Next Media, Makerere strike Shs 200 million deal to amplify centennial celebrations

Makerere University has announced a partnership worth Shs 200m with Next Media, the leading multimedia company in Uganda to provide live coverage, documentaries, news features, talk shows and digital media coverage during the institution's centennial celebrations this year.

To mark 100 years of existence, Makerere has planned activities which include public lecture series, a centenary conference, the centenary run, homecoming dinner to mention but a few.

Opening its doors to 14-day students in 1922, Makerere University has grown to become one of the most prestigious learning institutions in Africa.

Makerere University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe highlighted the institution’s contribution to education and human resource development.

"Currently, there are people from 54 countries studying at the university. Our contribution is not just local but global. The best way to celebrate these achievements is to tell the story to everybody. We are glad that NBS TV has partnered with us to tell that story," Nawangwe said.

On his part, Next Media Services’ Chief Executive Officer, Kin Kariisa shared his history with Makerere saying that he spent seven years university, three years as a student and four as part of the teaching staff at the College of Computing and Information Science.

Kariisa promised to amplify Makerere University’s story of excellence by publicising its research, innovation and authenticity over the last 100 years.

"We are going to promote messages that call for people to come back to the institution and rebuild it.” He added.

He also mentioned that out of 450 staff at Next Media Services, 300 of them have been through Makerere and all members of the top management team have studied at the university.