass human, economic, and cyber security. He urged leaders to prioritize citizens’ welfare, economic opportunities, and meritocracy, framing these within the broader concept of Staatsbildung (state-building).
Key Themes and Reflections
Human-Centered Security: Addressing unemployment, access to resources, and functioning institutions as prerequisites for genuine peace.
Meritocracy and Good Governance: Advocating for competence-based leadership to drive national progress.
Pan-African Aspirations: Exploring the potential for African unity, inspired by historical state-building models.
Prof. Julius Kiiza (Left) delivers his remarks on servant Leadership. Right is Prof. Philip Kasaija.
Cross-Generational Panel Explores Root Causes of Conflict
Moderated by Prof. Julius Kiiza, a distinguished panel at the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre included Prof. Philip Kasaija, Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, Ms. Joanna Grace Nakabiito, and Ms. Nashiba Nakabira. They addressed the root causes of conflict and strategies for peacebuilding, drawing insights from academia, policy, and practice to address the root causes of conflict, identity-related disputes, and the roles of youth and women in peacebuilding.
Root Causes of Conflict
The panelists identified marginalisation, greed, colonial legacies, and identity-based disputes tied to religion, ethnicity, or politics as key conflict drivers. To understand identity-based conflicts, participants were asked, “What non-negotiable rights are you ready to fight for?”
Some of the Panelists from Left to Right: Prof. Philip Kasaija, Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala and Ms. Joanna Grace Nakabiito.
Prof. Nkabala urged a shift from a “hardware” focus on peace (guns and uniforms) to human security, emphasizing livelihoods, governance, and distinguishing positive peace from mere absence of conflict. She also highlighted the media’s dual role in fueling or resolving disputes, stressing the importance of trauma-informed peacebuilding and responsible journalism.
Prof. Kasaija categorised conflicts using the “conflict tree” framework, noting interconnections among colonialism, resource greed, and constructed identities. He highlighted the evolution of security from state-centered to human-focused, emphasizing individual well-being as a pillar of stability.
Ms. Nakabiito addressed the complexity of identity conflicts, which are deeply tied to self-concept and collective identity. She stressed the need to address marginalisation and dismantle media narratives that portray such disputes as irrational.
Tackling Conflict and Building Peace
Panelists agreed on the need for inclusive, multi-dimensional approaches to address the root causes of conflict. They emphasized leadership, collaboration, and proactive engagement by youth and women as essential for fostering sustainable peace. The discussion offered participants practical frameworks and insights to address challenges, inspiring them to drive transformative change in their communities.
Ms. Joanna Grace Nakabiito (Left) and Ms. Nashiba Nakabira (Right) during the panel discussion.
Key Takeaways from Panelists:
Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala
Advocated for a human-centric approach to peace and security, highlighting livelihoods, human rights, and the distinction between positive and negative peace.
Stressed governance and representation as essential pillars for societal harmony.
Emphasized the responsibility of the media in fostering peace, warning against dehumanizing language and sensationalism that escalate conflicts.
Advocated for trauma-informed peacebuilding, urging the need to address unresolved trauma as a foundation for sustainable peace.
Encouraged proactive youth and women’s leadership, suggesting readiness to act even with partial preparedness.
Associate Prof. Philip Kasaija
Introduced the “conflict tree” framework, linking conflicts to colonial legacies, marginalization, greed, and constructed identities.
Traced the evolution of security definitions from state-centric to human-centric approaches, emphasizing individual well-being as the ultimate security goal.
Highlighted resource greed and grievances as intertwined conflict drivers, with examples from the DRC and Darfur.
Examined identity-related conflicts, emphasizing their roots in self-concept tied to ethnicity, religion, or political ideology.
Distinguished between necessary (group identity) and sufficient (marginalization) conditions fueling identity conflicts.
Called for meaningful youth inclusion in peacebuilding, moving beyond token representation.
Advocated for better coordination among youth empowerment initiatives to align with global and regional frameworks.
Mr. Robert Muhangi (Right) contributes to the panel discussion.
Ms. Nashiba Nakabira
Highlighted the link between strong national institutions and regional integration, using South Sudan’s struggles as an example.
