Conversations with Stephen Kamugasa

Detailed Synopsis: In the latest episode of "Conversations with Stephen Kamugasa," Maria Diekmann, a renowned conservationist and founder of the Rare and Endangered Species Trust (REST) , discusses the ethical imperative of protecting endangered species, particularly pangolins. Her insights stem from years of hands-on experience and a deep emotional connection to the animals she has cared for.   T...

Detailed Synopsis: Engaged citizenship and civil society play pivotal roles in addressing systemic failures and fostering community resilience, particularly in the areas of food security and social integration. Insights shared by Liz Webster in the podcast highlight the interconnectedness of these themes and the urgent need for active participation from citizens.   The Role of Personal Experience...

Detailed Synopsis:  In a podcast episode featuring Lord Alf Dubs , a prominent advocate for refugee rights, the discussion explores the complex relationship between individual acts of hospitality and the official policies of nation-states, particularly in the context of the UK. This topic is especially relevant as societies grapple with the challenges posed by increasing migration and the politica...

Detailed Synopsis: In the podcast episode featuring Lord Peter Hain , the discussion revolves around the complexities of leadership in a multipolar world, particularly in the context of South Africa's historical and contemporary challenges. Hain's insights draw from his experiences as the child of anti-apartheid activists and his subsequent political career, emphasising the importance of integrity...

Detailed Synopsis: In the podcast episode featuring Alex Renton, the discussion centres on the critical role of media in a liberal democracy, particularly in the context of the digital and AI age. Renton, a journalist and author, emphasises the need for a media landscape that not only informs but also reflects the diverse voices of society.   Historical Context and Current Challenges   Renton refl...

Podcast Summary:  In the fourth episode of our 2025 Leadership Series, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mary Inman , a partner at Whistleblower Partners, a boutique law firm specialising in representing clients in various USA whistleblower reward programmes. Mary has an extensive background in whistleblower law, having spent over 20 years at Constantine Cannon before founding her own practice....

Detailed Synopsis: In the podcast episode featuring Sir Jonathon Porritt, the discussion revolves around the pressing need for climate leadership in a rapidly changing global landscape characterised by a multipolar world order. Porritt emphasises the urgency of addressing climate change, highlighting that the time for action is not in the distant future but rather in the immediate decade ahead. Th...

Detailed Synopsis: In the podcast episode featuring Charlie Gladstone, a descendant of a prominent British family with ties to slavery, the discussion centres around the complex legacy of slavery and the ongoing consequences it has on society today. Gladstone's journey of understanding began with the shocking revelation that his ancestor, Sir John Gladstone, was a slave owner who profited signific...

Detailed Synopsis: In the podcast episode featuring Ms. Sally Percy, leadership is described as the ability to influence and motivate others, whether directly or indirectly. This definition encompasses a wide range of individuals, from line managers who oversee their teams to social media influencers who shape public opinion through their recommendations.   A key insight from the discussion is tha...

Hello,    I’m your host, Stephen Kamugasa. Conversations with Stephen Kamugasa is a bimonthly discussion podcast for people who think and thank: leaders, policy makers, academics, practitioners, and citizens. Our aim is to inspire you to turn challenges into coherent and meaningful solutions, focusing on humanity, leadership, and citizenship.   I have no doubt that listening to this podcast may ch...

Detailed Synopsis: The Role of Democracy in a Multipolar World.   In the context of a multipolar world, the significance of democracy, particularly in Africa, is increasingly complex and multifaceted. Dr. Nic Cheeseman , a political scientist and expert on African politics, emphasises that while there are challenges to democracy on the continent, there are also signs of hope and resilience among t...

Detailed Synopsis   Dr. Helen Epstein discusses the pervasive issue of corruption in Uganda's health sector in her enlightening podcast episode. She highlights how corruption significantly impacts maternal and infant mortality rates in the country. Despite substantial donor investments in the health sector, Uganda's maternal and infant mortality rates have not decreased as expected due to widespre...

Detailed Synopsis   Dr. Jochen Lingelbach's research on Polish refugees in British colonial Africa offers valuable insights into the complexities of identity politics and colonial hierarchies. His study delves into how the influx of nearly 20,000 Polish refugees in East and Central Africa during World War II disrupted the existing racial hierarchies of colonial societies. These refugees, hailing f...

