General
Forget tribalism, Embrace the principle of Unity
Dr. Simba Sallie Kayunga, the Commissioner at the Electoral Commission, has urged University student leaders to embrace unity if they want to live in a peaceful society.
He made the remarks on Wednesday 4th December 2024, during the second day of training of finalists and Graduating former student leaders from different Universities in Uganda. The training was conducted by Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC) in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), at Makerere University.
While delivering his overview of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s Ideas and Ideals in relations to Peace and Conflict, Dr. Simba explained that in order to achieve peace, Mwalimu Nyerere believed that it was essential that women live on terms of full equality with men, as their fellow citizens.
Dr. Simba explained that in order to achieve peace, there must be equality because people cooperate more effectively if they are equals.
Highlighting Nyerere’s ideas on peace, Dr. Simba pointed out that Mwalimu Nyerere saw tribalism as one of the biggest dangers to African progress, unity and peace. He reiterated that Mwalimu Nyerere was opposed to racism. He was a great supporter of a multi-racial society.
“Let us desist from manipulating our ethnic and religious identities, or any other identity to our political advantage. Let us embrace the principle of Pan-Africanism. We must have been born differently, but all of us have a contribution to make to our mother Uganda, our continent called Africa. We must, therefore, value and respect each person’s contribution to society,” Dr. Simba said.
Mwalimu Nyerere at glance
Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was born on 13th April 1922, to Nyerere Burito and Mgaya Nyang’ombe, at Mwitongo, a village in Butiama in Tanganyika’s Mara Region. He went to Native Administration School in Mwisenge, Musoma for his Primary and later joined Elite Tabora Government School, for his secondary Education.
Mwalimu Nyerere later joined Makerere University College in January 1943, to pursue a Diploma in Education. While at Makerere, he was an active member of the Makerere Debating Society.
Upon completing his education at Makerere University, he went to teach at St Mary’s Secondary School, Tabora. In October 1949, Nyerere joined the University of Edinburgh to study a Master of Arts. In 1952, he graduated with a Master of Arts in History and Economics and returned to Tanzania to teach.
In 1948, Mwalimu formally engaged to Maria Gabriel, and they officially married at Musoma mission on 24th January 1953.
Upon his return, Nyerere joined the Tanganyika African Association, becoming its President in 1953.
Mwalimu Julius Nyerere resigned as President of the United Republic of Tanzania on 5th November 1985, and handed over the presidency to Ali Hassan Mwinyi. He died on 14th October 1999.
Participants equipped with skills
During the second day of the training, over 60 participants listened were equipped with skills through presentations and practical sessions on team building for mediation, negotiation and resilience.
Ronald Ssazi, a Clinical Psychologist, presented the ethos that are crucial for creating an effective team culture.
“Start with investing into a team. When you have a team, go ahead and pay the price for team development. It helps with the growth of the team. Empower team members with responsibility and authority in order to groom and raise leaders for the team,” Ssazi highlighted.
Ssazi stressed that disagreements and conflicts are bound to happen in a team, but he guided on the need-to find healthy ways of handling them diplomatically.
Re-echoing the words of wisdom from Mahatma Gandhi, David Nyaribi, a representative from ActionAid Uganda encouraged the student leaders to always be the change they want to see in the world. Nyaribi urged them to be Servant Leaders who exemplify integrity and a great work ethic to transform Uganda and Africa.
Robert Muhangi, a Lecturer at Uganda Christian University-Mukono, called upon student leaders and the young people to always utilize indigenous ways to provide solutions to some of the problems they come across other than prioritizing external interventions.
“The best time to become a village champion is when you have just left University, let people look at you like a champion. When you solve conflicts by providing solutions, trust me, you will not look for a job, the job will look for you,” Muhangi stated. The practical session on Building Bridges for Peace and Security, focused on identifying the root causes of conflict, applying emotional intelligence, financial literacy and crafting strategies for community-based conflict resolution.
The Director of Makerere University Jinja Campus, Associate Professor Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, has urged students to familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding policy aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment.
Speaking during the safeguarding policy sensitization meeting held today Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, emphasized the importance of awareness and adherence to the policy, which seeks to protect students, staff, and other stakeholders from all forms of abuse, harassment, exploitation, and discrimination.
“As Management we want every student to enjoy their stay at the University without being tormented and that can only happen, if students know their rights by reading about different policies on our website. You are meant to be living in a safe environment. We do not want anybody’s dream to be shattered or somebody to drop out from University,” Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, said.
In his speech, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, also called upon students who have complaints but do not know the reporting lines, to approach staff safeguarding champions to make sure that they live in a safe environment.
Addressing guests, Emmanuel Muchake, the Guild Administrator at Jinja Campus, pointed out that the launch of the safeguarding policy is timely because as a University, without creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, they will not have students graduate.
On Friday, April 4,2025, the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Right Honourable Lukia Isanga Nakadama, officially launched the Safeguarding Policy and commended Makerere University for crafting a policy that lays out the University’s framework for embedding viable safeguarding measures into its ethos and all institutional activities and processes to: Identify, detect, and act swiftly on safeguarding risks.
The Safeguarding Policy was developed in response to the growing need for institutions of higher learning to implement proactive measures that address concerns related to student welfare, mental health, gender-based violence, and power imbalances in academic settings.
Some of potential safeguarding risks in Institutions of higher learning include emotional distress, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH); material loss, financial exploitation, discrimination and neglect, unfair and illegitimate response to civic engagements, cyber security/threats, psychological and emotional harm, substance abuse and physical assault. Discrimination and neglect which are often high risks for students with disabilities and international students.
The safeguarding policy sensitization meeting in Jinja Campus brought together students and staff in a meaningful dialogue on safeguarding issues affecting learning.
The event was graced by Dr. Rodney Rugyema, from the Dean of Students Office, who emphasized the University’s commitment to the well-being of all its members. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of safeguarding policies in preventing abuse, harassment, exploitation, and other forms of misconduct within the Jinja Campus community.
“Safeguarding is not a one-time action, but a continuous culture of care and accountability. We all have a role to play in ensuring a safe and respectful space for learning and growth,” Dr Rugyema, said.
The sensitization session covered key topics including; recognizing signs of abuse, understanding reporting procedures on the MakSafeSpace and fostering mutual respect among peers.
Participants were encouraged to actively engage and reflect on their roles in upholding safety standards both on and off campus.
Students who attended the sensitization welcomed the initiative, with many expressing optimism that the policy would improve campus safety and encourage victims to come forward without fear of retaliation.
“We have seen issues go unreported in the past because students didn’t know where to turn. This policy provides clarity and assurance that the university is taking these matters seriously,” noted, a third-year student.
The University plans to conduct a series of sensitization workshops and distribute printed copies of the policy to ensure that every member of the campus community is well-informed. This initiative is part of Makerere University‘s broader strategy to reinforce its values of integrity, respect, and protection for all.
The Safeguarding Sensitization Meeting concluded with a collective pledge to uphold safety, dignity, and mutual respect within the University community.
-
General5 days agoGovernment Sponsorship Undergraduate Admission Lists 2025/26
-
General3 days agoApplications for Admission to Undergraduate Programmes 2025/26 AY
-
General2 weeks agoMSc Scholarship Opportunity: Biomedical Engineering
-
General2 weeks agoPresident Museveni Lauds RIF Progress, Promises More Funding
-
General2 weeks agoProf. Nawangwe encourages Mastercard Foundation Alumni to support each other in advancing their careers