General
Katikkiro of Buganda Lauds Mak on Muteesa II Museum
The Katikkiro of Buganda Ow’ekitiibwa Charles Peter Mayiga on Thursday 16th July, 2020 visited Makerere University to hand over a cheque worth UGX 70 million to support the ongoing renovation and beautification works aimed at developing the former Muteesa II House into the Sir Edward Muteesa II Museum.
The Muteesa II Museum presents to Makerere University a golden opportunity to honour and immortalize Sir Edward Muteesa II in perpetuity. Sir Edward Muteesa II, the 35th Kabaka of Buganda and first President of the post-Independence Republic of Uganda was a student of Literature at Makerere University from 1943 to 1945. Quarry House No. 95 was constructed in 1944 as a befitting on-campus private residence of Ssekabaka Muteesa II, his official palace being only a few kilometres away in Mengo. To preserve this unique and historic site, the Makerere University Management in December 2019 kick started the renovation works with specific adherence to maintaining its original architecture.
Following a guided tour of the Museum, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Assoc. Prof. Umar Kakumba welcomed the Katikkiro, an alumnus and former resident of University Hall back to his alma mater. The Katikkiro was accompanied by the Second Deputy Katikkiro and Buganda Minister of Finance and Economic Planning-Owek. Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa and the Chairman of Buganda Twezimbe Committee-Omukungu John Fredrick Kiyimba.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor thanked the Katikkiro for readily responding to the call to support the establishment of Muteesa II Museum as part of the Greater Makerere University Museum. "In this museum, Makerere University will celebrate the life and times of Ssekabaka Muteesa II, an alumnus, Ugandan Nationalist, Pan-Africanist and one of the founding fathers of modern Uganda."
"We are proud that we have been able to preserve this house in its original state. I thank the University Council for approving this renovation and colleagues in Management and the Estates and Works Directorate in particular for working hard to restore the building" added the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Nawangwe further commended the Makerere University Museum Committee for collecting valuable materials about Ssekabaka Muteesa II. "As Makerere University, we will do all that is necessary to ensure that this Museum satisfactorily completed and that it becomes a landmark for our University and Country through which we shall remember the life and works of Ssekabaka Muteesa II."
Speaking on behalf of the Makerere University Museum Committee, the Assistant Chairperson, Assoc. Prof. Kizito Maria Kasule noted that the establishment of the Muteesa II Museum marks the beginning of rigorous process of researching into the legacy of Ssekabaka Muteesa II especially as Kabaka and President.
"For example, he is remembered as the first President in post-Independence Africa to donate his salary to the development of Karamoja region, which by the time of our independence had been neglected by the colonial establishment" remarked Assoc. Prof. Kasule.
He added that museums today are required to be living institutions which are relevant to not only the present but also future generations. "Muteesa II Museum will not only honour the memories and life of Ssekabaka Muteesa II but will also turn those memories into living realities from which the present generation will be inspired to find solutions to emerging national and global challenges." 
The Katikkiro of Buganda applauded the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe for being an instrumental figure in the renovation of the Muteesa II House. He was equally glad that the restoration maintained its original beauty and respected its original architecture; a demonstration of Prof. Nawangwe's good sense of history. "It is perfect that the renovation is in line with maintaining the tradition of Sir Edward Muteesa II, the student and Kabaka of the times. All great academic institutions should jealously guard their historic landmarks."
"The hearts of academic institutions are the academic exploits and achievements they make. However, the character and soul of these institutions are its historic landmarks and the kind of personalities that have walked through their gates. As Makerereans you should be very proud that the alumni of this University have made great contributions to humanity through the ages" expounded the Katikkiro.
Owek. Mayiga further said that a good sense history is an essential precursor for a good understanding of the present and solid preparation for the future. "So to renovate Muteesa's residence is to acknowledge and preserve history for Makerere, the Kingdom of Buganda and for Uganda."
The Katikkiro reminisced that the Kingdom of Buganda made a significant contribution to Makerere's founding. Owek. Martin Luther Nsibirwa the Katikkiro then played a key role in the allocation of land on which the University stands today and it was a privilege to have his grandson, Owek. Waggwa Nsibirwa present at the unveiling ceremony. "So we should together preserve the heritage between the Kingdom of Buganda and Makerere," emphasised Owek. Mayiga.
He paid tribute to the Museum Committee and all eminent persons that had made significant contributions to the restoration of Muteesa II House and thereafter presented a cheque of UGX 70 Million on behalf of Buganda Kingdom. In addition to the Assistant Chairperson, other Members of the Makerere University Museum Committee present and recognised were; Assoc. Prof. George William Kyeyune-Chairperson, Prof. Phillip Kwesiga, Mr. Joseph Ssematimba, Dr. Rita Nabuyungo and Ms. Ritah Namisango.
