ADVERTISEMENT

Makerere University celebrates the late Julius Nyerere's 100th birthday

Makerere University celebrated the life and times of Julius Nyerere with a two-day conference themed as “Nyerere at 100”.

Otafiire (right) and Makerere University council chairperson, Lorna Magara

Nyerere, born one hundred years ago in 1922, just like Makerere University, graduated from Makerere in 1947 with a diploma in education.

ADVERTISEMENT

While speaking at the conference, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, who represented President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, described the former Tanzanian leader Nyerere as a great alumnus and dedicated pan-Africanist.

He said “Mwalimu” Nyerere’s ideals were inspired and shaped several revolutions that led to the independence of African nations, especially in East and South Africa.

“Together with Kwame Nkrumah, they formed the beacons of Pan-Africanism that many young and budding leaders looked up to and inspired to emulate,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Adding that Nyerere championed Pan-Africanism, Otafiire described such championship as creating a sense of unity and fraternity.

Mwalimu Nyerere recognised this and set out to achieve this through his Ujamaa pro-socialist movement,” said Otafiire.

Ujamaa, which simply means familyhood, was a socialist system of village cooperatives based on equality of opportunity and self-help, established in the 1960s by Nyerere.

Otafiire also said this socialist system paralleled the ideals of Pan-Africanism, which helped him as a young leader then to renew his commitment to Pan-Africanism.

“It is on this basis that we founded the Julius Nyerere leadership centre at Makerere University as a presidential initiative to establish a platform where the young people could learn from elders,” he revealed.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Makerere University council chairperson, Lorna Magara, said that Makerere University, from its formation in 1922, has been a conveyour belt of progressive individuals such as Nyerere.

Our gathering here today is testimony that Mwalimu Nyerere fulfilled his part as a student. He eagerly availed himself of the splendid opportunities of service and advancement that Makerere offered him as well as other students of his time”, she said.

Makerere University is currently celebrating one hundred years of its existence.

ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulse.ug

Recommended articles

Government had no hand in our release from prison, Ssegirinya, Ssewanyana speak out

Government had no hand in our release from prison, Ssegirinya, Ssewanyana speak out

NSSF gives employers 30 days ultimatum to register employees

NSSF gives employers 30 days ultimatum to register employees

Opposition calls for proportional representation

Opposition calls for proportional representation

Tayebwa commends King Ceasor Mulenga T.G for supporting humanity

Tayebwa commends King Ceasor Mulenga T.G for supporting humanity

East African Community to have single currency by 2031

East African Community to have single currency by 2031

Woman st*bs her friend to d*ath during an argument in Lagos

Woman st*bs her friend to d*ath during an argument in Lagos

Eskom hands over Nalubaale, Kiira power stations to Government

Eskom hands over Nalubaale, Kiira power stations to Government

Uganda Airlines to start direct flights to Rwanda

Uganda Airlines to start direct flights to Rwanda

Uphold family values for a better society, Alupo tells women in Mityana, Kassanda

Uphold family values for a better society, Alupo tells women in Mityana, Kassanda

Pulse Sports

Sadio Mane guides Senegal to fifth consecutive final

Sadio Mane guides Senegal to fifth consecutive final

Micho rallies government to complete works at Namboole before Algeria clash

Micho rallies government to complete works at Namboole before Algeria clash

Ofoyrwoth broke Kobs' hearts to keep Heathens alive

Ofoyrwoth broke Kobs' hearts to keep Heathens alive

'Now kill me if Bafana Bafana fails to reach knockouts' - Broos

Gutted Okwi urges Cranes to show true resilience against Taifa Stars

Gutted Okwi urges Cranes to show true resilience against Taifa Stars

KCCA FC confirm Emmanuel Adebayor visit

KCCA FC confirm Emmanuel Adebayor visit

Tanzania president Samia Suluhu buys 7,000 tickets for Taifa Stars’ fans

Tanzania president Samia Suluhu buys 7,000 tickets for Taifa Stars’ fans

Tanzania eyeing a double over Uganda Cranes, says Msuva

Tanzania eyeing a double over Uganda Cranes, says Msuva

Tottenham search for fourth manager in four years as Antonio Conte exits

Tottenham search for fourth manager in four years as Antonio Conte exits

ADVERTISEMENT