General

First Makerere Workshop on Social Systems & Computation

Published

15 years ago

November 29, 2010

Summary Top researchers from Northwestern University (Chicago), University of British Columbia (Vancouver) and Makerere (Kampala) are teaming up to offer a workshop on cutting-edge methods for computational modeling of social systems, algorithm design, and machine learning. The sessions will take place between December 3rd and 10th, and there is no cost for attendance; however, registration is mandatory.

Summary Top researchers from Northwestern University (Chicago), University of British Columbia (Vancouver) and Makerere (Kampala) are teaming up to offer a workshop on cutting-edge methods for computational modeling of social systems, algorithm design, and machine learning. The sessions will take place between December 3rd and 10th, and there is no cost for attendance; however, registration is mandatory.

Attendance is limited to academic staff working at a Ugandan university; students doing research in related areas may also be given special permission to attend if space permits. Participants will have the opportunity to publish papers in official, reviewed workshop proceedings at a later date. A certificate of completion will be provided to participants who attend at least two thirds of workshop sessions.

Overview Traditionally, computer science has viewed data as coming from either an adversarial source or from nature itself, giving rise to worst-case and average-case design and analysis of optimization algorithms. In recent years with the advent of modern technologies like the Internet, it has become increasingly apparent that neither of these assumptions reflects reality. Data is neither adversarial nor average, but rather inputs to algorithms are constructed by a diverse set of self-interested agents in an economy, all aiming to maximize their own happiness. Thus the raw data is often not available to an algorithm designer, but must be solicited from the agents–that is, the designer faces an economic constraint. The primary goal of this workshop is to explore the implications of this observation. We will study the performance of algorithms in the presence of utility-maximizing agents and ask whether alternate designs might create incentives for agents to act more optimally. Simultaneously, we will look at other more traditional optimization problems such as approximation and learning and techniques to solve them, pointing out that these may often be leveraged to solve issues in the economic setting.

Related Research Areas Computer Science Theory; Artificial Intelligence; Economics; Business

Format The workshop will consist of six 3-hour lectures, plus meal/breakout sessions for informal research discussion. Spaces are strictly limited, and attendees must pre-register. We will aim to select topics and session times that are best for our participants. To register, and to indicate your preferences for topics and dates, please complete the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WWGMKZG.

List of Candidate Topics The workshop will consist of up to six of the following twelve topics.

Introduction to Game Theory
Game theory is the mathematical study of interaction among independent, self-interested agents. It has been applied to disciplines as diverse as economics, political science, biology, psychology, linguistics—and computer science. This tutorial will introduce what has become the dominant branch of game theory, called noncooperative game theory, and will specifically describe normal-form games, a canonical representation in this discipline. The tutorial will be motivated by the question: "In a strategic interaction, what joint outcomes make sense?"

Voting Theory
Voting (or "Social Choice") theory adopts a“designer perspective” to multiagent systems, asking what rules should be put in place by the authority (the “designer”) orchestrating a set of agents. Specifically, how should a central authority pool the preferences of different agents so as to best reflect the wishes of the population as a whole? (Contrast this with Game Theory, whichadopts what might be called the “agent perspective”: its focus is on making statements about how agents should or would act in a given situation.) This tutorial will describe famous voting rules, show problems with them, and explain Arrow's famous impossibility result.

Mechanism Design and Auctions
Social choice theory is nonstrategic: it takes the preferences of agents as given, and investigates ways in which they can be aggregated. But of course those preferences are usually not known. Instead, agents must be asked to declare them, which they may do dishonestly. Since as a designer you wish to find an optimal outcome with respect to the agents’ true preferences (e.g., electing a leader that truly reflects the agents’ preferences), optimizing with respect to the declared preferences will not in general achieve the objective. This tutorial will introduce Mechanism Design, the study of identifying socially desirable protocols for making decisions in such settings. It will describe the core principles behind this theory, and explain the famous "Vickrey-Clarke-Groves" mechanism, an ingenious technique for selecting globally-utility-maximizing outcomes even among selfish agents. It will also describe Auction Theory, the most famous application of mechanism design. Auctions are mechanisms that decide who should receive a scarce resource, and that impose payments upon some or all participants, based on agents' "bids".

Constraint Satisfaction Problem Solving
This hands-on tutorial will teach participants about solving Constraint Satisfaction Problems using search and constraint propagation techniques. This is a representation language from artificial intelligence, used to describe problems in scheduling, circuit verification, DNA structure prediction, vehicle routing, and many other practical problems. The tutorial will consider the problem of solving Sudoku puzzles as a running example. By the end of the session, participants will have written software (in Python) capable of solving any Sudoku puzzle in less than a second.

