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MAKAIR: A Students’ dream comes true

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“I would like to welcome you to this milestone occasion where we are launching the Makerere University wireless hotspots. We are formally launching and publicising the various internet access sites installed by DICTS over a wireless local area network – MAKAIR” remarked Dr. Nora Mulira, Director – Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS) as she welcomed guest to the launch.

“I would like to welcome you to this milestone occasion where we are launching the Makerere University wireless hotspots. We are formally launching and publicising the various internet access sites installed by DICTS over a wireless local area network – MAKAIR” remarked Dr. Nora Mulira, Director – Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS) as she welcomed guest to the launch.

Presided over by the Swedish Ambassador to Uganda H.E. Anders Johnson, the launch held in the Africa Hall Dining on 30th March 2010 was a demonstration of a long mutual collaboration with the Dr. Nora   Mulira, Dir. DICTS makes her remarks at the LaunchSwedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida and its recognition of the importance of ICT as an integral facilitator for research, learning and instruction in higher institutions of learning. “Sida‘s support to Makerere University has therefore focused on the development of ICT and the library with resulting funding of about 80% of the University ICT infrastructure” added Dr. Mulira.

Owing to the limited number of ICT facilities within the Faculties available for student access, location of the hotspots has been designed such that students can comfortably work at any time of the day, particularly in the night when resources like Internet bandwidth are abundant. The Director therefore thanked the Government and people of Sweden for their generous support through Sida, and the DICTS implementation team for the achievement of this suitable solution.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba lauded Sida for their generous funding of ICT projects, which has seen the comprehensive and cohesive strategy adopted by the University during 2001 come to fruition. Reflecting on the over USD50m Sida support to Makerere thus far, Prof. Baryamureeba further extolled the Government and people of Sweden for helping Makerere increase the efficiency and effectiveness of research linkages, and provide a modern learning environment with easy access to local International online resources “Currently, you can get access to the latest journals published, courtesy of the over 12,000 online publications subscribed to by the University Library

The Makerere University ICT Policy and Master plan has also greatly benefited through generous support to components like Teaching and Learning, Staff Development especially in the Service Units and Acquisition of Information Systems (IS) to support the daily administrative operations “So once again I would really like to thank Sida and our Development partners, who as we’ve been looking at Prof. V.  Baryamureeba and Amb Anders Johnson at the LaunchInstitutional Development, have greatly supported our ICT Policy and Master plan” he added.

In his address, the Guest of Honor H.E. Ambassador Anders Johnson emphasized the importance of Information networks in helping people discover new facts and making their governments more accountable “Access to information helps citizens hold their governments accountable, generates new ideas, encourages creativity and entrepreneurship.”

Taking the example of Universities, which by their very nature are not only communities of teachers and scholars but above all centers of learning, excellence, innovative ideas and agents of change – “hotspots”, Ambassador Johnson justified Sida support to Makerere’s ICT project thus far “Talent may be distributed universally, but opportunity is not. It is therefore very natural that Swedish support to building research capacity in Uganda mainly through collaboration with Makerere University also includes support to the ICT project.” He then proceeded to officially launch the wireless while expressing his confidence “I am sure they will all come to good use.”

Prof.  Katunguka moves the vote of thanks after the official launch Prof. Eli Katunguka Rwakishaya, Director, School of Graduate Studies (SGS) proceeded to move a vote of thanks to the Government and people of Sweden noting that “When the programme started in 2000, it had two aims: To support research and to support the environment that supports research, hence the creation of DICTS.” He was however glad that this support had extended e-resources in the library, Gender mainstreaming and establishment of student labs and internet kiosks. Observing the gains thus far such as improved communication, service delivery and efficiency at the University, Prof. Katunguka once again expressed Makerere’s positive outlook to the successful implementation of Phase III (2000 – 2014)

Click here for the Ambassador's full speech  

Director DICTS' full speech here  

 

Denis Wamala

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Admission Lists -Disability and District Quota Schemes 2025/26

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The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released the admission list of candidates admitted under the Disability and District Quota Schemes with Government sponsorship 2025/26 Academic Year.

