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Makerere-Bergen Collaboration soars to new heights

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The institutional collaboration between Makerere University and the University of Bergen in Norway; has once again registered a historic achievement.

The institutional collaboration between Makerere University and the University of Bergen in Norway; has once again registered a historic achievement.

Over the years, the institutional collaboration has strongly contributed to development of research and human resources through capacity building programmes.

To further maximize the benefit of this institutional collaboration, Makerere University and the University of Bergen have started an academic journey leading to the award of joint PhD and degree programmes.

The two Universities shall identify the beneficiaries under this joint programme; and participate in training, mentoring and supervision in order to produce a quality and relevant graduate. Dr. Grace Ndeezi , Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences has been identified as one of the beneficiaries effective 2010.

Professor Venansius Baryamureeba, the Acting Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, and Professor Astri Andresen, the Vice Rector of the University of Bergen, signed the Joint PhD and Degree Cooperation Agreement November 19, 2009 as an Addendum to the 15-year- Makerere-University of Bergen Frame Agreement (1999-2014).

Since its approval, the 15 year collaboration agreement (1999-2014) has greatly enriched the academia in form of staff and student exchange programmes; joint research programmes; and joint scholarly publications.

Speaking at the occasion, the Vice Rector, Professor Astri Andresen stressed that institutional agreements are not entered into easily. She was impressed that this Frame Agreement had productive works and had continued to be a success. She was optimistic that it would continue to unfold new projects and venture into new areas of research.

Prof. Baryamureeba, who also completed his Masters at the University of Bergen, was overjoyed that this institutional collaboration was still ongoing. Prof. Baryamureeba advised that in addition to encouraging women to embark on PhD studies, the programme should also focus on empowering women in research.

“We need to dig deeper to understand the relationship between gender and other issues in the environment for instance we need to win the support of men/ husbands in advancement of women in research,” he said.

The signing of the Joint PhD and Degree Cooperation Agreement was the climax of the two-day Makerere University-UiB collaboration evaluation meeting held on November 18-19, 2009 at Nile Resort in Jinja .

Prof. Edward Kirumira, the Coordinator of the Makerere University-University of Bergen project, said the evaluation is conducted every five years in order to maximize the benefits of the institutional collaboration.

The evaluation meeting, which involved participants from internationally recognized higher education institutions and bodies, staff and students who have had past and on-going activities under this collaboration unanimously, agreed that in order to develop further collaboration for the betterment of all partners, Makerere University should be the centre of network collaborations. The participants noted that Makerere University was well-positioned in terms of the experience in administration and management gained over the years. Also, it had the infrastructure and human resources to support the collaboration.

Prof. Kirumira , who was visibly excited over the success of the Mak-UiB collaboration, said: “This marks the time to prepare the documentation for continued collaboration. We shall focus on bringing in more partners. We shall reposition the collaboration to provide more services to the region.”

He challenged the participants to strategise on how to integrate the experience gained during the 10 years of the collaboration (1999-2009) into the University operations.

Article by Ritah Namisango

Denis Wamala

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Bid Notice: Refugee Law Project Mid-Term Review

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An aerial view of Left to Right: Mitchell Hall, Senate, CoCIS Blocks B and A, Lincoln Flats, Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility and School of Social Sciences (white) Buildings, Makerere University, with Kampala City in the background, October 2018. Uganda.

DETAILED BID NOTICE UNDER OPEN BIDDING

Invitation to bid for Consultancy Services for Midterm Review of The Embassy of The Kingdom of Netherlands Funded Project; Securing Refugee-Host Relations Through Enhanced Protection, under Refugee Law Project, School of Law, Makerere University.
Proc. Ref. No. MAK/SRVCS/2025-26/00013

  1. The Makerere University under Refugee Law Project has allocated funds to be used for the acquisition of Consultancy Services for Midterm Review of The Embassy of The Kingdom of Netherlands Funded Project; Securing Refugee-Host Relations Through Enhanced Protection, under Refugee Law Project, School of Law, Makerere University.
  2. The Entity invites sealed bids from eligible bidders for the provision of the above consultancy services.
  3. Bidding will be conducted in accordance with the open domestic bidding procedures contained in the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act, 2003, and is open to all bidders.
  4. Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information and inspect the bidding documents at the address given below at 8(a) from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
  5. The Bidding Documents in English may be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written application to the address at 2 above and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of UGX. 100,000/= (One Hundred Thousand), only. The method of payment shall be cash payment after downloading Application Advice Slip from https://payments.mak.ac.ug/ and thereafter obtain a receipt from the bank before picking the document.
  6. Proposals must be delivered to the address below at 8(c) at or before 10:00am on Wednesday 20th August 2025. All proposals must be accompanied by a proposal securing declaration which must be valid until 28th February 2026. Late proposals shall be rejected. Proposals will be opened in the presence of the consultants’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below at 8(a) at 10:15am on 20th August 2025.

