Makerere University safeguarding champions defend freshers

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As Kampala city-based Makerere University opened its gates to thousands of new students aka freshers, this August, a special group of young leaders known as Safeguarding Champions stepped up to ensure that every fresher feels welcome, supported and safe.

These champions, drawn from both the staff and student body, have undergone intensive training to help first-year students navigate campus life while remaining vigilant about issues of safety and well-being. Their presence during orientation week was more than symbolic; it marked the beginning of a semester-long campaign to uphold the values of respect, inclusion and protection across the university community.

Speaking during the 2025 Orientation Week, held from August 4 to 8, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the acting deputy vice chancellor for academic affairs and university academic registrar, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to safeguarding.

“When students know their rights and have the support systems in place, they are better positioned to thrive academically and socially. This is the kind of environment that nurtures both learning and personal growth,” he said.

Safeguarding at Makerere University is not just a policy; it is a movement. Defined as protecting individuals’ health, well-being, and human rights, safeguarding at the university entails proactive steps to ensure that students and staff live free from harm, abuse, or neglect. As such, the university has developed a comprehensive policy framework, which includes student awareness programs, reporting mechanisms, and training for selected leaders across campus.

This year, 25 staff members and 68 students were equipped through a rigorous two-day refresher training session. These Champions, easily identified by their white “Safeguarding Champion” T-shirts, played an active role throughout Orientation Week. They manned the information tent at the Senate Building, guided freshers across campuses, and provided materials with simple yet powerful messages like “Your safety matters.”

Dean of Students Dr Winfred Kabumbuli praised the student champions for taking initiative in creating a supportive peer-led environment.

“These young leaders have taken it upon themselves to be the first line of support for their peers. Their presence is a reminder that at Makerere University, safety, respect, and inclusivity are everyone’s responsibility,” she said.

Prof. and Mukhadasi. (Credit: Ruhweza Ibrahim)

Working in tandem with staff Champions across the nine Colleges and three Schools, including the Jinja campus, the students ensured that no question went unanswered and no student felt alone. Their involvement extended beyond basic guidance; they held meaningful conversations about consent, personal safety, mental health, and the dangers of campus fraud.

Prof. Justine Namaalwa Jjumba, a member of the safeguarding implementation team, urged the champions to be proactive and inclusive in all interactions.

“Let us be champions of inclusive language. We do not refer to them as ‘blind people’; we say ‘visually impaired.’ As champions, you need to be keen on identifying risks and possible causes of safeguarding concerns, report promptly, and support each other,” she advised.

The champions’ efforts were complemented by Ms Diane Nabikolo Osiru, the Safeguarding Liaison Officer at the university, who has been instrumental in promoting policy awareness. She coordinated various activities during orientation and oversaw the dissemination of information to both new and returning students.

A vital tool in this initiative is MakSafeSpace, the university’s confidential e-reporting platform. It allows students to report incidents of abuse or neglect discreetly and receive follow-up support. Jenkins Okidi, a third-year Bachelor of Animal Production student and a Champion, said students were eager to learn about the platform.

“Most freshers were excited to learn they have a safe, private way to report any concerns,” he noted.

For many of the Champions, the experience has been just as transformative for them as it has been for the students they support.

Mary Agnes Atim, a third-year fine art student, said the opportunity to talk to fellow students about safeguarding was incredibly rewarding.

“I have enjoyed the orientation. As an advocate, I appreciated the opportunity to talk to fellow students about the safeguarding initiative. I’m confident that by now they know the ‘dark spots’ and will be better protected from fraudsters,” Atim shared.

Similarly, Edinah Kamurasi, a second-year Economics student, admitted that the training changed her entire outlook on campus safety.

“Before this, I wasn’t even sure about the safeguarding policy, but now I can confidently explain it to others and interact with students every day, explaining the same thing. I also learned a lot,” she said.

Sharifah Nalubembe, a second-year student of bachelor's degree in library and information science, found meaning in directing new students to the right services.

“It felt very satisfying to help and ensure that no one ended up in the wrong hands,” she said.

Fahad Kiyimba, pursuing Software Engineering, described the training as empowering.

“It gave me the confidence to engage first-year students about our comprehensive safeguarding policy, and that is exactly what I did during orientation week,” he said.

As the academic year progresses, the Champions will continue their work through awareness drives, peer-support sessions, and training workshops in various colleges. The university leadership is calling on all students and staff to embrace the safeguarding culture and be active participants in maintaining a safe and inclusive environment.

Carol Kasujja Adii, senior communication officer in charge of safeguarding and crisis communication, emphasised that the success of this initiative depends on continuous engagement and collective responsibility.

“The champions are here to spark the conversation, but it’s up to all of us to keep it going,” she noted.

Kasujja said with their training, passion, and dedication, Makerere’s Safeguarding Champions are not only defending freshers; they’re shaping a campus culture where everyone belongs.