Criticized barriers to intra-African movement and reliance on foreign donations, urging domestic resource mobilization.
Addressed the gender disparities in peace processes, emphasizing the need for women’s capacity building in negotiation and diplomacy.
Mr. Robert Muhangi
Urged youth to advocate for national peace and security action plans, ensuring resource allocation for youth training.
Encouraged grassroots mobilization of small youth groups to engage in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Highlighted the importance of integrating peace initiatives at the community level for broader impact.
Ms. Falade Olutoyin
Questioned the persistence of patriarchy, advocating for gender equality as a pathway to women’s leadership and decision-making roles.
Linked corruption to women’s marginalization, particularly in conflict zones, stressing the need to address governance flaws to enable women’s empowerment.
Ms. Falade Olutoyin (Right) contributes to the discussion as the Moderator Dr. Gardner H. Rwakiseta (Left) follows proceedings.
Core Recommendations:
Address the Root Causes of Conflict: Focus on marginalization, resource greed, and identity-based grievances.
Promote Human-Centric Security: Broaden definitions of security to encompass individual livelihoods and well-being.
Empower Youth and Women: Foster meaningful participation in peace processes, ensuring capacity-building and leadership opportunities.
Strengthen Institutions for Integration: Build robust national frameworks to facilitate effective regional collaboration.
Leverage Media for Peace: Promote peace narratives and train journalists in peace reporting to prevent conflict escalation.
Combat Corruption: Redirect resources from corrupt practices to inclusive governance and women’s empowerment.
This panel underscored the complexity of conflicts in Africa and the importance of a multi-faceted, inclusive approach to peacebuilding and governance. The discussion laid a foundation for actionable strategies to empower marginalized groups, harmonize initiatives, and foster a culture of sustainable peace. Here’s a summary of key insights and recommendations:
Key Issues Highlighted
Identity-Based Conflicts:
Rooted in self-concept based on ethnicity, religion, or ideology.
Often exacerbated by systemic marginalization and colonial legacies, as exemplified by the Tutsi-Hutu conflict.
Requires addressing underlying marginalization to prevent escalation.
A Male Student Leader – Magong Andrew Jok receives his certificate at the end of the training.
Youth and Women’s Participation:
Youth face systemic barriers limiting their decision-making roles.
Women are disproportionately affected by conflicts and underrepresented in peace processes.
The intersectionality of age and gender adds layers of vulnerability, particularly for young women.
Structural Barriers:
Weak national institutions hinder regional integration efforts.
Patriarchy restricts women’s roles in leadership and peacebuilding.
Abuse of Power in Professional Spaces:
Women face exploitation and harassment in leadership contexts.
Cultural and systemic issues discourage victims from seeking justice.
Corruption:
Deepens economic inequalities, disproportionately affecting women in conflict zones.
Diverts resources that could empower women and youth in leadership.
Educational Disparities:
Women face additional challenges accessing quality education in conflict regions.
Lack of networks and support makes it difficult for women to sustain leadership roles.
Recommendations and Insights
Enhancing Youth Engagement:
Adopt and implement national action plans for youth inclusion in peace and security.
Equip youth with skills through training programs like those led by the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre.
Dr. Nansozi Muwanga (3rd Left) delivers closing remarks at the conclusion of the fireside cross-generational dialogue.
Promoting Women’s Leadership:
Increase investment in women’s capacity-building for preventive diplomacy and peace negotiations.
Address systemic barriers to education and leadership, ensuring equitable resource allocation.
Strengthening Institutions:
Build robust national frameworks to support regional integration and peace initiatives.
Mobilize domestic resources to reduce reliance on foreign aid.
Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Harassment:
Establish policies and support systems to protect women in professional and leadership spaces.
Create safe avenues for victims to report abuses without fear of retaliation.
Building Networks and Coalitions:
Foster coordination among peacebuilding initiatives to align with global frameworks.
Encourage collective advocacy by women and youth to amplify their voices.
Continuous Learning and Advocacy:
Encourage participants to stay informed about global and regional conflicts.
Promote proactive steps toward leadership, utilizing knowledge gained from training sessions.
The fireplace at the cross-generational dialogue was kept going.
