Keynote Address: Honouring a Legacy, Transforming a Region
By DR. Martha Muhwezi, Executive Director, FAWE Africa
Delivered at the 3rd Prof. Christine Dranzoa Memorial Lecture Muni University, Arua, Uganda.
Opening and Tribute to Prof. Christine Dranzoa
Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests, Fellow Educators and Policymakers,
It is both a privilege and a solemn honour to stand before you today at the 3rd Prof. Christine Dranzoa Memorial Lecture. We gather not only to reflect on the life and legacy of an extraordinary woman but also to reignite the vision she so passionately pursued—a vision of equitable, inclusive, and high-performing education in Uganda’s West Nile Region.
Prof. Christine Dranzoa was more than an academic; she was a trailblazer, a mentor, and a tireless advocate for the underserved. Born in Adua village in Moyo District, she rose from humble beginnings to become West Nile’s first female professor and the founding Vice Chancellor of Muni University. Her journey—from writing in the sand with her fingers to leading national and regional education initiatives—embodies the transformative power of education.
Her contributions spanned wildlife conservation, gender equity, and institutional leadership. She co-founded the Department of Wildlife and Animal Resources Management at Makerere University, served as Deputy Director of Graduate Studies, and led the establishment of Muni University. As Honorary Secretary and eventually Board Chairperson of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) for a period of 6 years, she championed girl-child education across Africa.
Today, we honour her legacy not with words alone, but with action—by confronting the educational challenges that persist in the region she loved. Through FAWE Uganda, there is a great focus on improving education outcomes in the West Nile region.
The Educational Crisis in West Nile
The West Nile Region continues to face significant educational challenges that hinder learners’ progression into tertiary institutions, which in turn, slows the socio-economic transformation of the region.
Recent data paints a sobering picture:
Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) performance has declined sharply. Between 2022 and 2024, the number of pupils sitting for PLE dropped from 46,456 to 38,886 —a loss of over 7,500 candidates. [parliamentwatch.ug]
Districts like Obongi and Madi Okollo recorded only 3 and 4 first grades, respectively, in 2024, placing them among the worst-performing in the country. [parliamentwatch.ug]
Transition rates to secondary and tertiary education remain critically low. Only 6% of men and 4% of women in Uganda enroll in tertiary education, with West Nile lagging even further behind. [iicba.unesco.org]
Gender disparities are stark. In West Nile, only six girls are enrolled in secondary school for every ten boys. Financial constraints, early pregnancy, and harmful gender norms are major contributors to dropout rates among girls. [icrw.org]
Infrastructure challenges compound the crisis. Schools suffer from overcrowded classrooms, inadequate facilities, and limited access to electricity and learning materials.
These challenges are not just educational—they are developmental. They perpetuate cycles of poverty, limit opportunities, and undermine the region’s potential.
Leveraging Muni University to Promote Education in West Nile: Opportunities
In the face of these challenges, Muni University stands as a beacon of hope and transformation. In addressing the educational challenges of the West Nile Region, Muni University offers a strategic platform for transformation. Rather than viewing the university’s growth as an endpoint, we must see it as a launchpad for regional educational development.
Here’s how Muni University can be harnessed to promote inclusive and high-quality education across West Nile:
Academic Innovation as a Regional Resource: The university’s diverse faculties— including Technoscience, Education, and Health Sciences—can serve as hubs for curriculum development, teacher training, and student mentorship. By extending these resources to local schools and education offices, we can build capacity and improve learning outcomes at the grassroots level.
Community Engagement for Broader Impact: Muni’s partnerships with institutions like Aga Khan University, AfriChild Centre, and the Mastercard Foundation can be scaled to support community-based education programs. These collaborations can help address child welfare, leadership development, and refugee education—issues that are deeply relevant to West Nile’s socio-cultural context.
Teacher Development as a Pillar of Change: The university’s diploma programs in Educational Leadership and Management offer a model for continuous professional
development. By expanding access to these programs for headteachers and educators across the region, we can enhance school leadership, integrate gendersensitive practices, and improve digital literacy in classrooms.
Research and Outreach for Local Solutions: Muni University’s research initiatives— particularly those focused on school-community partnerships and pedagogical effectiveness—can inform evidence-based interventions. By involving local stakeholders in research and translating findings into policy and practice, we can ensure that solutions are contextually relevant and sustainable.
In essence, Muni University must be positioned not just as an academic institution, but as a regional engine for educational equity and innovation. Its proximity to the challenges of West Nile gives it a unique responsibility—and opportunity—to lead the charge in transforming education for all.
Muni University is not just an institution—it is a catalyst for regional development. It embodies Prof. Dranzoa’s belief that education must be locally rooted, socially responsive, and globally relevant.
Call to Action and Closing
As we reflect on Prof. Dranzoa’s legacy, let us commit to the following:
1. Strengthen partnerships between Muni University, government, civil society, and development partners to address infrastructure, teacher training, and gender equity in the West Nile region.
2. Invest in data-driven solutions to monitor performance, identify gaps, and scale successful interventions.
3. Empower communities through awareness campaigns that challenge harmful norms and promote the value of education for all—especially girls.
4. Institutionalize Prof. Dranzoa’s legacy through scholarships, research chairs, and annual forums that continue her work.
Let this lecture be more than a memorial. Let it be a movement—a movement to transform education in West Nile, to uplift every child, and to fulfill the promise of Prof. Christine Dranzoa’s vision.
In her own words, “Education is not just a ladder out of poverty—it is the bridge to dignity, equality, and opportunity.”
Let us build that bridge. Together.
Thank you.