University scholars from Uganda and across Africa have called for renewed Pan-African intellectualism as a strategy to counter neocolonialism and promote African-led solutions to the continent’s challenges.
The call was made during the ongoing five-day Inter-University Symposium at Makerere University Main Hall, running from May 21 to 25, 2026, under the theme: “Pan-Africanism Intellectualism: The Urgency to Defend the Dignity and Future of African People.”
Participants at the symposium argued that African countries must decolonize their minds, strengthen indigenous knowledge systems, and reduce dependence on foreign influence from former colonial powers.
Prof. George Godfrey Okiror from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Makerere University said although Pan-Africanism has contributed to liberation movements, political independence, and the formation of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963, the struggle for true African unity remains unfinished.
“We must unite as black people, decolonize our minds, and begin to think as Africans,” Prof. Okiror said.
He, however, noted that poverty and divisions among African societies continue to undermine efforts toward continental unity.
“It is still far from achieving African unity because of the indifferences among African people resulting from poverty,” he added.
Prof. Robert Ojambo, Head of the Department of History and Archaeology at Kyambogo University, emphasized the importance of traditional leadership structures in promoting social cohesion and consensus-building across African communities.
“In order to achieve lasting unity in Africa, there is need to value traditional leadership such as clan leaders because they are the community bedrock for every society and help create consensus,” Prof. Ojambo said.
He argued that many development programmes fail due to the absence of consensus among communities and leaders.
Prof. Ojambo also stressed the importance of indigenous knowledge systems, particularly in healthcare and cultural preservation.
“Africans have the capacity to heal diseases using indigenous knowledge,” he said, while cautioning that the increasing number of masqueraders and unregulated practitioners remains a challenge.
He recommended restoring Africa’s positive cultural practices, promoting African identity, and investing in indigenous knowledge capable of addressing African problems.
Dr. Shadat Mutyaba Semakula, a lawyer and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at Gulu University, said African countries could overcome neocolonialism through stronger collaboration and knowledge-sharing among regional institutions and universities.
“African regional orchestrators should agree to share knowledge and learn from each other while promoting collaboration among African universities,” Dr. Semakula said.
Student leaders attending the symposium also urged young people to take an active role in advancing Pan-African ideals and continental development.
Grace Mary Ampaire, Secretary for Female Affairs at the Uganda Students Association, encouraged students and youth to champion initiatives aimed at strengthening African unity.
“We should actively engage in activities that can develop the African continent such as agriculture, technological development, and formulation of good policies that can inform decision-making,” she said.
Anslem Mwidhu Makiika, the 36th Secretary for International Affairs at the Uganda Students Association, called for policies aligned with Africa’s development agenda and urged leaders to emulate the leadership values of African liberation icons such as the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.
“To achieve African unity, there is need to develop policies that align with the African development agenda,” he said.
Winfred Kisakye, the representative of universities at the National Council for Higher Education, said Africa’s future depends heavily on unity.
“Through unity, Africa can easily achieve everything,” Kisakye noted.
Miriam Kuteesa, a Guild Election Commissioner at Makerere University Business School, encouraged students to promote Pan-Africanism within their communities.
Meanwhile, Kennedy Amanya, the representative of students living with disabilities at Makerere University Students’ Association, called on fellow students to take part in defending the dignity and future of African people.
The symposium continues with discussions focusing on African identity, governance, indigenous knowledge systems, and strategies for strengthening continental cooperation.