Inaugurated in 2022, Makerere University is proud to announce the 2025 Emmanuel Tumusime Mutebile Annual Public Lecture. On 3^rd December, we will celebrate a legacy that continues to whisper its truth into the future. The legacy of Professor Emmanuel Tumusime Mutebile, a man whose life was defined by discipline, foresight, and an unwavering belief in resilient institutions. The lecture will be hosted in the Main Hall of the Main Building from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

This year’s lecture will be held under the theme:

“Shaping Africa’s Future: Intergenerational Leadership, Economic Resilience & the Power of Innovation.”

This theme emerges at a defining moment for Africa. The continent stands at a crossroads, rich in an ever-growing youthful population, natural resources, and emerging technologies, yet simultaneously challenged by economic volatility, climate pressures, leadership transitions, and widening development gaps. The 2025 lecture, therefore, seeks to move beyond commemoration, positioning itself as a strategic space for reflection, recalibration, and forward-looking action.

Why This Theme Matters Now

The issue of intergenerational leadership is no longer theoretical. With over 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, the urgency to intentionally transfer knowledge, values, and leadership capacity from established leaders to emerging ones has become critical. Sustainable transformation depends not just on the leaders of today, but on how effectively they mentor, prepare, and empower those who will steward Africa’s future. The lecture explores how this deliberate bridging of generations can strengthen institutions, safeguard ethical governance, and ensure continuity of vision.

At the same time, Africa’s recent encounters with global economic shocks, debt vulnerabilities, currency instability, and climate-induced disruptions have underscored the necessity of economic resilience. The lecture interrogates what it truly means to build economies that do not merely survive crises but adapt, stabilize, and emerge stronger. It engages with the need for diversified economic structures, credible institutions, sound policy frameworks, and leadership that prioritises long-term stability over short-term political expediency.

Equally central to the conversation is the power of innovation, not just in technology, but in policy design, institutional reform, financial systems, and governance models. Africa’s development challenges demand solutions that are context-responsive, scalable, and future-oriented. The lecture, therefore, examines how innovation can be leveraged as a catalyst for inclusive growth, sustainable financing, industrial transformation, and improved service delivery across sectors.

A Timely Platform for Critical Dialogue

The Emmanuel Tumusime Mutebile Annual Public Lecture continues to stand as a distinguished platform convening leaders and thinkers to advance critical conversations on Africa’s future. The lecture has evolved into a platform that convenes policymakers, academics, financial actors, development practitioners, private sector leaders, and youth voices to interrogate Africa’s future through the lens of principled leadership and strategic thinking. The 2025 edition will further reinforce Makerere University’s role as a convener of thought leadership and national discourse on issues of continental significance.

This annual gathering is not simply a memorial event. It is a deliberate invitation to reflect, question, and reimagine how Africa positions itself in a rapidly evolving global landscape. By centring intergenerational leadership, resilience, and innovation, the 2025 lecture challenges participants to confront the realities of today while designing systems that will serve generations yet unborn.

As Makerere University hosts this landmark conversation, it reaffirms its commitment to producing transformative leaders, advancing knowledge, and shaping policies that respond to Africa’s present and future realities.

The 2025 Tumusiime Mutebile Annual Public Lecture will also be hosted on live stream on the Makerere University YouTube page. Link: https://youtube.com/live/e6Ld-0XYLiw?feature=share

Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University