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Mak Bids Farewell to the old University Council

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Bidding farewell, for most, is usually a sad affair. However, on this particular night, it was a time for appreciation and celebration! The Makerere University community came together on 11th January, 2011 to bid fare thee well to the outgoing Council that has served Makerere for the last four years.

Bidding farewell, for most, is usually a sad affair. However, on this particular night, it was a time for appreciation and celebration! The Makerere University community came together on 11th January, 2011 to bid fare thee well to the outgoing Council that has served Makerere for the last four years.

Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba makes his remarks at the DinnerPraises filled the air as speaker after speaker commended the outgoing council for a job well done. And their response, words of encouragement and wisdom to the new council members.
“We are expecting a lot from you, especially in the area of policy. We are ready to work under your guidance.” Prof. Baryamureeba said to the new Council members, as he made his brief remarks.

In her personal reflection, Mrs. Christine Kiganda, the Vice Chairperson of the Makerere University Council (2002- 2010) confessed that her eight year tenure had been a profound experience that greatly changed the lives of her family. “It has touched and formed us so fundamentally that we will never be the same again.” Mrs. Kiganda emotionally highlighted.

Mr. & Mrs. Kiganda chat with Ms. Shifrah LukwagoMrs. Kiganda confessed that she has lived through periods of both student unrest in the earlier years and the relative calm experienced today. Through close interaction with the students, Mrs. Kiganda’s experience has led her to understand that the majority of the students were genuinely struggling to understand and resolve issues at the university, all along being tempered by negative adult forces in the wider society.
“I would agree with bringing the students into all important forums and giving them hands on training in running their own and institutional affairs.” Mrs. Kiganda recommended.

Governor BoU-Prof. Tumusiime Mutebile, Dean FEMA-Prof. Ddumba Sentamu and Hon. Matthew Rukikaire chat at the functionThe high profile affair was graced by some of Uganda’s influential personalities such as the Governor Bank of Uganda, the Southern Sudan Ambassador to Uganda, the University Secretary Busitema University, former Vice Chancellors and Deputy Vice Chancellors , Deans and Directors of Makerere University, among others.

In his speech, the former Makerere University Council Chairperson Hon. Matthew Rukikaire confidently assured the gathering that he believes that in repositioning the role of Makerere University in society, Makerere will no longer only be known as the ivory tower but as a university of learning and research whose products are delivered to promote the wellbeing of the country. He also challenged the university staff to move out and address real social issues, demand from government to be heard and play a role in government programmes.

Eng. Dr. Charles Wana Etyem makes his remarks as New Chairperson“I have got no doubt that this new group is going to push forward Makerere, especially at a time when we, the former Council, have created stability and a better relationship with government and as Makerere now goes out to play a role with the extended society,” Hon. Rukikaire added.

In his first speech, the incoming Council Chairperson Eng. Dr. Charles Wana- Etyem praised his predecessor; Hon. Mathew Rukikaire for being a brilliant team leader and consensus builder. “It was indeed a privilege to serve with him in the previous council, but a greater privilege is for me to succeed him as the Chairman. I hope I will fit in his very large shoes,” Dr. Wana-Etyem remarked.

The new council consists of highly qualified men and women; the composition reflects a diversity of expertise and experience. There are members that bring on board the traditions of the 1960s like Mr. Stephen Maloba, members of the “dot com” era like Bruce Kabasa, among others. This rich composition will surely bring about a smooth and mature policy formulation and decision-making process.

Chancellor-Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, Prime Minister-Prof. Apolo Nsibambi & Hon. Matthew Rukikaire share a light momentRepresenting the Ministry of Education and Sports, Ms. Elizabeth Gabona deeply appreciated the efforts of the former University Council. “Thank you for loving Makerere and doing your very best!” She also thanked Makerere staff and the student body for the support they have given the council over throughout their term.

The Guest of Honour, Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Apolo Nsibambi, while quoting Section 40 of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, explained that the University Council is the supreme organ of the university and is therefore responsible for the overall administration of the university, and ensuring that the university duly implements its objects and functions. He thereafter commended the outgoing council for doing an excellent job.

Dr. Katherine Namuddu-Vice Chairperson CouncilMr. Kahundha Muhwezi-University Secretary and Secretary to Council“Your outgoing Council has registered many achievements as we have heard tonight. These achievements demonstrate no more than a vision, collective work and focused leadership of the Rukikaire-Kiganda led Council,” Prof. Nsibambi added.

The Makerere Community is confident that the new University Council will carry on with this legacy, as they take Makerere to even greater heights. The incoming Deputy Chairperson Council Dr. Katherine Namuddu in moving a vote of thanks commended the Office of the Vice Chancellor and the University Secretary Mr. David Kahundha Muhwezi, for successfully organising the colourful event. Mr. Muhwezi is also Secretary to the University Council.

