Humanities & Social Sciences
Hon. Mao Urges African States to Institutionalise Accountability in Governance
By Jane Anyango and Zaam Ssali
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Nobert Mao, has urged Uganda and other African countries to adopt governance systems that firmly entrench accountability and civil liberties at all levels of leadership.
Mao made the call on Wednesday while presiding as Chief Guest at the World Philosophy Day celebrations held at Makerere University. The two-day conference, running from 19th–20th November 2025, was organized by the Department of Philosophy in collaboration with the School of Law, UNESCO and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung under the theme: “30 Years of the 1995 Constitution: Gains, Pitfalls and Prospects.”
The event, hosted in a hybrid format at the Makerere Main Hall, featured academic papers, screenings of Constituent Assembly debates, panel sessions with drafters of the Constitution, creative performances and exhibitions on Uganda’s constitution-making journey.
Mao warned that Africa’s current political systems risk turning leadership terms into ritualistic cycles where leaders serve five-year mandates without meaningful public accountability. He argued that genuine democracy must be tied to transparent governance, citizen oversight and an environment where civil liberties are respected.
“We need to balance accountability and civil liberties with national unity and stability,” Mao said, dismissing claims that demanding civil liberties threatens peace. “That is a false dichotomy. A government can be both accountable and stable.”
He stressed that Ugandans must remain free to speak openly about governance failures, injustices and past atrocities, noting that national healing requires courage to confront uncomfortable truths. He also cautioned political actors against manipulative tribal politics, calling for a shift toward consensual and tolerant political engagement.
Mao challenged universities to take the lead in deepening political discourse, saying academia must dissect complex national issues and guide public understanding. “If there is one place where citizens should discuss even the most contentious subjects, it is a university,” he said, praising Makerere University for fostering open inquiry.
Reflecting on the 30-year journey of the 1995 Constitution, Mao noted that while it remains “an infant,” it has endured significant tests, including violations of land rights and widespread public concerns about inadequate protection of marginalized groups. However, he welcomed the judiciary’s role in striking down unconstitutional provisions in laws such as the Police Act and the UPDF Act.
Looking ahead, Mao emphasized that the real test of Uganda’s constitutionalism will be the country’s ability to achieve a peaceful transition of political power — a milestone he described as crucial for democratic maturity.
He concluded by urging citizens to uphold their civic duty in shaping political culture across Uganda and the continent, saying: “Citizens have an obligation to shape the minds of those who participate in politics.”
VC Hails Makerere’s Historic Role in Shaping Uganda’s Constitutional Journey
Delivering the Vice Chancellor’s message on behalf of Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala said the university was proud to host the commemoration under the timely theme, “30 Years of the 1995 Constitution: Gains, Pitfalls and Prospects.” She emphasised that the gathering provides an essential platform for citizens, scholars and practitioners to interrogate one of the most significant instruments in Uganda’s governance architecture.
Prof. Nkabala conveyed the Vice Chancellor’s appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of the conference, which brings together academics, constitutional drafters, philosophers, legal scholars, creatives and the general public for collective reflection. She noted that the 1995 Constitution remains central to Uganda’s political, social and economic landscape, and that 30 years on, the country stands at a critical juncture to assess its relevance and durability.
Highlighting Makerere University’s indispensable role in shaping Uganda’s constitutional evolution, she recalled that several of the nation’s most influential constitutional thinkers were Makerere academics. These include Prof. Frederick Ssempebwa, Dr. Dan Mudoola, Prof. Phares Mutibwa, Mwambusya Ndebesa and Prof. James Kigongo, all of whom made direct contributions to the crafting of the 1995 Constitution. Their involvement, she said, reflects the university’s longstanding commitment to national development, political thought and ethical leadership.
According to the Vice Chancellor, Makerere continues to advance constitutional scholarship through teaching and research in human rights, ethics, political philosophy, critical thinking and governance. The School of Law, Prof. Nkabala noted, remains an anchor in nurturing legal minds through robust constitutional law training, shaping professionals who contribute directly to Uganda’s governance processes.
She thanked UNESCO and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung for supporting the event and for their continued partnership with Makerere in strengthening philosophical inquiry, democratic governance and academic freedom. The Vice Chancellor also commended the organising committee for assembling a rich programme featuring academic papers, screenings of Constituent Assembly debates, exhibitions and reflective performances.
