The Makerere Historical Journal has been revived after a decades-long hiatus, with Volume 6, No. 1 published in November 2025. First launched in 1975 by the East African Literature Bureau under distinguished editors including Semakula M. M. Kiwanuka, Benon Rugyema, and Samwiri Karugire, the journal’s original vision was “not to increase the number of journals in African history, but as a useful forum for historical research”. Political instability in Uganda forced many of its founding academics into exile, and though Godfrey Okoth and Mwambutsya-Ndebesa attempted a revival with annual issues from 1988-1991, publication could not be sustained due to economic challenges.

This new issue, inspired by celebrations of Makerere University’s centenary, not only pays tribute to the journal’s founders but also expands its mandate beyond history to include archaeology and heritage studies. Editor-in-Chief Dr. Deo Katono leads an editorial board that includes scholars from Uganda, South Africa, and the United States, positioning the journal as a truly pan-African and international platform for historical scholarship.

The volume features three research articles exploring diverse aspects of Ugandan history: the role of Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga in shaping Catholic presence from 1966-1969, the intersection of epidemics and ethnic identity in Busoga from the 1880s to 1912, and the paradoxical framing of child soldiers as saints in Ugandan peacebuilding efforts. Additionally, two special reports cover postgraduate writing workshops and archival archaeology of Buvuma and Bugaia Islands, offering insights into both contemporary scholarly practice and Uganda’s material past.

Five book reviews round out the issue, examining recent publications on Ugandan history including works on sub-nationalism in Buganda, decolonization, governance, poverty and wealth, and Indian communities in colonial Uganda. The editorial team expresses hope that the re-publication will “not only educate but also stimulate scholarship and interest in the undocumented aspects of Uganda’s history”, signaling an ambitious agenda for future issues. The full issue is available open access here, with all articles and reviews downloadable as PDFs.

The journal has also extended its 2025 call for papers deadline to December 19th, 2025, inviting scholars to submit articles, reports, and book reviews for Volume 7, scheduled for publication in 2026. The extension offers researchers additional time to contribute to one of East Africa’s longest-running academic journals focused on the region’s history, archaeology, and heritage. For questions about submissions or the review process, authors can contact the Associate Editor at [email protected].