General
Julius Nyerere Youth Festival 2025: A Call to Action for Africa’s Next Generation of Change Makers
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
Business & Management
PIM Centre Holds 9th Steering Committee Meeting, Set to Benefit from World Bank Support
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University today, October 10th, 2025, held its 9th Steering Committee Meeting to review progress made in the first quarter of the financial year and plan for the months ahead.
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Getrude Basiima, who represented Mr. Hannington Ashaba, Director Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Ms. Basiima commended the Centre for its continued commitment to strengthening public investment management capacity across government institutions.
In her remarks, Ms. Basiima applauded the Centre for successfully hosting the Public Investment Management Conference held in August at Makerere University. The conference attracted key policymakers, development partners, and academics who deliberated on how to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and impact of public investments in Uganda.
She further shared exciting news that the Government of Uganda has secured funding from the World Bank to support the public investment management function. The PIM Centre, she announced, will be among the key beneficiaries of these funds — receiving support for the construction and acquisition of a permanent home to enhance its institutional sustainability and training capacity.
Reviewing the Centre’s quarterly performance, Ms. Basiima congratulated the team for successfully conducting three specialized trainings in the first quarter, reaching officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. These trainings continue to strengthen the technical competencies required for effective project preparation, appraisal, and implementation in line with Uganda’s National Development Plan.
She encouraged the Centre to integrate climate change considerations into its future training programmes, noting that sustainable public investment must now account for environmental resilience and climate adaptation.
The centre team presented the proposed structure/ organogram, the financial performance of 2024/2025, research areas for 2025/2026 and the strategic plan for 2025 – 2030.
The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the PIM Centre’s vision of becoming a regional leader in building capacity for efficient, transparent, and sustainable public investment management.
A significant development unfolded at Makerere University during a strategic, hour-long meeting in the vice chancellor’s boardroom on 7th October 2025, marking a deepening bond with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The primary goal was to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program. Prof. Sarah Saali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, set the tone by emphasizing that institutional partnerships are crucial to Makerere University, which she proudly called the leading research and most collaborative university in the world.
The discussion promptly formed the core structure of the program: a four-year PhD (or three if the master’s was research-based), with supervision duties split 50-50% between the two institutions. A key feature is the mobility requirement, stipulating that PhD candidates would spend a total of six months in the Netherlands, potentially divided into two three-month periods. Crucially, the University of Groningen confirmed there would be no teaching requirement during this stay, allowing students full access to focus on their research. A major financial hurdle was overcome with the adoption of a fee-waiver policy; Makerere would waive tuition for incoming Groningen candidates, and Groningen would reciprocate for Makerere‘s students, significantly boosting the program’s financial viability.
However, the critical issue of the stipend remained. Dr. Anita Veltmaat explained that to meet the required living standard of approximately €1,875 per month in Groningen, the incoming candidate must secure a partial external scholarship of around €250 per month. The positive news is that if the candidate secures this minimum scholarship, the University of Groningen is prepared to top up the amount to the full living standard for the six months the student spends in the Netherlands. It was noted that this initial financial hurdle might be simplified for Makerere students, as many are already staff members receiving a salary, which could help cover the required €250.
The path forward was clear: it was to complete the agreement template guided by the setup committee from both institutions. The plan culminated in scheduling an online follow-up meeting for Tuesday, November 11th, to review the first revision of the agreement, capping a highly constructive discussion that solidified the two universities’ shared future in graduate education.
Makerere University was represented by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics Affairs; Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Head of the Department of Gender Studies; Dr. Patricia Ndugga, School of Statistics; Dr. Stella Achen and Dr. Joseph Watuleke, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning; Agatha Ainemukama, School of Engineering; Racheal Nuwagaba, School of Psychology; Awel Uwihanganye, Martine Rugamba, and Hawa Ndagire from the Advancement Office; and Muhammad Kiggundu from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.
The University of Groningen was represented by Dr. Dinie Bouwman, Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalization and Quality Assurance; Dr. Anita Veltmaat, Faculty of Social Behavior and Social Sciences, Department of International Studies, involved in mentorship programs for women; and Dr. Alette Arendshorst, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, working on graduation/collaboration for students/staff.
Makerere University on Tuesday, 7th October 2025 hosted a delegation from Nelson Mandela University (NMU), South Africa in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom in a bid to strengthen academic partnerships and operationalize their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The delegation, led by Prof. Azwinndini Muronga, Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, NMU, aimed to turn earlier agreements into actionable collaborations and build sustainable partnerships with various colleges.
The Acting (Ag.) Deputy Vice Chancellor; Finance and Administration, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, provided an overview of the institution’s structure—nine colleges, two schools, and two institutes—while acknowledging the challenges of maintaining excellence amid resource limitations and post-pandemic recovery. He emphasized that collaboration must serve the broader goal of research-driven development, calling for teamwork and resilience among African universities. “We have to work together to sustain high academic standards and contribute to the continent’s progress,” he noted.
Prof. Muronga spoke passionately about the NMU’s “African footprint agenda.” He urged both institutions to start with small, practical projects that can build confidence and momentum for larger initiatives. “We must grow partnerships within Africa first,” he stated, “before we expand globally. True collaboration begins when both sides contribute equally, share capacity, and build self-reliance.”
Prof. Muronga also expressed interest in joint research projects, doctoral supervision, and shared grant applications, noting that NMU and Makerere are strategically positioned to lead regional academic innovation.
In her remarks, Prof. Judy Peter, Senior Director in the International Office at NMU emphasized the University’s commitment to African-centered collaboration and the importance of internationalizing the curriculum and expanding research capacity.
Prof. Peter underscored the importance of student mobility, joint supervision of postgraduate students, and the recruitment of talented African scholars, noting that such exchanges enrich both institutions’ academic communities. She also emphasized the need to internationalize the curriculum, particularly through virtual learning platforms and co-teaching models, to ensure broader accessibility and shared expertise.
Contributions also came from Prof. James Wokadala, Deputy Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), further amplified the need to “start small and build on existing collaborations.” He proposed developing a clear roadmap that defines short-term goals and identifies areas for mutual growth.
From the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Richard Idro, the Deputy Principal highlighted opportunities for fellowship, training and collaboration in clinical subjects, emphasizing the need for practical exchanges that benefit students and staff alike. He also addressed logistical challenges such as transportation and coordination, urging for targeted partnerships that can yield tangible results.
The meeting reaffirmed the universities’ commitment to collaboration in areas including faculty exchange for guest lectures, seminars, and sabbaticals; joint research and grant applications for regional and international funding; co-supervision of postgraduate students; virtual classroom exchanges; curriculum internationalization and exchange of academic materials; and capacity development for academic and administrative staff.
The teams also identified “quick-win” projects that could be implemented in the short term and agreed to establish a joint implementation team to monitor progress. Further discussions will explore funding mechanisms, including the possibility of leveraging programs like Erasmus+, to support student exchange and joint research initiatives.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Muronga reaffirmed Nelson Mandela University’s commitment to ensuring that the partnership yields visible outcomes. Both universities agreed that future engagements will be structured around mutual respect, accountability, and measurable results.
The meeting concluded on a note of optimism, with both institutions expressing confidence that their partnership will not only advance academic excellence but also contribute to Africa’s broader vision of educational and research self-reliance.
The meeting was attended by several officials from Makerere including; Prof. Eric Awich Ochen-Deputy Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze-Deputy Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Prof. Godfrey Akileng-Dean School of Business, Dr. Geoffrey Nuwagaba-CoBAMS, Mr. Martine Rugamba-Ag. Chief Advancement Office, and Ms. Hawa Kajumba-Advancement Office.
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