The Constitution is a Document of Life- Prof. Helen Nkabala
Speaking in her own capacity as Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Prof. Nkabala praised the Department of Philosophy for sustaining intellectual vibrance within the college. Describing the department as a “beehive,” she noted that it had already hosted three major reflective events this year—each aimed at deepening national dialogue on governance, ethics and social cohesion.
She reaffirmed the value of the humanities in shaping societies, especially at a time when they face diminishing global attention. She said UNESCO and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung had played an invaluable role in elevating philosophical and humanities-based conversations that influence national decision-making.
Referencing Jawaharlal Nehru, Prof. Nkabala reminded participants that a constitution is “a document of life” whose meaning, strength and sanctity must be tested continually through informed debate, societal engagement and scholarly critique.
She argued that reflecting on 30 years of Uganda’s Constitution requires examining both its successes and limitations, acknowledging that age brings opportunities for wisdom but also exposes emerging challenges.
Prof. Nkabala further applauded Makerere management for providing space and institutional support for critical conversations, noting that such platforms ensure that universities remain central to shaping national identity, governance and collective aspirations.
Academics Must Lead Renewal of Uganda’s Constitution Amid Weakening Checks and Balances – Dr. Zahara Nampewo
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Dean of the School of Law, Deputy Dean Dr. Zahara Nampewo emphasized that constitutions are more than legal documents—they are ideological and political texts that rely on the will of the state for enforcement.
“Constitutions are not just legal documents. They are ideological and political texts. And therefore they are only as strong as the will of states to enforce their provisions,” she said.
She observed that Uganda’s Constitution has undergone numerous amendments that have weakened its original balance of power and checks and balances, undermining guarantees such as equality, democracy, social justice, and progress.
“Today, however, it has undergone the surgical knife a number of times with the result that the balance and distribution of power…have in reality been emasculated,” Dr. Nampewo said.
The Deputy Dean urged scholars to use their expertise to strengthen the Constitution and foster a culture of transformative and progressive constitutionalism. “As academia, we have a social function to contribute to its enforcement and strengthening because the past is never past,” she stated.
She also cited historical lessons, referencing George Washington’s caution on constitutional amendments: “Though Congress had the power to amend the Constitution, this was a power that should be used sparingly and only in the clearest of cases.”
Dr. Nampewo concluded with a call for collective action: “Alone, we are fragile, like butterfly wings. But when we flap those wings all together, that’s when we make a storm.”
Philosophical Reflection Central to Evaluating Uganda’s Constitutional Progress – Dr. Dickson Kanakulya
Dr. Dickson Kanakulya, Head of the Department of Philosophy, highlighted the philosophical and jurisprudential roots of constitutionalism, stressing that the 1995 Constitution emerged to address post-colonial challenges such as poor governance, poverty, and weak social cohesion.
“The 1995 Constitution was made purposely to address the challenges Uganda faced…including issues of bad governance, poverty, poor or weak social cohesion among others,” he said.
Dr. Kanakulya traced constitutional ideas to classical philosophy, noting the ongoing debate between Plato, who argued society should be led by virtuous leaders, and Aristotle, who insisted that good laws shape good citizens. “Aristotle observed that good laws make good men. While Plato argued that good men make good laws and good policies,” he explained.
He described the conference as a platform for critical assessment of the Constitution’s 30-year journey. “This conference gives us the opportunity to make a critical assessment of how far we have gone for the last 30 years. Obviously there are gains, there are challenges, there are prospects and we need to take stock of all these,” he said.
Dr. Kanakulya also highlighted the importance of collaboration, praising UNESCO, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Makerere University leadership, and faculty for supporting the event. “This collaboration between the School of Law, Department of Philosophy and Conrad plus UNESCO is a very welcome growth and development…and we want to thank their generous support, both moral and financial,” he said.
He conveyed the commitment of the School of Liberal and Performing Arts to fostering critical thinking and liberal ideas: “The School of Liberal Performing Arts is committed to shape the minds of men today. We are a liberal school and we allow liberal thinking.”