Bayesian methods and Probabilisitic Inference
Bayesian methods are commonly used for recognising patterns and making predictions in the fields of medicine, economics, finance and engineering, powering all manner of applications from fingerprint recognition to spam filters to robotic self-driving cars. This session will show how principles of probability can be used when making inferences from large datasets, covering issues such as prior knowledge and hyperpriors, the construction of "belief networks", and nonparametric methods such as Gaussian processes. Several applications will be demonstrated.

Computer Vision

It is useful to be able to automatically answer questions about an image, such as "is this the face of person X?", "how many cars are there on this street?" or "is there anything unusual about this x-ray?". This session will look at some of the current state of the art in computer vision techniques, including methods for representing the information in an image (feature extraction), and to recognise objects in an image given such a representation. We will particularly spend some time looking at approaches which have been found to work well empirically on object recognition, such as generalised Hough transforms, boosted cascades of Haar wavelet classifiers, and visual bag-of-words methods. Locally relevant applications in crop disease diagnosis, parasite detection in blood samples and traffic monitoring will be demonstrated as illustrating examples.

Learning Causal Structure from Data
Until a few decades ago, it was thought to be impossible to learn causes and effects from purely observational data without doing experiments. Sometimes, however, it is impossible to do experiments (e.g. in some branches of genetics), or experiments may be costly or unethical (e.g. situations in climate change or medicine), so the emergence of computational methods for distinguishing causes, effects and confounding variables is likely to have wide implications. Some principles are now understood for learning the causal structure between different variables, and this session will explain the most successful current approaches, their possibilities and their limitations.

Internet Search and Monetization
The internet is one of the most fundamental and important applications of computer science. Central to its existence are search engines which enable us to find content on the web. This module focuses on the algorithms like PageRank that these search engines use to help us find webpages. It also studies how these engines make money through advertising.

Social Networks
Social networks describe the structure of interpersonal relationships and have many alarmingly predictable properties. While most people have just a few friends, most social networks have at least a few very popular people. Furthermore, most people are closely linked to every other person so that a message (or an idea or a disease) can spread rapidly throughout the network. Finally, social networks tend to be fairly clustered — i.e., if two people share a common friend it is quite likely that they are also friends. This module will discuss the typical structures of social networks, models that explain these structures, and the impact of these structures on activities in the social network such as message routing or the adoption of new technologies.

Two-Sided Matching Markets
Many markets involve two “sides'' that wish to be matched to one another. For example, a marriage market matches women to men; a job market matches workers to employers. In such settings, people on each side have strict preferences over the options on the other side of the market. Hence, a woman Julie may like David best, John second best, and Christopher third. David on the other hand may prefer Mary to Julie. In such settings, what matches might we expect to form? Can these matches be computed by a centralized algorithm, a match-maker for example, and what are the corresponding incentives of the participants? These questions are of fundamental importance as such centralized algorithms are in use in many important markets. In many countries, medical students are matched to hospitals using such algorithms, or school children to schools.

Approximation Algorithms
In the field of algorithms, many tasks turn out to be computationally difficult. That is, the time to complete the task is fundamentally large compared to the size of the problem. For example, consider the problem of finding the optimal way to visit 10 cities, visiting each exactly once. To minimize travel time, one could test all possible travel schedules, but for 10 cities there are already 3.5M of them! Unfortunately, there is not a significantly quicker way to find the optimal solution. However, one can find an approximately optimal solution quickly. That is, with just a few things to check, one can design a schedule that takes at most 50% more time than the optimal one. In this module we showcase a few general techniques for computing approximate solutions to hard problems, including the use of randomization and linear programming.

Graph Theory
A graph is a combinatorial object consisting of nodes and edges, and is a extremely valuable abstraction of many practical problems. For example, nodes might represent jobs and edges might connect pairs of jobs that can not be performed simultaneously. Alternatively, nodes might represent electronic components on a circuit board and edges the wiring that connects them. Many questions that arise in such domains can be cast as an optimization question in the corresponding graph. The number of workers required to complete all jobs in fixed time frame in the first example is at its heart a graph coloring problem. Asking whether one can lay out the circuit board so no two wires cross becomes the problem of determining which graphs have planar representations. This course defines graphs, shows how to solve a few fundamental graph problems, and applies them to practical settings.

Speaker Bios

Nicole Immorlica is an assistant professor in the Economics Group of Northwestern University's EECS department in Chicago, IL, USA. She joined Northwestern in Fall 2008 after postdoctoral positions at Microsoft Research in Seattle, Washington, USA and Centruum voor Wiskunde en Informatica (CWI) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. She received her Ph.D. from MIT in Boston, MA, USA, in 2005 under the joint supervision of Erik Demaine and David Karger. Her main research area is algorithmic game theory where she investigates economic and social implications of modern technologies including social networks, advertising auctions, and online auction design.

