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: