General
Rt. Hon. Nakadama commends Makerere’s Safeguarding Policy
The Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Right Honourable Lukia Isanga Nakadama, has commended Makerere University for crafting a policy aimed at creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all members of the University community.
Speaking at the Launch of the Safeguarding Policy today (Friday, April 4,2025) at Makerere University, Rt. Hon. Nakadama, noted that the policy is more than just a document, it represents a commitment to change, a pledge to protect, and a foundation for the future.
“I applaud the Makerere University Council and Management for the openness to acknowledge the existence of safeguarding risks within the institution, and the commitment to enhance the safety and well-being of all Students, Staff and associated stakeholders,” remarked Rt. Hon. Nakadama.
In her speech, the Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to fostering safer learning spaces in higher education institutions.
“We must collaborate to ensure its (the Safeguarding Policy’s) implementation and effectiveness. I urge all stakeholders, students, staff, Administrators, Partners and Government officials to engage in creating and maintaining a safe University Environment,” Rt. Hon. Nakadama, observed.
Makerere University has a duty of care to do no harm and promote the wellbeing of all students, staff, and other University community stakeholders. It seeks to enhance the learning environment to make it more secure, inclusive, and ethically sound for all stakeholders. In this quest, a comprehensive Safeguarding Policy was developed and approved by the University Council in April 2024.
The Policy is designed to detect, and swiftly act on safeguarding risks; prevent the occurrence of harm; provide mechanisms for reporting all allegations or incidents that have occurred; respond appropriately to all reported incidences; and, continuously monitor, evaluate and learn from practices and experiences of managing safeguarding concerns.
The University Council Chairperson, Mrs. Lorna Magara, pledged total commitment to make sure that the policy does not remain on paper.
“With this policy we reinforce our zero-tolerance stance on abuse and commit to building a community where equality and respect thrive, and where every individual feels seen, supported and secure. Today marks a new chapter. We expect Management to ensure that every Campus member understands and lives out these principles. Violations will be met with strong disciplinary and legal action and survivors will receive the support, care and justice they deserve,” Mrs. Magara, said.
Addressing guests, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice-Chancellor, reassured that the launch of the Policy is not just a ceremonial event but a call to action. He called upon staff and students to ensure that every member of the University community knows their rights and has access to channels where they can report cases without fear of retaliation.
“Makerere is an equal opportunities institution and we are intentional in maintaining a safe environment for our students, staff and visitors. On the African continent, we are pioneers in establishing the gender mainstreaming policy, the anti-sexual harassment policy, the policy on students with disabilities and others, and I want to assure you Your Excellency Mr. Ssentamu that this policy will be implemented,” Prof. Nawangwe pledged.
In his address prior to the Vice Chancellor’s remarks, H.E. Churchill James Ssentamu, the 91st Guild President had appealed to the University Management, to ensure that the policy does not remain in the filing cabinet but is put into practice. He had also requested Management to use the policy to guide in decision-making, disciplinary action, staff training, and student orientation. Prof. Nawangwe’s response therefore sought to promptly address the Student Guild’s prayer.
H.E. Ssentamu equally lauded the University Management, for developing a policy that aspires to create a safe space for everyone, especially women, students with disabilities, international students, and other vulnerable groups.
“This policy is a bold declaration that enough is enough. That silence is not an option. That every student matters. That every complaint will be taken seriously. That perpetrators will be held accountable regardless of title, status, or office,” His Excellency, Ssentamu, noted.
“To my fellow students: Safeguarding is not about punishing people; it is about protecting everyone. Speak out against misconduct. Support your colleagues. Educate yourselves about your rights. Use the reporting systems. Let us build a culture of respect,” the Guild President highlighted.
During the launch, students with disabilities, pointed out that with the policy in operation, they feel that Makerere University has created a framework for inclusivity.
“With the Safeguarding Policy in place, we have not been left behind. We now know where to report when we have challenges and also the MakSafeSpace, the online reporting system, can easily be accessed. We feel we are part of this prestigious Institutions,” Yasin Ikoza, a first-year student Social Work and Social Administration with visual impairement, said.
The MakSafeSpace platform, which incorporates accessibility features for differently abled users, provides a robust and confidential means of reporting any risk or harm that is likely to occur or has occurred during teaching, learning, research, and community engagements. This platform complements the other reporting channels, both digital and non-digital, provided by Makerere University.
Prof. Justine Namaalwa a member of the Safeguarding Steering Committee added that an Inclusion and Safeguarding Liaison Office has been established in the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD) to track incidences. She equally requested members of the community to report incidences through the MakSafeSpace and other designated spaces so as to ease case tracking.
“When you report, the incidences will be channeled to the Safeguarding Liaison Office. The University Management is committed to have an annual audit; what is prevailing, what is most occurring, and what has come down. So if you don’t report through designated spaces, University Management cannot have data to act accordingly,” Prof. Namaalwa advised.
Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, the Dean of Students and Chairperson of the Safeguarding Implementation Committee informed the audience that her team has rolled out sensitization campaigns for both staff and students. The campaigns which began in Student Halls of Residence will proceed to affiliated hostels thereafter.