Kevin Leyton-Brown is an associate professor in computer science at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. He received a B.Sc. from McMaster University (1998), and an M.Sc. and PhD from Stanford University (2001; 2003). Much of his work is at the intersection of computer science and microeconomics, addressing computational problems in economic contexts and incentive issues in multiagent systems. He also studies the application of machine learning to the automated design and analysis of algorithms for solving hard computational problems.

John Quinn is a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at Makerere University. He received a BA in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge (2000) and a PhD from the University of Edinburgh (2007). He coordinates the Machine Learning Group at Makerere, and his research interests are in pattern recognition and computer vision particularly applied to developing world problems.

General

Reflecting on Strides made in Championing Inclusive Education

Published

1 day ago

December 1, 2025

Eve Nakyanzi

Stakeholders pose for a group photo at the International Day of Persons With Disabilities celebration held in the Main Hall on 1st December 2025. Makerere University International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebration, a moment dedicated to reflection on inclusion and shared responsibility organised by the Dean of Students and 91st Guild Ministry of Students with Disabilities, 1st December 2025, Main Hall, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University today joined the global community in marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a moment dedicated to reflection on inclusion and shared responsibility. As the world pauses to honor the dignity and leadership of persons with disabilities, the University is using this year’s commemoration to reaffirm its commitment to building a campus where every individual is supported to thrive. The day is not only a celebration of resilience and contribution, but also a call to the wider community—students, staff, policymakers, and partners—to actively participate in shaping an environment where accessibility, understanding, and respect are woven into everyday practice. Through this observance, Makerere positions itself once again as a champion of inclusive education and a beacon for transformative change.

Tangible gains made

During her address at the event held in the Main Hall, the Chief Guest, Hon. Hellen Grace Asamo, Minister of State for Disability Affairs, paid tribute to Makerere University’s leadership, longtime advocates like Mrs. Safia Nalule, and the many individuals who have advanced disability rights from the early years of mere “talking” to the tangible gains seen today. Speaking candidly, she emphasized that disability is often shaped by societal attitudes rather than physical conditions alone, urging families, institutions, and communities to confront stigma at its roots. Drawing from her own educational journey and the barriers she faced—including inaccessible learning spaces, limited course options, and discriminatory hiring practices—she reminded the audience that inclusion must go beyond numbers to genuine opportunity.

The Chief Guest, Hon. Hellen Grace Asamo. Makerere University International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebration, a moment dedicated to reflection on inclusion and shared responsibility organised by the Dean of Students and 91st Guild Ministry of Students with Disabilities, 1st December 2025, Main Hall, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***The Chief Guest, Hon. Hellen Grace Asamo.***

Hon. Asamo’s message to persons with disabilities was equally empowering: visibility and assertiveness are essential in claiming space, shaping policy, and influencing resource allocation. With examples from government reforms, improvements in accessibility, and efforts to standardize sign language interpretation, she underscored that progress is possible when commitment meets intentional planning. Her remarks reinforced a powerful truth—disability inclusion is a right, not a favour—and institutions like Makerere must continue leading the way in creating environments where every individual can participate, contribute, and thrive.

The keynote speaker Hon. Safia Nalule Jjuuko, Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission and a former Member of Parliament representing persons with disabilities for 15 years, delivered a keynote rich in personal testimony, institutional memory, and policy insight. She reflected on her own journey as a student—navigating inaccessible buildings, exhausting practical sessions, and discouraging attitudes—to illustrate how far the University and the country have come in strengthening inclusion. A proud alumna of Makerere, she celebrated the progress made, including improved infrastructure and increased representation of persons with disabilities in national leadership. She however highlighted that gaps remain, particularly the shortage of appropriately trained lecturers capable of supporting learners with disabilities across all levels of education.

Hon. Safia Nalule Jjuuko (Right) presents a copy of "The Guide to Integrating Equal Opportunities Affirmative Action, Gender and Equity in the Implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM)" to Prof. Sarah Ssali (Left) during her keynote address. Makerere University International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebration, a moment dedicated to reflection on inclusion and shared responsibility organised by the Dean of Students and 91st Guild Ministry of Students with Disabilities, 1st December 2025, Main Hall, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — Hon. Safia Nalule Jjuuko (Right) presents a copy of “The Guide to Integrating Equal Opportunities Affirmative Action, Gender and Equity in the Implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM)” to Prof. Sarah Ssali (Left) during her keynote address.

