General
JNLC-JICA Symposium advocates for Inclusive Governance: Amplifies debate on revisiting African-style Governance
During the Julius Nyerere Leadership Training Centre (JNLC) in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) symposium held on 9th December 2025 at Makerere University, a strong voice emerged, as over 70 participants, advocated for inclusive governance. “No one should be left behind. For inclusive governance to take shape, everyone should be involved. Women and youth should be included and empowered to participate in, every stage of the governance cycle.”
Focusing on the theme, Revisiting African-style Governance: Fostering an Inclusive Society where Women and Youth can Thrive, the JNLC-JICA symposium provided a platform to the participants to discuss and critique western democracy, colonialism, patriarchy, cultural ideologies and practice, as well as, African-style democracy, through the following topics:
- Driving sustainable peace and growth in Africa: Realizing a society where women and youth can thrive
- The values and institutions of Inclusive African governance: From the perspectives of gender, generation and regionality
- The potential of African-style democracy and peace-building unleashed by women and youth.
The symposium presented to the participants an inter and cross generational flow of ideas from JICA experts and researchers, the Nomura Foundation, the JNLC leadership and experienced instructors, scholars from Makerere University Department of Political Science and Public Administration, young leaders, women, students and JNLC alumni.
The highly interactive symposium featured five sessions including the plenary, four sessions tackling to carefully selected topics aligned with the theme, and closing remarks, which provided a reflection and wrap-up. With each session having a chairperson, presenters, a discussant, and a question and answer segment, the participants listened, learned, discussed and exchanged ideas on inclusive governance.
To set the pace for the day’s engagement, the symposium kicked off, with a plenary session. Chaired by Dr. Julius Kiiza, an Associate Professor at Makerere University Department of Political Science and Public Administration, the powerful and informative session brought on board Mr. Yoichi Inoue-the JICA Uganda Chief Representative who delivered the opening remarks, two key note speakers namely Dr. Adem Seifudein and Ms. Jackline Nasiwa, and the discussant – Dr. Suzie Nansozi K. Muwanga-the Executive Director of the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre
Japan and Uganda: A Partnership for Shared Progress
Opening the symposium, Mr. Inoue Yoichi, Chief Representative of JICA Uganda, expressed gratitude for the collaboration, describing the partnership as a bridge between academic excellence and practical development. He highlighted Uganda’s governance, resilience, and education experiences as lessons for cross-regional learning with Japan and beyond.
“Uganda has long been a treasured development partner. JICA’s cooperation in Uganda spans many decades and covers a wide range of sectors. Together with our Ugandan counterparts, we have worked to build vital infrastructure, from roads that connect communities to electricity networks that power growth,” Mr. Yoichi said.
He emphasized the importance of youth engagement, noting their creativity and energy as critical to sustaining the symposium’s ideas.
“By including students and young professionals in our conversation, we ensure that this dialogue remains forward-looking, amplifies the voices of the next generation, and sustains the impact of the ideas shared at the symposium,” he stated.
Africa’s Youth and Women: Driving Change
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Adem Seifudein, Research Fellow at the JICA Ogata-Sadako Research Institute, focused on Numericalism as well as Female and Youth Empowerment in Africa. He highlighted that Africa’s youthful population—70% under the age of 30—is both a demographic majority and a global force yet to fully convert into political and developmental power.
“Destiny does not automatically translate into dividends. Empowerment must be deliberate, especially for women and the youth,” he guided, urging transformation that respects historical and cultural realities.
Dr. Adem emphasized youth roles in reimagining leadership, digital activism, and peacebuilding. “You are the ones who will advance the peace of tomorrow. The future of Africa- its governments, justice and peace, rests not in distant institutions, but in your hands, in your imagination, and in your actions. You are the peacebuilders,” he said.
