The Institute located in Gayaza-Nakwero in Wakiso district is milestone ushering in a new era of transformative learning and leadership in health and social justice across the African continent.
As a newly licensed degree-awarding institution, Ahaki Institute represents a timely response to Africa’s urgent need for context-driven, justice-oriented education that meets the demands of a rapidly evolving public health landscape.
Rooted in an integrated Africentric and interdisciplinary approach, the Institute’s unique curriculum-accredited by Uganda’s National Council for Higher Education-empowers multidisciplinary professionals with the knowledge and tools to advance equity, justice, and dignity in health systems. Its flagship academic programmes-a Bachelor’s and Postgraduate Diploma in Sexual and Reproductive Health-will commence in August 2025.
Dr. Moses Mulumba, one of the founders and Vice Chancellor of Ahaki Institute, stated that Ahaki is more than an academic institution-it is a vision for Africa’s future.
“The idea for Ahaki Institute was born in 2009 through advocacy on health systems through CEHURD. In 2020, we began to think about a centre of excellence with a focus on research and training. This idea was launched in November 2021.The idea was championed by a number of academics some of whom are here with us today. Work that intersects between the health system and the justice system is still important. Dr. Mulumba said.
Dr. Mulumba further said “The challenges that the continent is facing have created more work for us. The colonial system created distinct disciplines that failed integrate. Medics are totally separated from law and lawyers from medicine. This has to be addressed. Several disciplines can play a role in the health sector.”
“In the health sector and the justice system, there are things that have to be done. It is important that the NGO sector gets to understand the contemporary times. We can no longer run NGOs purely on the basis of the original missionary foundation. It is important that these outfits which have solid infrastructure turn into social enterprises.” Dr. Mulumba noted.
In his remarks delivered by Owek. Cotilda Nakate Kikomeko, Minister for social services and office of the Nabagereka in Buganda government, Charles Peter Mayiga, the Katikiro of Buganda said “Through online learning you have extended the reach of education across Africa. By providing these programmes, You are directly contributing to the growth and stability of our Country.”
“I strongly encourage the integration of applied research in all your programmes…By fostering a research oriented education, you will contribute to policy formulation, fostering development and legal reforms that will strengthen the future of our country,” Katikiro said. Katikiro further commended Ahaki Institute for this milestone.
Dr. Olaro Charles who represented the Ministry of health said that the launch of Ahaki Institute will meet a critical gap in human resource in health delivery and care in Uganda.
“The coming of the Ahaki institute will contribute to a dynamic human resource with the knowledge and skill required to improve health outcomes in the country. The issues of adequate funding and workforce shortages are key. I’m happy that the institute is coming to contribute to this.” Dr. Olaro said.
“In addition to training in SRH, we also need to address Non Communicable Diseases like High Blood Pressure . The institute can contribute through research to address some of these challenges.As a Ministry, we believe that the opportunities for the Institute to contribute to Uganda’s health sector are there. – Dr Olaro added.
He emphasized that Uganda has made progress in the health sector. However, Ahaki Institute must deal with non-communicable diseases.
On his part, Dr.Jonathan Musinguzi, Senior presidential advisor on population and family matters, said “We must advocate for a National Health Insurance Scheme. A National Health Insurance Scheme , especially in the Trump era, is increasingly important in order to address our health challenges.”
Prof. Nakanyike Musisi said “We gather here not merely to mark the accreditation and licensure of a new degree-awarding institution but to reaffirm a fundamental truth: Africa’s progress is tied to its ability to produce, retain, and apply knowledge that is relevant to its people. Institutions like Ahaki are at the forefront of this mission, not only in providing specialized education but in reshaping the very foundations upon which knowledge is produced and disseminated on this continent.”
Prof Nakanyike emphasized that “Long before colonial education systems were imposed, Africa had its own robust knowledge traditions. Learning was experiential, dynamic, and deeply rooted in communal values. It was transmitted through storytelling, apprenticeship, rituals, and oral traditions—methods that ensured education remained relevant to the needs of society. Yet today, many of our higher education institutions continue to mirror Western models that often fail to reflect Africa’s realities. Curricula remain dominated by Eurocentric theories, methodologies, and disciplinary frameworks, reinforcing an epistemic hierarchy that marginalizes indigenous knowledge. Nowhere is this more evident than in the fields of health and social justice, where the dominance of biomedical models and Western legal frameworks has led to interventions that do not always align with the lived experiences of African communities.”
By creating academic programs that are deeply rooted in African knowledge systems and responsive to the continent’s needs, Ahaki not only educates but also inspires professionals to stay, serve, and lead change from within. A strong private higher education sector—one that complements public universities—creates an ecosystem where scholars and practitioners feel valued, supported, and motivated to contribute to their home countries. – _Prof Nakanyike said.
She added that “Long before colonial education systems were imposed, Africa had its own robust knowledge traditions. Learning was experiential, dynamic, and deeply rooted in communal values. It was transmitted through storytelling, apprenticeship, rituals, and oral traditions—methods that ensured education remained relevant to the needs of society. Yet today, many of our higher education institutions continue to mirror Western models that often fail to reflect Africa’s realities.”
Ahaki Institute stands poised to be a leader in this movement, ensuring that education, research, and advocacy are rooted in the knowledge and experiences of African communities,Prof Nakanyike said.
“Ahaki Institute represents an exciting step toward a self-reliant Africa. Its graduates (drawn from across the continent)— as healthcare practitioners, social justice advocates, and policy thinkers—will not only advance the African identity that is AFRICENTRIC but will also create solutions tailored to Africa’s unique challenges.
Let us support and celebrate Ahaki Institute, not just as an institution, but as a bold re-imagination of what higher education in Africa can and should be.”
Congratulations to Ahaki Institute on this momentous achievement. The journey ahead is bright, and I look forward to seeing the impact this institution will have on generations to come. Prof remarked.
In her remarks H.E the Ambassador,Kingdom of Netherlands in Uganda, Frederick Quispel stated “Healthy people are better able to participate in society. Improving access to SRH and ensuring that everyone can attain the highest attainable standards of health is important. Amultidisciplinary approach that is being applied by Ahaki is a useful.”
“We see today’s launch as an opportunity to improve health including Sexual and Reproductive Health especially for women and girls.” She said.
About Ahaki Institute
Afya na Haki (Ahaki) is an African research and training institute that uses africentric approaches to generate knowledge and enhance advocacy capacities in the areas of Health, Human Rights and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
Our aim is to co-create and front African solutions to African problems by engaging Africans on issues of health, human rights and SRHR. We do this through generating evidence, building advocacy capacities and enabling strategic partnerships and collaborations, that embrace appreciative questioning and positive African narratives to determine how these intersect with the global agendas. Ahaki shifts the narrative from Africans being victims to that of agency – being able to engage in changing their own lives and realities.
