General
Bulk metering to save Makerere 100m monthly
The University is set to benefit from a lowered average tariff at the main campus, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between UMEME and Makerere University at 10:00am today, 12th February 2010.
The University is set to benefit from a lowered average tariff at the main campus, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between UMEME and Makerere University at 10:00am today, 12th February 2010.
Herbert Kanyali, UMEME District Manager – Wandegeya and project manager for the installation, appreciated the patience exhibited by the Makerere community during the final two weeks of intensive engineering work on the meter centralization project. He further revealed that with the successful installation of this unit, plans are underway to install a similar meter around the Makerere College School area.
Dr Da Silva, Director, Center for Research in Energy and Energy Conservation (CREEC) Makerere University, expressed his pleasure at seeing this project, which started in November 2009 with Prof. Luboobi, finally being completed. He observed that whereas the university was a bulky consumer of energy, it was until Wednesday this week still being charged at the retail rate “The energy consumed at the main campus alone is more than four times the one consumed by large industries such as Roofings (U) Ltd.” He further revealed that Makerere was already benefiting from the installation, seeing as the institution had managed to save Nine million shillings in electricity bills, since Wednesday 10th February when the bulk meter was commissioned.
In his speech, Dr. Tickodri-Tobgoa, who represented the Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Baryamureeba was glad to see that both the engineers and members of staff who actively participated in the project were products of his Engineering classes over a twenty-four year span. As energy is a vital component of daily university operations, he noted that the improved tariff rates as a result of Bulk metering will guarantee sufficient energy for staff and students to enable them excel, as exhibited by the recently released world university rankings . He observed that with the adoption of bulk metering by Makerere and similar sized institutions, the days of load shedding would soon be a thing of the past as energy efficiency would be drastically improved.
Mr. Fredrick Kitandwe, UMEME Area Manager, Kampala Central, flanked by Ms. Charlotte Kemigyisha, UMEME Head of Corporate Relations, thanked the Makerere team for its cooperation, which saw the successful completion of the project. He reiterated UMEME’s commitment to lowering the cost of power to the end users, while managing energy losses. “It is through such innovative measures of working with our customers that we intend to make power cheaper and more affordable to our communities. In this initiative, we are working closely with the Small Medium Enterprises to enable them benefit from a better tariff category, which is billed at 184.8Shs per Kwh under code 30, down from 333.0Shs per Kwh under code 20.” He said.
Both parties then signed and exchanged the Memoranda of Understanding, before proceeding to the Eastern gate, where Mr. Kitandwe officially handed over the bulk metering facility to Dr. Togboa. Mr. Kahundha Muhwezi, The University Secretary, lauded UMEME for the timely installation, which will see the university save over 1.2billion shillings annually in electricity bills.
The Director of Makerere University Jinja Campus, Associate Professor Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, has urged students to familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding policy aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment.
Speaking during the safeguarding policy sensitization meeting held today Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, emphasized the importance of awareness and adherence to the policy, which seeks to protect students, staff, and other stakeholders from all forms of abuse, harassment, exploitation, and discrimination.
“As Management we want every student to enjoy their stay at the University without being tormented and that can only happen, if students know their rights by reading about different policies on our website. You are meant to be living in a safe environment. We do not want anybody’s dream to be shattered or somebody to drop out from University,” Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, said.
In his speech, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, also called upon students who have complaints but do not know the reporting lines, to approach staff safeguarding champions to make sure that they live in a safe environment.
Addressing guests, Emmanuel Muchake, the Guild Administrator at Jinja Campus, pointed out that the launch of the safeguarding policy is timely because as a University, without creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, they will not have students graduate.
On Friday, April 4,2025, the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Right Honourable Lukia Isanga Nakadama, officially launched the Safeguarding Policy and commended Makerere University for crafting a policy that lays out the University’s framework for embedding viable safeguarding measures into its ethos and all institutional activities and processes to: Identify, detect, and act swiftly on safeguarding risks.
The Safeguarding Policy was developed in response to the growing need for institutions of higher learning to implement proactive measures that address concerns related to student welfare, mental health, gender-based violence, and power imbalances in academic settings.
Some of potential safeguarding risks in Institutions of higher learning include emotional distress, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH); material loss, financial exploitation, discrimination and neglect, unfair and illegitimate response to civic engagements, cyber security/threats, psychological and emotional harm, substance abuse and physical assault. Discrimination and neglect which are often high risks for students with disabilities and international students.
The safeguarding policy sensitization meeting in Jinja Campus brought together students and staff in a meaningful dialogue on safeguarding issues affecting learning.
The event was graced by Dr. Rodney Rugyema, from the Dean of Students Office, who emphasized the University’s commitment to the well-being of all its members. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of safeguarding policies in preventing abuse, harassment, exploitation, and other forms of misconduct within the Jinja Campus community.
“Safeguarding is not a one-time action, but a continuous culture of care and accountability. We all have a role to play in ensuring a safe and respectful space for learning and growth,” Dr Rugyema, said.
The sensitization session covered key topics including; recognizing signs of abuse, understanding reporting procedures on the MakSafeSpace and fostering mutual respect among peers.
Participants were encouraged to actively engage and reflect on their roles in upholding safety standards both on and off campus.
Students who attended the sensitization welcomed the initiative, with many expressing optimism that the policy would improve campus safety and encourage victims to come forward without fear of retaliation.
“We have seen issues go unreported in the past because students didn’t know where to turn. This policy provides clarity and assurance that the university is taking these matters seriously,” noted, a third-year student.
The University plans to conduct a series of sensitization workshops and distribute printed copies of the policy to ensure that every member of the campus community is well-informed. This initiative is part of Makerere University‘s broader strategy to reinforce its values of integrity, respect, and protection for all.
The Safeguarding Sensitization Meeting concluded with a collective pledge to uphold safety, dignity, and mutual respect within the University community.
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