Makerere University’s Professor Peter Waiswa has been appointed to the World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Working Group of Experts tasked with developing the Essential Child Health Services (ECHS) framework.

The appointment, communicated in an official letter dated October 21, 2026, and signed by Dr. Pascale Allotey, Director of WHO’s Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child, Adolescent and Ageing Health, runs until December 31, 2027.

The technical working group will support WHO in defining a core package of essential health services for newborns, older children and adolescents, alongside practical approaches for delivering these services effectively and equitably to improve their health and well-being.

As a member of the working group, Prof. Waiswa will contribute scientific and technical expertise to the development of the framework. His responsibilities will include participating in technical consultations, reviewing draft documents, providing written feedback and contributing to consensus-building on key technical issues.

The group is expected to hold approximately five online meetings between November 2026 and mid-2027. Members will serve in their individual capacities as independent experts rather than as representatives of their respective governments or institutions.

The appointment builds on Prof. Waiswa’s longstanding service and contributions to WHO. He previously served for seven years on WHO’s Strategic and Technical Advisory Group of Experts (STAGE) on Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, with his tenure concluding in June 2026.

Congratulations Prof. Peter Waiswa.

Prof. Edward Bbaale, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at Makerere University, on November 10 2026 welcomed a delegation from the International Water Association (IWA), led by Mr. Keith Robertson, the Learning and Events Director at International Water Association (IWA). Mr. Robertson, in his remarks, highlighted their visit to Makerere University as a fact-finding mission regarding the potential establishment of a new regional IWA office in Africa to support the continent in solving challenges relating to water.

The International Water Association is a leading global nonprofit organisation and knowledge hub for the water and sanitation sector. Connecting more than 10,000 individual members and 500 corporate entities across 140 plus countries, the association bridges the gap between scientific research and practical engineering to solve global water crises, improve sanitation, and secure clean water systems. Currently, IWA is evaluating potential host cities in Africa; Makerere University in Kampala is the first they have visited out of their three countries and venues earmarked.

This meeting held at Makerere Main Administrative Building, was attended by university leadership, faculty from College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), and representatives from the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). Discussions explored possibilities of the yet to be established office bridging the gap between academic research and practical application in the water sector not only in Uganda but also on the continent. 

On behalf of University Management, Prof. Edward Bbaale underscored this engagement that focused on possible Water and Sanitation advancement partnership as one that aligns well with the strategic direction of the University.

Projected Impact of a Kampala-Based IWA Office

Dr Philip Nyenje, Head of Department, Civil and Environmental Engineering (DCEE), expressed optimism about the collaboration, saying, “this is a very good opportunity for us to grow our interest in the sector of water and sanitation.”

In addition, Dr Seith Mugume, a Senior Lecturer at DCEE, noted that the regional office would unlock research and innovation opportunities in the real world for our students and also provide incentives for them to pursue projects within local research and innovation angles.

Eng. Zainab Mpakiraba, Acting Senior Manager at NWSC framed Kampala as a very unique venue for the centre and highlighted Makerere as one of the core academic partners for the regional Eastern and Southern Africa hub of the Global Sanitation Graduate School. Eng. Mpakiraba further endorsed Makerere, saying that, as a top-notch university in Uganda and in the region, when it leads on any aspect, it is able to pull most of the other universities.

Makerere’s Strategic Initiatives and Activities so far in the Area of Water

Dr Nyenje noted that his Department has a very strong base in water and sanitation, covering disciplines like water resources, environmental, structural, and highway engineering. Dr. Mugume added that they are conducting research on “modeling of water resource systems, hydrological and hydraulic modeling,” “water quality management,” and “fecal sludge management, sanitation in low-income and peri-urban areas.”

The two also mentioned that the department has introduced a “master’s in sanitation, and also a postgraduate program… a diploma in sanitation” to address growing interest in the sector.

All these strategies have been made possible through good will and funding from the Government of Uganda, strategic partnerships, and International Collaborations that have positioned Makerere as a key player in the region.

Concluding the session, Prof. Edward Bbaale reaffirmed Makerere’s ability to run this Office when established as the University has human resources in multidisciplinary research, global credibility and working relationships with many organisations and institutions on the continent and far.

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University informs all Head Teachers of Advanced Level (UACE) Schools with UNEB centre Numbers that applications for admission to Public Universities and other Tertiary Institutions for 2027/2028 Academic Year for government sponsorship will be done electronically/online using the Academic Management Information System from 9^th November, 2026 to 31^st December, 2026. The Public Universities include:

• (a) Makerere University 
  (b) Makerere University Business School 

• Mbarara University of Science and Technology
• Kyambogo University
• Gulu University
• Busitema University
• Muni University
• Kabale University
• Lira University
• Soroti University
• Mountains of the Moon University
• Uganda National Institute of Teacher Education

NB: The list of Other Tertiary Institutions is provided on the online application portal.

The online application system will allow A ‘Level Schools/UNEB Centre Administrators to input the applicants’ required information using one of the two formats provided:

1. The Online Application Portal

This is where the applicants’ information is captured directly into the system using the internet (https://pujab.mak.ac.ug) The portal contains pre-populated information to help you select the correct details as you fill the form.

• The Offline Excel Sheet

This will be downloaded from the online application portal (https://pujab.mak.ac.ug) filled offline and uploaded into the system via the internet. The excel sheet also contains pre-populated information to help you select the correct details as you fill the form.

The information to be captured include among others:

1. Applicants’ Bio-data
2. Father’s information
3. Mother’s information
4. Applicants’ home district
5. Information about Disabilities
6. O’ Level index number and year of sitting
7. A’ Level index number and year of sitting
8. National merit choices (6)
9. District Quota Choices (4)
10. Tertiary Institutions choices (4)

However, before the commencement of the application exercise, New School Administrators with A level UNEB Centre numbers will be required to fill theaccess form to allow them use the online Application Portal. The form can be accessed from the Makerere University application portal (https://pujab.mak.ac.ug) filled, stamped, scanned and submitted to this email address: pujab.support@mak.ac.ug or office 302 ,Level three (3), Senate Building for account  creation. On creation of the account, a message containing the account details will be sent to the school administrator’s email address and phone number.

A non-refundable application fee of UGX. 57,000/= (Fifty-seven thousand shillings only) per applicant will be paid using a Payment Reference Number (PRN) generated from the system in any bank used by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) before loading the application data.

NB: (i) A user guide is accessible from the online application portal and University website (www.mak.ac.ug).

      (ii) Information on Public Universities Admissions for 2027/2028 Academic Year is accessible from the Makerere University application portal and website: www.mak.ac.ug

     (iii) The JAB information Booklet for other tertiary institutions for 2027/2028 Academic   year is accessible from the online application portal and Makerere University website (www.mak.ac.ug).

Submission Confirmation

Upon successful submission, you will receive a confirmation message indicating that your application(s) have/ has been received.

Acknowledgment Form

Once submission is done, an acknowledgment form must be downloaded and printed from the system, signed and stamped by the Head Teacher and forward to: pujab.support@mak.ac.ug or office 302 Senate Building Makerere University.

The closing date for submitting the application data in the system and acknowledgement form will be 31^st December 2026.

There will be no hard copy/manual application forms given to applicants.

Re-applicants who did their Advanced Level in 2025 or 2024 can apply through their Schools or can use the System directly.

Prof.  Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR