General
Student Safeguarding Champions ready to serve during Orientation
More than 60 Student Safeguarding Champions have undergone intensive training to strengthen efforts aimed at preventing abuse, promoting inclusion and creating a safer learning environment for all students.
The two-day capacity-building workshop was organised by the Dean of Students’ Office in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University as part of the University’s broader strategy to strengthen safeguarding systems and ensure every student studies in a safe, respectful and inclusive environment.
While opening the workshop, the Dean of Students, Dr Winifred Kabumbuli, challenged the champions to become advocates for safety and respect within their colleges, noting that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
Student Safeguarding champions are drawn from different colleges, and are expected to spearhead safeguarding awareness campaigns, support fellow students to access appropriate reporting channels and promote a culture where abuse and other safeguarding concerns are reported early.
“The knowledge you have acquired during this training should not remain in this room. As safeguarding champions, you are the eyes, ears and voice of your fellow students. You have been entrusted with the responsibility of becoming advocates for safety, respect and inclusion among your peers,” Kabumbuli said.
Students were equipped with practical skills to identify safeguarding risks, understand referral pathways, respond appropriately and raise awareness of the Makerere University Safeguarding Policy.
The policy which was launched in 2024 seeks to protect students, staff and visitors from abuse, exploitation, harassment, discrimination and neglect while promoting accountability and timely response to safeguarding concerns.
In his address, Dr. Rodney Rugyema, the Acting Principal Warden, urged the champions to support students who may fear reporting safeguarding concerns.
“Many students may not know where to report or may fear speaking out. Your role is to listen without judgment, guide students to the appropriate reporting channels and help create an environment where everyone feels safe to seek support,” he said.
Participants also received training on preventing and responding to sexual harassment and gender-based violence at the University.
Principal Gender Officer Ms Suzan Mbabazi said the University has established structures to prevent and investigate cases of sexual harassment and called on the champions to familiarize themselves with the University’s Policy Against Sexual Harassment.
“As champions, understand the policy and encourage students to report cases promptly so that appropriate action can be taken against perpetrators,” she said.
Security Officer Musa Mulindwa encouraged students to use the University’s reporting mechanisms, including the MakSafeSpace e-reporting platform, to report safeguarding concerns and remain vigilant about safety while on campus.
Throughout the workshop, the champions explored key safeguarding concepts, recognized common safeguarding risks at the University and discussed practical approaches to preventing abuse, harassment, discrimination, bullying and exploitation. Interactive sessions also equipped the champions with communication skills to effectively raise awareness among students and encourage timely reporting of safeguarding concerns.
The training forms part of Makerere University‘s ongoing commitment to embedding safeguarding into all Institutional activities and strengthening a campus culture where safety, respect and dignity remain everyone’s responsibility.
The trained champions will support fellow students during the 2026 Freshers’ orientation week.
Students hail the training
In an interview. Students said the workshop had changed their perception of safeguarding and prepared them to support fellow students.
Magrate Laja, a third-year Bachelor of Applied Psychology student, said the training showed her that safeguarding is a shared responsibility.
“I have learnt that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, not just the University Management. I can make a difference by speaking up when I notice something isn’t right. I also learnt how to use the MakSafeSpace,” she said.
Defender Ayebare, Third-year Bachelor of Population Studies student, said the training had broadened her understanding of behaviours that may make others feel unsafe.
“I didn’t know that some behaviours students consider normal can actually make someone feel unsafe. This training has opened my eyes to the importance of creating a respectful and supportive environment for everyone on campus,” she said.
Simon Tugoloze, a third-year Bachelor of Arts in Economics student, said he now understands the different forms of sexual harassment and how to support survivors by directing them to the appropriate reporting channels.
The Student Safeguarding Champions are expected to lead awareness activities within their colleges and encourage students to report safeguarding concerns through the University’s established reporting systems.
Photos by Moses Bidali, 3rd Year Bachelor of Arts in Economics Student.
On 20th August 2026, Makerere University welcomed another cohort of 258 recipients of the prestigious Mastercard Foundation scholarship for the 2026/2027 academic year with pomp and fanfare. The colourful Scholarship Award Ceremony was presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who was represented by Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, the Dean of the School of Economics and the Chairperson of the Scholars Selection sub-committee of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
While addressing the gathering, Prof. Nawangwe reminded the Scholars that the scholarship was both an honour and a responsibility, and that they ought to make the most of it to improve their lives and communities.
