Makerere University Alumni congregate in celebration of 100 years  

The homecoming dinner was an opportunity for the alumni to reflect and think of how they could be part of Makerere’s journey to the next 100 years. It was a moment to recognize, laud and celebrate the contributions of those who were and continue to be instrumental in the success of the university.

On Friday the 22^nd of July, 2022, Makerere University hosted its alumni to a fete at the Freedom Square. The event was attended by close to 1000 invited guests who came back to their alma mater to commemorate and celebrate the university’s 100 years. As key stakeholders in the institution, the alumni were also being celebrated.

The homecoming dinner was an opportunity for the alumni to reflect and think of how they could be part of Makerere’s journey to the next 100 years. It was a moment to recognize, laud and celebrate the contributions of those who were and continue to be instrumental in the success of the university.

In attendance were Prof. Ezra Suruma, the university Chancellor, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, the former Chancellor, Mrs. Magara Lorna the University Council Chairperson and Prof. Nawangwe Barnabas the Vice-Chancellor, and the entire university management. Also present were the former guild presidents, current student leaders and many other distinguished alumni from various professional backgrounds with representatives from both the public and private sector.

It was a colorful event with live music performances and drama plays from the Department of Performing Arts and Film. Interludes between speeches were complemented with videos of Makerere’s journey in pictures. The venue was buzzing with activity as the alumni recounted their experiences as students at the University. It was a moment for the alumni to celebrate cherished memories of their student days, rekindle friendships and establish new networks.

The Chairperson of the University Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara noted the importance of commemorating this milestone as a university. Recognizing that the institution is here today because of the legacies of great men and women whose ideas helped shape it as we know it, she went ahead to highlight the legacy of the Late Katikkiro Martin Luther Nsibirwa.

“He was at the forefront of securing land resources that helped to expand Makerere’s estate. Although he paid the ultimate price for this decision, with this single act, he forever wove his life into those of countless generations of Makerereans. He permanently etched his name into the annals of our history,” she said.

In the same spirit, she acknowledged with gratitude the contribution of the Government of Uganda and the First Lady and also the Minister of Education for kick-starting the university’s legacy projects by securing funding worth USD 300 million for an ultra-modern teaching hospital which would boost the country’s innovation and referral capacity. 

The alumni were tasked with envisioning how they could participate in Makerere’s journey to the next 100 years, they were asked to support more of these legacy projects as their contribution to a university that was instrumental to their own personal success but also, they were encouraged to engage the university on how best it can leverage its 100 years of excellence in building a transformed society for generations to come.

The Chancellor, Prof. Ezra Suruma remarked that as the university commemorates its past achievements, it ought to show its relevance and capacity to reach the people of Uganda so that the knowledge and the research it carries out benefits the ordinary citizen. Citing examples of low literacy levels among children in the country, he tasked the university to come alive to the task of creating institutions and methods of work that are tested and produce results that satisfy the needs of the people.

Prof. Nawangwe Barnabas took the alumni down memory lane and narrated Makerere’s many firsts that have gone on to have a lasting impact on our society. From the first permanent structure on campus still standing today as part of the School of Education in the College of Education and External Studies, to the humble beginnings of the School of Industrial and Fine Art which started on the verandah of Mrs Margaret Trowell’s residence in Mulago 1937.

The Vice Chancellor further emphasised Makerere’s place as a home to groundbreaking and innovative research especially in the area of public health, such as the prevention of mother to child HIV transmission during childbirth, drought resistant and high-yield crops varieties and the development of rapid diagnostic kits for Ebola. He also commended the Government for facilitating the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund and asked the alumni and other stakeholders to contribute towards these efforts through availing more resources and collaborating with the university.

The evening was filled with merry making and there were many more speeches coming in from different sectors such as the media world which was ably represented by Vision Group CEO, Don Wanyama. Assoc. Prof. Maggie Kigozi of the Makerere University Endowment Fund represented the business world among many others.