African Women at the Forefront
Ms. Jackline Nasiwa, Executive Director of the Center for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice in South Sudan, highlighted the role of women and youth in governance, describing Africa’s youthful population as a source of innovation and civic engagement. She reaffirmed women’s contributions across peacebuilding, entrepreneurship, and leadership, citing pioneers such as Dr. Specioza Wandera Kazibwe – the first female Vice President in Africa, Dr. Wangari Maathai – First African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – Africa’s first elected female head of state, Joyce Banda – Malawi’s first female president, and Ameenah Gurib-Fakim – Mauritius’ first female president.
“We need to celebrate our African women leaders because when women rise, nations rise,” Ms. Nasiwa declared.
She outlined reforms for inclusive governance: gender-sensitive systems, investment in education, economic empowerment, and leadership development for women and youth.
“The future of African governance and development depends on the empowerment of women and youth in every nation and community. When both are included, society becomes stronger, more united and resilient,” she said.
Unpacking Structural Barriers to Inclusion
Addressing the participants, Dr. Nansozi Muwanga pointed out some of the entrenched obstacles that sustain exclusion including limited access to decision-making spaces, the persistence of patronage politics, and social norms reinforcing gendered and generational hierarchies. She added that economic exclusion remains a critical, yet often an ignored constraint. With reference to Uganda’s political landscape, she stated that the high cost of contesting for leadership places meaningful participation beyond the reach of most of the young aspirants.
“In today’s Uganda, running for a political position requires enormous financial resources—often running into billions of shillings for posters, facilitation, and other campaign costs. Realistically, how many young people can raise that kind of money just to secure a chance at leadership?
Women at the Heart of Africa’s Governance Future
Dr. Nansozi K. Muwanga noted that although Africa’s population is both young and predominantly female, women remain underrepresented in governance. She highlighted the longstanding contributions of Ugandan women—from national speakers to cabinet leaders—and emphasized that the challenge has never been a lack of capable women, but rather their limited inclusion in governance structures in meaningful ways. She argued that excluding women and youth fundamentally undermines peacebuilding, economic transformation, and social cohesion.
Rethinking Governance through African Wisdom
Drawing from traditional African governance models, Dr. Nansozi K. Muwanga underscored the relevance of consensus-building and distributed leadership. She noted that African societies historically valued collective decision-making, involving elders, clans, women, and youth. She suggested that these indigenous principles offer lessons for modern leadership, particularly in designing systems that reflect demographic realities rather than sidelining them.
“Consensus-building which is collective decision-making is part and parcel of African traditional governance systems. The second is distributed leadership. By this we mean leadership is not vested in one person but in a network of elders, clans, women leaders, youth, and age-set structures spread across society and able to provide the guidance needed for governance,” she said.
Charting Pathways to Inclusive Governance
Dr. Nansozi K. Muwanga proposed pathways for building inclusive societies, including gender-responsive budgeting, genuine youth representation, strengthened decentralization, and transforming social norms through cultural and religious engagement. She emphasized cross-generational dialogue and economic empowerment; providing access to finance, market-linked skills, and support for youth-led enterprises—as essential for meaningful participation.
“Economic empowerment means supporting young entrepreneurs, skilling them in ways linked to labor markets rather than random training, and giving them access to finance—not only for supposedly important sectors but also for innovative ideas, for both young women and young men,” she remarked.
Dr. Muwanga argued that the path forward lies in reconnecting power to the very people it is intended to serve; young women and young men who make up the overwhelming majority of Africa’s population. For governance to be credible and sustainable, she noted, it must reflect the continent’s demographic and social realities.
Symposium Sessions
The symposium convened scholars, young leaders, civil society actors, and practitioners from Uganda, Japan, and beyond for three dialogue sessions that blended global perspectives with African realities, providing a platform to examine the structures, opportunities, and challenges shaping Africa’s peace and governance.
Session 1: Driving Sustainable Peace and Growth in Africa
Chaired by Associate Professor Paul Omach-Head of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Makerere University, the panel consisted of Ms. Hope Namulindwa, Ms. Dorothy Nakamya Namigadde, Mr. Denis Olupot, Dr. Anna Ninsiima, Dr. Hiroki Nakamura and Mr. Charles Tweheyo as the discussant.
