Makerere University, in partnership with the Uganda Management Institute (UMI), successfully concluded the Julius Nyerere Youth Festival 2025, a two-day event celebrating the enduring legacy of one of Africa’s most influential leaders, the late President Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere of Tanzania.
Held under the theme “Our Heritage, Our Voices: Culture, Innovation, and Servant Leadership”, the festival brought together youth leaders, policy makers, scholars, and cultural figures from various part of African.
The gathering was marked by cultural exhibitions, leadership discussions, and networking forums designed to inspire the next leaders.
The closing ceremony, held at Makerere University’s Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre, was officiated by Major General Paul Kisesa Simuli, the High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania to Uganda.
In his remarks, Simuli expressed deep appreciation to Ugandan President Gen. (RTD) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for preserving Nyerere’s legacy and advancing the ideals of Pan-Africanism.
Throughout the festival, participants engaged in panel discussions and “fireplace conversations” and dialogues addressing key issues such as governance, youth empowerment, economic development, and the role of culture in leadership.
The Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre, named in honor of Tanzania’s founding president, serves as a hub for intellectual exchange, research, and mentorship.
Established in 2018 on President Museveni’s initiative, the Centre is jointly managed by Makerere University and UMI. It aims to promote intergenerational dialogue, examine Africa’s revolutionary history, and provide innovative policy research and leadership training.
The event organizers expressed appreciation to key partners and supporters, including Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), UNDP Uganda, the East African Development Bank (EADB), the Tanzanian High Commission in Uganda, the Private Education Development Network (PEDN), Irene Mutumba, Caleb and Jovia Foundation, and the Akandwanaho Foundation, among others.
As Africa continues to confront evolving social, political, and economic challenges, the Julius Nyerere Youth Festival reaffirmed the continent’s commitment to nurturing homegrown leadership rooted in cultural identity, innovation, and service.
The Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre was established through the initiative of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda, to honor the legacy of the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere the founding President of the United Republic of Tanzania and a revered Pan-Africanist.
Officially launched on October 6, 2018, by President Museveni, the Centre serves as a platform for intergenerational dialogue, rigorous academic inquiry, and leadership development. Its focus lies in exploring African history, revolutionary movements, and contextualizing the continent’s present-day challenges through an African lens.
The JNLC employs a multidisciplinary approach that includes innovative, policy-driven research, high-quality public dialogues, and structured mentorship programs. It brings together eminent African scholars, intellectuals, and accomplished professionals to inspire, challenge, and nurture emerging leaders across the continent.
Jointly hosted by Makerere University and the Uganda Management Institute (UMI), the Centre operates its headquarters on the Makerere University campus, where it coordinates its academic and leadership development programs.
By bridging generations and ideas, the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre plays a critical role in shaping a new era of servant leadership rooted in African values, cultural pride, and collective progress.
