Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has been voted African Educationist of the Year 2025, an honour awarded by the African Leadership Magazine (ALM) under its annual Persons of the Year programme.
The announcement, accompanied by an official ALM recognition banner, was made public on Friday, sparking celebration across Uganda’s higher education sector.
Prof. Nawangwe described the contest as “very tight” but credited the victory to widespread support from colleagues, friends, and the Makerere University community.
“The vote sponsored by Africa Leadership Magazine for African Educationist for 2025 was very tight, but we made it,” he wrote. “I thank all my friends, followers and everybody who believes in and appreciates what we are doing at Makerere University for your support.”
The award recognises outstanding leadership, innovation, and transformational impact in advancing education on the African continent. ALM’s Persons of the Year accolades are widely followed across Africa, celebrating individuals whose work contributes significantly to development, governance, and institutional progress.
Prof. Nawangwe’s tenure at Makerere has been marked by major reforms, infrastructural development, expansion of research output, and the university’s climb in global academic rankings. Makerere has also received increased international visibility through partnerships, scholarship programmes, and continental initiatives.
The 2025 honour adds to a growing list of recognitions for the institution and its leadership, reinforcing Makerere’s position as one of Africa’s most influential universities.
The African Leadership Magazine is expected to officially profile all winners in its upcoming Persons of the Year publication.