Detailed Synopsis   Understanding Genocide: A Global Responsibility   In a thought-provoking podcast episode, Dr. Omar McDoom stresses the global responsibility of recognising genocide. He delves into the complexities of genocide, with a specific focus on the Rwandan genocide, emphasising the importance of understanding its causes and contexts to prevent future atrocities and foster reconciliation...

Podcast summary:   In this inaugural episode of our six-part series on genocide, we delve into the silence that often surrounds this grave issue. Our esteemed guest, Dr. Maria Chamberlain , an honorary fellow at the University of Edinburgh and a Holocaust survivor's daughter, shares her poignant personal history and insights.   Born in Krakow, Poland, and having emigrated to the UK in 1958, Dr. Ch...

Podcast summary:   Summary: In this podcast, Stephen Kamugasa interviews Mr. Robert Pacilio, a retired school teacher and writer. Robert, who grew up in a tough part of Brooklyn, shares his experiences of being the only child in an Italian-American family. He also discusses his journey as a teacher and his latest memoir, " It Was Never About the Books ," which explores the influence of teachers on...

Podcast Summary:   In this episode 011 of Conversations with Stephen Kamugasa, Stephen welcomes Milton Alimadi, a Ugandan-American author, journalist, professor, and publisher of Black Star News. Milton discusses his background, including being the son of a former Prime Minister of Uganda and his education at Syracuse University and Columbia University. He shares his experiences working as a journ...

A crisis between town and country is as real as the day is long. It is a widening cleavage which manifests itself in everything we do: in our politics, in our education, in the way we work, in what we dream about, and yes, most crucially, in our attitude towards climate change. Look anywhere you please, and you will see a split between the town mindset and a country mindset, extending well beyond...

 This is the 2nd of three podcasts on Climate Change.      Today’s guest is Ms Maria Diekmann, a scientist and conservationist.      Maria was born in 1965 to Major William Carl Buerk, a US fighter pilot who saw active service in the Vietnam war. Major Buerk was among those listed as missing in action - presumed dead. Maria’s mother, Mrs Antoinette Mira Buerk, was subsequently folded into the lege...

Detailed Synopsis: The Interconnection of Social Justice and Climate Justice. In the podcast episode featuring Sir Jonathan Porritt, a prominent environmentalist, the discussion highlights the critical relationship between social justice and climate justice. Porritt emphasises that these two concepts are intrinsically linked, stating, "Social justice and climate justice are two sides of the same c...

1. Practising hospitality to strangers and refugees is fraught with difficulty, it is not for the faint of heart. And as the number of the forcibly displaced people the world over surpasses a 100 million mark, it is becoming increasingly clear that troubles are the trials of friendship. For when a man is afflicted he will see who are his friends and who are but pretenders; a brother is born for ad...

1. The late Nelson Mandela, speaking at the British Red Cross Humanity lecture in 2003, said: “Those who conduct themselves with integrity and consistency need not fear the forces of inhumanity and cruelty.”   2. In these vacillating times in which leaders, and even scholars, almost believe, that truth and integrity as they relate to civic life are but two values of many, and will have to stand th...

1. We cannot reckon upon the clouds, their laws are so variable, and their conditions so obscure. The same is true with life. This reality has become so manifest to us all lately - since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 - disrupting our lives both at home and abroad and upending the world in every sense of the word. It is therefore a great privilege to have with us a physician, a Taiwane...

1. It is well said that the longer the saw of contention is drawn the hotter it grows; and the beginning of strife is as the letting forth of water. Since the fateful Brexit referendum of 2016, the troubled seas of UK’s identity politics are accordingly raging most severely each time they dash against the rock of reality. It therefore begs a simple question: How does one challenge identity politic...

1. In these strange and vacillating times of Brexit and identity politics, in which every tribe in England takes solace in the familiar, I think it is important for us to cut each other a little slack when speaking words of woe. We should be very slow to judge; for we may not know who it is that is actually speaking, as the voice of the seeming bigot may in fact be the voice carrying in its dark s...