Kabale University Honors Human Rights Trainers as Prof. Joy Kwesiga Praises Rubanda MP-Elect’s Community Impact
Kabale -Uganda. March 1, 2026
What You need to know
- Prof. Kwesiga applauded Kikafunda’s efforts in supporting education for needy children, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and championing tree planting through her Green Environment Promotion (GEP) initiative.
The Vice Chancellor of Kabale University and Chairperson of the National Council of Higher Education , Prof.Joy Costance Kwesiga , has commended Rubanda District MP-elect Hon.Evelyn Ninsiima Kikafunda for her outstanding commitment to community transformation, environmental conservation, and support for vulnerable groups.
Speaking on Saturday evening at the White Horse Inn during the awarding of certificates to over 20 trainers under the RESPECT Project, Prof. Kwesiga applauded Kikafunda’s efforts in supporting education for needy children, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and championing tree planting through her Green Environment Promotion (GEP) initiative.
“I have received testimonies from community members whose lives have been transformed through her support. Many children have returned to school because of her intervention,” Prof. Kwesiga said, noting that Kikafunda’s dedication to environmental protection has earned her several recognitions.
The certificate ceremony marked the completion of a two-year Training of Trainers programme under the RESPECT (Responsible Critical Thinking on Issues of Human Rights) initiative, a collaborative project funded by the Swedish Institute. The programme aims to strengthen the university’s capacity to independently run a postgraduate programme in Human Rights.
According to Prof. Dr. Mesharch Katusiime, the project trained postgraduate supervisors and lecturers to integrate human rights into teaching and research, with a special focus on marginalized communities in the Kigezi sub-region, particularly the Batwa.
He revealed that the university is proposing a Master of Arts in Human Rights, Culture and Social Justice, which, once approved, will position Kabale University as the first institution in the Great Lakes Region to offer such a programme. Plans are also underway to establish a Centre for Teaching and Research on the Empowerment of Marginalized Groups under the Department of Culture and Health Studies.
The centre will focus on research, policy engagement, and partnerships with government, donors, and researchers to address the challenges facing marginalized communities.
During the event, Hon. Ninsiima was also recognized for her service on the Advisory Committee that guided the feasibility and development of the RESPECT Project.
In her remarks, Hon. Kikafunda pledged to promote research-driven policy among legislators, emphasizing that evidence-based interventions are key to addressing social challenges and uplifting communities.
“Research is critical in finding lasting solutions to the issues affecting our people. I am committed to supporting research-based programmes that will transform our societies,” she said.
Project leaders further noted that the knowledge and experience gained will be shared with other universities in the Ankole and Kigezi regions to strengthen the integration of human rights into higher education across the country.
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