Drawing from her work at the Equal Opportunities Commission, she emphasized the constitutional mandate to eliminate discrimination, promote affirmative action, and ensure a just and fair society for every Ugandan. Hon. Nalule unpacked the theme of the day by highlighting the global shift toward disability-inclusive development, stressing that concepts like intersectionality, “leaving no one behind,” and cross-cutting inclusion all speak to the same truth: inclusive planning is central to sustainable progress. She reminded the audience that disability is an evolving concept shaped by environmental barriers, negative attitudes, and lack of social support—and that participation, consultation, and awareness must always place persons with disabilities at the centre as experts of their own experiences.

Citing national statistics, policy frameworks, and ongoing reforms such as gender and equity budgeting, she challenged institutions like Makerere to engage actively in national planning processes, interrogate the cost of exclusion, and prepare graduates—especially those with disabilities—to benefit from Uganda’s development priorities in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and services. Her address was both a celebration of progress and a call to action: a reminder that meaningful inclusion requires attention to detail, responsive planning, and intentional investment so that every student, regardless of ability, can participate fully and contribute to national transformation.

Prof. Sarah Ssali (Left) and Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli (Right) present Mak Souvenirs to Hon. Hellen Grace Asamo (Centre). Makerere University International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebration, a moment dedicated to reflection on inclusion and shared responsibility organised by the Dean of Students and 91st Guild Ministry of Students with Disabilities, 1st December 2025, Main Hall, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Prof. Sarah Ssali (Left) and Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli (Right) present Mak Souvenirs to Hon. Hellen Grace Asamo (Centre).***

Makerere upholds responsiveness

The Acting (Ag.) Vice Chancellor Prof. Sara Ssali reaffirmed Makerere University’s commitment to building an inclusive campus that models the kind of responsive institutions needed for social progress, stressing that inclusion requires both empowering marginalized people and adapting institutional structures so they no longer have to “fit in.” Drawing on Makerere’s long record of intentional policies—from improved physical accessibility and the Disability Support Centre to inclusive teaching practices, staff training, and collaborations—she highlighted practical steps the University has taken while acknowledging more work remains, especially around intersectionality and tailored support for diverse disabilities.

Prof. Sarah Ssali. Makerere University International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebration, a moment dedicated to reflection on inclusion and shared responsibility organised by the Dean of Students and 91st Guild Ministry of Students with Disabilities, 1st December 2025, Main Hall, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Prof. Sarah Ssali.***

Prof. Ssali urged departments to mainstream disability concerns in planning and budgeting, praised the everyday care provided by wardens and support staff, and called for research, innovation and accountability so that students and staff with disabilities can fully participate and contribute. She closed by renewing Makerere’s pledge to remove barriers and nurture the next generation of inclusive leaders.

Mr. Amon Muteganda, who represents staff living with disabilities on the University Council, reaffirmed Makerere’s identity as an inclusive institution, noting that whenever disability-related concerns are raised in Council, members listen attentively and respond with genuine commitment. He expressed appreciation to University Management for consistently acting on issues brought forward, highlighting recent improvements such as the introduction of dedicated transport for students and staff with disabilities—a proposal he and colleagues championed and which has now come to fruition. He highlighted the importance of representation at multiple levels of the institution, demonstrating that Makerere’s inclusivity efforts are not symbolic but actively shaping policy, practice, and everyday experiences for persons with disabilities.

Mr. Amon Muteganda. Makerere University International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebration, a moment dedicated to reflection on inclusion and shared responsibility organised by the Dean of Students and 91st Guild Ministry of Students with Disabilities, 1st December 2025, Main Hall, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Mr. Amon Muteganda.***

Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, the Dean of Students, highlighted Makerere University’s deliberate efforts to foster a campus where every learner feels supported and able to thrive. She spoke about the active implementation of the University’s policy for persons with disabilities, alongside the safeguarding policy, both aimed at ensuring the welfare and dignity of all students. Dr. Kabumbuli pointed to the expanding range of accessible accommodation—such as designated halls for students with disabilities and the newly refurbished Mary Stuart Hall equipped with an elevator—as well as campus-wide additions like ramps, elevators, and accessible pathways.

Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli. Makerere University International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebration, a moment dedicated to reflection on inclusion and shared responsibility organised by the Dean of Students and 91st Guild Ministry of Students with Disabilities, 1st December 2025, Main Hall, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli.***

She also emphasized the growing availability of assistive devices, including wheelchairs, Braille materials, and white canes, together with academic support measures such as extra time and readers during examinations. Her remarks captured Makerere’s intentional approach to inclusion, one that enables students with disabilities to navigate university life with comfort, confidence, and equal opportunity.

A student speaks out

First-year architecture student Sabiri Mungufeni shared a heartfelt account of his transition into university life, describing both his initial worries and the encouragement he found upon arriving at Makerere. He recalled fearing how his disability would fit within the demanding academic environment of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology, especially when he discovered that much of the work in architecture is still done manually. Yet through determination and the support of staff and peers, he quickly realized he could excel. Sabiri noted that seeing other students with disabilities walking confidently across campus inspired him to believe he, too, belonged. He expressed hope that, as inclusion continues to deepen, students with disabilities will be able to pursue a wider range of academic programs beyond the usual pathways, demonstrating—like many trailblazers before him—that ability is not defined by limitation but by opportunity and support.