Looking Ahead
This transformative programme serves as a reminder that peacebuilding is a collective endeavor, requiring bold ideas, cross-generational collaboration, and unwavering commitment. The training and dialogue fostered a shared commitment to tackling peace and security challenges. As future leaders, participants were equipped with tools, perspectives, and networks to drive transformative change across Uganda and Africa.
Closing Remarks
The collaborative efforts of organisations like Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), Makerere University Rotary Peace Centre, and Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre highlight the value of mentorship and training. As emphasized by facilitators, this initiative is not only about expanding knowledge but also about equipping young leaders with tools to foster meaningful change. Furthermore, the cross-generational dialogue underscored the need for collective action, deliberate policy-making, and active participation to achieve sustainable peace and security in Africa.
The 14th Pan-African Society for Music Arts Education (PASMAE) in partnership with the International Society for Music Education (ISME) Regional Conference brings on board educators, researchers, performers, students, cultural practitioners, and policymakers from across the globe to revolutionalize African musical arts education.
The four-days conference (1st to 4th July 2025), themed, Re-imagining Musical Arts Education in Africa: Innovation, Inclusion and Sustainability, presents participants with a platform for critical reflection, knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Officially opening the 14th edition of the PASMAE-ISME conference hosted at Makerere University, the Vice Chancellor – Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, represented by Prof. Robert Wamala, highlighted the essential role of music and the arts in African society, noting that they have always been a central thread in Africa’s history, carrying memory, nurturing identity, fostering unity, and igniting social movements.
Prof. Robert Wamala.
“From the drumbeats of liberalization, the chants of peace, and the readings of celebration, music has been an enduring tool of communication, resistance, and renewal,” he reflected.
The Vice Chancellor expressed confidence that the deliberations would give rise to fresh insights on how to reform music education curricula, support artists as change agents, and influence policy that positions the arts at the heart of Africa’s development agenda.
On his part, Prof. Wamala, who is the Acting Director, Research, Partnerships and Innovation at Makerere University urged participants to ensure that the impact of the conference extends beyond the confines of conference hall. “It must go to classrooms, communities, and institutions that shape the future of our nations,” he said.
Keynote Speaker Prof. Sheila C. Woodward delivers her address.
In a keynote address titled, ‘The Time Is Now: Rising Together Through Music Arts Education’, Professor Sheila Woodward highlighted the significance of music education in promoting cultural diversity, social justice, and human flourishing. She emphasized that music education can profoundly impact poverty and transform lives.
Prof. Woodward said, “Music needs to remain a vibrant space where we have freedom, innovation, intercultural dialogue, and this conference provides a space for that dialogue.
Prof. Woodward stressed the need for music educators to be aware of AI’s impact on the music industry. “We must now take action on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ensure that music remains a space for creativity, innovation, and cultural expression,” she said.
She explained that AI tools can augment creativity, but the final output is that human factor that drives the generation of material and finalizes artistic decision-making.
Dancers entertain conference participants during one of the music intervals.
In the keynote address, Prof. Woodward discussed the importance of music education in promoting social justice and addressing issues of poverty and inequality. “As music teachers, we have a chance to forget about those rules and just give them real joy,” she said.
“Music education can profoundly impact poverty and transform lives. It has the power to heal and unite, but also to exclude and oppress. By embracing music education and being mindful of its potential, we can harness its benefits while minimizing harm, and create positive change in individuals and communities. Action can start now, without waiting for perfection,” she emphasized.
The International Music Council, led by Prof. Woodward, is focused on advocating for fair compensation and recognition for artists, particularly in the face of AI-generated music. “Fair compensation remains elusive for many artists, and the Council is working with Spotify and YouTube to advocate for better remuneration,” she stated.
The International Music Council stands for a world where everyone can enjoy access to music, learn, experience, create, perform, and express themselves in music.
Keynote Speaker Prof. Sheila C. Woodward engages with the audience.
Prof. Woodward stressed that the world is facing growing threats to cultural diversity, including economic pressures, algorithmic homogenization, and the marginalization of minority voices.
She also noted that the need to affirm the musical skills of students including providing a sense of validation and a sense of safety.
Prof. Caroline Van Nievero, Charter President of PASMAE, reflected on the society’s 25-year journey, highlighting its growth and impact on music education in Africa.