The discussion examined how Africa can create a society where women and youth fully participate and thrive as equal partners in development. Speakers addressed the structural and economic pressures young people face especially unemployment and how these challenges influence political engagement, social stability, and innovation. Reflections also highlighted the increasing empowerment of young women in Uganda, linking their progress to the long-standing role of African women in peacebuilding and economic development. Overall, the session underscored women as historic and contemporary frontline actors, with today’s young women positioned as heirs to that legacy.
Session 2: The Values and Institutions of Inclusive African Governance
Chaired by Associate Professor Paul Omach, the panel consisted of Ms. Mary Sora Deng, Dr. Joel Isabirye, Mr. Charles Tweheyo, Mr. Takashi Nagutsuji and Dr. Natsuko Imai as the discussant.
The session examined how governance systems influence inclusion across gender, generation, and regional lines. Presenters noted the gradual rise of women in political leadership, while acknowledging that increased representation has not fully dismantled patriarchal norms. Drawing on historical East African practices that emphasized collective responsibility and community leadership, the discussion explored how modern institutions can connect generations, blend traditional and formal governance, and bring marginalized groups into national decision-making. The session emphasized that true inclusion must go beyond rhetoric—it requires intentional structures, resources, and meaningful reforms.
Session 3: Reimagining Democracy and Peacebuilding through Women and Youth
Chaired by Associate Professor Julius Kiiza, the panel consisted of Dr. Jackie Nakaiza, Mr. Mpamize Rwamigamba, Dr. Julius Niringiyimana, Dr. Natsuko Imai-Kaneyama, and Dr. Joel Isabirye as the discussant.
The final session focused on integrating women and youth into leadership, exploring concepts such as vanhucracy, and bridging traditional and modern governance. Presenters traced East Africa’s strides in including women in peace and security processes and reflected on why the youth political bloc, despite its numerical advantage has struggled to gain traction in regional governance structures.
Closing Remarks: Participants urged to continue the dialogue on inclusive governance
Dr. Justus Twesigye, Dean of the School of Social Sciences at Makerere University, stressed that peace, inclusive governance, values, and sustainable growth lie at the heart of humanities and social sciences and should not be overshadowed by emerging technologies.
Dr. Twesigye commended the organizers for their vision and leadership in convening the symposium and expressed confidence that the partnerships and insights gained would continue to advance governance, inclusion, and sustainable development across Africa.
Commending the participants upon their active participation in the symposium, Dr. Twesigye stated that the wonderful ideas and insights would be shared with the University management and key stakeholders for further action.
He called for continued dialogue through academic and digital platforms, highlighted the importance of mentoring youth, and reaffirmed the central role of women and young people in building an inclusive society.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at St. Augustine Chapel, Makerere University on May 30, 2026 to pray for the soul of Mr. Sylas Ruhweza, the first President of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Community at Makerere University.
The requiem mass was filled with emotional tributes celebrating Ruhweza’s life of service, leadership and dedication to community causes. Ruhweza passed away on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Mildmay Uganda Hospital.
Speaker after speaker described him as a humble and visionary leader who was passionate about uplifting others and deeply committed to excellence.
“We thank God for the life of Sylas, for the years he granted him among us, and for the impact he made on countless lives. He carried himself with humility and grace, and wherever he went, he built friendships, inspired confidence, and left people better than he found them,” Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, said during the Mass.
Mr. Rwomiire urged mourners to honour Ruhweza’s legacy by embracing the values he stood for, including integrity, compassion, hard work, service to community, and his unwavering love for Tooro Kingdom.
The main celebrant, Rev. Fr. Charles Lwanga Makoboza, echoed the message in his homily, reminding Christians to remain rooted in Jesus Christ throughout their lives.
