By Carol Kasujja Adii

When a number of students learnt that they had made it to the top five finalists for the Annual Safeguarding Message Award, most of them got excited and anxious at the same time. Some called back to confirm whether it was true but one true thing rang clearly; their hard work had paid off.

On Tuesday, March 17, the five finalists gave it their all at the Safeguarding Annual Message Competition 2026 grand finale which was held at the Makerere Main Hall, delivering a powerful and memorable showcase filled with a joyful blend of poetry and performance.

The five finalists who were from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), College of Education and External studies (CEES) and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (COVAB), captivated the audience with their powerful safety and inclusion messages.

By the evening, the students from CHUSS had emerged as winners walking away with Shs3million. Khamala Elphas Makokha, a master’s student in Peace and Conflict Resolution, who produced a poster about safeguarding, claimed the 1st runner-up position, earning himself Shs2million and Mildred Nicks Aine, a first year student pursuing Early childhood care and Education took 2nd runner-up position with her spoken poem.

In the popular award, Khamala clinched the top spot with a prize of Shs500,000.

Speaking on behalf of the winning team, Allan Mugisha, a 3rd year student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences, explained that in their video, they wanted to highlight everyday safeguarding issues that people tend to ignore.

Allan Mugisha speaks on behalf of the CHUSS winning team

“Creating this video was a collaborative effort and also challenging because we used our phones to record but we wanted to show the entire public that safeguarding is not just a policy or a university requirement, it is about protecting our dignity, safety and wellbeing at Makerere University. We showed some of the risks and incidences and who to approach when you face those challenges,” Mugisha, who also doubles as a student safeguarding champion, said.

Mugisha thanked the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for giving students like him and his colleagues an opportunity to actively engage, noting that it has made them feel empowered rather than dormant.

The guest of honour and the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, congratulated the winners and noted that the University is intentional about ensuring that students are safe at all times because people achieve their full potential in any endeavour when they feel safe.

“Over the years, we have put in place various policies to safeguard our students. In addition to the Safeguarding policy, we have the Anti-Sexual harassment policy and the policy to support Students with Disabilities. Every student should know these policies so as to know the steps to take in case they feel threatened,” Prof Nawangwe, said.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe speaking at the Annual Safeguarding Message Awards ceremony

The University launched the Safeguarding Policy in April 2024 to create a safer learning and working environment for both students and staff. The institution has an obligation and has committed to continue providing a safe and supportive learning and working environment for all students, staff and other stakeholders. The Annual Safeguarding Message competition is a celebration that brings together students to come up with a message that will be identified as the institution’s main message.

The potential safeguarding risks in institutions of higher learning include; emotional distress, sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH); material loss, financial exploitation, discrimination and neglect; unfair and illegitimate response to civic engagements; cyber security/threats, psychological and emotional harm; substance abuse; and physical assault.

Addressing guests at the, Prof Justine Namaalwa, the Coordinator of the Mastercard Foundation Initiatives at Makerere University, described the Safeguarding Annual contest as an inclusive and interactive platform that brings together students, to amplify voices, showcase creative messages, and strengthen commitment to a safe and supportive environment for all.

“The safeguarding initiatives is student-led but it is not only students but also staff champions. Through the Office of the Vice Chancellor, we commit to continue supporting the Annual Safeguarding contest every year till 2032,” Prof Namaalwa, said.

On behalf of the 6 panel of judges, Dr Viola Karungi, a senior lecturer at the department of Performing Arts and Film, explained that they received 22 entries comprising seven written poems, three posters, two songs, eight short videos, one slogan and one comic book.

“We assessed submissions based on five key criteria, including originality and creativity. During the review, we found that some entries contained or replicated existing work, which was verified using digital tools by one of our panelists.” Dr Karungi said.

Other winners included Job Diryo, a 5th year veterinary medicine student who performed a poem and Abraha Tumwine who also presented a poster.