Humanities & Social Sciences
College of Humanities and Social Sciences Launches Five Groundbreaking Publications
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) on 11th December 2025 celebrated the launch of five scholarly books, marking a significant milestone in the College’s contribution to academic research and discourse. The event brought together faculty, students, and distinguished guests, highlighting the College’s commitment to advancing knowledge, preserving institutional memory, and fostering innovative scholarship.
Advancing Knowledge: Recognizing Authors and Promoting Research Excellence
Representing the Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Acting (Ag.) Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, commended CHUSS on the launch of its five scholarly publications. He highlighted the significance of these works in advancing research, preserving institutional memory, and enriching student-centered teaching. Prof. Ireeta acknowledged the support of the Mellon Foundation under the Center of Excellence for Research, Teaching, and Learning (CERTL), as well as the contributions of the College’s faculty, research teams, and support staff. He emphasized that these publications not only strengthen the College’s academic profile but also foster critical thinking, informed debate, and national and international engagement, offering valuable resources for both scholars and the wider community.
Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Partnerships (DRIP), praised the CHUSS for the launch of five scholarly publications, emphasizing the dedication, intellectual rigor, and perseverance of the authors. He highlighted that these works—three books and a journal—demonstrate the critical role of the humanities and social sciences in shaping national development, informing public debate, and contributing to global discourse. Prof. Wamala commended the College for fostering a research environment that supports capacity building, collaborative networks, and high publishing standards, noting that the publications document African realities, preserve institutional memory, and provide knowledge that resonates locally and internationally. He encouraged continued scholarly collaboration, underscoring the university’s commitment to strengthening research governance and advancing its agenda as a leading center for African scholarship.
Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, warmly welcomed all attendees to the book launch, emphasizing the college’s pivotal role as the intellectual bridge connecting all other faculties at Makerere University. She acknowledged the presence and contributions of publishers, editors, management, and authors, noting that the success of such scholarly works relies on collaborative support across the University. Prof. Nkabala celebrated the dedication of homegrown talent, highlighting the importance of nurturing research, writing, and publication within the college. She also shared exciting updates on the establishment of the Office of Grants, Research Resource Mobilization, and Graduate Training, underscoring the college’s commitment to structured leadership, research excellence, and capacity building.
Celebrating Excellence: Contributions from University and Partner Publishers
Dr. William Tayeebwa, Head of Makerere University Press, celebrated a landmark day for the institution, highlighting the Press’s remarkable productivity and impact. He reflected on the recent launches, including Reinventing Uganda and Memory and Method for Material, and noted the impressive volume of over 15 publications released this year alone. Dr. Tayeebwa emphasized the Press’s commitment not only to publishing new works but also to republishing significant titles that have sold out globally, ensuring continued access to vital scholarship. A particular highlight was the revival of the Makerere Journal of Languages, Literature and Communication, which had not seen a publication since 1991; archival issues dating back to 1975 are now being digitized and made accessible online. He also stressed ongoing efforts to enhance the international visibility of the University’s journals through indexing and quality standards, underscoring the Press’s role in strengthening academic scholarship and advancing Makerere University’s global reach.
Speaking on behalf of Fountain Publishers, Mr. Tom Tibaijuka highlighted the long-standing partnership between the publishing house and Makerere University, noting the collaborative efforts that have helped nurture local scholarship. He emphasized that, despite the commercial nature of Fountain Publishers, their mission extends beyond profit to supporting scholarly contributions that enrich society. Mr. Tibaijuka praised the recently launched book, which features 12 chapters and 11 contributors, commending both the authors and the editorial team for their dedication in harmonizing such a complex manuscript. He noted the book’s alignment with the new competency-based curriculum promoted by the National Curriculum Development Authority, emphasizing its relevance in fostering critical thinking, innovation, and problem-solving skills in education. He concluded by congratulating all involved and encouraging educators and stakeholders to engage with the publication as a valuable resource for navigating contemporary educational challenges.
Prof. Rev. Sr. Dominica Dipio, representing the African Humanities Series Publisher, provided an overview of the series’ evolution and its impact on the continent’s humanities scholarship. She explained that the series began in 2014 as part of the African Humanities Program, initially supporting doctoral completion, before shifting focus to early-career mentorship to cultivate a new generation of humanities scholars. Over the past 15 years, the program has benefitted over 500 fellows across Uganda, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Tanzania, nurturing research and publications that address a wide range of humanities and social sciences disciplines, including philosophy, literature, languages, sociology, politics, and culture. Prof. Dipio emphasized that the series combines the experience of senior scholars with emerging voices, producing accessible, globally relevant work. She also highlighted an upcoming fellowship program designed to support early-career researchers for up to ten years, encouraging increased participation from Uganda to ensure broader engagement in the continent-wide initiative. The book being launched, she noted, exemplifies the series’ commitment to engaging, applied humanities that speak to everyday societal challenges, demonstrating the relevance and reach of African scholarship.
