Hey there! Are you ready for a new unique enthralling adventure in Kampala this 2023? Join the Uganda Women Birders on a free walking tour Uganda of Makerere University, one of the most iconic institutions in Uganda and Africa. With your guides, proud alumni, we want to share our love for this historic and culturally rich campus with you.
We introduce to you this unique version of our walking tours Kampala, to showcase our great university that has shaped the futures of many young individuals who have passed thru the gates with big hopes and even bigger dreams.
Picture this: you’re strolling through the lush greenery of Makerere, surrounded by towering trees and colorful flowers. The birds are chirping, and the sun is shining down on the iconic Freedom Square. As you walk, you’ll see the Faculty of Arts, with its impressive architecture and vibrant student life. And don’t forget the Main Library, where generations of students have studied and researched.
Why a Free Walking Tour of Makerere University?
Makerere University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Africa, founded in 1922 as a technical school by the British colonial government. In 1949, it became a university college affiliated with the University of London, and in 1963, it became an independent national university. Over the years, Makerere has produced some of Uganda’s most prominent leaders, scholars, and innovators.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Makerere was at the forefront of higher education in Africa, with a strong focus on academic excellence and social justice. However, in the 1980s, the university experienced a period of decline due to political instability and economic challenges in Uganda.
In the 1990s, Makerere underwent significant reforms, with a focus on decentralization, diversification of academic programs, and improving the quality of education. The university expanded its academic offerings, including new programs in engineering, business, and information technology. It also established partnerships with international universities, which helped to improve the quality of research and teaching.
In recent years, Makerere has continued to innovate and evolve. It became the first university in Uganda to introduce a Bachelor of Laws program, and it has also introduced new programs in public health and renewable energy. Makerere is also home to the Uganda Industrial Research Institute, which supports innovation and entrepreneurship in Uganda.
Today, Makerere is known as the “Harvard of Africa” and is one of the most prestigious universities on the continent. It has a diverse student body and faculty, with students from across Uganda and beyond. Makerere continues to be a leader in academic excellence, research, and innovation, and it remains a vital institution in Uganda’s education system.
With famous alumni like Yoweri Museveni – President of Uganda since 1986, Julius Nyerere – First President of Tanzania, Wangari Maathai – Kenyan environmental and political activist, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate , Kofi Annan – Former Secretary-General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Milton Obote – Two-time President of Uganda, Paul Kagame – President of Rwanda since 2000, Winnie Byanyima – Executive Director of UNAIDS and former Director of Oxfam International, Mahmood Mamdani – Ugandan academic, writer, and activist, Patrick Lumumba – Kenyan lawyer and anti-corruption activist, Ali Mazrui – Kenyan academic, writer, and political commentator. Makerere surely has groomed brilliant individuals who have gone ahead to change the lives of many fellow Africans.
But Makerere isn’t just about academics. You’ll also see monuments and landmarks that tell the story of Uganda’s past and present. Iconic landmarks and buildings like the Senate, Main Building, Churches St Francis and St Augustine. There’s the Makerere University Peace Monument, which commemorates the university’s role in promoting peace and reconciliation in Uganda. Famous halls and their fraternities like Lumumba and Mary Stuart aka “LumBox”, Africa and Livingstone “AfroStone”, Mitchelle and Complex “Mitchlex” Nsibirwa and Nkuruma. Tour and learn about the people whom these halls were named after. And let’s not forget the Makerere University Hospital, where doctors and nurses are working tirelessly to improve health outcomes across the country.
With our Meeting Point in Wandegeya market, we will then walk through the campus, we’ll share stories and anecdotes about the university’s history and significance in Uganda. From the Wandegeya Market to the Makerere University Sports Grounds, you’ll get a taste of the vibrant culture and community that make this campus so special.
So what are you waiting for? Book your spot on our free walking tour of Makerere University today, and let’s explore together!
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