Sabiri Mungufeni contributes to the day's discussion. Makerere University International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebration, a moment dedicated to reflection on inclusion and shared responsibility organised by the Dean of Students and 91st Guild Ministry of Students with Disabilities, 1st December 2025, Main Hall, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Sabiri Mungufeni contributes to the day’s discussion.***

Personal accounts urge sustained momentum

The event also featured a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Dr. Diana Ateenyi Ahumuza, offering a blend of academic, experiential, and advocacy-based perspectives on disability inclusion. The panel brought together Dr. Naboth Rwakazwaire, founder of Hope for People with Disabilities; Prof. Anthony Mugagga, Principal of the College of Education and External Studies (CEES); Lord Councillor Peace Sserunkuma; and Ms. Catherine Nakibuuka, a second-year law student. Their conversation explored practical solutions, policy gaps, personal experiences, and the role of institutions like Makerere in shaping a more inclusive society.

Right to Left: Moderator-Dr. Diana Ateenyi Ahumuza with Panelists-Dr. Naboth Rwakazwaire, Lord Councillor Peace Sserunkuma, Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga, and Ms. Catherine Nakibuuka. Makerere University International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebration, a moment dedicated to reflection on inclusion and shared responsibility organised by the Dean of Students and 91st Guild Ministry of Students with Disabilities, 1st December 2025, Main Hall, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Right to Left: Moderator-Dr. Diana Ateenyi Ahumuza with Panelists-Dr. Naboth Rwakazwaire, Lord Councillor Peace Sserunkuma, Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga, and Ms. Catherine Nakibuuka.***

Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, the Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) and Principal of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB), delivered the closing remarks by thanking all participants for their thoughtful contributions and the spirit of unity shown throughout the commemoration. He emphasized that inclusion is not a one-day event but an ongoing responsibility that requires empathy, patience, and deliberate action from every member of the Makerere community.

Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine (2nd Right), with Assoc. Prof. Ruth Nalumaga (2nd Left) and other officials at the event. Makerere University International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebration, a moment dedicated to reflection on inclusion and shared responsibility organised by the Dean of Students and 91st Guild Ministry of Students with Disabilities, 1st December 2025, Main Hall, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine (2nd Right), with Assoc. Prof. Ruth Nalumaga (2nd Left) and other officials at the event.***

Drawing from personal experience and lifelong lessons of compassion, he encouraged staff and students to cultivate genuine sensitivity toward the needs of persons with disabilities and to champion inclusion in both mindset and practice. Prof. Mwine acknowledged the progress made—including accessible infrastructure, strengthened policies, and dedicated support services—while urging continued investment, collaboration, and accountability to ensure that Makerere becomes a place where all individuals can thrive without barriers. He ended by calling on the University to sustain the momentum built during the commemoration and to work together in building a more inclusive Makerere and Uganda.

Hon. Asamo and officials at the official launch of the bus donated by Kiira Motors Corporation to ease mobility of students and staff with disabilities. Makerere University International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebration, a moment dedicated to reflection on inclusion and shared responsibility organised by the Dean of Students and 91st Guild Ministry of Students with Disabilities, 1st December 2025, Main Hall, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Hon. Asamo and officials at the official launch of the bus donated by Kiira Motors Corporation to ease mobility of students and staff with disabilities.***

General

A Night of Celebration: Safeguarding Champions Mark Semester One Milestones

Published

1 day ago

December 1, 2025

Carol Kasujja Adii

Dr. Rodney Rugyema (Centre) is joined by Staff and Student Safeguarding Champions to cut cake on 28th November 2025. Makerere University student and staff Safeguarding Champions celebration of Semester One achievements, 28th November 2025, Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) Gardens, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Excitement filled the air on Friday evening as Makerere University’s student and staff Safeguarding Champions gathered at the serene Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) Gardens for a memorable celebration of their Semester One achievements.

The event, which blended elegance with purpose, brought together Champions from across the University community to honour their hard work, dedication and shared commitment to building a safer campus for all.

Cake cutting was a true moment of celebration. Makerere University student and staff Safeguarding Champions celebration of Semester One achievements, 28th November 2025, Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) Gardens, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Cake cutting was a true moment of celebration.***

The gardens came alive with warm conversations, laughter and energizing music as Champions checked in and made new friends.

The dinner was more than just a celebratory moment, it became an important space for learning, networking and strengthening collaboration. Champions shared experiences from the semester, discussed challenges they had faced while supporting peers and colleagues, and exchanged new ideas to improve safeguarding awareness across the University.