Championing African Scholarship and Knowledge Production
Prof. Josephine Ahikire, Principal Emeritus of CHUSS and Project Principal Investigator (PI) for Mellon Projects at Makerere University, emphasized the transformative role of the College’s publications in shaping African scholarship. She highlighted that these edited books and journals go beyond traditional metrics of academic recognition, creating vibrant scholarly communities where ideas are shared, debated, and collaboratively developed. Prof. Ahikire noted the importance of centering African-generated knowledge, reclaiming histories, and exploring underrepresented topics such as the social and cultural dimensions of motherhood. She applauded the project teams for their dedication and collaboration, describing the 2025 book launches as the beginning of a broader effort to document and disseminate African perspectives, ensuring that the continent’s intellectual contributions are recognized, celebrated, and preserved for future generations.
Prof. Andrew Elias, Director of the Centre of Excellence in Research, Teaching and Learning (CERTL), highlighted the critical relevance of the book Reclaiming Learning: Struggles and Innovations in Higher Education, noting that it arrives at a pivotal moment for Ugandan universities. He emphasized that growing enrollment, limited resources, and structural challenges—including large class sizes, inadequate facilities, and unequal access to online learning—have impacted the quality of education. The book, he noted, not only validates these shared experiences but also showcases innovative practices by Ugandan lecturers, from contextualized teaching methods to active learning strategies and the use of indigenous knowledge. Prof. Elias underscored that meaningful educational change requires institutional support, inclusive policies, and professional development, reminding stakeholders that effective pedagogy is a shared responsibility. The volume, he concluded, serves as both a practical guide and an inspiration for educators, policymakers, and institutions seeking to place students at the center of learning while promoting justice, inclusion, and human dignity in higher education.
The Five Publications and Their Impact
Reclaiming Learning: Pedagogical Struggles and Innovations in Higher Education in Uganda (Prof. Andrew Ellias State et al.) explores student-centred teaching and innovative approaches in African higher education, supported by the Mellon Foundation through CERTL.
Reading Archives, Memory and Method from Makerere University (Assoc. Prof. Edgar Nabutanyi, Dr. Amon Ashaba Mwiine, Prof. Josephine Ahikire, Dr. Edgar Taylor, Dr. Pamela Khanakwa, and Dr. Levis Mugumya, highlights the importance of archives and memory in shaping scholarship and reclaiming African narratives, funded by the Mellon Foundation’s AMM project.
Living with Others: Ethnic Conflict and Pluralism in Uganda’s Greater Kibaale Region (Dr. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo) examines identity, conflict, and co-existence, offering insights toward social justice and peaceful co-living, supported by the African Humanities Foundation.
The Makerere Historical Journal (Vol. 6, No. 1, 2025) (Deo Katono, Rebecca Glada, Edgar Taylor, and Christopher Muhoozi.) continues the university’s tradition in historical scholarship, nurturing emerging scholars and deepening debates, published by Makerere University Press.
Makerere Journal of Languages, Literature and Communication (Vol. 1, Issue 1) which is the inaugural issue marks a milestone for the School of Languages, Literature and Communication (SLLC), promoting cross-disciplinary dialogue, with support from the Center for Languages and Communication Services and Makerere University Press.
On the morning of Friday, February 27, when the academic procession winds its way across Makerere University’s Freedom Square for the last day of the 76th Graduation Ceremony, Whitney Najjuka will walk into history with a number beside her name: 4.46.
At Makerere, that number means First Class Honours. It means the Vice Chancellor’s List. It means she graduates as the only First-Class student in Journalism and Communication this year. But numbers, as Whitney has learned, rarely tell the full story.
Born on March 27, 2002, in Nabbingo, Kyengera Town Council, to Margaret Kusemererwa and Fred Kasirye, dreamt she would do Law, one of the disciplines, prestigious, almost inevitable next steps for a student who had excelled in secondary school. She had done everything correctly. Studied hard. Scored well. Followed the script.
But Makerere University had other plans. She missed the pre-entry mark, but found her name under Journalism and Communication, another prestigious course offered by the Journalism and Communication Department at Makerere University.
Najjuka began her academic journey at Muto Primary School in Buwama, earning 8 aggregates in the Primary Leaving Examination, a performance that positioned her strongly for secondary school.
She would later join St. Lucia Hill School, Namagoma, where she earned 20 aggregates at O-Level and 17 points in History, Luganda, and Divinity at A-Level.
Missing her dream course, Law, felt at first, like a detour. But Whitney was encouraged by Sanyu Christopher, her uncle, and she settled for a government-sponsored slot in the Bachelor of Journalism and Communication at Makerere, which she had applied for before.
She entered uncertain. But she graduates transformed.
The Pivot That Became a Purpose
Whitney speaks of her early university days with candor. She did not arrive at the Department of Journalism and Communication with a burning childhood ambition to be a journalist, but because another door had closed.
Then, Social and Behavior Change Communication happened. Applied Strategic Communication happened. She began to see media not as headlines and microphones, but as architecture, shaping how societies think, argue, and act.