“Sylas has gone to be with God, in a place where there is no pain, missed calls, struggle, corruption, betrayal, jealousy and tears. He is in a place with absolute peace. So, in life, never be the cause of someone’s tears, and if you do, seek reconciliation,” Fr. Lwanga, said.
Fr. Lwanga also reminded mourners that what Ruhweza needs most are prayers, not wreaths.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Ms. Grace Kabasita, Ruhweza’s maternal aunt, described him as a loving and dedicated young man whose life touched many people.
“Sylas was a counsellor, teacher, and a brilliant, loveable young man who fitted into every society. His life was marked by service, friendship, dedication, and commitment to the wellbeing of others and his culture,” she said.
Addressing mourners, Prof Justine Namaalwa, the Coordinator of the Mastercard Foundation Initiatives at Makerere University, noted that though Sylas’s life was cut short, he leaves behind a lasting legacy of service, leadership and impact on the communities he served.
“Sylas, you have gone too soon. But it is well with our souls. May your legacy of Transformative Leadership live on,” Prof. Namaalwa, said.
She thanked the Mastercard Foundation for supporting his education through BRAC Uganda, supporting his university education through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, and nurturing his leadership journey through the Youth Advisory Board.
Ruhweeza at glance
Born on 19th July 1994 to the late Mr. Paul Tinkasimire Paul Adyeeri and Ms. Ategeka Margret Abwooli of Bunyangabu District.
The ninth born of eleven children attended Kaboyo Primary School for his Primary Education, and later joined Fort Portal Secondary School where he sat for his O-Level. He then proceeded to A-Level at Hannah International School.
He joined Makerere University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geoscience and Production in 2022, supported by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at Makerere University.
At the time of his passing, he was pursuing a Master’s degree at Victoria University.
Leadership, Service and Professional Contributions
Mr. Ruhweza served as Chairperson of the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network at BRAC from 2020 to 2022, demonstrating transformative leadership and commitment to social change.
He later became the President of the Makerere AlumNet Foundation, an umbrella organization that brings together the Scholars Makerere Alumni chapter.
He worked as an eLearning Support Officer at the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) under the e-learning initiative at Makerere University.
He was a member of the Steering Committee of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, representing the Scholars Makerere Alumni chapter.
At the time of his passing, he was serving as the Minister of Information in the Tooro Kingdom, Strategy and Engagement Lead for the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network-Uganda Chapter, and Programme Associate at the Africa Climate Collaborative, one of the Mastercard Foundation initiatives at Makerere University.
Legacy
Ruhweza is remembered for his dedication to education, leadership, mentorship, and community service. He passionately championed youth empowerment, collaboration, and social responsibility.
His life reflected the transformative power of education, servant leadership, and a commitment to uplifting others.
May Sylas’s soul rest in eternal peace.
General
Makerere University Pushes for Stronger Support for Research Ethics Committees amid Growing Research Demands
By Moses Lutaaya
Makerere University has intensified efforts to strengthen research governance and ethical oversight, with university leaders calling for greater institutional support for Research Ethics Committees (RECs), whose role has become increasingly central to the institution’s research-led agenda.
The call was made during a high-level meeting between University Management and Chairpersons of Research Ethics Committees held at the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom at the Makerere University Main Building on May 25, 2026.
Opening the meeting, the Director of Research Innovations and Partnerships (DRIP), Prof. Robert Wamala, highlighted a number of operational and administrative challenges affecting the effectiveness of RECs at Makerere University.
Prof. Wamala observed that RECs continue to operate with gaps in institutional framework outlining their position within the university governance structure, a gap he said has affected institutional support and long-term sustainability.
According to Prof. Wamala, inadequate facilitation continues to affect the operations of several committees, especially in areas of staffing, administrative coordination, and remuneration for REC administrators.
He also pointed to challenges arising from new regulatory requirements governing the appointment of REC members, particularly the need for appointment letters to be authorized or signed by the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Wamala further raised concern over the high cost of mandatory accreditation and training processes required by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), especially the Good Research Regulatory Practice (GRRP) training undertaken every three years. “Payment for training is too high for individual RECs to cover,” he noted, adding that many committees are struggling to independently raise the money to undertake the training for all their members.
