By Aaron Oguttu.
In a historic tribute to the indomitable spirit of Sarah Ntiro, Makerere University last week held the Sarah Ntiro Annual Public Lecture. The event served as a poignant reminder of the remarkable strides made by this pioneering figure in 1945, when Makerere University College first opened its doors to women, shattering long-held gender barriers. Sarah Ntiro's legacy endures as she remains the first woman graduate not only in her native Uganda but in the entirety of East and Central Africa.
The annual memorial lecture drew a distinguished audience of accomplished women, including business leaders, political trailblazers, and cultural luminaries. Among them was the esteemed Nnabagerekka of Buganda, Her Royal Highness Sylvia Nagginda (who doubled as the day’s Keynote Speaker) exemplifying the far-reaching impact of Sarah Ntiro's legacy and the profound influence she has had on inspiring generations of women to break through the barriers that once confined their aspirations.
Held under the theme “Catalyzing change; Women as pillars of society”, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe mentioned that the late Sarah Nyendwoha Ntiro continues to hold a special place in the heart of Makerere hence the annual public lecture in her memory.
Makerere University's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe making his remarks at the Sarah Ntiro Public Lecture
He added that Ntiro’s legacy at the Ivory Tower lives on and has been evidenced by Dr. Caroline Adoch, who recently became the first female to be awarded Makerere’s prestigious Doctor of Law and Dr. Olivia Nabawada who is now the youngest female to obtain a PhD in Mathematics from Makerere at only 31 years of age. These, he added, were a stark reminder that at slightly over 100 years of existence, Makerere can, and ought to do more.
Speaking to the theme of the day, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, the Resident Representative of UNDP in Uganda stressed that "Catalysing change means African women must tell the African women story in a powerful way. I was recently flown by an African woman pilot and I was so proud, yet there are men who say they would be dead scared on such a plane."
She also made mention that the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Uganda is promoting the African Free Trade Area by focusing on connecting African women to regional markets to create access to both markets and good quality African produce.
The Resident Representative of UNDP in Uganda, Ms.Elsie Attafuah making her remarks at the lecture
Representing the family of the Late Sarah Ntiro, the granddaughter, Martha Kiiza Kalema recalled a moment at her graduation dinner where Kiki (as they fondly called her) mentioned that her dreams had been fulfilled through her academic accomplishments. Ntiro had been stopped from studying mathematics at Makerere and here she was celebrating her granddaughter’s degree in mathematics.
Martha further revealed that the family is immortalizing Ntiro’s legacy with a recently registered Sarah Ntiro Akiiki Foundation, whose vision is inclusive, equitable, quality education in rural Africa and a memoir that will be launched on 24th November, 2023.
Martha Kizza Kalema, Sarah Ntiro's granddaughter speaking at the Public Lecture
In her keynote address, the Nnabagereka of Buganda paid tribute to women trailblazers such as Joyce Mpanga, Florence Sembatya, Ann Galiwango, Ruth Kavuma and Florence Kanyike who were true catalysers for change for the education of girls and women in Uganda.
HRH Sylvia Nagginda, the Nnabagereka of Buganda making her Keynote Address
She went on to add that, “Women having made defining inroads in girls education in Uganda & achieved landmark successes was because of some women who came before, women who dared to demand for the realization of women’s human rights in all aspects of life. We are riding on the shoulders of these women”
The Nnabagereka then delved into how her position in Buganda has accorded her an opportunity to realize her own dream of making critical contributions to the development of Uganda; something she had constantly yearned to do during the eighteen years she spent studying and working in the United States of America. She highlighted the Nnabagereka Development Foundation which has been actively involved in numerous health, education and community development initiatives plus the Ekisaakaate kya Nnabagereka which promotes the nurturing of children in environments where learning and skilling happens.
She concluded her keynote address by stating her belief that the world needs more Sarah Ntiros, Joyce Mpangas and Rhoda Kalemas and that there are infinite possibilities of the human potential to dream and break new ceilings.
Watch the full Sarah Ntiro Public Lecture here
Related News
Please join hands with the Makerere University Endowment Fund as it works towards attracting & retaining the best faculty, providing scholarships, and investing in cutting-edge research and technology.