The Faculty of Computing & IT’s Department of ICT Support Services (DISS) has fully embraced a novel desktop solution called SUN Microsystems that helps to serve a number of thin clients supported on Ubuntu Linux operating system.
The Faculty of Computing & IT’s Department of ICT Support Services (DISS) has fully embraced a novel desktop solution called SUN Microsystems that helps to serve a number of thin clients supported on Ubuntu Linux operating system.
SUN Microsystems can be installed with just Five Hundred Thousand Ugandan Shillings, which is used to buy a hardware component that plays the role of a server. You would not need separate processing systems for each thin clients because they would be operating on one server.
Since this system runs on Ubuntu Linux, it enjoys all the benefits associated with Open-source software. Unlike Windows or some UNIX systems, Ubuntu Linux freely distributed, which gives users a chance to customize it without incurring copyright costs. This is a benefit which the CIT faculty has already tapped into as it harnesses the system to run its thin-clients.
“Also, Linux is not affected by viruses as they would affect the other operating systems” David Gaamuwa, System Administrator at DISS remarked. David further added that since they started using Ubuntu Linux, cases of virus attacks have greatly reduced.
This setup reduces on the number of processing systems required, hence eliminating unnecessary heat and reducing on the amount of power consumed. In so doing, it becomes environmentally friendly since it does not emit excess heat that might affect lab users. This also cuts on the power expenses for the computers as well as air-conditioning.
Apart from the aforementioned benefits the system also is user friendly, Ubuntu's endless list of software applications can be downloaded from the internet for free. But even with these benefits it has not yet been adopted in the whole university because it is feared that if the server breaks down it may affect a number of university systems which may result into loss of data.
However David re-assured users that the setup has alternative servers connected to the main server such that if the first one breaks down, the other servers would still do the work.
The Office of the Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released the admission lists for Bachelor of Laws for the Academic Year 2025/2026.
Please note that the list includes Government Sponsorship for Bachelor of Laws i.e A-Level (Direct Entry), Bachelor of Laws-Day – (LAW) and Bachelor of Laws-Afternoon – (LAA)
Makerere University has received 700 digital tablets from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), aimed at enhancing statistical research, teaching, and data-driven decision-making across the institution.
The donation was made on June 30, 2025, as part of UBOS’ broader initiative to distribute a total of 3,025 tablets to ten government-funded institutions of higher learning. The handover ceremony was attended by Makerere’s Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi and Mr. Simon Kizito, the Deputy University Secretary among other Vice Chancellors and accounting officers.
Vice Chancellors from government-funded institutions of higher learning that received the donation of tablets from UBOS.
Dr. Allen Kabagenyi, a UBOS Board Director, who coordinated the distribution of the tablets to the respective 10 Public universities, underscored the significance of inter-institutional collaboration in fostering a data-literate and innovative generation. “This initiative is a testament to the power of partnerships between public institutions. In a country like Uganda, with one of the youngest populations globally, equipping our future leaders with the right tools is critical to achieving both national and global development goals,” she remarked.
The tablets had initially been procured and deployed during the recently concluded National Population and Housing Census. UBOS Executive Director Dr. Chris Mukiza explained that their redistribution marks the beginning of the Bureau’s post-census utilization strategy.
Dr. Chris Mukiza (L) flanked by his Board Director Dr. Allen Kabagenyi (R) addressing the meeting.
“We acquired 120,000 tablets to conduct the census, and as we committed earlier, we are ensuring that these resources continue to serve the country even after the census,” said Dr. Mukiza. “Our expectation is that these tablets will strengthen data collection, teaching, and research in universities and higher institutions. We want to see a culture where statistics are not only produced but also actively used to influence development outcomes.”
Dr. Mukiza encouraged academic institutions to take full advantage of the extensive data available at UBOS, emphasizing that greater use of statistical resources will translate into more impactful research and policy interventions.
Some of the accounting officers who attended the handover ceremony.
During the same event – cultural institutions also received tablets.
With this donation, Makerere University is well-positioned to further empower students and researchers in statistical analysis, evidence-based planning, and innovation-driven teaching.