_{By Damali Mukhaye}

On 9^th July 2026, the Mastercard Foundation-supported initiatives at Makerere University convened the 2^nd Partnership Development Breakfast meeting at Mestil hotel in Kampala, to review progress, share experiences, and explore opportunities to strengthen collaboration and advance education, research, innovation, and youth empowerment.

The partnership development meeting brought together Makerere University leadership, government officials, Mastercard Foundation representatives, development partners, private sector actors, and other key stakeholders to reflect on ongoing interventions and identify areas for deeper collaboration.

The engagement highlighted the progress and impact of key Mastercard Foundation initiatives at Makerere University, including the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme, the Africa Climate Collaborative (ACC), and the e-learning initiative, which are promoting increased access to education, research development, climate resilience, skills enhancement, and preparing young people for future opportunities.

Delivering the opening remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Makerere University, Prof. Sarah Ssali, stated that stakeholder engagement was vital in building stronger links between the University, students, academic staff, employers, and other parties involved in shaping graduates’ futures.

“You have been chosen for a purpose because it was not just about engaging with the students and stakeholders, but also with those involved in developing knowledge products and those who train and mentor our students,” Prof. Ssali said.

She emphasised the significance of partnerships in widening access to higher education, especially for students from marginalised backgrounds, highlighting that through scholarship programmes and inclusive education initiatives, Makerere University continues to attract and support talented students who might otherwise face obstacles to university access.

Prof. Ssali acknowledged the contribution of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alongside other university initiatives, including the Africa Climate Collaborative, fee waiver schemes, and Council scholarships, which offer opportunities for students—especially those from vulnerable communities and talented female learners.

“Your investment in these young people is not charity, but a shared national development priority,” she said.

She explained that Makerere University’s partnership with the Mastercard Foundation aligns with the University’s strategic aim to enhance human capital development, research, and innovation in support of national development priorities under Uganda Vision 2040 and the Fourth National Development Plan.

Prof. Ssali noted that the University has, over the years, transformed into a research-focused institution, with partnerships enabling it to address critical societal challenges.

She urged stakeholders to continue supporting young people through mentorship and guidance as they prepare for employment and entrepreneurship.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Mr Aggrey David Kibenge, praised the collaboration between Makerere University, the Mastercard Foundation, and other stakeholders, emphasising that teamwork is vital in tackling Uganda’s youth unemployment problem.

He observed that Uganda’s youthful population presents both an opportunity and a responsibility, with more than 70 per cent of the population under 30 years.

Mr Kibenge said the government alone cannot address youth unemployment and welcomed partnerships that support young people with relevant skills, employment pathways, and opportunities for entrepreneurship.

He highlighted government interventions, including the National Apprenticeship and Graduate Volunteer Programme Management Information System (NAGVPMIS), which links graduates with potential employers via a digital platform.

The platform enables young people to upload their qualifications and skills, while employers can find suitable candidates based on available opportunities.

“By digitising the matching and recruitment process, we are making the system more transparent, efficient, and merit-based,” Kibenge said.

The Permanent Secretary also emphasised the need for education institutions, employers, and the government to work together to address the skills gap affecting many graduates entering the labour market.

He noted that stronger partnerships with initiatives such as those supported by the Mastercard Foundation will help young people acquire skills that respond to changing labour market needs.

He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to collaborating with the Mastercard Foundation and other partners to create more opportunities for young people to access dignified work.

Mastercard Foundation Highlights Young Africa Works Progress

Representing the Mastercard Foundation, Ms Maria Mugerwa, the Finance Lead at the Foundation, provided an update on the Young Africa Works Strategy, which seeks to enable 30 million young people, 70 per cent of them women, across Africa to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.

She explained that, in Uganda, the strategy aims to reach 4.3 million young people aged 18 to 35 through initiatives centred on entrepreneurship, enterprise development, education, and skills enhancement.

The strategy supports key areas, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), agriculture, the digital economy, creative industries, and inclusive opportunities for young people.

Ms. Mugerwa noted that the Foundation’s approach is built on partnerships that bring together universities, government, private-sector actors, and communities to create pathways for young people to transition from education to employment.

“Closing this gap will require stronger collaboration among all stakeholders, including linking universities and graduates to opportunities created under the Young Africa Works Strategy.” She said.

She emphasised that ongoing collaboration will be essential in widening access to employment opportunities, finance, markets, and entrepreneurship support for young people.

Highlights of Mastercard Foundation Initiatives at Makerere University

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University continues to transform the lives of academically talented but economically constrained young Africans by expanding access to quality university education and nurturing the next generation of transformative leaders.

In a presentation by Prof. Justine Namaalwa, the Program Director, the initiative was emphasised as a comprehensive support model that extends beyond scholarships to offer academic assistance, leadership growth, psychosocial well-being, community involvement, and pathways to dignified employment, entrepreneurship, and further education.

The Program has supported 971 Scholars and alumni, with many transitioning into formal employment, entrepreneurship, and advanced studies.

Guided by the values of listening, humility, kindness and respect, co-creation, and impact, the program promotes inclusion, belonging, and agency among young people.

Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University

The Program Director of the Africa Climate Collaborative, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, said that the programme, which kicked off in 2025, is a transformative eight-year university-wide initiative designed to empower young people and strengthen Africa’s capacity to develop inclusive, equitable, and innovative responses to climate change.

Implemented in collaboration with global and regional partners, including the University of Cambridge, the University of Cape Town, the University of Ghana, and the Association of African Universities, the Collaborative focuses on four interconnected pillars: workforce development, entrepreneurship, research and innovation, and networks, policy, and learning.

Through its workforce development pillar, ACC will expand access to quality education by providing comprehensive scholarships to 250 Master’s students and 40 PhD students, while strengthening research capacity through academic mentorship and support.

The entrepreneurship pillar will equip 500 youth not in education, employment, or training with green entrepreneurship skills, provide incubation support, and promote youth-led green innovations.

The Collaborative will also establish a Climate Resilience Support Centre to drive interdisciplinary research and innovation while fostering partnerships, policy dialogues, and knowledge exchange to support climate-resilient communities.

e-Learning Initiative Phase II

In a presentation by Prof. Paul Birevu Muyinda, Director of the Institute of Open, Distance and eLearning (IODeL) at Makerere University, the progress and future direction of the Mastercard Foundation e-Learning Initiative Phase II were highlighted.

Building on the successful completion of Phase I in December 2024, Makerere University secured participation in the second phase, which aims to accelerate digital transformation and strengthen inclusive, learner-centred, and scalable e-learning systems across the institution.

The initiative seeks to enhance access to quality digital education by developing 10 fully online academic programmes and 10 micro-credentials by 2030. It will also establish integrated digital learner support services, strengthen digital infrastructure, and promote digitally empowered leadership and governance within the University.

A key component of the initiative is building institutional capacity in learning design and technology.

Since January 2026, 35 Makerere University staff members have been undertaking graduate-level training at Arizona State University, with 13 pursuing Master’s programmes and 22 enrolled for graduate certificates in Learning Design and Technology.

Through strategic partnerships and innovation, the initiative will position Makerere University as a leader in digital education, expand opportunities for inclusive learning, and strengthen resilience in higher education.

The second stakeholder engagement session concluded with several stakeholders, including DFCU Bank, the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA), the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), and Finn Church Aid, among others, committing to building stronger pathways that will enable students and graduates to contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s social and economic transformation.

Damali Mukhaye is the Communication, Public Relations, and Branding Officer for Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University.