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 and the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (ND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University and Rev. Robert A. Dowd, the 18th President signed on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony, which was held at the University of Notre Dame campus at South Bend, Indiana was witnessed by Dr. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Council of Makerere University, who led the Mak delegation.
Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.
General
Press Release: Government of Uganda and Partners Launch SAY Plus+ to Scale Youth Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) Impact in Underserved Regions
USD 50 million national programme moves into full implementation, strengthening
adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to youth-responsive
services in 13 districts across five sub-regions
KAMPALA, 7 MAY 2026: The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda’s underserved regions.
The launch, held at Makerere University‘s Freedom Square under the theme “My Voice Matters: Youth Voices for SAY Plus+” and the tagline “Nothing for us, without us”, marks the programme’s transition into full implementation.
SAY Plus+, formerly known as Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment: Scaling Impact, is led by the Ministry of Health, in coordination with other Ministries, with UNFPA Uganda serving as the Managing and Technical Agency.
Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the initiative is scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. It is currently being rolled out across thirteen districts within five sub-regions, providing targeted assistance to regional referral hospitals in Jinja, Mbale, Moroto, Yumbe, Arua, and Gulu. Furthermore, the programme supports the Human Capital Development goals established in Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
“SAY Plus+ represents a shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated national effort that meaningfully places young people at the centre of both design and delivery. Through our partnership with the Government of Uganda, development partners, and implementing partners, we are investing not only in services, but in the systems, communities, and environments that enable adolescents and young people to thrive not only today but also in the future,” said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, Representative – UNFPA Uganda.
Officially launched by the Minister of State for Health Hon. Margaret Muhanga, the SAY Plus+ programme targets adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 years, with particular focus on adolescent girls and young women, refugees and host-community youth, out-of-school young people, those not in employment, education or training, adolescents with disabilities, and young people in humanitarian and post-conflict settings.
“For many of us, things like this one are designed without listening to what we go through every day, think or even feel. SAY Plus+ feels different because it starts with our voices and gives us a real role in shaping solutions. It is not just about information, it is about being supported to make decisions, access services, and build the future we want.” – Jovia Dranzoa, Young person.
SAY Plus+ operates through three pillars. First, it empowers youth to exercise their rights and make informed choices. Second, it engages families, communities, and leaders to address harmful social norms. Third, it strengthens youth-responsive SRHR, HIV, and gender-based violence services via health facilities and community platforms, aiming to reach over 2.3 million direct and indirect beneficiaries.
The SAY Plus+ initiative stands as a model of international cooperation and multi-sectoral synergy. Through the combined support of the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and the technical leadership of UNFPA, Uganda is now equipped to scale-up critical interventions in HIV prevention, gender-based violence response, and reproductive health. With implementation now in high gear through 2030, the programme is poised to make a lasting contribution to the nation’s human capital development goals.
— ENDS —
Photos from the event
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