Addressing the champions, Dr. Rodney Rugyema, the Acting Principal Warden who represented the Dean of Students, Dr Winifred Kabumbuli, emphasized that the efforts of Safeguarding Champions continue to play a critical role in strengthening trust and ensuring the wellbeing of all students and staff.

Dr. Rodney Rugyema. Makerere University student and staff Safeguarding Champions celebration of Semester One achievements, 28th November 2025, Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) Gardens, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Dr. Rodney Rugyema.***

The atmosphere was filled with gratitude, pride and a renewed commitment to building a safer and more inclusive community at the University.

Speaking at the dinner, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, Director Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, applauded the Champions for their dedication, vigilance and exemplary leadership in promoting safety, dignity and respect on campus

Prof. Justine Namaalwa. Makerere University student and staff Safeguarding Champions celebration of Semester One achievements, 28th November 2025, Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) Gardens, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Prof. Justine Namaalwa.***

“As we gather to celebrate our progress in enhancing the Safety and Wellness of Students and Staff, it is important to acknowledge those who have made this possible- The University Leadership, Student and Staff Safeguarding Champions. We also acknowledged our Partner the Mastercard Foundation for the support in strengthening safeguarding and inclusion at Makerere,” Prof. Namaalwa, said

During the dinner, different student champions shared their success stories for the semester.

“This semester has proved to us that when students and staff work together, we can create a University environment where everyone feels protected, respected and valued. Tonight is a celebration of our collective effort, but also a reminder that the work continues. We pledge to stay vigilant, to listen, and to respond with empathy and integrity,” Precious Ssenonga, a second-year student from the College of Computing and Information Sciences, said.

Student Safeguarding Champions prepare to cut cake. Makerere University student and staff Safeguarding Champions celebration of Semester One achievements, 28th November 2025, Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) Gardens, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Student Safeguarding Champions prepare to cut cake.***

Samuel Ssempijja, a second-year student of pursuing the Bachelor of Education, noted that during the semester he encouraged fellow students to utilise the MakSafeSpace and that gave many confidence to report cases.

“During the MakRun, several students’ phones were stolen. I advised them to report the theft case through MakSafeSpace, our online safeguarding platform. The students were impressed by how quickly the security team responded, and it reassured them that their concerns are taken seriously by the University Management. MakSafeSpace has shown us that timely reporting and timely action can truly make a difference.” Ssempijja, noted.

Safeguarding Champions serve dinner. Makerere University student and staff Safeguarding Champions celebration of Semester One achievements, 28th November 2025, Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) Gardens, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Safeguarding Champions serve dinner.***

The event closed with farewells and promises to carry the spirit of the evening into Semester Two. For many, it was more than a dinner, it was a reminder that together, they are building a University environment where every student and staff member feels safe, valued and included.

About Safeguarding Initiatives at Makerere

In this era of heightened awareness and scrutiny surrounding safeguarding practices, Institutions of higher learning are increasingly rated by not only their academic excellence but also on their commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for all members of their community.

The 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 are often high risks for students with disabilities and international students.

Makerere University has a duty of care and to promote the wellbeing of all students, staff and other University community stakeholders. It seeks to enhance the learning environment to make it more secure, inclusive, and ethically sound for all stakeholders.

The Safeguarding policy 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; prevent the occurrence of harm; provide mechanisms for reporting all allegations or incidents that have occurred; respond appropriately to all reported incidences; and, continuously monitor, evaluate and learn from practices and experiences of managing safeguarding concerns.

General

From Mastercard Foundation Scholar to Changemaker: Dr. Ekwaro Ronald’s Vision for Eye Health in Uganda

Published

1 day ago

December 1, 2025

Bernard Buteera

Dr. Ekwaro attending a capacity building workshop to enhance his skills at Mengo Hospital. Impact Stories: Dr Ekwaro Ronald, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alumnus, Optometrist, committed to enhancing eye health in Uganda. He plans to establish the country's first Myopia Control Centre, dedicated to safeguarding the eye health of young people in Uganda and neighbouring nations, November 2025, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa, November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Dr Ekwaro Ronald, a Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni at Makerere University, is committed to enhancing eye health in Uganda. He plans to establish the country’s first Myopia Control Centre, dedicated to safeguarding the eye health of young people in Uganda and neighbouring nations. This goal is within reach, given his experience and commitment. At present, he is gaining valuable experience in the Optometry Department at Mengo Hospital, one of Uganda’s largest private hospitals. His dedication and efforts were recognised last year when he received the hospital’s best optometrist award.