“Now that you have stepped through the gates of Makerere University, remember that a scholarship is both an award and a responsibility. You have been chosen because we believe in your potential to lead, innovate, and serve. Makerere University offers you world-class academic resources, mentorship, and networks—but the impact you make with these resources will depend on your discipline, integrity, and vision,” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
A Call for Responsible Living
The Vice Chancellor further urged the new recruits to embrace university life responsibly and form lasting bonds that will support future networks.
“I encourage you to engage fully and responsibly in University life, build lasting bonds with your peers, and, equally important, keep your home communities close to your heart. Let the knowledge and skills you gain here become the seed for innovative solutions to the challenges facing your communities, our country, Uganda, and the African continent.” Prof Nawangwe emphasised.
Prof. Nawangwe further expressed his gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation for recognising Makerere University as a worthy partner and pledged to continue supporting all the Mastercard Foundation’s initiatives at Makerere University.
Leadership starts with self
Mr. Adrian Bukenya, the Senior Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program globally and the Country Director for Uganda, urged Scholars to embrace leadership, particularly through self-leadership. He emphasised that the Scholars Program is fundamentally a leadership development program.
“The Scholars Program offers more than just a scholarship; it is a leadership development Program. I encourage you, Scholars, to embrace leadership, and leadership starts with leading yourself, then your community, your country and the continent,” Mr. Bukenya emphasised.
Mr. Bukenya expressed his gratitude to the Management of Makerere University for partnering with the Mastercard Foundation on various initiatives. He emphasised that the Foundation is committed to continuing this partnership to educate young people and nurture the next generation of leaders on the African continent.
Selection Process Highlights
On his part, the Chairperson of the Scholars Selection Committee, represented by Mr Charles Ssentongo, the Deputy Academic Registrar responsible for Undergraduate admissions, congratulated all the Scholars who had made it through a very competitive and watertight selection process. To illustrate how tight the selection process had been, he shared compelling statistics that clearly demonstrated its competitiveness.
“We received 3,664 Applications for the Scholarship; 2,904 Undergraduates and 760 master’s students. Of these scholarship applicants, 1,440 Undergraduates and 280 Master’s students were admitted to Makerere University on private sponsorship, and they were all eligible for the Scholarship,” Mr Ssentongo pointed out.
Mr Ssentongo informed the attentive audience that one of the biggest challenges the Committee faced was the very high number of applicants, while the number of scholarships available was always very small. Mr Ssentongo then highlighted further statistics that characterised the tedious selection process.
“For the Undergraduates, 650 applicants were shortlisted for interviews, while 58 Master’s applicants were also shortlisted. Of these, 245 undergraduates and 13 Master’s students were selected for the final award,” Mr Ssentongo highlighted.
Celebrating A Diverse Cohort
The Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, used the occasion to highlight achievements made in the years gone by.
“Today, we are overjoyed to have successfully recruited 258 Cohort 9 Scholars—bringing us to the mark of 546 Scholars, 54.6% of the target recruitment of 1,000 Scholars under Phase II of the Program. To date, a total of 1,596 Scholars have been recruited since 2013, when the Scholars Program started at Makerere University,” Prof. Namaalwa announced.
Prof. Namaalwa showcased the diversity created by the Scholars Program, highlighting the arrival of international students from across the African continent at Makerere University through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
“For Cohort 9 Scholars, it’s time to celebrate our diversity in the Program. Let me call out the nationalities represented in the room: Lesotho (1 Scholar), Malawi (1 Scholar), Ghana (1 Scholar), D.R. Congo (13 Scholars), Cameroon (7 Scholars), Burundi (3 Scholars), Rwanda (10 Scholars), South Sudan (40 Scholars) and Tanzania (1 Scholar).” Prof. Namaalwa revealed.
Scholars Speak Out
Nathan Tamba, an international student from Cameroon, conveyed his enthusiasm regarding the opportunities afforded by the scholarship, particularly the prospect of pursuing his studies at Makerere University, recognised as one of the leading institutions on the continent.
“On behalf of my fellow scholars, I would like to express our gratitude to Makerere University and the Mastercard Foundation for awarding us this scholarship. It has given me the opportunity to study at this prestigious university and to experience Uganda for the first time.” Tamba remarked.
Tamba, clearly delighted like his fellow scholars, committed to using the scholarship opportunity to gain knowledge and skills he will use to benefit himself and his community.
The function was punctuated by entertainment from the Makerere University Choir, networking, and plenty of joyous celebration.
Bernard Buteera is Principal Communications Officer for the Scholars Program at Makerere University.
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