BY ALEX PITHUA
A section of academia in Uganda and Tanzania, have hailed former presidents Benjamin Mpaka and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere for their significant contributions toward state formation and building across Africa.
This was during the second memorial lecture of Benjamin Mpaka held on 29th November 2023 at Sheraton Hotel Kampala-Uganda.
This special event which is meant to recognize and honor Benjamin Mpaka annually is organized and Championed by Cavendish University-Uganda Under the theme “Diplomacy and Contemporary State Formation in Africa and The Role of Benjamin Mkapa in Moshi Conference of 1978.”
Benjamin Mpaka the former Tanzania president served in the capacity of Chancellor Cavendish University before he died on 24TH July 2020 at the age of 81.
For his part, Professor Taris Bazana Kabwegyere, the guest of honour of the 29th November 2023 memorial lecture, revealed that Mpaka Chaired the powerful 1978, Moshi Conference meeting which led to the removal of the dictator of East Africa who was the then president of Uganda Idi Amin Dada in 1979.
“Nyerere was not always in the meeting, but Benjamin Mpaka would lead a successful meeting.” Prof. Kabwegery recounted during his speech.
He commended Cavendish University for honoring the late Benjamin Mpaka.
“It is good to memorise, prioritise and pay tribute to Mpaka for 400 years,” Kabyegere told Cavendish University management
Cavendish University-Uganda was established in 2008, with another branch in Lusaka city in Zambia.
Special Guest for the event Chairman of education review policy and a former minister of education and sport Amanya Mushega, cheerfully recognized the contribution of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere as the mentor of Mpaka adding that if Mpaka had not learned from Nyerere he wouldn’t become a great man in Africa.
“It is difficult to talk about Mpaka without Mwalimu Nyerere in Africa; Mwalimu was a man with simplicity, humility, honesty, pan Africanist, had respect for himself and others and practised democracy and left power willingly.” Amanya Mushega alluded
“Mpaka was easy to approach, appointed his main political contender as vice president during his tenure, he chaired mediation and negotiation between President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Museveni of Uganda.” Amanya Mushega observed
Amanya Mushega said that Nyerere had a lot of respect for public resources and all his positive attributes transformed Mpaka and praised him as a good time manager as he worked under Mpaka when he (Mpaka) was Chairman of the East Africa community.
Keynote speaker, the former ambassador of Tanzania in Uganda Dr. Aziz Ponary Mlima who was also a personal assistant to late president Benjamin Mpaka noted his role in leading to the independence of some African states like Angola, Mozambique, and Zambia, the release of Nelson Mandela from prison and eminent South Africa independence.
“In short in his legacy, Benjamin Mpaka was an economic reformer, a great leader, a person with integrity, and active in peace mediation and a Chief organizer of the Moshi Conference which eventually led to the ousting of President Amin and the installation of Dr Apollo Milton Obote in 1979.” Dr Aziz explained
Professor Ndebesa Mwambutsya of Makerere University, who was one of the panellists, has implored that the former Tanzanian leaders played a good role for Uganda in the overthrow of Amin. He talked about state formation and diplomacy in Africa.
He said Mpaka did not force his view on Ugandans during the Moshi Conference but it was only Ugandans who concluded in a rush.
Prof. Ndebese added that the Moshi conference did not handle the Ugandan question but it only focused on military questions.
He added that the external summits have always contributed a lot in building states in Africa.
Executive Director Cavendish University David Mutabanura disclosed that Mpaka as the second Cavendish University Chancellor saw the University transformed, with fewer resources, technology, enrolment, reputation, and human resources and they had the privilege of having him as a chancellor.
“Since he died during the Covid-19 lockdown we never had a chance to participate physically in his send away. We thought his passing away should not be lost completely and we should immortalize him annually. He had so many aspects.” Mutabanura
“He is a giant; he is like an elephant” He added
Among the distinguished guests for this year’s Benjamin Mpaka’s memorial lecture, included the Former president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who doubled as Cavendish University Chancellor Goodluck Jonathan represented by Dr Ashiru Tukur Inuwa dean of faculty socio-economic sciences Cavendish University, Mama Anna Mpaka the former first lady of Tanzania, Vice Chancellor Cavendish University John Mugisha, Professor Olomolar, Brig. Felix Kulayigye, Woman MP Gulu district Sharon Balmoyi among others.
Mpaka was Chancellor of Cavendish University from 2014 to 2020.