His Early Life

Ronald was born on May 5, 1997, in the Oyam District of Northern Uganda. He is the youngest of eight siblings, comprising six boys and two girls. Tragically, Ronald’s father, a primary school teacher, passed away just two months after his birth. This loss placed Ronald and his seven siblings under the care of their mother, a single parent and smallholder farmer, who became the sole provider for the family.

Early Education

Ronald took a unique path in his education, starting school at the age of seven at Alutkot Primary School in his neighbourhood. With his elder brother’s encouragement and support, he completed Primary Five. He then moved on to Masindi Army Day Primary School for Primary Six, where he was supported and lived with his other elder brother, who served in the army at the time. For Primary Seven, Ronald returned to his village home and completed his primary leaving examinations at Loro Primary School. Despite the challenge of walking approximately 2 kilometres to attend school, he demonstrated determination and resilience in his pursuit of education.

Dr. Ekwaro during his free time, it is all not work without play for him. Impact Stories: Dr Ekwaro Ronald, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alumnus, Optometrist, committed to enhancing eye health in Uganda. He plans to establish the country's first Myopia Control Centre, dedicated to safeguarding the eye health of young people in Uganda and neighbouring nations, November 2025, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa, November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Dr. Ekwaro during his free time, it is all not work without play for him.***

Secondary Education

Despite the challenges he faced and the frequent changes of educational institutions, he completed Primary Seven with a first-grade distinction. One of his elder brothers, a primary school teacher, provided financial support for his continued education. Consequently, Ronald was enrolled as a boarding student at Blessed Comboni Secondary School in Kiryandongo District. However, due to financial constraints stemming from his brother’s limited income, he transferred to Masindi Army Secondary School in his second year. This transition occurred under the Universal Secondary Education (USE) programme, an initiative of the Ugandan government that offers free secondary education to young individuals from communities facing social and economic barriers.

While attending Blessed Comboni Secondary school, he lived with his elder brother in a military barracks, which exposed him to military life from an early age. This experience of living in an army environment significantly shaped his fearless and resilient character, enabling him to navigate the challenges of growing up without a father.

In 2014, he performed excellently in his Form Four final examinations, earning a first-grade qualification. Afterwards, he received support for his A-Level studies through BRAC-Uganda in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. He then joined Seeta High School Green Campus in Mukono, where he studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB).

Joining Makerere University

In 2017, after excelling in his final A-Level exams, he once again became a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at Makerere University through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Optometry, a four-year eye healthcare programme at the College of Health Sciences.

Dr. Ekwaro during his student days at College of Health Sciences at Makerere University. Impact Stories: Dr Ekwaro Ronald, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alumnus, Optometrist, committed to enhancing eye health in Uganda. He plans to establish the country's first Myopia Control Centre, dedicated to safeguarding the eye health of young people in Uganda and neighbouring nations, November 2025, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa, November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Dr. Ekwaro during his student days at College of Health Sciences at Makerere University.***

“I chose Optometry because of my passion for optics and physics. At Seeta High School Green Campus, I was the only student to score an A in Physics in the 2016 Form Six final examinations. I wanted to combine my knowledge of Physics and Biology to help improve people’s vision,” Ronald explains.

While pursuing his studies at Makerere University, Ronald’s life transformed for the better, largely due to the robust support from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. The support provided him with the opportunity to support his family while continuing his education. Notably, he utilised a portion of his monthly stipend to help his elder sister with her tuition for her final semester of nursing school, exemplifying the impact of his journey on his life and his family’s lives.

Ronald took proactive steps to kickstart his career as an Optometrist even before graduating. While studying at the University, he sought out various learning experiences and volunteer opportunities in eye care facilities to enhance his practical skills. His volunteer work at Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital and Lapaire significantly enriched his curriculum vitae and provided invaluable hands-on experience in the field.

“I did not wait for graduation to pursue my career aspirations as an optometrist. From the beginning of my academic programme, I actively sought opportunities and volunteered at Dr Agarwal’s Eye Hospital and Lapaire. These experiences greatly enriched my curriculum vitae. I encourage fellow students at the university to begin exploring opportunities while still enrolled, as gaining relevant experience is vital for meeting the expectations of prospective employers upon graduation.” Ronald advises.

Life After Makerere University

Upon graduating from Makerere University in 2022, Ronald navigated the job market with remarkable ease, thanks to the strategic internships and volunteer positions he pursued during his studies. His proactive networking efforts paid off when he received an invitation to apply for a position at Mengo Hospital. Just two days before graduation, he was among three candidates shortlisted for interviews. This allowed him to celebrate his graduation with a sense of accomplishment, knowing he had already secured a job. He began his new role at the hospital shortly after graduation, marking the start of an exciting new chapter in his career.

