General
NBRP promoting regional competence building through publication
In true representation of the recently celebrated World Water Day and the Nile, guests were ushered into the Main hall, adorned in blue décor. On hand to receive guests who included The Norwegian Ambassador, Rwandan and United Republic of Tanzania High Commissioners were the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, Prof Tore – Director NBRP and Prof. Edward Kirumira-The NBRP Regional Host.
In true representation of the recently celebrated World Water Day and the Nile, guests were ushered into the Main hall, adorned in blue décor. On hand to receive guests who included The Norwegian Ambassador, Rwandan and United Republic of Tanzania High Commissioners were the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, Prof Tore – Director NBRP and Prof. Edward Kirumira-The NBRP Regional Host.
Emcee of the day and Regional Coordinator NBRP, Dr. Margaret Kyakuwa welcomed the Chief Guest, Hon. Jessica Eriyo – State Minister for Water, who represented Hon. Dr. Maria Mutagamba, Minister of Water and Environment as well as all the guests who’d spared time to attend the launch.
Prof. Edward K. Kirumira, who also coordinates the Makerere/University of Bergen (UiB) Collaboration, recognized the presence of Vice Chancellors from Sister Universities present, as well as former Vice Chancellor Prof. Livingstone Luboobi. In his address, Prof. Kirumira took note of the active relationships with the University of Khartoum, Juba, National University of Rwanda, and Addis Ababa University as well the recent bond with Cairo University. These relationships he added, were testament to the power of the Nile “The books we are about to launch are yet another confirmation of the jewel that the Nile Basin countries are privileged to own, share, study, nurture and guard jealously.” In relation to sustainable Land use and citing his recent trip to Egypt, he further testified “I saw trucks after trucks packed with tomatoes heading for the consumptive urban populations. This was contrasted against a nicely desert condition terrain. This for me drove home the power of the Nile than I had ever imagined.”
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n his keynote address, Prof Tore Saetersdal – Director NBRP recognized the enormous potential for collaboration amongst the Nile Basin countries. He justified the hosting of this programme at UiB by recognizing that as Bergen is “in a faraway place”, it provided the most conducive atmosphere for Independent and Free research so as to be able to contribute to a peaceful and sustainable solution for the Nile agreement.
Prof. also appreciated the Nile Basin University Forum (NBUF), which was launched in Kampala in June 2009 with eighteen Nile Basin Universities as inauguration members. An initiative of the NBRP, the NBUF will promote collaboration, staff and student exchange and joint curricula on the Nile across language and cultural barriers.
A brief presentation on the book “The River Nile in post-colonial age” by Prof. James Muliira highlighted the first comprehensive and detailed account of the Nile Water as a resource. This was shortly followed by Dr. Godfrey Asiimwe’s presentation on the research experience in Bergen, which by his observation required more affirmative action for females to enable them undertake research in larger numbers. Dr. Roberts Muriisa, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) in his presentation acknowledged NBRP for diversifying the research component and opportunities to include MUST, Uganda Christian University, Mukono (UCU) as well as other Universities. With regard to Shaping Research Universities, he examined the need for Universities to establish the relevant research by examining its as well as who should determine the relevant research.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba in his address commended the NBRP for the great strides made so far and appreciated the relevance of the book launch to Makerere University, as it currently holds the Chairmanship of the Inter-Universities Council for East Africa. Before inviting the Chief Guest, Prof. Baryamureeba challenged the Makerere community to utilize the opportunities in the Nile Basin region and contribute to knowledge creation, transfer and partnerships.
The Chief Guest Hon. Jessica Eriyo commended the NBRP for publishing their research but challenged other stakeholders to do more research in a relevant and continuous way so as to inform policy. “Research work should not remain in the shelves. It should be publicized so as to inform policy” she added. Referring to The United Nation’s declaration of the year 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB), Hon. Eriyo encouraged to diversify their research “The Nile is not just water, the Nile habours a lot of biodiversity that we must focus on this year.” She then proceeded to officially launch the publications.