He also emphasized the need for stronger institutional monitoring systems to support timely submission of accreditation renewal applications, oversight of approved research activities, and coordination of REC operations across the university.
In her remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, commended the growing contribution of RECs in advancing Makerere University’s research agenda and acknowledged the concerns raised by Prof. Wamala and committee members.
“There were not very many RECs,” Prof. Ssali said. “So now that we are 10, it is really impressive because it speaks to our cause for a research-led university.” She admitted that despite their importance, many RECs still operate outside the formal university establishment, making staffing and operational support difficult.
“The only challenge that I see is that they are not fully institutionalized. So it is upon units to start them or not to start them,” she explained. Prof. Ssali added that because RECs are not fully integrated into the public service structure of the university, recruiting and remunerating staff through conventional university systems remains complicated. “Hiring for them staff will be a little bit cumbersome because the university will say they are not part of our structure,” she said.
She nevertheless emphasized that university management recognizes the strategic importance of RECs in strengthening ethical research oversight and supporting Makerere’s position as a research-led institution. “RECs are doing a great job of furthering our strategic agenda of being a research-led university,” she noted.
Prof. Ssali explained that the growing reliance on institutional RECs by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology demonstrates the trust placed in Makerere University’s ethical review systems.
Addressing concerns about the cost and frequency of mandatory training, Prof. Ssali acknowledged the financial burden on RECs but explained that many of the requirements are set by national regulators. “Many of the things you have raised are with National Council, they are not with us,” she said. “We can only pledge to lobby.”
To address logistical challenges associated with training senior academics, she proposed more flexible scheduling arrangements. “For a professor to give you a whole day is going to be a challenge,” she said. “Maybe you can do half days throughout the week.”
Prof. Ssali also encouraged colleges and schools to allocate part of their enhanced research budgets toward supporting REC activities, including staffing, training, and operational facilitation.
She suggested that colleges and schools hosting RECs should directly take responsibility for sustaining them. “For me, that’s the way out — to ensure that the colleges and schools that have RECs take them as their responsibility,” she noted.
The DVC-AA also addressed concerns related to intellectual property rights, Material Transfer Agreements (MTA), and the need for researchers to formally communicate scientific discoveries and innovations to the university to ensure institutional protection and benefit-sharing. “All you are saying is true, but it depends on you as researchers informing the institution that we have made this discovery,” she said.
Prof. Ssali reiterated Makerere University’s commitment to strengthening research governance systems and pledged continued engagement with both university management and national regulatory bodies to address the concerns raised by REC members. “Where they are, they enable research, publication and growth,” she said of the RECs. “Most importantly, they enable us to be ethical with the way we do our things.”
The meeting was attended by chairpersons of the various Research Ethics Committees across Makerere University and affiliated institutions. These included Dr. Ponsiano Ochama from the School of Medicine Research Ethics Committee (SOM-REC), Dr. Moses Ocan from the School of Biomedical Sciences Research Ethics Committee (SBS-REC), Dr. Paul Kutyabami from the School of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee, Dr. David Kyaddondo from the Uganda Cancer Institute Research Ethics Committee, Dr. Stella Neema from the School of Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee (MAKSS-REC), Dr. Joseph Kagayi from the School of Public Health Research Ethics Committee, Dr. Joseph Kateete from the Infectious Diseases Institute Research Ethics Committee, Dr. Fred Okuku from the Uganda Heart Institute Research Ethics Committee, Dr. Kassim Sadik from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Research Ethics Committee, and Dr. Eddy Walakira from the College of Business and Management Sciences Research Ethics Committee.
The discussions reflected Makerere University’s broader ambition to consolidate its position as a leading research-intensive institution while ensuring that ethical standards, accountability, and innovation protection remain central to its academic mission.
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