“The purpose of these sensitization campaigns is to educate students and staff about the importance of the Safeguarding Policy and how to identify, prevent and respond to safeguarding concerns. We have also trained staff and student safeguarding champions and we are confident that these individuals will promote a culture of safeguarding in our University community,” Dr. Kabumbuli added.
The introduction of the safeguarding policy aligns with the University’s broader mission to uphold the highest standards of Education and Institutional ethics. With this development, the University reaffirms its dedication to protecting the rights and well-being of all its stakeholders.
General
Are We Giving Enough Attention to the People Around Us Who Quietly Influence Lives Every Day?
By Marion Apio
On March 21, 2026, I felt a strong urge to reconnect with a close colleague and passionate leader, Owekitinisa Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki. We had not spoken since I moved to the United States to pursue my dream of becoming a journalist. The following day, I learned that he had been quietly undergoing treatment in and out of the hospital. True to his character, he had chosen to keep his condition private. I was shocked and saddened, wishing I had known earlier so I could offer support.
At first, reports from family and friends were encouraging. He had been diagnosed with malaria and low blood platelet counts and was receiving treatment. Respecting his wish for confidentiality, members of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community at Makerere University rallied discreetly around him.
However, on April 29, his condition worsened. He was transferred between medical facilities and underwent extensive tests, including a biopsy, as doctors searched for answers. Sadly, on May 29, Sylas passed away.
His death sparked an extraordinary outpouring of love and solidarity. Friends, colleagues, and former scholars mobilised to support his family, settle medical expenses, organise virtual vigils, and plan a dignified farewell. Hundreds gathered at St. Augustine Chapel to pay their respects. Within three days, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community raised approximately UGX 11 million, a testament to Sylas’ impact on countless lives.
In the days that followed, I found myself wrestling with difficult questions. In a world where we spend so much time following people online, are we paying enough attention to those quietly transforming lives around us? Why do we invest so much emotional energy in distant personalities while overlooking the people God has placed right in front of us?
Sylas lived with humility and served with grace. His death left more than 1,500 Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni grieving, alongside many others around the world who knew him. Yet his passing also exposed a contradiction in modern life.
We live in an age of unprecedented connectivity. Uganda has millions of internet users and WhatsApp subscribers, while globally, people spend hours each day on social media. We have more tools than ever to stay connected, yet many of us are becoming increasingly disconnected from the people who matter most.
Sylas resisted this trend. Through mentorship, service, and community-building, he remained deeply present in others’ lives. While many people retreat into individual pursuits, he consistently chose connection.
This challenge is especially relevant for Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni. Every year, young Africans leave home to pursue education and professional opportunities abroad. Distance, time zones, visa restrictions, and rising travel costs make it difficult to maintain relationships and remain actively involved in the communities that helped shape us.
For Sylas, the answer was simple: show up. Celebrate others. Offer support. Stay connected.
He never allowed geographical or personal barriers to become excuses for disengagement. Even while facing his own struggles, he invested in others. He embodied the values the Mastercard Foundation seeks to cultivate—ethical leadership, service, and community empowerment.
Sylas did not wait for a perfect platform to create change. He simply served where he was. He helped build bridges between education, culture, and professional development while remaining grounded in his values. He dreamed of creating a stronger alumni ecosystem and brought both passion and compassion to every initiative he touched.
Since his passing, social media has been filled with memories of his infectious smile and unwavering commitment to others. Those tributes reveal an important truth: people gave generously because Sylas had first given himself generously to them. People from different backgrounds, generations, and communities showed up because he had spent his life showing up for them. His legacy now challenges all of us.
The greatest tribute we can offer is not simply to mourn his loss but to continue his work. That means supporting the causes he cared about, helping the children whose education he championed, strengthening alumni networks, and pursuing the dreams we discussed with him.
The tragedy of modern life is not that we follow people online. It is that too often our attention to distant lives comes at the expense of meaningful relationships nearby. Yet strong relationships are as essential to our well-being as physical health.
As Ugandans, we take pride in our faith, culture, and sense of community. We contribute to fundraisers, attend ceremonies, and support family members in times of need. But increasingly, genuine connection is being replaced by passive digital interaction. Families and communities cannot thrive on likes, retweets, and emojis alone.
They require presence—phone calls, visits, conversations, and the willingness to notice when someone is struggling.
Before spending another hour immersed in the lives of strangers online, look around. Call the friend you have not spoken to in years. Check on a family member. Reach out to a colleague who seems withdrawn. Communities are not built by algorithms or celebrities. They are built by ordinary people who choose, day after day, to care for those within their reach.
Uganda needs more people like Sylas. At just 32 years old, he achieved what many spend a lifetime striving for. He served as Minister of Information in the Toro Kingdom and as President of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Association in Uganda. More importantly, he dedicated himself to serving others.
While his death is deeply painful, his life remains a powerful example of how we should live. My prayers and condolences go to his family, friends, and the entire Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community.
Rest in perfect peace, Owek. Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki.
The author is a Mastercard Foundation Alumna from Makerere University and the University of California, Berkeley. She is a journalist based in Southern California and the CEO of the Debunk Media Initiative.
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