The Vice Chancellor presented a plaque and an art piece to the Katikkiro in appreciation of the contribution by Buganda Kingdom towards the Muteesa II Museum project. In addition to the gallery, artifacts such as three statues capturing the life of Ssekabaka Muteesa II as Kabaka, President and a Makererean will be set up in the Museum gardens.
Article by Public Relations Office
Business & Management
PIM Centre Holds 9th Steering Committee Meeting, Set to Benefit from World Bank Support
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University today, October 10th, 2025, held its 9th Steering Committee Meeting to review progress made in the first quarter of the financial year and plan for the months ahead.
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Getrude Basiima, who represented Mr. Hannington Ashaba, Director Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Ms. Basiima commended the Centre for its continued commitment to strengthening public investment management capacity across government institutions.
In her remarks, Ms. Basiima applauded the Centre for successfully hosting the Public Investment Management Conference held in August at Makerere University. The conference attracted key policymakers, development partners, and academics who deliberated on how to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and impact of public investments in Uganda.
She further shared exciting news that the Government of Uganda has secured funding from the World Bank to support the public investment management function. The PIM Centre, she announced, will be among the key beneficiaries of these funds — receiving support for the construction and acquisition of a permanent home to enhance its institutional sustainability and training capacity.
Reviewing the Centre’s quarterly performance, Ms. Basiima congratulated the team for successfully conducting three specialized trainings in the first quarter, reaching officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. These trainings continue to strengthen the technical competencies required for effective project preparation, appraisal, and implementation in line with Uganda’s National Development Plan.
She encouraged the Centre to integrate climate change considerations into its future training programmes, noting that sustainable public investment must now account for environmental resilience and climate adaptation.
The centre team presented the proposed structure/ organogram, the financial performance of 2024/2025, research areas for 2025/2026 and the strategic plan for 2025 – 2030.
The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the PIM Centre’s vision of becoming a regional leader in building capacity for efficient, transparent, and sustainable public investment management.
A significant development unfolded at Makerere University during a strategic, hour-long meeting in the vice chancellor’s boardroom on 7th October 2025, marking a deepening bond with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The primary goal was to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program. Prof. Sarah Saali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, set the tone by emphasizing that institutional partnerships are crucial to Makerere University, which she proudly called the leading research and most collaborative university in the world.
The discussion promptly formed the core structure of the program: a four-year PhD (or three if the master’s was research-based), with supervision duties split 50-50% between the two institutions. A key feature is the mobility requirement, stipulating that PhD candidates would spend a total of six months in the Netherlands, potentially divided into two three-month periods. Crucially, the University of Groningen confirmed there would be no teaching requirement during this stay, allowing students full access to focus on their research. A major financial hurdle was overcome with the adoption of a fee-waiver policy; Makerere would waive tuition for incoming Groningen candidates, and Groningen would reciprocate for Makerere‘s students, significantly boosting the program’s financial viability.
However, the critical issue of the stipend remained. Dr. Anita Veltmaat explained that to meet the required living standard of approximately €1,875 per month in Groningen, the incoming candidate must secure a partial external scholarship of around €250 per month. The positive news is that if the candidate secures this minimum scholarship, the University of Groningen is prepared to top up the amount to the full living standard for the six months the student spends in the Netherlands. It was noted that this initial financial hurdle might be simplified for Makerere students, as many are already staff members receiving a salary, which could help cover the required €250.
The path forward was clear: it was to complete the agreement template guided by the setup committee from both institutions. The plan culminated in scheduling an online follow-up meeting for Tuesday, November 11th, to review the first revision of the agreement, capping a highly constructive discussion that solidified the two universities’ shared future in graduate education.
Makerere University was represented by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics Affairs; Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Head of the Department of Gender Studies; Dr. Patricia Ndugga, School of Statistics; Dr. Stella Achen and Dr. Joseph Watuleke, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning; Agatha Ainemukama, School of Engineering; Racheal Nuwagaba, School of Psychology; Awel Uwihanganye, Martine Rugamba, and Hawa Ndagire from the Advancement Office; and Muhammad Kiggundu from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.
The University of Groningen was represented by Dr. Dinie Bouwman, Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalization and Quality Assurance; Dr. Anita Veltmaat, Faculty of Social Behavior and Social Sciences, Department of International Studies, involved in mentorship programs for women; and Dr. Alette Arendshorst, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, working on graduation/collaboration for students/staff.
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