“This is possibly, in many ways, the most special conference we have held,” Van Nievero said. “We have a unique gathering of past and present leaders, including PASME-ISME president and a current PASMAE president, as well as a past Secretary General.”
Some of the conference participants listening to the proceedings.
Prof. Van Nievero emphasized the importance of PASMAE’s relationship with the International Society for Music Education (ISME) and the International Music Council. She noted that PASMAE’s history dates back to the year 2000, when it was founded in Harare, Zimbabwe.
PASMAE has a history of a quarter of a century, which is quite significant, “We have had biennial conferences ever since the year 2000, and we are celebrating this milestone today and for the rest of the week,” Van Nievero said.
Prof. Van Nievero reflected on the evolution of PASMAE’s name, from the Pan-African Society for Music Education (PASME) to its current name, which was proposed by Professor Meki Nzewi of University of Pretoria to reflect the integrated nature of music and dance in African cultures.
“For those of us who have been involved with ISME and with PASMAE over a long period, it is an integral part of our lives,” Van Nievero said. “It is part of our identity, and we mark our lives in terms of ISME and PASMAE conferences.”
Dr. Benon Kigozi.
Dr. Benon Kigozi, Chair and Convener of the conference, welcomed participants to the event, expressing gratitude to the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Professor Banabas Nawangwe, and the acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Robert Wamala, for their support. He highlighted the significance of the conference in promoting musical arts education and its potential to drive innovation, inclusion, and sustainability in Africa.
“We are here to discuss, and to take on all steps that will help us as musical artists in the field of education to keep it going, to make it even more and more alive,” Dr. Kigozi said.
Dr. Kigozi expressed appreciation for the support received from partners, including ISME, and acknowledged the contributions of iconic figures in PASMAE, namely Prof. Caroline Van Nievero, who has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s history.
“We’re equally delighted to host iconic figures in PASMAE,” Dr. Kigozi said. “PASMAE has a history, and there are people that have paved the path for that history.”
We believe that, “As participants engage in presentations, workshops, performances, and cultural exchanges, they will have opportunities to network, collaborate, and learn from one another.
“As we engage with a rich program of presentations, workshops, performances, and cultural exchanges, we hope that we all will take time to enjoy the weather and the vibrancy of Kampala, the artistic and intellectual heart of Uganda,” Dr. Kigozi said.
The Panel Discussion in session.
The Conference featured a Panel Discussion on different topics, among these was; (Social Impact of music education in higher education Ensemble settings in south-western Nigeria) by Professor Mellitus Wanyama and Kadupe Sofola from Kabarak University, Kenya,(Comparing the Development of Black South Africans and African American Choral Music: Society and Music) by Randy Tillmutt from Virginia Union University, (State of flux: a case study of decolonizing music lessons in a South African School) by Dr. Urvi Drummond from North Western University Potchefstroom, Olubiri as a Context for intergenerational music education: Insights from lived experiences of Entenga Royal Music of Buganda Kingdom by Dr. James Isabirye from Kyambogo University.
Participants at the conference believe that by bringing together diverse perspectives, ideas, and expertise, they can create a comprehensive approach that addresses the complex challenges facing the music culture. In addition, through synthesis and unity, they can forge a cohesive system that celebrates their rich cultural heritage while embracing innovation and sustainability.
The participants will continue to integrate different components, considering multiple aspects and factors that contribute to effective music education, in order to harness the transformative power of music to promote social justice, cultural diversity, and human flourishing.
Makerere University established a Students Work Scheme through which students are able to access part time jobs to help them meet their financial needs and gain work experience which they will use in search for gainful employment after completing their courses.
Makerere University therefore invites interested students to apply for the positions of Hall Attendants for the financial year 2025/2026.
Number of Vacancies: 56
Please see download below for details.
How to apply
Applications should be addressed to the Dean of Students, Makerere University and can be delivered to the Dean of Students, Office Room No. 208, Senate Building or can be sent as one PDF file to student.work@mak.ac.ug
Note: Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Deadline for submission of applications is 15th July 2025 at 11:59pm EAT.
For more information, call the Coordinator Students Work Scheme on 0782667820/0703469898