General
FCIT awards first Computer Systems Engineers Certificates
“This certificate award ceremony marks a turning point in the Computing Landscape” remarked Dr. Benjamin Kanagwa, The Head, Department of Networks, Faculty of Computing and Information Technology in his welcome address.
“This certificate award ceremony marks a turning point in the Computing Landscape” remarked Dr. Benjamin Kanagwa, The Head, Department of Networks, Faculty of Computing and Information Technology in his welcome address.
He further added that on completion of this course, students were equipped with sufficient knowledge in embedded systems to compete in the development of intelligent automated systems and toy cars like their counterparts in China, Japan and the United States of America.
Speaking on behalf of his fellow students Eng. Wekesa John, a mechanical engineer by previous training gave special thanks to all the instructors in Electronics, Computer Programming and Embedded systems. He appreciated the fact that after his ten week course, he and his peers were now equipped with sufficient knowledge to write program code, debug it and embed it into a microprocessor to achieve the desired functionality. And with this knowledge, the only limit to their output would be the ability to innovate and apply the rich knowledge accumulated during the course’s duration.
Mr. Higenyi Perez who spoke on behalf of his fellow instructors Mr. Omure and Mr Waligo appreciated the students’ efforts in adhering to the 10 week course structure and successfully rising to the challenges. He further thanked The Dean of the Faculty Prof. Barymureeba for this initiative and colleagues Dr. Kanagwa and Drake Mirembe for providing unceasing support throughout the course instruction. He noted that being the maiden course, a few observations had been made, which would help review the content to provide a more streamlined course for successive intakes.
Held on a cloudy afternoon on September 30th 2009, the third level Computer Systems Engineering lab of the Faculty’s Block B building played host to the award ceremony, the first of its kind in the history of the Faculty and the University. In his comments Mr. Michael Niyitegeka the Head, Corporate Communications at the faculty noted that after the 200 hour course; 120 hours theory and 80 hours practical, the students had met the requirements to be awarded certificates as the pioneers of this course. He then invited The Chief Guest and Dean Prof. Baryamureeba to award the successful students their certificates.
In his closing remarks The Dean appreciated the efforts made by Dr. Benjamin Kanagwa and his colleagues for nurturing this course within the Department of Networks. Impressed with the level of innovation, he pledged six million shillings to the graduates to help them market their innovations to the public.
He further stressed the importance of incubation of innovations that can provide ideal solutions to local problems hence the need for the Government and Academic institutions to come out and support these centers. “It is by nurturing young talent and ideas that companies like facebook and Microsoft were founded and continue do well on the global scene” he added.
In keeping with the Makerere University strategic plan of 2009-2019, the Dean noted that the Faculty had recently revised the curricula to meet the needs of society by training quality graduates equipped with hands-on skills. He also announced that the faculty had recently received a grant of two billion shillings for upgrading computer laboratories into state-of-the-art facilities. As exhibited by the award due to be received by the Dean on behalf of FCIT, he stressed that such grants will enable the faculty to continue being a model facility of computing in East and Central Africa.
In conclusion, he thanked the various Media houses for covering the event, the students for their participation in the program and the publicity garnered by Faculty’s Corporate Communications Office.
Click here for a brief description of projects exhibited.
Makerere University staff have been urged to embrace servant leadership, integrity and compassion as they prepare to welcome students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The call was made during the Makerere University Staff Prayer Breakfast held on 31st July 2026 at St. Francis Students Centre Upper Hall under the theme “Faithful Stewards: A Servant Heart with Integrity and Wisdom,” drawn from Colossians 3:23–24 and Mark 10:35–45.
The prayer breakfast brought together members of Council, University Management, academic, and administrative staff to dedicate the new academic year to God while reflecting on their responsibility of serving students with excellence, humility and integrity.
A Call to Seek God’s Wisdom
Host Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa reminded staff that no amount of professional experience or academic expertise can replace God’s guidance.
She noted that the University’s mission can only be fulfilled when staff continually seek God’s wisdom in serving students and one another.
