MAKERERE — Emmanuel Akandwanaho, a 2022 land economics graduate of Makerere University, has been selected as a Schwarzman Scholar for the Class of 2026. He will pursue a fully funded master’s degree in global affairs at Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.
Akandwanaho is the first undergraduate alumnus from Makerere University and the second Ugandan to receive the prestigious Schwarzman Scholarship, a highly competitive graduate fellowship. Founded in 2015 by Blackstone Co-founder and CEO Stephen A. Schwarzman, the program aims to equip future leaders with an understanding of China’s global role. Each year, 150 young leaders are chosen for their academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to a better future.
During his time at Makerere University (2017-2022), where he graduated with Second Class Upper Honors, Akandwanaho was actively involved in student leadership. He served as a class representative for five years, speaker of the Makerere Association of Surveying Students, chairperson of the Electoral Commission at the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology, and student representative on the 31st Governing Council of the Institution of Surveyors of Uganda.
In 2019, Akandwanaho founded the Makerere Gavel Club, an affiliate of Toastmasters International, to enhance students’ public speaking skills. The club has since trained over 200 students and remains a prominent platform for personal and professional development on campus.
Beyond leadership, Akandwanaho co-founded a startup focused on improving student access to accommodation, which received recognition at the International Engineering Students’ Conference and the Africa PropTech Competition.
Reflecting on his experiences, Akandwanaho said his time at Makerere was about growth, leadership, and problem-solving, which laid the groundwork for his Schwarzman Scholarship.
After graduation, he gained experience in microfinance, land governance, and supporting African tech startups. He also authored a policy paper on public venture funds.
At Schwarzman College, Akandwanaho intends to study China-Africa policy relations, urbanization, infrastructure development, and Mandarin. He is particularly interested in China’s poverty reduction strategies.
Akandwanaho sees the scholarship as an opportunity for global networking and encourages other Makerere students to apply for future cohorts.
