Makerere University has been a famous academic institution in the area since 1922.
Brilliant East Africans who served in both pre- and post-colonial Africa came from the Kampala-based university.
Did you know that numerous eminent and respected politicians and civil workers from Kenya attended Makerere University?
We examines these people’s backgrounds, their time spent studying in Uganda, and their effects.
Mwai Kibaki
Makerere University Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe eulogized the late president Kibaki as a gallant son of Makerere upon his death.
After excelling in Mang’u, Kibaki aspired to join the military like most of his Othaya villagemates who had been enlisted in the army to fight in the First and Second World Wars.
He attended Makerere University, where he studied economics, history, and political science. He graduated with a First Class Honours degree in economics in 1955.
“Makerere University is proud of the legacy of her Gallant Alumnus, H.E. Dr. Mwai Kibaki. We believe that he lived a life that resonated with the values upon which Makerere University was founded,” stated Prof Nawangwe in a glowing tribute published on the University’s website.
Oginga Odinga
Born in October 1911 Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was a Kenyan freedom fighter and first Vice President of independent Kenya. Oginga later became one of the pioneer opposition leaders in Kenya.
Jaramogi, Raila Odinga’s dad, went to Makerere University in 1940, and returned to Maseno High School as a teacher. In 1948 he joined the political party Kenya African Union (KAU) and thus began his illustrious political career.
He died in 1994.
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o
Born in1938 in Kamirithu Kiambu County, Professor Ngugi Wa Thiong’o is a prolific Kenyan writer and academic who writes primarily in Gikuyu and who formerly wrote in English.
His works include novels, plays, short stories, and essays, ranging from literary and social criticism to children’s literature.
The award-winning writer is another eminent Kenyan and an alumni of Makerere University College, where he graduated with Bachelor of Arts in English in 1963.
A critic of President Daniel Arap Moi’s autocratic rule, Prof Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o went into exile in 1980.
Dr. Robert Ouko
He was a brilliant man.Dr Robert Ouko was Kenya’s Foreign Minister from 1979 to 1983 before returning to the same ministry between 1988 and 1990.
Being one of the most educated Kenyans at the time, he served in the colonial government as well as in the subsequent Jomo Kenyatta and Moi’s regimes.
Dr. Ouko got his eloquence and expertise in Foreign Affairs from Makerere where he obtained a diploma in International Relations and Diplomacy.
Robert Ouko was assassinated in 1990.
Mukhisa Kituyi
Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi made history as the highest-ranking Kenyan in the United Nations where he served as the Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) from 2013 to 2021.
Dr. Kituyi resigned from his UN job to vie for the Kenyan presidency. He previously served as Minister for Trade and Industry from 2002 to 2007.
Born in 1956, Kituyi obtained a B.A in Political Science and International Relations from Makerere University, graduating with honours.
Otieno Kajwang
The late Otieno Kajwang who like Mukhisa Kituyi was born in 1956 was a firebrand politician who represented Mbita constituency in the National Assembly.
With the advent of devolution, Otieno Kajwang was elected to represent Homa Bay County in 2017 general election.
He died November, 19 2014. Upon his death, his brother, Moses Kajwang won the by-election and retained the seat in 2017.
Notably, the legal profession runs in their blood. Thomas Joseph Kajwang fondly known as TJ Kajwang is a member of this family. TJ is the current Ruaraka member of parliament.
Otieno Kajwang and other student leaders among them Mukhisa Kituyi were expelled from the University of Nairobi in 1979 before joining Makerere.
At this time, Ngugi wa Thiong’o was a lecturer at the university. Otieno Kajwang is also remembered for the Bado Mapambano song of struggle.
David Mwiraria
The late David Mwiraria, also known as Daudi, served in both Finance and later Environment and Natural resources dockets.
He was a powerful politician from Central Kenya. When Kibaki took power in 2002, after Moi’s 24-year era Mwiraria was part of his first cabinet.
He graduated with a in B.A Mathematics in 1962 from Makerere University.
He died in 2017.