Dr. Ekwaro during his graduation at Makerere University in January 2022. Impact Stories: Dr Ekwaro Ronald, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alumnus, Optometrist, committed to enhancing eye health in Uganda. He plans to establish the country's first Myopia Control Centre, dedicated to safeguarding the eye health of young people in Uganda and neighbouring nations, November 2025, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa, November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Dr. Ekwaro during his graduation at Makerere University in January 2022.***

His Professional Life as an Optometrist at Mengo Hospital

Over the past three years at Mengo Hospital, Ronald has demonstrated professionalism, a sentiment echoed by his colleagues. His unwavering commitment to prioritising patients’ interests has not only earned him the 2024 Best Optometrist award at the Eye Department but also emphasised the positive impact of his work. Beyond his clinical duties, Ronald has developed a strong research interest. He is currently in the advanced stages of securing a grant from the World Council of Optometrists to study the progression of myopia (commonly known as short-sightedness) in children. He is optimistic that the findings will significantly aid advocacy efforts for myopia intervention strategies, ultimately helping to ease the challenges this condition poses for children in Uganda.

Dr. Ekwaro examining one of his patients at Mengo Hospital. Impact Stories: Dr Ekwaro Ronald, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alumnus, Optometrist, committed to enhancing eye health in Uganda. He plans to establish the country's first Myopia Control Centre, dedicated to safeguarding the eye health of young people in Uganda and neighbouring nations, November 2025, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa, November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Dr. Ekwaro examining one of his patients at Mengo Hospital.***

His Impact on the Community

With his siblings’ support, he successfully built a house for his mother in Oyam district, demonstrating his commitment to his family. He is also contributing to the tuition expenses of one of his nephews currently attending university, emphasising his dedication to education and the next generation. In 2024, he took part in a Mengo Hospital outreach team that screened and provided post-surgical care for over 100 patients who received free cataract surgeries, made possible by the generous support of Christian Blind Mission. The surgeries were performed at PAG Mission Hospital in Lira. Through his efforts, he mobilised numerous community members to take advantage of this initiative, leading to many people having their sight restored and enhancing the overall well-being of his community.

Dr. Ekwaro examining a patient at Mengo Hospital's eye Department. Impact Stories: Dr Ekwaro Ronald, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alumnus, Optometrist, committed to enhancing eye health in Uganda. He plans to establish the country's first Myopia Control Centre, dedicated to safeguarding the eye health of young people in Uganda and neighbouring nations, November 2025, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa, November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Dr. Ekwaro examining a patient at Mengo Hospital’s eye Department.***

Looking into the Future

Ronald is on a mission to establish the first Myopia Control Centre in Uganda, aiming to make a significant impact on children’s eye health in the region. Currently, he is pursuing a Pediatric Optometry Fellowship at the Indian Academy of Optometry, where he is gaining valuable knowledge and expertise in myopia control. This training will empower him to lead a specialised centre dedicated to reducing the progression of myopia among children in Uganda. The centre will implement evidence-based interventions, including orthokeratology lenses and low-dose atropine eye drops, to effectively manage myopia.

Additionally, it will serve as a vital resource for identifying and addressing other childhood eye disorders that can hinder academic performance, such as squints, amblyopia (lazy eye), heterophorias, accommodative disorders, and convergence insufficiency. Through these efforts, Ronald envisions a brighter future for children’s vision and learning in Uganda.

Dr. Ekwaro at his currrent station, Mengo Hospital. Impact Stories: Dr Ekwaro Ronald, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alumnus, Optometrist, committed to enhancing eye health in Uganda. He plans to establish the country's first Myopia Control Centre, dedicated to safeguarding the eye health of young people in Uganda and neighbouring nations, November 2025, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa, November 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***Dr. Ekwaro at his currrent station, Mengo Hospital.***

Message to Fellow Young People

Ronald encourages other young people to establish clear developmental goals and set specific timeframes for each one. He emphasises the importance of discipline and focus, urging them to stay committed and continuously strive for progress.

Words of Gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University

“I would like to express my profound gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University and the entire Mastercard Foundation team for their pivotal role in transforming my life and providing opportunities that were previously unimaginable. Your support not only facilitated my education but also reinstated my hope, dignity, and sense of purpose in my journey. As someone who faced barriers to opportunity, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has served as a significant turning point, shaping my future and empowering me to become the individual I am today.” Ronald remarks.

Ronald emphasises that through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, he gained access to quality education, mentorship, leadership training, and a community that believes in the power of young people to change the world. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program enabled him to devote himself fully to his studies and to support his family during critical moments, demonstrating both academic focus and a strong sense of responsibility.

“I am especially grateful for the values the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program instilled in us: service, humility, leadership, and the responsibility to uplift our communities. These values continue to guide my professional journey and my commitment to improving eye health in Uganda.” Ronald pointed out.

The writer is the Principal Communication & Public Relations Officer for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University