The Minister of Education and Sports Hon. Janet Kataah Museveni launched the Emerging Leaders Program and commissioned the first cohort of safety champions at Makerere University.
The launch, held on Friday, September 27th, 2024, at Makerere Freedom Square marked the start of the actualization of Hon. Jante Museveni’s vision to implement a national Anti-Corruption and HIV/AIDS campaign in Uganda.
Speaking at the launch, Janet Museveni said the Emerging Leaders Program is a program she holds dear in her heart because it has the potential to nurture the young generation of Uganda’s leaders and to shape the destiny of our nation.
She thanked the leadership of Makerere University and the program’s partners the Global Leadership Summit and Life Ministry Uganda for taking up the challenge to craft a program that will instill character in university students in the country.
“My desire is that this program expands beyond Makerere University to all universities in Uganda. I pray that God will make that possible,” she said.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe thanked Hon. Janet Museveni for championing the fight to save emerging leaders from destruction and committed himself to ensure ELP succeeds.
“Makerere University is committed to ensuring the safety of her students and staff and Council has approved the safeguarding policy, and the counselling and career guidance policy is in the offing. Management will make every necessary effort to ensure the success of the Emerging Leaders Program,” Prof. Nawangwe noted.
Prof. Nawangwe also thanked the students’ guild leadership for their contribution towards the success of ELP noting that; “The Guild Leadership has displayed a high level of maturity and they have implemented activities that complement the efforts of the Emerging Leaders Programme”.
Mrs. Lorna Magara, Chair Makerere University Council said ELP is a legacy project that will help raise a generation of value-based people committed to serving and transforming their communities.
“This is a legacy project that will outlive us, so we must plan for its continuity. We must continue raising generations of value-based people committed to serving and transforming their communities. The development of Uganda and Africa hinges on the quality of the people,” Mrs. Magara said.
Dr. Ronald Semyalo, lecturer in the department of Zoology at the College of Natural Sciences and ELP trainee, noted taht ELP is not just another academic course but a catalyst for personal transformation, empowering each individual to reach their full potential for the betterment of themselves and the community
Julian Kanyesigye, one of the safety champions, noted that ELP has come at a time when youth are battling pandemics on multiple fronts from high rates of drug abuse to high rates of sexual immorality, with an alarming increase in the number of HIV infections among young people.
The launch of ELP followed a discussion between Hon. Janet Museveni and Makerere University Council members on February 2, 2023. The minister tasked the University Council to join her and implement a national Anti-Corruption and HIV/AIDS Campaign, starting with Makerere University in the bid to raise a dignified generation of youth in Uganda.
The launch of ELP was witnessed by Prof. Henry Alinaitwe (Ag. Deputy VC Finance and Administration), Prof. Sarah Saali Dean School of Gender, Vice Guild President Joy Eve Serunjogi, Principal Public Relations Officer Ms. Ritah Namisango among others.
