The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) has re-launched MAWAZO.
MAWAZO is a multidisciplinary international peer reviewed journal which was first published in June 1967 as a publication of the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Makerere University to promote national consciousness and pan-Africanism through the promotion of basic research in the humanities and social sciences. The journal seeks to disseminate cutting-edge research and opinions relevant and reflective of African realities. The thorough multidisciplinary character of the journal provides for comprehensive analysis of the African condition.
At the re-launch ceremony held on 23rd March, 2018 in the Senior Common Room, Makerere University Main Building, the Editors unveiled the latest publication of MAWAZO, Volume 12, Nos 1&2 released in December 2017. In his remarks, one of the Editors, Prof. Peter Atekyereza noted that they received 22 manuscripts for the June 2017 Issue out of which four were published. “This puts our initial acceptance rate at almost 30%. There is need to invest in improving scholarly writing if we are to sustain the quality of the Journal,” he said.
The papers published are; “From Expulsion to Exclusion: Revisiting Race, Citizenship and the Ethnicity Conundrum in Contemporary Uganda” by Prof. Oloka Onyango; “The Contested Role of Civil Society in the Democratization of Uganda: Are State and Civil Society Organizations Bedfellows?” by Dr Andrew Ellias State and Dr Sabiti Makara; “Double Identity clients: Reality of Non-disclosure and its implications for HIV and AIDS Treatment in Uganda” by Dr Fred Henry Bateganya and Teddy Nabwire Chimulwa” and “Peasantry and Self-Reliance in Eritrea: State 
Management of Labour and Land” by Mr. Temesgen T. Beyan.
At the ceremony, Dr Paul Omach, Head of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, also Editor of MAWAZO gave an overview of the papers, describing their relevance in the African context.
The Editors appreciated the Principal of CHUSS, Prof. Edward K. Kirumira and Dean, School of Social Sciences, Dr Andrew Ellias State for their significant contribution to the revival of MAWAZO. They equally appreciated Mr. Alex Bangirana for his professional touch in editing the journal. They noted that they were in contact with the Management of EBSCO, one of the leading providers of research databases, e-journals, magazine subscriptions, e-books and discovery service to libraries of all kinds, to increase the readership of MAWAZO. They called for a more sustainable funding mechanism to support the necessary budget for activities to publish the Journal.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Principal of CHUSS, Prof. Edward K. Kirumira, appreciated the Editors and authors for their selfless contribution towards having the Issue published. He called for increased institutional support towards research and publication, noting that his target is to ensure financial support for the next 10 volumes by next year. He said the College has already applied to the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for support for the next two volumes of MAWAZO. Prof. Kirumira urged academic staff to include MAWAZO on their reading lists.
The Deputy Principal, Dr Josephine Ahikire noted that MAWAZO is an internationally recognized journal and one of the flagship products of the College that will greatly contribute to the improvement of academic performance with a view of addressing national development challenges. “This is an opportunity for us to make our graduate programmes vibrant. It will help us create communities of scholars through joint publication,” she noted.
The Dean School of Social Sciences, Dr Andrew Ellias State appreciated the editors and authors for taking off time to write and tell the African story. “Makerere being a research led University as always described needs to have what defines it. We therefore need to work towards growing MAWAZO and other research publications of the University. The journals should be in position to encourage intellectual debate,” he said.
MAWAZO has an Editorial Advisory Board of 17 members namely; Prof. Peter Atekyereza, Dr Paul Omach, Prof. Dominic Dipio, Prof. Charles Rwabukwali, Dr Florence Ebila, Dr Pamela Khanakwa, Dr Zahara Nampewo, Dr Julius Omona and Prof. Peter Baguma from Makerere University, Dr Derek Peterson from the University of Michigan, Dr Devon Curtis from the University of Cambridge, Dr Hojer Staffan from the University of Gothenburg, Dr Ahmed Imtiaz from the University of Dhaka, Dr Ibrahim Oanda from CODESRIA, Dr Ron Aminzade from the University of Minnesota, Dr Benson Mulemi from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa and Mr. Alex Bangirana from Makerere Institute of Social Research.
Copies of the latest publication can be accessed through Prof. Peter Atekyereza at the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, School of Social Sciences, Makerere University.