The Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Makerere University is hosting the last session of the Uongozi Summer School 2014 that began on 7th July, 2014 in Dar es Salaam and 
will close on 15th August, 2014 with a graduation ceremony to be graced by the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Uongozi Summer School is one of the activities of the East African Uongozi Institute founded in 1998 with the aim of inculcating leadership qualities and competencies among the next generation of East African leaders.
The Kampala session started on Monday 4th August, 2014 and is being held in the Upper Conference Hall, Senate Building. A total of 52 students from Makerere University, University of Nairobi, University of Dar es Salaam, University of Burundi and the National University of Rwanda are participating in this year’s Uongozi Summer School.
The Kampala session is being chaired by the Head of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Dr Suzie Nansozi Muwanga. Several academicians and politicians from the region are talking to the students on different topics aligned to this year’s theme; “African States: Competing Identities and Democratization”. On Wednesday, 6th August, 2014, Prof Sabiti Makara briefed the students on identities, national building and democratization in Uganda whereas Assoc. Prof. Julius Kiiza presented a paper entitled; “Making Sense of the Senseless Kasese Massacres: Tribalism, Identity Politics or Elite Manipulation?” Today, 7th August, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, shared his personal reflections on leadership. Assoc. Prof. Phillip Kasaija Apuuli will present a paper on the challenges of nation building in the environment of competing identities in East African States, Prof Murindwa Rutanga will discuss identity in global politics whereas Dr S.K.Simba will talk about depoliticizing identities in East African States.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Kampala session held on Wednesday, 6th August, the Guest of Honour, Uganda's Minister of Education and Sports,Hon. Jessica Alupo, commended the founders of the East African Uongozi Institute for the great initiative, noting that such institutions are of great importance at this time when Africa is faced with many leadership challenges that have resulted into suppression of human rights, violent conflicts, and economic deterioration.
She acknowledged the efforts of Makerere University in promoting good governance and fostering economic development through extensive research and active participation in national policy formulation. She specifically commended the leadership of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration for their efforts in ensuring that Ugandans participate in the East African Uongozi Institute programmes.
In a speech presented by the Academic Registrar, Mr Alfred Namoah Masikye, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, appealed to the East African Uongozi Institute to engage as many youth as possible by extending the programme beyond the leading Universities in East Africa.
He expressed gratitude to Ford Foundation that provided a grant for the Uongozi Summer School 2014.
In his remarks, Prof. Benson Bana from the University of Dar es Salaam noted that the East African Uongozi Institute draws its relevance from its deep desire to address one of the most formidable
challenges facing Africa, the “leadership deficit”. “After five decades of independence, most African countries still experience famine, misery, poverty and vulnerability. Economic growth has not yet translated into better living standards. There has been a problem of absence of clear vision, imagination, dynamism and good governance. Democratic leadership has been uneven across the continent with a few countries demonstrating positive trends towards democratic governance, avoiding corruption and instability. It is on this basis that there have been numerous efforts to nurture responsible and transformative leadership in Africa,” he explained.
About East African Uongozi Institute
"Uongozi" means leadership in Kiswahili, and inspiring and strengthening leadership is the core purpose of the East African Uongozi Institute. Based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the Uongozi Institute is dedicated to supporting African leaders to attain sustainable development for their nations and for Africa. It seeks to inspire leaders and promote the recognition of the important role of leadership in sustainable development.
The idea of forming the East African Uongozi Institute (EAFUI) first emerged in 1996, at a Dinner which Prof. Rwekaza Mukandala, the current Vice Chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam had with the then Programme Officer of Ford Foundation, Mr. Jonathan Moyo, in Dar es Salaam. As they toyed around with a lukewarm soup, they were mused as to how many scholars of politics in history had died through food poisoning. Socrates, Aristotle and Plato came in their mind. Gradually though, their conversation turned to the challenges both of the theory and practice of leadership in East Africa.
Following long deliberations, the EAFUI was established as one of five institutions to foster democracy and good governance in the region. The institute was established in 1998 with the purpose of inculcating leadership qualities and competencies among the young generations of East Africans as well as fostering a greater understanding of international development issues relating to Africa and beyond.