Mariatheresa David Mwamakula - granddaughter of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere (Right) and Ms Butiku Sangu (Left) drum during one of the interactive sessions of the Festival.
On April 15th and 16th, 2025, the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC) at Makerere University hosted the Julius Nyerere Youth Festival 2025—a powerful and transformative gathering that moved beyond a simple celebration of Mwalimu Nyerere’s legacy to issue a bold call to action for Africa’s emerging generation of leaders and visionaries.
Held under the theme “Our Heritage, Our Voice: Culture, Innovation, and Servant Leadership,” the festival became a dynamic platform where young people were empowered to reimagine leadership, embrace civic responsibility, and commit to sustainable development. Grounded in the enduring ideals of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere—whose birthday, April 13th, is remembered across the continent as a symbol of Pan-African unity and ethical leadership—the event revived his vision, bringing it into conversation with the urgent challenges and opportunities facing African youth today.
One of the Festival’s most memorable highlights was the evocative evening event titled “Voices in the Night,” hosted at the JNLC. Set around a fireside, this intimate session combined poetry, spoken word, and honest conversation. It brought together an intergenerational mix of participants—including student leaders, poets, scholars, and even members of Mwalimu Nyerere’s family—creating a space where ideas, memories, and aspirations could be shared in the spirit of reflection and solidarity.
During this gathering, Dr. Nansozi Muwanga, Executive Director of JNLC, reminded the audience that servant leadership is not just a nostalgic ideal—it is a living, evolving practice that must respond to the demands of today’s world. She underscored the Centre’s commitment to integrating culture and innovation into its work, noting:
“While servant leadership and culture are very central to what we do, we have also come to realize the need to bridge these values with innovation.”
Left to Right: Mrs Esteri A. Muhoozi, Dr. Nansozi Muwanga and Dr. Susan Kiguli.
She emphasized that innovation is essential for keeping Africa’s heritage alive and relevant—especially in a rapidly changing world. Celebrating the diverse youth-led enterprises showcased at the festival—from local coffee brands to handmade art pieces—Dr. Muwanga commended the spirit of creativity. However, she challenged participants to further explore the digital space, expressing hope that future festivals would highlight youth-led tech innovations as well.
In closing, she issued a heartfelt appeal to young people across the continent: to honour Africa’s heritage, but also to dare to reimagine its future—through bold ideas, digital tools, and servant leadership rooted in humility, empathy and action.
She called for leadership grounded in cultural understanding and community-based solutions. While acknowledging the impact of affirmative action in enabling more female students to access higher education, she also advocated for a more nuanced and balanced approach—one that responds to the evolving needs of both girls and boys in today’s society.
Ms. Butiku Sangu, Head of the Languages and Culture Department at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi, anchored her message in the philosophy of Ujamaa and the essence of Africanness. She urged young people to critically re-examine their cultural foundations in the face of increasing global homogenization. True African leadership, she emphasized, must be deeply rooted in indigenous values—values that have sustained communities for generations.
Challenging the common assertion that socialism and African ideologies have failed, Ms. Sangu reframed Ujamaa not as a rigid political doctrine, but as a cultural and moral compass.
“The fact that socialism backfired in Europe was their problem,” she said. “Here in Africa, Ujamaa is a way of life.”
Ms Butiku Sangu.
Rejecting intellectual colonialism, she encouraged youth to embrace unity and self-reliance as essential tenets of Nyerere’s vision. She went further to link culture with innovation, identifying mindset change as the most radical and necessary form of innovation.
At NALI, she explained, education is not about political indoctrination, but about decolonizing the mind—instilling pride in African history, language, and lived experiences.
“We teach Fikra—African thought,” she noted, warning that teaching young people that Africanness has failed only plants seeds of defeat and self-doubt.
She concluded with a powerful affirmation: authentic leadership begins with cultural clarity and confidence. Reclaiming African identity, she argued, is the foundation for building an innovative and self-determined future—crafted in Africa’s own image, not in the shadow of others.