See below for detailed bid notice.

Mak Editor

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The Alumnet Magazine 2025-26

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Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (Left) shakes hands with Elizabeth Gabeya during the role play. 21-year-old Elizabeth Gabeya, a Bachelor of Agricultural and Rural Innovation First Year Mastercard Foundation Scholar at Makerere University, takes charge of the Vice Chancellor's office for two days- March 10th and 11th 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

I would like to extend warm congratulations from the University Management and myself to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Team for securing the Second Phase of the Scholars Program at Makerere University, which will run from 2023 to 2034. This achievement is commendable! Makerere University takes great pride in its long-standing partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, which has yielded numerous valuable outcomes over the past decade. This collaboration has profoundly impacted the Scholars Program and various other initiatives.

During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many academic institutions shifted to online learning, the Mastercard Foundation played a pivotal role in enhancing our e-learning infrastructure through the E-learning Initiative project. This initiative has enabled the university to create high-quality, inclusive academic online content and support systems that benefit all Makerere University students and those from affiliated institutions across Uganda.

Additionally, Makerere University is working with the University of Cape Town and the University of Cambridge on another important Mastercard Foundation project: The Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative. As part of this initiative, we will offer 40 PhD scholarships, 250 MSc scholarships, and skilling programmes for 500 youth. Moreover, 40 women- and youth-led green innovations will be supported, along with 30 postdoctoral scholarships. This demonstrates the immense value of our collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, and we are optimistic about continuing this partnership for many years.

Like the first phase, the second phase of the Scholars Program will focus on providing scholarships to vulnerable young people from various backgrounds. Special attention will be given to refugees, young people with disabilities, those from refugee-hosting communities, and other underserved individuals from hard-to-reach areas. This emphasis on inclusivity will further enhance opportunities for deserving youth.

I am pleased to share that Makerere University is progressing significantly toward fostering inclusivity for all students. We have established the Disability Support Centre on the ground floor of the Frank Kalimuzo building, designed to serve as a comprehensive resource for our students with disabilities and other vulnerable young individuals. Thanks to the contributions from the Mak Run 2024, the Centre is now equipped with vital ICT services, including screen readers, JAWS, Fusion, Braille services, and other essential amenities to ensure our students can easily pursue their studies.

Furthermore, I want to assure all our students, staff, partners, and the broader community that the University Management is deeply committed to creating a safe and supportive learning environment. With the University Council’s and partners’ invaluable backing, we have developed and launched the Safeguarding Policy. This vital framework outlines our measures to protect everyone from abuse and harm at Makerere University. We are building a community where everyone can learn, work, and thrive.

Makerere University remains a top choice for young people seeking higher education. The university’s vision is “To be a thought leader of knowledge generation for societal transformation and development.” Its mission is “To provide transformative and innovative teaching, learning, research, and service responsive to dynamic national and global needs.” These aspirations place the university in a unique position, and it›s essential to uphold them always. As a University, we will continue to strengthen our efforts to focus on the key issues facing humanity and meet our obligations to a broader society beyond education and research.

In conclusion, we are grateful to our invaluable partner, the Mastercard Foundation. The renewal of the partnership with Makerere University for another 10 years of Phase Two of the Scholars Program is a significant commitment that will empower 1,000 young people in Uganda and throughout Africa. We sincerely appreciate the Foundation’s support and dedication to this mission. The University Management is committed to supporting the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program to realize the vision and mission of Makerere University and the Mastercard Foundation as We Build for the Future.

Professor Barnabas Nawangwe
VICE CHANCELLOR

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Mary Stuart Hall Reborn: Makerere Celebrates Reopening of Historic Female Residence

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Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni (2nd Left) flanked by Left to Right: Hon. Balaam Barugahara, Mrs. Lorna Magara and Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe at the official reopening of Mary Stuart Hall on 15th August 2025. First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni officially reopened Mary Stuart Hall after a year-long renovation project that cost UGX 10.5 billion, by the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), August 15, 2025, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University officially reopened Mary Stuart Hall after a year-long renovation project that cost UGX 10.5 billion, carried out by the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC). The reopening ceremony, held on August 15, 2025, was presided over by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, who expressed profound gratitude to God, the government, and the University leadership for what she described as a long-awaited answer to prayer. The function begun with an opening prayer led by Rev. Dr. Lydia Kitayimbwa of St. Francis Chapel.

Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, Hon. J.C. Muyingo, Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda and other officials are given a brief tour of Mary Stuart Hall by Mrs. Lorna Magara, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Makerere Leadership. First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni officially reopened Mary Stuart Hall after a year-long renovation project that cost UGX 10.5 billion, by the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), August 15, 2025, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, Hon. J.C. Muyingo, Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda and other officials are given a brief tour of Mary Stuart Hall by Mrs. Lorna Magara, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Makerere Leadership.

