Makerere University recently honored the legacy of Prof. William Senteza Kajubi, Uganda’s first African Fulbright scholar, during the 2024 Senteza Kajubi Fulbright Memorial Lecture.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the university’s Vice Chancellor, praised Kajubi’s groundbreaking contributions, particularly his role in opening doors for Africans to study in the United States.
“Prof. Kajubi blazed a trail that established strong academic partnerships between Makerere University and numerous U.S. universities. Today, we have collaborations with almost all U.S. state universities, except Hawaii and Alaska,” Prof. Nawangwe said during the event held at the Yusuf Lule Teaching Facility Auditorium. He added that Kajubi’s impact on higher education in Uganda and across Africa is immeasurable, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations.
The memorial lecture also saw Prof. Kajubi’s son, Wasswa Yoweri Kajubi, express gratitude on behalf of the family, while honoring the late Joyce R. Mpanga, Uganda’s first female Fulbright scholar, who passed away in 2023. Kajubi encouraged students to explore Fulbright Program opportunities, emphasizing their potential to transform lives and the world.
U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. William W. Popp, highlighted the critical role universities play in shaping global citizens through research and innovation. “Universities conduct research that addresses key societal challenges, preparing students to contribute to solutions that benefit both local and global communities,” he said, stressing the need for universities to focus on issues such as health, climate change, and economic development.
In a panel discussion, Dr. Pamela Tibihikirra-Kalyegira, Director of the Law Development Centre (LDC), urged students to reflect on their roles as responsible citizens, while Makerere University Council Chairperson, Mrs. Lorna Magara, challenged students to think about how they can give back to the university.
The lecture series, themed “The Role of Higher Education in Building Active Citizens,” celebrates Prof. Kajubi’s life while fostering discussions on critical national and global issues.