The evening was further enriched by the presence of Dr. Susan Kiguli, a celebrated poet and literary scholar at Makerere University. During the “Voices in the Night” session, she spoke eloquently about the power of the spoken word, urging youth to embrace their authentic voices.
“Writing and performing is communication,” she declared. “And there is nothing stronger than the Word.”
Mariatheresa David Mwamakula, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s granddaughter.
Even when it seems no one is listening, she encouraged the audience, “Some of the words may just ring—sometime, somewhere.”
Dr. Kiguli paid tribute to Mwalimu Julius Nyerere not only as a historic leader, but as a lasting teacher.
“Julius Nyerere was named by the people who saw his work. We call him Mwalimu, and it means teacher. Even when he’s not here, he’s still teaching.”
She shared a poignant moment from 1999, recalling how she was asked by the then Deputy Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Epelu Opio, to write a poem in honor of Nyerere shortly after his passing. The piece, written in under a day and titled “Mwalimu Nyerere in Memoriam,” was later sent to his family and the people of Tanzania.
In the poem, Dr. Kiguli honors Nyerere as a Pan-African beacon whose influence transcends borders and generations. She describes him as “a walking stick for Africa,” “a trailblazer of African unity,” and “a champion of justice.” She links him with fellow visionaries like Kwame Nkrumah and Patrice Lumumba, framing him as a “framer of our regard” whose light touched Uganda, South Africa, Burundi, and beyond.
Part of the audience at the festival.
As night deepened, Mr. Kagayi Ngobi, one of Uganda’s most dynamic spoken word poets, electrified the audience with his powerful poem, “But why am I telling you this in English?” Delivered with raw energy and emotional depth, his performance tackled the pain of post-colonial identity, the failures of African governance, and the struggle for cultural reclamation.
“A poem is like a person—it never ages,” he mused.
With scathing yet loving critique, Kagayi challenged the erasure of African languages and condemned the education systems that alienate children from their roots. Lines like “Sadness is me, not knowing what I need to know to know who I am” resonated deeply, reflecting the wounds of historical disconnection. Yet his poem also celebrated small acts of resistance—like eating a roadside Rolex—as symbols of enduring cultural pride.
In a moving poetic interlude, Grace Deborah Mirembe, a Bachelor of Arts in Education student majoring in Literature and English at Makerere University, performed her original poem, “When Africa Rises.” Her verses envisioned a Pan-African renaissance rooted in solidarity and identity. She painted a vibrant picture of a united Africa—linked across cities and diasporas, from Kingston to Kinshasa, Harlem to Harare.
“We are not lost… we are flowering… we are kin,” she declared.
Ms. Eva Mulema Matsiko-Chief of Party, RTI International (Left) and Mrs. Esteri A. Muhoozi-JNLC Board Member (Right).
Her work invoked the spirits of Nkrumah, Sankara, Lumumba, and Nyerere—not as relics, but as guides lighting Africa’s path forward. Her final words captured the heartbeat of the Festival:
“Africa is yesterday’s story, today’s voice, tomorrow’s promise… One people, One pulse, One power.”
This message was echoed by Ms. Faith Martha Atieno, a fellow Literature and English student at Makerere University, in her compelling poem, “A Letter to My African Friend.” Her piece radiated ancestral pride and resilience, reminding the audience of the unbreakable strength woven into African identity.
“Women were fearless warriors,” she declared, uplifting the often-forgotten heroines of history.
Ms. Atieno offered a defiant stand against identity erasure, proclaiming with resolve:
“It’s not breaking any time soon.”
The fireside evening closed on a powerful note with Ms. Aisha Nyerere, Mwalimu Nyerere’s great-granddaughter based in Canada, who recited her poem “Ode to Kanga.” Through this evocative tribute to the traditional East African fabric, she wove together memory, identity, and belonging. The Kanga, she said, was not just cloth—it was a quiet matriarch, a keeper of history and love.
It clothed brides, absorbed tears, cradled infants, and stood silently through generations.
Even folded away in distant lands, the Kanga waited—to reconnect, to remind, to reclaim. Through it, Ms. Aisha Nyerere affirmed her place in the lineage of African heritage, showing that distance could not unravel the threads of identity.