Kindly follow the links below to access the lists:-

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Change of Course/Programme for Undergraduate Admissions 2025/2026

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Makerere Convocation to Host a CEOs/Investors’ Round Table Summit 2025

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Makerere University Convocation (MUC) CEOs/Investors’ Round Table Summit on Tuesday, 2nd September 2025, 8:00AM-12:00PM, Convocation Grounds. Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

By Elvis Lubanga

Kampala, Uganda – Makerere University Convocation (MUC) is set to host the CEOs/Investors’ Round Table Summit on Tuesday, 2nd September 2025, bringing together a distinguished assembly of leaders and stakeholders.

The half-day summit will convene CEOs, investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers, innovators, and development partners to engage in meaningful dialogue, foster collaboration, and explore investment opportunities that can unlock the potential of Uganda’s next generation of talent. Running under the theme: “Exploring the Opportunities for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Value Creation for Accelerated Socio-Economic Integration and Development of Sub-Saharan Africa,” the event reflects Makerere University’s ambition to position itself as a hub of knowledge, innovation, and transformation.

The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja will officiate as the Chief Guest, while Dr. Peter Kimbowa, CEO of the CEO Summit Uganda, will deliver the keynote address. Their participation underscores the importance of the summit in strengthening linkages between academia, industry, and government, and in advancing Uganda’s broader socio-economic transformation agenda.

Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, will welcome the invited participants and highlighted the university’s determination to work collaboratively with partners to shape impactful solutions for Uganda and the region.

“We want to work with you to see how, together, we can move our country and continent forward. I invited all of you CEOs to Makerere so that we can brainstorm on what we can do to transform our nation and Africa at large,” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.

According to Ms. Grace Cherotich Ruto, Chief Convener of the summit and Vice Chairperson of the Makerere University Convocation, this will be the first event of its kind. She noted that the summit seeks to foster mentorship, internships, and employment linkages as a means of bridging the gap between industry and academia, while positioning Convocation as a driver of socio-economic transformation.

A key highlight of the summit will be the unveiling of the Makerere University Convocation’s Massive Transformation Purpose, a bold framework that converts five critical takeaways into independent working teams with clear Terms of Reference, objectives, data-driven activities, and measurable outcomes. The plan institutionalizes vision, distributes ownership, and ensures sustainability through quarterly reporting, evidence-based impact, and global benchmarking. The five teams—From Ivory Tower to Impact Tower, Diaspora Dividend vs. Brain Drain, Intergenerational Knowledge Bridges, AI & Future of Learning, and From Convocation to Covenant—are designed to commercialize research, harness diaspora capital, institutionalize mentorship, drive digital transformation, and sustain alumni–faculty–student engagement through a covenant model. Collectively, they transform Convocation from a ceremonial event into a movement of accountability, innovation, and sustainable socio-economic impact for Uganda and Africa.

The summit has already attracted wide endorsement from leading companies and agencies, demonstrating its timeliness and relevance.

Mr. Eugene Too, General Manager at Haco Industries, affirmed the company’s support, stating:

“Haco Industries endorses the Makerere University CEOs Forum. We believe the Summit’s objectives align with our broader goals of creating impact in education, supporting internships, job placement, and mentorship programs in Sub-Saharan Africa. We are proud to be associated with the Summit at Makerere University Convocation.”

Eng. Shaft Mukwaya, Secretary to the Equal Opportunities Commission of Uganda, commended the Convocation’s role in promoting inclusivity:

“Makerere University Convocation has proven to be a steadfast ally in achieving our mission of pursuing an inclusive society in which no one is left behind. We are honoured to be associated with this summit.”

Roofings Uganda has equally expressed strong endorsement, noting that the event aligns closely with their corporate vision:

“At Roofings, we are privileged to endorse the Makerere University Convocation CEOs/Investors’ Summit and call upon all invited guests to be part of this noble cause. Makerere University is a valued partner in nurturing talent and fostering innovation, which aligns closely with our vision of being an accelerator for a sustainable Africa. As sponsors, we are honoured to be associated with this summit that brings together leaders, investors, and visionaries to shape inclusive growth and development.”

With its broad stakeholder support, clear strategic framework, and focus on outcomes, the Makerere University Convocation’s CEOs/Investors’ Round Table Summit is positioned as a landmark event. It will provide a unique platform for academia, industry, and government to converge in pursuit of sustainable growth, innovation, and socio-economic development, not only for Uganda but for the entire Sub-Saharan African region.

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