“There is no amount of experience or expertise that can replace God’s wisdom.”
Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed that students remain the reason universities exist and challenged staff to approach their work as a calling rather than merely employment.
“Without students, there is no university,” she said, encouraging members of staff to remain united, avoid unhealthy competition and trust God as they begin another academic year.
She further urged staff to become faithful stewards who work together in harmony, which she summed up as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research
In her remarks, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Members of Management to the breakfast, and reminded staff that a university’s value cannot be measured by research and innovation alone.
She described Makerere as a community held together by the spiritual as well as academic wellbeing of its people, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
Draw Inspiration From Stewardship
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Sarah Ssali told staff that this year’s breakfast carried special significance.
“This is the first prayer breakfast we are having ever since we launched our strategic plan,” she said, referring to the University’s new Strategic Plan, launched on 2nd July 2026.
She encouraged staff to hold on to the morning’s reflections as a guide for implementing the plan over the next five years, describing Makerere as an institution many families choose above all others for the vision and training it offers their children. She urged staff to see themselves as stewards of that trust rather than simply employees carrying out a job.
Compassion and Discipline Must Go Together
Delivering her remarks, Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara challenged staff to strike a balance between compassion and discipline when dealing with students.
She observed that many students face different personal and academic challenges, making encouragement and timely support essential throughout their university journey.
“A word of encouragement can restore hope and prevent costly mistakes,” she noted.
Dr. Lorna encouraged lecturers and administrators to respond promptly to students’ concerns, explaining that delays, insensitive decisions and abuse of authority can discourage students and negatively affect their academic experience.
She reminded staff that students often remember how they were treated long after they have forgotten what was taught in class.
“Students may eventually forget what we teach them, but they will always remember how we treated them.”
She added that education goes beyond transferring knowledge.
“Education is more than knowledge. We communicate life, character and values.”
Quoting Mark 10, Dr. Lorna called upon staff to embrace servant leadership by exercising authority with humility, integrity and accountability.
She encouraged members of staff to ask themselves whether they would treat every student the same way ashey would treat their own child.
“We may not always have all the answers,” she said, “but we can communicate honestly, take responsibility and treat every student with dignity.”
She concluded by urging different colleges and administrative units to work together instead of operating in isolation, noting that unity strengthens the University community.
Referring to Galatians 6:2, she reminded staff to carry one another’s burdens and remain faithful stewards of the responsibility entrusted to them.
Servant Leadership Begins with Faithfulness
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. James Magara, husband to Dr. Lorna Magara, called on members of staff to embrace servant leadership grounded in humility, faithfulness and service to others.
Drawing from Mark 10:35–45, Dr. Magara reflected on the account in which James and John asked Jesus for positions of honour in His kingdom, prompting discontent among the other disciples. He observed that despite walking closely with Christ, the disciples continued to struggle with the desire for status and recognition. He noted that such competition remained evident even during the Last Supper, where concerns over positions and prominence persisted.
Dr. Magara said that Jesus responded to these human tendencies by redefining leadership through service rather than authority. He described Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet as the ultimate demonstration of servant leadership, explaining that genuine leaders are willing to undertake even the humblest responsibilities in service of others.
Referencing Philippians 2, he urged staff to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness, contrasting it with the pride and self-exaltation illustrated in Isaiah 14. He emphasised that lasting influence and greatness are not measured by titles, positions or recognition, but by one’s willingness to serve faithfully and put the needs of others before personal ambition.
Drawing on his own leadership journey spanning several decades, Dr. Magara challenged leaders across the University to cultivate humility, integrity and a servant heart in the execution of their responsibilities. He cautioned that leadership driven by pride and personal ambition undermines both individual effectiveness and institutional progress, whereas servant leadership strengthens organisations and fosters lasting impact.
The prayer breakfast concluded with a call for unity and collective commitment as Makerere University prepares to begin a new academic year. Organisers noted that the reflections on stewardship, integrity and servant leadership would provide a strong foundation for the University community as it advances the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
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