As twilight descended on the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre, Dr. Nansozi Muwanga rose with quiet grace and gratitude. She thanked the participants for their presence, for sharing in a day woven with dialogue, poetry, and purpose.
“Thank you so much for being with us today—for giving us your time,” she said. “I hope you are going home with something meaningful to carry forward.”
Dr. S. Kasozi-Mulindwa (Left) and other participants in a drumming session.
Bringing the Festival to a close, Dr. S. Kasozi-Mulindwa, Chairperson of the JNLC Board of Directors, delivered final remarks rich in reflection and encouragement. He spoke of the profound inspiration drawn from the energy, creativity, and courage of young people—affirming that their engagement breathes fresh life into the enduring legacy of Mwalimu Nyerere.
He extended heartfelt thanks to the JNLC team, especially Dr. Muwanga, whose visionary leadership made the Festival possible. He also acknowledged the contributions of sponsors, partners, and innovators who participated in the exhibition, whose collective efforts helped shape a space of learning, growth, and unity.
“This festival,” he concluded, “has not only remembered Mwalimu—it has reawakened him in each of us.”
The Office of the Academic Registrar,Makerere University has released lists for the recommended for change of course/ programme for Degree/Diploma Scheme and Direct entry for Private/Government sponsored students for the Academic Year 2025/2026.
The lists released can be accessed by following the respective links below:
Makerere University, through the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) and the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), has signed an open Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). This MoU is one of several initiatives aimed at strengthening the university’s global collaborations and research partnerships.
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe highlighted Makerere’s recent centenary celebrations as a testament to its long and influential history in Africa. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to serious, research-driven collaboration, noting Makerere’s aspiration to become a leading student-centered research university that develops solutions to regional challenges.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe makes his remarks ahead of the MoU signing.
Prof. Nawangwe emphasized that Makerere’s research addresses critical issues such as widespread poverty, high youth unemployment, the devastating effects of climate change on agriculture, rapid population growth, and political interference in production. These challenges, he explained, call for climate-resilient agriculture, stronger health systems to address emerging diseases, and more inclusive governance. He further observed that Africa’s ambitious goal of producing one million PhDs in the next decade remains constrained by inadequate supervision capacity across the continent, stressing that collaborations like this MoU are key to bridging that gap.
EPRC Executive Director, Dr. Sarah Sewanyana, described the signing as particularly significant for EPRC and its Board of Directors as they embark on a new five-year strategic plan (2025/26–2029/30). She explained that the plan strongly emphasizes strategic collaborations, with this partnership serving as a prime example of leveraging collective strengths to deepen impact. She underscored EPRC’s role in advancing evidence-based policymaking for national development, aligning with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
The partners show off the signed MoU.
Prof. James Wokadala, Acting Principal of CoBAMS, emphasized that the collaboration seeks to preserve and expand vital human knowledge while strengthening partnerships between academic institutions and global research networks. He noted that these networks are instrumental in advising legal and policy professionals, as well as aligning research agendas with both national and corporate priorities. He expressed pride in the extensive efforts of the School of Economics that have expanded these activities in recent years. He pointed to significant accomplishments that have been achieved in collaboration with IGC, including hosting a 2025 high-level international conference on mobile money payment systems, which positioned Makerere University as a thought leader on critical African economic issues. He also celebrated the successful bid by the School of Economics to host the ‘Africa Meeting of the Econometric Society’ in 2027, further demonstrating its contribution to impactful scholarship and policy influence.
The Acting Principal further emphasized that the new partnership with LSE will build on these achievements, offering immense benefits such as expanding capacity-building opportunities for faculty and students, especially in research and Public Infrastructure Management (PIM). The collaboration will also provide platforms for knowledge dissemination and policy dialogue, while addressing pressing socio-economic and health challenges. Ultimately, he said, formalisation of the partnership amplifies CoBAMS’ commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation.
Speaking on behalf of LSE’s International Growth Centre (IGC), Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Leape expressed delight at formalizing the long-standing collaboration with Makerere and EPRC. He highlighted current joint projects, including research on the impact of the 2020 gender-based vaccine program on women’s skills and learning, studies on reforms in STEM education, and investigations into barriers limiting business growth for entrepreneurs. He stressed that the core mission is to bring researchers and policymakers together to address pressing policy challenges with robust, reliable evidence and innovative solutions.
Prof. Nawangwe presents a souvenir Mak Necktie to Dr. Jonathan Leape.
The event, held on 27th August 2025, was attended by several dignitaries including Dr. Richard Newfarmer, Country Director for Uganda and Rwanda (IGC); Dr. Nhial Kuch, Senior Country Economist (IGC); and Mary Teddy Nakyejwe, IGC Programme Officer. Also present were the Director of Research, Dr. Ibrahim Kasirye and other members of EPRC leadership.
Makerere University has hosted a delegation from the Ghent University Association, led by Prof. Mieke Van Herreweghe, Vice Rector of Ghent University. The delegation included representatives from Howest University and Hogent University of Applied Sciences.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe welcomed the team and highlighted Makerere University’s commitment to addressing the pressing challenges in the region. These include climate change, which continues to hinder investment, and Uganda’s rapidly growing population that has surged from 5 million in the late 1940s to nearly 50 million currently, creating socio-economic challenges such as high youth unemployment.
He emphasized that Makerere’s research agenda focuses on understanding the fast-growing population, tackling health challenges, advancing governance and human rights, and fostering peace through initiatives such as the Rotary Peace Center—the only one of its kind on the African continent. Research at Makerere also seeks to provide solutions to youth unemployment in one of the world’s youngest nations.
The meeting of Members of Management and the visiting delegation in session in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom.
The Vice Chancellor further noted that Makerere University teaches and conducts research across a wide spectrum of disciplines, organized into colleges including Agriculture, Business and Management, Computing, Education and External Studies, Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine. The university also hosts over 60 specialized research centers, among them Centers of Excellence such as the Regional Centre for Crop Improvement, which works to enhance food security, manage pests and diseases, and improve agricultural productivity. Another key institution is the Infectious Diseases Institute, which leads research on HIV/AIDS. With these initiatives, he added, Makerere continues to expand its research footprint while strengthening global partnerships.
Prof. Van Herreweghe provided an overview of Ghent University, founded in 1817 and ranked among the top 100 universities globally for decades. With its motto “Dare to think,” Ghent University has built a strong international reputation. It also holds the distinction of being the only Belgian, and currently the only European, university with a campus in South Korea. Established in 2014, the campus offers bachelor’s programs in applied biotechnology.
She highlighted Ghent’s joint PhD programs, which are structured as sandwich programs to support African universities. Under this arrangement, PhD candidates spend two years funded at Ghent University and another two years at their home university (such as Makerere), with joint supervision from both institutions. These programs, she noted, are a strategic way of fostering international collaboration.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Prof. Mieke Van Herreweghe pose for a group photo with members of their respective teams at the Main Building entrance.
During the visit, Ghent University signed a Student Exchange Agreement with Makerere University to complement the existing Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement will pave the way for more joint initiatives and strengthen collaboration in the years ahead.
The delegation also included Mr. Lieven Theys, International Coordinator for Business Management at Howest University, who explained that Howest clusters its programs into three key domains: Design and Technology, Human Well-being and Health, and Business and Organization. Dr. Robin Stevens represented Hogent University of Applied Sciences, which runs programs across nine schools including Business and Management, Computer Sciences, Biosciences, Industrial Technology, Teacher Training, and Healthcare.
The visit, held on 27th August 2025, was attended by Makerere University officials and members of various colleges, among them Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) and Principal of the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Prof. Tonny Oyana-Principal College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), Prof. Moses Musinguzi-Principal College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Prof. Julius Kikooma-Director Graduate Training, Assoc. Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze-Deputy Principal College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Assoc. Prof. James Wokadala-Deputy Principal College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Assoc. Prof. Richard Idro-Deputy Principal College of Health Sciences, and Dr. Cathy Mbidde, Manager of the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak UniPod).