Browsing: Makerere University

Makerere, regarded the Ivory tower, the highest seat of academic knowledge and one of Uganda/East Africa’s oldest universities, lies in an area of Kampala City that greatly challenges the very existence of this university. First, did you know that the name ‘Makerere’ is derived from the Kiswahili word: makelele meaning noise or ululations. The Kiswahili speakers among early British Colonial administrators who governed Buganda, reportedly would say: “kwamulima huko kuna makelele mingi saana ya wanganga…” I’ve paraphrased the statement that was reportedly made during the late 19th century or thereabout. It literally meant: “how come on that hill, there’s a lot of noise from those witchdoctors…” Apparently, the comment was in regard to noises that used to be made in the shrines by local witchdoctors (Abasamizze) who had built, lived and worked there!