Dr. Tickodri Togboa, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Finance & Administration and Host, Nile Basin Universities’ Forum proceeded to give closing remarks.
Click here for Prof. Saetersdal's presentation
Click here for the Vice-Chancellor's speech
The Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has today, Friday, 26th June 2026 handed over the CCE (Complex) Hall of Residence Site to National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) Managing Director and CEO, Lieutenant General James Mugira for renovation and overhaul works. The UGX 12billion Government of Uganda-funded works, expected to be completed within a year, are the fourth project to be undertaken by NEC. They were preceded by; construction of the University Perimeter Wall, Renovation of Lumumba Hall, and Renovation of Mary Stuart Hall.
NEC’s Record Lauded
Prof. Nawangwe in his remarks at the handover ceremony lauded these projects. “The quality of work done by NEC makes us proud because we can finally say that we have Ugandans who can do the things, which we previously depended on foreigners to do.” He therefore thanked the Government of Uganda for fully funding the projects and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Museveni, whose visit set the renovation projects in motion.
The Vice Chancellor added that as the Alma mater for most members of both the Contractor and Project Management Teams, this was a moment of great pride as their expertise and skills have saved the country billions of taxpayers’ money. “Thank you for being patriotic”, he commended.
Prof. Nawangwe concluded by noting that CCE Hall, by virtue of its location, provides a first impression of Makerere University as a whole. He therefore urged the contractor to ensure that upon renovation, CCE Hall would create a memorable and lasting first impression, exceeding even that of the renovated Mary Stuart Hall.
A Project Fueled by Nostalgia
Speaking of impressions, Lt. Gen. Mugira, with nostalgia recalled that close to 42 years ago, he not only attended his first lectures in Hall 1 of the CCE Complex but also, on a more personal note added, “my wife was a resident, and so I have every motivation to put in a lot of effort and make sure that I deliver more than was done with Mary Stuart and Lumumba.”
He therefore extended heartfelt appreciation to his Alma mater Makerere University for the trust and confidence bestowed in NEC, which underscored their ability to deliver. “Trust is earned through performance, through integrity and consistency, and your decision to engage us motivates us to work even harder to exceed your expectations.”
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) Prof. Henry Alinaitwe reechoed the need to ensure that the project is executed with adherence to the cost, quality, specifications and safety related issues as earlier shared by the Acting (Ag.) Chief Engineer of Estates and Works, Eng. Ezra Sekadde.
“NEC has already demonstrated this (with previous projects), and that is why we have all the confidence that you can deliver this project within 12 months” remarked Prof. Alinaitwe. He equally lauded the Project Management Team (PMT) led by Arch. Dr. Kenneth Ssemwogerere whose supervision ensures timely project completion.
Relatedly, Arch. Dr. Semwogerere was on 25th June 2026, the eve of the handover, promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, a milestone Prof. Alinaitwe attributed to his track record as Head of PMT. He therefore, on a light note, urged him to keep up the good work as this could equally contribute to his promotion to the rank of full Professor.
Also present at the handover ceremony was the Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES) Prof. Anthony Mugagga, whose unit will be greatly affected by the renovations. He nevertheless welcomed and reiterated his full support for the project, noting that just as renovation of Lumumba and Mary Stuart Halls had resulted in many alumni revisiting, the CCE Complex would upon renovation attract former residents and teaching professionals to give back or forge new partnerships.
Student Welfare at the Forefront
On her part, the Dean of Students Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli lauded the renovations of Halls of Residence as a clear demonstration of Government’s dedication to the improvement of student welfare, and creating an environment conducive for nurturing responsible citizens who can contribute to national development. She pledged her Office’s and the Student Leadership’s readiness to ensure that the renovated facilities used responsibly for the benefit of future generations.
As a resident of the recently renovated Mary Stuart Hall, 92nd Guild President H.E. Kadondi Gracious could not help but appreciate how impactful the renovation of CCE Hall would be to student welfare. “The female students will be very excited (to occupy CCE Hall) but the male students will be left complaining – so we shall be expecting more renovations, not just for the female but also the male students,” she amiably concluded.
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