BY ALEX PITHUA

Cavendish University Uganda has announced the date for this year’s Benjamin Mpaka memorial lecture. This is in recognition of the distinguished contribution and role played by the former president of the United Republic of Tanzania in the political and economic development in East Africa.

According to the University, this year’s memorial lecture will be held on Wednesday 29^th November at Sheraton Hotel Kampala.

The late Mpaka was the second Chancellor of Cavendish University-Uganda.

Through the memorial lecture, Cavendish University management said they want to give the chance to the academia and students to learn the philosophy of the late president from people who were close to him as well as those who worked with him.

The theme for this year memorial lecture Mpaka is; Diplomacy and contemporary state formation in Africa and The role of Benjamin Mkapa in Moshi conference of 1978.

In an exclusive interview with Paidha FM journalist this week, the head of the department of Journalism and communication Cavendish University, Dr. Herbert Mudoola confirmed the development revealing, that the guest of honor will be Professor Taris Bazana Kabwegyere former Minister of general duties, office of Prime Minister OPM-Uganda.

Kabwegyere is a Ugandan sociologist, academic and politician. 

Dr. Mudoola added that keynote speaker will be former ambassador of Tanzania in Uganda Dr. Aziz Ponary Mlima. Dr. Aziz was also a personal assistant to late president Benjamin Mpaka.

Other distinguished panelists for Mpaka memorial lecture will be professor Ndebesa Mwambutsya (Makere University), David Rusa (Former director of special duties, office of the president), Lt. Col. Ronald Rubale (Coordinator microfinance under operation wealth creation ministry of finance and economic development) and Mama Ann Mpaka wife will give the remark on the event. Dr Mudoola.

Executive director Cavendish University David Mutabanura observed that due to the exhausting philosophy and legacy left by the Former Chancellor, late Mkapa, the university will continue organizing the Mkapa Memorial lecture every year.

 “President Mpaka left a very rich legacy for us to follow and emulate such as the pan Africa interest and worked together with his colleagues’ like former president Arap Moi of Kenya and President Yoweri Museveni in reviving the East Africa community. He left also legacy of economic transformation and liberalization in Tanzania following the many years of a socialist oriented idea of economic planning of Tanzania and he championed social and political integration in his country.” Mutabunura explained

The University made the commitment last year during the event held at Mestill Hotel, Nsambya under the theme; “The Role of Integrity and Resilient Leadership in Transformation.”