The turning point came in her third year. The Female Journalist Foundation published her story on Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and its emotional toll on survivors. What startled her was not its publication but the reaction. Comments flooded in. Debates ignited, especially about the role of men in combating GBV.
“I realized media doesn’t just report,” she says. “It frames how society views a crisis.”
Her voice, once tentative, had entered a national conversation.
The Discipline Behind 4.46
At Makerere University, a First Class CGPA is not built on brilliance alone but on ritual.
Whitney’s ritual began with showing up, on time, every time. She treated lectures as appointments with her future self. She refused to confine her learning to the syllabus. While attending workshops at the Aga Khan Graduate School of Media and Communication and obtaining external certifications, she sought and was open to mentorship through the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU).
She wanted theory anchored in practice. And then there was the commute.
From Nabbingo, a hill in Wakiso District, some 18.6 km to Kampala, where the Makerere Main campus is situated, and back, nearly 20 hours a week dissolved into Kampala traffic. Two-hour journeys before 8:00 a.m. lectures. Dust. Noise. Headaches. She learned to manage energy the way others manage time. Fatigue became a tutor in resilience.
“I had to be intentional with every remaining hour,” she says. “Excuses were not an option.”
Learning to Practice Communication
If classrooms taught her analysis, presentations taught her courage. Pitching projects, defending research, and standing before peers quick to critique forced her to think on her feet. She was no longer simply studying communication; she was practicing it.
In 2024, the AGMES Fellowship at the Aga Khan Graduate School of Media and Communication pushed her further. She received funding to produce a capstone project on the mental impact of gender-based violence on survivors. She identified sources, conducted interviews, handled trauma with care, and worked with professional editors.
The Communication, she learned, is logistics and ethics as much as eloquence.
The Future She Sees
Whitney is optimistic about Uganda’s media landscape. The digital shift, she believes, has democratized influence. Young communicators are no longer confined to legacy newsrooms or offices.
Yet she sees a gap in the absence of structured research on sustainable, ethical, profitable independent media ventures in Uganda. Her ambition is not only to practice communication, but to study it. To produce data-backed frameworks that help young Ugandans transition from graduates to media entrepreneurs.
She wants to make the impact scalable.
What Remains
As the only First-Class graduate in her cohort, she is careful not to mythologize herself. “Success isn’t brilliance alone,” she says. “It’s a daily commitment when nobody is watching.”
Even before graduation, Whitney had stepped into the industry through a mentorship internship at Capital One Group (COG EA Ltd), a strategic marketing communications agency operating across East Africa.
At Capital One Group, we spoke to Paul Mwirigi Muriungi, the Managing Director and Head of Strategy, who spoke of Najjuka as a progressive and intentional young professional who approaches her work with curiosity, maturity, and responsibility.
“Her attitude is exemplary. She is teachable, receptive to feedback, and eager to grow. While technical skills can be taught, character, work ethic, and mindset determine long-term success, qualities that Whitney consistently demonstrates. Given her academic excellence and professional application, we believe she has a bright future both at Capital One Group and within the wider communications industry. She represents the kind of talent the profession needs: thoughtful, adaptable, and committed to excellence.
“We look forward to seeing her next chapter unfold,” says Mwirigi.
Najjuka’s gaze extends beyond her own trajectory. She speaks of what the Department could become. Furnished and equipped with industry-standard equipment, newsroom simulations, and deeper investment in data journalism as prayers. Her excellence is not self-congratulatory, but it is forward-looking.
“The University should support the Department to procure industry-standard equipment. Access to high-quality cameras, sound booths, and updated editing software like Adobe Creative Suite is critical to our learning environment,” she says.
Adding that, “We need a newsroom simulation, a physical or digital space where students work under real-time deadlines to produce content for the public. That would prepare us for industry and even strengthen the University’s own media platforms.”
In an era defined by metrics, algorithms, and digital traceability, data journalism is no longer a niche skill but a sine qua non of credible reporting. “There should also be more focus on data journalism and search engine optimization. These are no longer optional skills. Students would benefit immensely from stronger training in these areas.”
Dr. Aisha Nakiwala, the Head, Department of Journalism and Communication, says the faculty are very proud that she is graduating with a First Class—the only one in this year’s cohort.
“This achievement reflects not only exceptional intellectual ability but also discipline, resilience, and sustained dedication to the highest standards over four years. Graduating with first-class honors is no small feat; it requires consistent outstanding performance.
“Her accomplishment sets a powerful example for continuing students and reaffirms our department’s commitment to nurturing excellence. We are confident she will make meaningful contributions to the communication profession and society at large,” says Dr. Nakiwala.
On graduation day, applause will crest and recede. The gowns will fold back into wardrobes. The transcripts will be filed away in cabinets. But something quieter will endure; a young woman from Nabbingo who once missed her Law mark, who spent 20 hours a week on the road, who discovered that storytelling is power, and who now walks into Freedom Square not by accident, but by intention.
Life, as she has come to understand it, lives on.
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