The Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Alumni Association of Uganda (CSFAAU) recently held its highly anticipated Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, 26th September 2024, at Onomo Hotel, Kampala. The excitement was palpable as alumni celebrated a productive and successful event.
This AGM is the first organized by the newly elected executive committee, with vital support from the British Council. The hybrid meeting, seamlessly moderated by CSFAAU’s General Secretary, Patrick Okeng, featured both physical and virtual participation from members. It kicked off with Patrick’s welcoming remarks, followed by a round of self-introductions from attendees, both in-person and online. Caroline Kiconco, the Programme Manager for the Commonwealth Scholarships, then gave her warm welcome. Although CSFAAU President, Collin Ogara, was unable to attend in person due to other commitments, his pre-recorded video message was shared, offering his opening remarks and expressing his apologies for not being present.
The formal proceedings began with the review and adoption of the previous AGM minutes, led by the Deputy General Secretary, Leonard Ssozi. This set the stage for the next agenda item, the presentation of the Executive Committee’s report.
Publicity Secretary Simon Golola and his deputy Crystal Rutangye-Bazirake, delivered a dynamic and visually engaging report, highlighting the association’s activities and accomplishments over the past year. The report underscored the successful implementation of 70% of the activities outlined in the 2023 work plan, with remaining initiatives on track to be completed by the end of 2024. Among the completed activities were education exhibitions at career fairs, career guidance sessions at Uganda Christian University, online webinars, a midwifery training led by alumna Jane Frances Acam, and the joint celebration of International Women’s Day and Commonwealth Day. The latter event, which featured Uganda’s Deputy IGG, Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria as Guest of Honour, was one of the notable highlights. In addition, the launch of the Commonwealth@65 series, attended by Kate Ewart-Biggs, Deputy CEO of the British Council, was a major success.
The report also showcased the Publicity and Treasury teams’ contributions. The publicity team celebrated the launch of the CSFAAU website, the introduction of the Alumni Spotlight series, and enhanced visibility in both print and social media, significantly increasing engagement with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). The Treasury team achieved milestones such as the successful registration of CSFAAU as an NGO, opening the association’s bank account, and improving the collection of membership fees with clearly outlined benefits.
The floor was then opened for member feedback on the report, sparking a fruitful discussion on strategies to increase alumni engagement and enhance fundraising efforts for the association’s future activities.
A key highlight of the AGM was the introduction of CSFAAU’s first patron, Professor William Bazeyo. His entrance was met with a standing ovation, and his inaugural speech captivated the audience. Professor Bazeyo, a 1991 Commonwealth Scholarship recipient, shared his journey and spoke passionately about the association’s challenges and the way forward. His commitment to supporting the association in its future endeavours was warmly welcomed by all.
The AGM concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony and group photos, followed by a hearty lunch that allowed members to network and reflect on the day’s successes.
This AGM was a significant milestone for CSFAAU, inspiring alumni to aim for greater achievements in the coming months and positioning the association for a dynamic future.
