Kampala, Uganda – Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, has called on young leaders to take the reins in driving innovation and transformation in their communities and across Africa.
Speaking at the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council Representatives meeting hosted by Makerere University on February 2, 2025, Prof. Nawangwe emphasized the importance of young people working together to address the development challenges facing their communities.
“I urge you to connect and network with your peers and discuss how you can form inter-university teams to innovate solutions that will address the development challenges in our communities,” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
Prof. Nawangwe’s call to action was made against the backdrop of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, which has had a significant impact on the lives of many young people in Africa. The program has recruited 1,032 scholars, with 76% being females, 7% internationals, 4% refugees, and 1% youth with disabilities.
Prof. Nawangwe applauded the Mastercard Foundation for its partnership with Makerere University, which has had a positive impact on many young people. He also highlighted the university’s commitment to nurturing young leaders and driving innovation and transformation in Africa.
The event brought together young leaders from 45 partner universities across Africa, and featured fireside chats, discussions on entrepreneurship and transformative leadership, and a guided tour of the university.
Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the program’s achievements over the past decade. She noted that the program had achieved a 94% completion rate, with 964 scholars graduating between 2018 and 2025. Notably, 37% of the graduates are employed, mainly in the private sector.
Prof. Namaalwa also revealed that the Mastercard Foundation has supported other initiatives at Makerere University, including an e-learning initiative and a climate resilience and sustainability collaborative. The collaborative will provide opportunities for MSc and PhD scholarships to African students, starting in the 2025/2026 academic year.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council Representatives meeting provided a platform for young leaders to share their experiences, challenges, and successes, and to network with their peers from across Africa.
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