Constitutional Drafters and Constitutional Assembly Members give context
A Panel Discussion comprised of Prof. Fredrick Ssempebwa, Hon. Hope Mwesigye and Hon. Loice Biira Bwambale provided context to the drafting and promulgation of the 1995 Constitution. Prof. Ssempebwa was a member on the Uganda Constitutional Commission which consulted the population and made proposals for inclusion in the 1995 Constitution. Hon. Mwesigye and Hon. Bwambale were Constitutional Assembly delegates.
In their presentations and plenary discussion, the following issues were highlighted: 1. The 1995 Constitution was good if it had been implemented in letter and spirit 2. the presidency was given a lot of power, however consensus had been reached that checks and balances had been provided to check the power. Unfortunately, Parliament which was entrusted with an oversight role to implement the checks and balances has not delivered; 3. Whatever is included in a constitution to entrench it, the leadership in government and their values determine whether it works or not; 4. The general population including members of Parliament have not read the constitution, all this arising from poor civic education; 5. The Electoral Commission and Human Rights Commission were tasked to handle Civic Education of the population, this hasn’t been done; 6. Political goodwill from the lowest levels of government is lacking. Goodwill of government determines whether a constitution remains intact without unnecessary amendments. 7. Academia and research institutions should provide critique when things aren’t right.
The World Philosophy Day conference continued over the next days with panel discussions, academic papers, and exhibitions aimed at deepening understanding of Uganda’s constitutional framework and inspiring dialogue on ethical leadership, governance, and societal transformation.
Jane Anyango and Zaam Ssali are Communication Officers for CHUSS & School of Law respectively.
Humanities & Social Sciences
Dr. Pamela Khanakwa Honored for Steering Record 18 PhD Candidates for the Mak 2026 Graduation
Six personally supervised, three completed in record time, as School of Liberal and Performing Arts sets a historic milestone. Dr. Pamela Khanakwa got the Award as Best PhD Supervisor and Dean
A Historic Academic Milestone for SLPA
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) recognised the Dean of the School of Liberal and Performing Arts (SLPA), Dr. Pamela Khanakwa, for outstanding academic leadership that has seen the School field 18 PhD candidates for the next 2026 Makerere University Graduation Ceremony scheduled for 24th-27th February. Remarkably, six of these doctoral graduates were directly supervised by Dr. Khanakwa, with three completing within the official three-year timeframe, an exceptional achievement in graduate training. The recognition was announced during the CHUSS End-of-Year Get-Together, where staff applauded Dr. Khanakwa’s dedication, humility, and relentless commitment to postgraduate supervision and timely completion.
Message to Academic Staff
Q: What message do you have for your staff following this achievement?
Dr. Khanakwa:
First, I celebrate my staff and thank them for their dedication to supervision and student support. Academic work is demanding, and material rewards are often limited, but the true satisfaction comes from seeing students succeed.
I encourage my colleagues to remain committed. Yes, the workload is heavy, but many things are possible with dedication and teamwork. Let us continue working for the good of our students, our School, and Makerere University.
Leadership Rooted in Humility
Q: Many colleagues describe you as humble, down to earth, and hardworking. What shapes this character?
Dr. Khanakwa:
I think it is largely my upbringing. My mother was a primary school teacher from the 1950s until the mid-1980s. She worked extremely hard to raise us, combining teaching with farming to ensure we had school fees and basic needs. From her, I learned humility, discipline, and the value of hard work.
I also learned that leadership positions are temporary. You occupy them today, and tomorrow you move on. So humility is essential.
My graduate training also shaped me significantly. My PhD supervisor emphasized that graduate study is a full-time job and that results matter more than noise. Let people see your work through outcomes, not announcements.
Supervision as a Two-Way Commitment
Q: How would you describe your supervision style?
Dr. Khanakwa:
I read my students’ work thoroughly, word by word. Sometimes my comments are tough, but they are honest. Supervision is a two-way commitment. I give feedback, but students must also respond and remain engaged. When that relationship works, progress happens.
Balancing Leadership, Scholarship, and Family
Q: How do you balance being a Dean, scholar, wife, mother, and daughter?
