The climax of the celebrations will be characterised by musical and dance performances, brass band marches on Makerere University campus, unveiling of the Mak @100 monument, and keynote speeches will highlight the centenary milestone.
The Guest of honor for the Grand Finale of centennial celebrations will be H.E Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda who will deliver a centennial speech.
All major television stations will broadcast the grand celebrations live. It will also be be live on all Makerere University social media platforms.
This celebration marks a century of excellent services, and offers a chance to look beyond, and see how to “Leverage the 100 Years of Excellence in Building a Transformed Society”
The celebration will bring together all strategic partners, high level guests, alumni. staff and colleges in celebration of the beautiful journey Makerere has travelled in the last 100 years.
History of Makerere University
Archive photo of the Makerere main building in the 1920s
Established in 1922 as a humble technical school, Makerere University is one of the oldest and most prestigious Universities in Africa. In January of that year, the school, which was later renamed Uganda Technical College, opened its doors to 14 day students who began studying Carpentry, Building and Mechanics.
On 1st August 1922, the Uganda Government established Makerere College. The College immediately shed the trade course previously offered and soon began offering various other courses in Medical Care, Agriculture, Veterinary Sciences and Teacher Training.
By 1925, there were seventy-six students enrolled in Makerere to receive vocational training. Makerere expanded over the years to become a Center for Higher Education in East Africa in 1935. This was as a result of a proposition of the then British Governor, Philip Mitchell (1935-1940).
In 1937, the College started developing into an institution of higher education, offering post-school certificate courses.
In 1949, it became a University College affiliated to the University College of London, offering courses leading to the general degrees of its then mother institution.
With the establishment of the University of East Africa in June 29, 1963, the special relationship with the University College of London came to a close and degrees of the University of East Africa were instituted.
On July 1, 1970, Makerere became an independent national university of the Republic of Uganda, offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses leading to its own awards.
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Today, Makerere University offers not only day but also evening and external study programmes to a student body of over 35,000 undergraduates and 3,000 postgraduates (both Ugandan and foreign). It is also a very active centre for research and innovation.
Makerere University in 2017
The University transitioned from the Faculty-based to the collegiate system on 1st July 2011 and as of Friday 30th December 2011, Makerere University officially transformed into a Collegiate University with 10 Constituent Colleges including the School of Law, operating as semi-autonomous units of the University.
Key Messages from the leadership of Makerere University on the Centennial Celebration.
“It’s with great delight that I invite the university community, to the year-long celebrations. We are showcasing the success of the past century, reflecting on the challenges and dialoguing with partners on our aspirations for the future,” Prof. Ezra Suruma, Chancellor Makerere University said
Makerere University Chancellor, Professor Ezra Nsuruma.
He added that there is no better time than the present for the leadership, alumni, students, development partners, and all stakeholders to come together and lay strategies that will prepare Makerere for the century ahead.
One hundred years ago, men and women who were less advantaged than us today started this great institution. They built it through the years to make it the great institution that it is, and has produced great men and women that have moved our country, our region, the whole continent, and even beyond” Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor Makerere University, said.
Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor Makerere University.
Makerere At 100 is an opportunity to tell our story of the past century, to celebrate milestones, personalities, and other institutions that have walked the centennial journey with us” Yusuf Kiranda, University Secretary said.
He added that Makerere University celebrate the centennial journey mindful of the challenge ahead as an institution.
“The challenge is conducting more transformative research and producing more impactful innovations. The past century has prepared us to stride more seamlessly in the coming century”. he added.
The rich history of Makerere University has been well documented by several authors, notable among these is Margaret MacPherson who spent nearly 40 years at Makerere University, shaping lives and instilling the spirit of thoroughness in all she had the opportunity to mentor”. Mrs Lorna Magara, Chairperson, Makerere University Council said.
Mrs Lorna Magara Chairperson, Makerere University Council
She added that the year-long celebration presents great prospects for Makerere and her stakeholders to renew their commitment to make the University more impactful in its activities in the years to come.
As we launch into the next 100 years, i pray that we all commit to make Makerere University even greater, as we continue to build for the Future” Prof. Anthony Mugagga, Principal College of Education and External Studies said.
Professor Anthony Mugagga, Principal College of Education and External Studies.
Makerere University is applauded for political transformation of Africa, having produced presidents in neighboring countries. government to support the institution through increased funding.
