Makerere University recently had its first ever Mak Varsity Awards held to recognize people who have positively contributed to the mighty institutions in its different genres.

We met Mugwanya John Paul, the major brains behind the awards in a one on one interview. Mugwanya is a twenty six year old son to Mr. Kabuusu Edward and Nasoozi Hadijja; he is a second born child to a family of six and hails from Buikwe district. He graduated from Makerere University with a bachelor’s degree in Commerce-marketing in 2014.

You are the coordinator for the Mak varsity Awards project, what did you exactly do?

It was a project that I thought of in a bigger perspective and syncrutinaised by a team of brains I chose to work with. We didn’t want to create big titles the likes of C.E.O, MD but rather keep it at that hence the same roles of those titles mentioned. I also used to out see that the aims and objectives, theme, vision and mission of the Awards is lived up alongside the core values and Mission of the University.

How and why did you come up with the awards project?

In life whatever we do, we are inspired by a few individuals, things already done and all long I wanted to work towards a team to achieve my goals and at the same time appreciate those that are doing well, attributing towards our societies. ,

How do you describe the first event of the awards?

Being officiated by the Governor Bank of Uganda, NSSF Chief Executive Officer, Soroti Municipality Hon. Member Of Parliament Captain Mike Mukula, KCCA Officials, and other officials I would and anyone else who didn’t attend would say it was a success.

How much money was invested in the project and how much did you get in return?

We invested close to 50 Million Ugandan Shillings

Which challenges did you encounter as the coordinator?

Time flame of running the project was not adequate, University factors such as strikes that came through during final execution of the event hence disrupting the work plan, Financial constraints, Putting all stake holders together to embrace the activity and also identifying a committed team amidst shortage of budget/Finances

How are you going to do about the challenges next time?

I should say that all is setter the University Management fully embracing the activity, the work plan for the 2^nd Annual Mak Varsity Awards 2016 is in pipeline and any time from now team will start off with earlier execution plans.

We heard that the guild boss together with his finance minister stole about five million shillings meant for running the project from centenary bank, one of the sponsoring companies, how true is that?

It’s not true, we only have a challenge of delay in acquiring funds which are effected at the Guild official account and on this matter, the Centenary Bank Money came through via the same account and before its released. It has to be requisitioned for from the Dean of Students Office who is the official signatory to the Guild account through the Finance and Guild Present who are also signatories.

Such Money is termed as Public Money directed to perform given tasks so reasons for the delay and to pass through all that process is to ensure that its properly as accorded, perform functions meant to.

Requisitions have been made and I have signed them myself through those offices highlighted above and any time from now I will communicate and write to Centenary bank as the project coordinator appreciating the contribution.

What do or who do want to be five years from today?

I now feel am an established brand. I want to leave up to my aspiration by the next Five years. And my aspiration is to live a happily and harmonious life together with my family.