Kabale University Unveils Landmark Human Rights Master’s and Research Centre to Champion Marginalized Communities
Kabale — In a major step toward advancing social justice and inclusive development, Kabale University has announced plans to establish a Centre for Teaching and Research on the Empowerment of Marginalized Groups alongside a proposed Master of Arts in Human Rights, Culture and Social Justice.
The announcement was made on Saturday by Prof. Dr. Mesharch Katusiime during a certificate award ceremony for more than 20 trainers who completed a two-year Training of Trainers programme under the RESPECT (Responsible Critical Thinking on Issues of Human Rights) initiative. The event was held at White Horse Inn Kabale.
According to Prof. Katusiime, once approved, the Master’s programme will position the university as the first institution in the Great Lakes Region to offer specialized postgraduate training that integrates human rights, culture, and social justice. He noted that the new Centre, to be housed under the Department of Culture and Health Studies, will focus on research, policy engagement, and partnerships with government, development partners, and scholars to address the pressing challenges facing marginalized communities.
The RESPECT project, funded by the Swedish Institute , has strengthened the university’s academic capacity by training postgraduate supervisors and lecturers to mainstream human rights into teaching and research. Special attention has been given to the Kigezi sub-region, particularly the indigenous Batwa community.
Alice Nyamihanda, Education Officer at the United Organization for Batwa Development in Uganda (UOBDU), welcomed the initiative, saying it comes at a critical time for a community that has long been excluded from mainstream education and development.
“For years, the Batwa have been sidelined,” she said. “Education will empower them with knowledge, help them integrate into society, and ensure they are recognized and treated with dignity.”
Professor Eva Brodin of Lund University explained that the project aims to build sustainable academic programmes that not only promote human rights education but also strengthen research that can improve the lives of vulnerable populations.
The certificate ceremony marked a significant milestone in the university’s journey toward establishing a fully independent postgraduate programme in Human Rights. With the planned Centre and new Master’s degree, Kabale University is positioning itself as a regional hub for scholarship, advocacy, and policy innovation aimed at empowering marginalized groups and advancing social justice.