Dr. Khanakwa:
Honestly, I am not sure I balance perfectly. My mother lives far away in Bukwo, so visiting requires careful planning. My children grew up understanding the demands of academic life. I pursued my PhD in the United States and spent long periods away, but we adapted as a family.
Work has become part of my lifestyle. I use weekends to read dissertations, review manuscripts, and write. Sometimes my children ask if I ever sit without working, but this is the commitment I made. As we often say jokingly, “We humbly applied for the job, so let us do the job.”
Scholarship Beyond Supervision
Dr. Khanakwa is also an active scholar and editor. In the past year alone, she has:
- Edited scholarly volumes on archives, memory, method, and pedagogy
- Published a book with Routledge Companion
- Co-authored journal articles and book chapters with graduating students, including Priscah Asiimwe and Anatoli Lwasa Mpijja
“I feel an obligation to write with students,” she notes. “It takes time, energy, and commitment, but it is part of academic mentorship.”
Who Is Dr. Pamela Khanakwa?
Dr. Pamela Khanakwa is the Dean, School of Liberal and Performing Arts, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Makerere University. She is a seasoned scholar, supervisor, administrator, and mentor whose leadership continues to redefine graduate training excellence. Details about Dr. Pamela Khanakwa can be accessed at: https://chuss.mak.ac.ug/en/personnel/pamela-khanakwa/
More details are available in her attached curriculum vitae.
The CHUSS End- Of-Year-Get-Together
On 12th December, 2025 the college leadership organised a get-together end of year gathering to take stock of the achievements, challenges and brainstorm together on how to move forward. The event was marked by entertainment, team building games, appreciation speeches, sharing a meal and a Christmas package for every staff
Retirees and staff recognised
Five retired staff Dr. Micheal Wangotta Masakala, Dr. Anatole Kirigwajjo and Dr. Jackson Kizza Mukas (all from the School of Languages, Literature and Communication), Assoc. Prof. Florence Nansubuga (School of Psychology), Dr. Tusabe Gervase (School of Liberal and Perforing Arts) and Ms. Scovia Nganda Sekweyama (secretary from the School of Social Sciences) were recognised for their dedicated services to the university.
In addition to Dr. Pamela Khanakwa’s Award as Best PhD Supervisor and Dean, Ms. Birabwa Florence scooped the award of Best Registrar of the year. Birabwa is the registrar for the School of Liberal and Performing Arts.
Administrative and support staff including Ms. Mary Gyezaho and Annet Kashumbusha(both administrative secretaries in the Principals office), Farouq Lule (IT Officer), Godfrey Kakooza (cleaner), Charles Sebuguzi (driver) and Jane Anyango (Communications officer) were recognise with awards for outstanding service. Dr. Mohamed Mayanja Kajumba was from the School of Pyschology was recognised as the person with an outstanding talent in Handwriting.
The celebrations held in the Arts quadrangle were graced by the Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs Prof. Sarah Ssali and the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Adminstration Prof. Ireeta Tumps.
Humanities & Social Sciences
Ugandan Journalists Trained on Peace and Gender-Sensitive Reporting Ahead of 2026 Elections
Kampala, Uganda – January 9, 2026
Ahead of the January 15 general elections, Ugandan journalists have undergone specialized training on peace and gender-sensitive reporting to ensure responsible media coverage during the election period. The two-day training, held from 8th to 9th January 2026 at Makerere University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences Smart Room, was organized by the Women’s Situation Room (WSR) in partnership with various stakeholders and brought together journalists from across print, broadcast, and online platforms.
The main objective of the training was to strengthen the capacities of media in reporting and documenting electoral processes in a responsible and gender-sensitive manner. The specific objectives included: strengthening journalists’ skills to cover the 2026 elections in a fair, balanced, gender-sensitive, and non-violent partisan way; enhancing the role of media to enable citizens to be well-informed and actively participate in the election process; ensuring focused and balanced reporting on peace during and after elections; and strengthening partnerships between the WSR and media houses during the election period.
The training covered multiple critical modules. Day one focused on responsible conflict-sensitive reporting, emphasizing principles such as balance, impartiality, and accuracy. Participants explored the role of media as a relayer of the population’s voice, election monitor, catalyst for social cohesion and reconciliation, contributor to the accountability of political actors, and a platform for detecting and debunking digital media misinformation and hate speech.
Day two addressed responsible and gender-sensitive reporting. Key aspects included the definition of gender-sensitive reporting, how to become a gender-sensitive reporter, critical elements in reporting with gender awareness, packaging gender-sensitive stories, and a checklist for detecting and avoiding gender-insensitive reporting.
Her Lordship, retired Judge Justice Mary Mayitum, emphasized the importance of peace as the foundation of development and democratic engagement. “Because we value peace more than anything. Without peace, really, you can do nothing. But where there is peace, you can have time to reflect, discuss with others, and join in meaningful dialogue,” she said. She warned that the country’s past conflicts, such as those in Gulu, underscored the necessity of maintaining national harmony.
Justice Mayitum also urged other key election stakeholders to uphold peaceful conduct. “Being peaceful is the very heart of life. We have spoken to police, security personnel, political parties, and the Electoral Commission. We want politicians to have a code of conduct and to understand that it’s okay to think differently without fighting or hating one another,” she added.
Dr. William Tayebwa, lead facilitator and senior lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Communication at Makerere University, said, “This training is about conflict-sensitive reporting, peace journalism, and gender-sensitive reporting in the context of the elections. The emphasis was on giving female political candidates a voice while ensuring journalists report responsibly on election-related matters.”
Participants described the training as timely and impactful. Tony Banizengabo of CBS Wakiso District said, “We’ve benefited a lot. We’ve been trained to write stories which bring peace, not conflict. Ahead of the elections, we are very ready to be part of peacemakers.”
Dorcas Kimono of UBC TV Kampala added, “It was so timely and rich. We learned how to report without promoting or fueling violence, giving voice to victims without angering them or encouraging violators. This is very vital, especially as we approach the 2026 elections.”
The training aims to equip media personnel with the knowledge and skills to uphold professional ethics while contributing to a peaceful, inclusive, and gender-sensitive electoral process.
Humanities & Social Sciences
CHUSS Invests Over UGX 100 Million in Interactive Smart Screens, Upgrades Teaching Infrastructure
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) has invested over UGX 100 million in the acquisition and installation of state-of-the-art interactive smart screens, marking a major step in strengthening digital teaching and learning at Makerere University.
Under the investment, 86-inch interactive 4K smart screens have been installed in major lecture rooms across the college’s schools, replacing traditional projectors and whiteboards. The upgrade is intended to modernise instructional delivery, enhance student engagement, and support blended and hybrid learning models.
The touch-sensitive smart screens enable lecturers to write, draw, and annotate content directly on the display, while simultaneously integrating multimedia resources such as videos, presentations, and online materials. The screens support wireless screen casting from laptops, tablets, and smartphones, allowing for smooth, cable-free presentations and real-time sharing of students’ work during lectures and group discussions.
Designed to promote interactive and learner-centred pedagogy, the smart screens feature multi-touch capability that allows several users to interact with the board at the same time. This functionality supports collaborative learning, problem-solving exercises, and group presentations, making lessons more engaging and inclusive for students with diverse learning styles.
The boards are equipped with built-in cameras, microphones, and speakers, enabling seamless hybrid teaching through platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet. This allows lecturers to conduct virtual and physical classes simultaneously, record full lectures, and share them with students for later review, revision, or catch-up purposes.
Running on dual Android and Windows operating systems with full internet connectivity, the smart screens provide direct access to online academic resources, digital libraries, and learning management systems. Their AI-powered features further enhance lesson organisation, content clarity, and efficient, paper-free instruction, contributing to a more sustainable learning environment.
To ensure safety and prevent misuse, the smart screens are secured in fabricated metallic safety boxes installed in the lecture rooms.
Beyond digital infrastructure, CHUSS has also undertaken additional physical improvements. The Russian Lecture Room in the School of Languages, Literature and Communication has been furnished with new chairs, tables, and a projector screen, significantly enhancing its teaching environment.
The college has further improved staff working spaces, with the School of Psychology renovating office space and classrooms in Block A, while similar renovations have been carried out in the School of Social Sciences.
The infrastructural upgrades underscore CHUSS’ commitment to improving the quality of teaching, learning, and staff working conditions in line with Makerere University’s digital transformation agenda.
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