Mary Stuart Hall, the largest and oldest female residence at Makerere, was constructed in 1947 and named after Mary Stuart, wife of Anglican Archbishop Simon Stuart, who championed women’s admission to the University. For decades, it has been home to generations of accomplished women, including cabinet ministers, diplomats, academics, and entrepreneurs. Yet in recent years, the hall had fallen into a state of disrepair, with broken facilities, leaking roofs, and a lift that had remained non-functional for nearly 50 years.

Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni beams as she listens to some of the speeches. First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni officially reopened Mary Stuart Hall after a year-long renovation project that cost UGX 10.5 billion, by the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), August 15, 2025, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni beams as she listens to some of the speeches.

In her address, the First Lady recalled touring Makerere’s halls of residence during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, where she was distressed by their poor condition. Believing that one’s environment directly shapes one’s mindset, she was moved to pray for their restoration. The reopening of Mary Stuart Hall, she noted, symbolized God’s faithfulness and the government’s commitment to dignified student living. She commended NEC for its timely and high-quality work, praised the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for providing the funding, and reaffirmed the NRM government’s pledge to gradually restore all Halls of Residence across the University.

Chairperson of Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara, hailed the First Lady’s nine years of transformative leadership in the education sector, pointing to substantial improvements in human resource investment, infrastructure development, and research funding. She noted that staff salary allocation at Makerere had increased by 116%—from UGX 102.4 billion in FY 2016/17 to UGX 221.6 billion today—including successful salary harmonization, with professors now earning up to UGX 15 million per month. Infrastructure investment has also more than doubled, with the development budget rising from UGX 10.1 billion in FY 2016/17 to UGX 23.4 billion, a 132% increase, enabling projects such as the restoration of the Main Building, construction of the Schools of Law and Dentistry, and perimeter wall construction. In addition, government support has boosted research excellence, with annual funding growing from zero in FY 2016/17 to UGX 20 billion today. She described the reopening of Mary Stuart Hall as a visible symbol of this broad, sustained commitment to higher education.

Mrs. Lorna Magara delivers her speech on the occasion. First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni officially reopened Mary Stuart Hall after a year-long renovation project that cost UGX 10.5 billion, by the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), August 15, 2025, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mrs. Lorna Magara delivers her speech on the occasion.

Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe described the reopening as not just the restoration of a building, but the renewal of a legacy. He noted that Mary Stuart Hall has always been more than a residence, “it has been a sanctuary of sisterhood, leadership, and inspiration for women” he said. The renovations have transformed the hall into a modern facility housing 521 students, complete with a new lift, modern washrooms, laundry facilities, bright corridors, pantries, a reading room, and a senior common room. NEC has also committed to installing a solar lighting system and landscaping the grounds, while plans are underway to modernize the kitchen and dining area. He further thanked the First Lady for the meticulous leadership in the education sector.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe makes his remarks. First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni officially reopened Mary Stuart Hall after a year-long renovation project that cost UGX 10.5 billion, by the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), August 15, 2025, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe makes his remarks.

The 91st Guild President, H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James, speaking on behalf of students, called the reopening a restoration of hope and pride for the Makerere community. He urged fellow students to cherish and protect the renewed facility as a place of ideas, friendships, and shared teachings, while carrying forward the hall’s proud legacy of resilience and leadership.

Chairlady of Mary Stuart Hall, Ms. Anthea Ampaire, a fourth-year medical student, spoke with gratitude and renewed hope, describing the reopening as a rebirth of the hall. She celebrated the hall’s historical significance as the first female residence at Makerere, praising its new inclusive features such as ramps and a lift for persons with disabilities. She encouraged fellow students to embrace the new facilities with a sense of responsibility and to use them as a foundation for creating brighter futures.

Chairlady of Mary Stuart Hall, Ms. Anthea Ampaire. First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni officially reopened Mary Stuart Hall after a year-long renovation project that cost UGX 10.5 billion, by the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), August 15, 2025, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Chairlady of Mary Stuart Hall, Ms. Anthea Ampaire.

The ceremony, attended by dignitaries including State Minister for Higher Education Hon. J.C. Muyingo, was marked by joy, prayers, and reflection on the hall’s historic role in shaping Uganda’s women leaders. As Mary Stuart Hall officially reopens, it stands not only as a restored building but also as a renewed commitment to inclusivity, empowerment, and the holistic development of the Makerere student community.

The First Lady poses for a group photo with officials at the Mary Stuart Hall signpost. First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni officially reopened Mary Stuart Hall after a year-long renovation project that cost UGX 10.5 billion, by the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), August 15, 2025, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The First Lady poses for a group photo with officials at the Mary Stuart Hall signpost.

Eve Nakyanzi
Eve Nakyanzi

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