Downloads 

Reflections on two terms as Vice Chairperson: Mrs Christine Kiganda MS Word Version, PDFVersion, Postscript Version

Hon. Matthew Rukikaire's address: MS Word Version, PDFVersion, Postscript Version

Eng. Dr. Charles Wana Etyem's Inaugural address: MS Word Version, PDFVersion, Postscript Version

The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Apolo Nsibambi's address: PDFVersion, Postscript Version

Article by Moreen Katushabe

Denis Wamala

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Special Exam Results -Diploma in Performing Arts 2025/26

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The results for the 2025/2026 special entry examination for the Diploma in Performing Arts held on Saturday 17th May, 2025. Candidates who scored a final mark of 50% and above passed the Examination and have been recommended to the university’s Admissions Committee for consideration.

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Mature Age Scheme Exam Results for 2025/2026

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The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released full results for the Mature Age Entry Scheme Examinations for the Academic Year 2025/2026 held on Saturday 14th December, 2024.

The Candidates who scored a final mark of 50% and above passed the examination and have been recommended by the Pre-Entry & Mature Age Committee to the University’s Admissions Board for Consideration.

The Aptitude Exam  Results for 2025/2026 Academic Year released in February 2025 can be found here.

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Call for Application: 2025 SNRM session 4 Summer School

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Participants in focused group discussions. Leiden-Delft-Erasmus East Africa Research Network (LEARN) in collaboration with the Urban Action Lab at Makerere University a workshop to deliberate strategies for mitigating the impacts of climate change in urban centres in the East African Region, Theme: “Resilient Urban Futures: Adapting Livelihoods to Climate Change”, 4th-5th September 2024, School of Public Health Auditorium, Kampala Uganda.

Context:
Natural resources in Africa are being depleted at an alarming rate due to several factors, including unsustainable human activities, climate change, and population growth. A primary condition of sustainable development is to ensure that the pressures do not exceed the environmental limits, and that demand for the resources does not exceed levels that can be sustainably provided by nature. Therefore, there is a pressing need for transformative, systems-thinking approaches and tools that can tackle the diverse challenges facing these systems. In Africa, this need is compounded by a lack of data and monitoring, which significantly hinders sustainable decision-making.

Investing in young scientists who are committed to take lead in sustainable management of Africa’s natural resources is very important. Capacity building of young scientists will enhance their knowledge and skill on sustainable natural resources and their involvement for implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDG’s) in Africa. To this effect, SNRM summer schools have been implemented in three sessions in 2019, 2020, and 2022 with support from Volkswagen Foundation; to build a critical mass of skilled and competent young natural resource scientists in Africa through training, capacity building and mentorship. Session 4 (2025) will target competent young scientists (MSc and PhD students) in Africa and Germany to further develop their knowledge and skills in systems thinking, advanced data collection and analysis, and application of emerging digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), internet of things (IoT), and embracing transdisciplinary approaches. In addition, we include an ideation workshop where students can work on real problems to come up with solutions for sustainable transformations in natural resource use.

Organizers: Leibniz Universität – Hannover (Germany), University of Antananarivo, University of Abomey Calavi (Benin), Makerere University (Uganda), University of Ghana (Ghana), University of Parakou (Benin), The Technical University of Kenya, with financial support from the Volkswagen Foundation (Germany).

Venue and dates: Nairobi, Kenya, 16-28 November 2025

Target: MSc and PhD students, early in the program of less than 35 years of age from any university/research institution in either sub-Saharan Africa or Germany with an interest in natural resources management.

Participants and Scholarships: The course is fully funded and open to 20 MSc and PhD students from Africa, and 5 from Germany. Funding will cover the costs of air ticket, accommodation, meals, visa, and transportation. However, participants will cover the cost of their travel health insurance.

Topics

SNRM Summer School Session 4: Transformative pathways in biodiversity management and conservation.
This summer school is designed to deliver four modules over a two-week period. The modules are designed to enable the students to acquire new ways of designing data collection protocols and analysis for transformative sustainable natural resources management.

Module 4.1: Data collection I
Skills in data collection for a transformative and sustainable management of natural resources (water, wildlife, forest, land, livestock, crops) monitoring and data collection techniques; remote monitoring tools, earth observation system data, e.g. satellite data sources, LIDAR, and UAV aerial images. Collect and analyse In-situ data on biotic and abiotic parameters, map and analyse data using R or Google Earth Engine, field data collection and retrieving data from online databases.

Module 4.2 Data management and processing
Introduction to tools and methods of managing large and diverse data sets of natural resources such as time series, spatial, directional, and multivariate data. Practicals will include data storage, organization and conversion into various formats using databases such as PostgreSQL and statistical programming software such as R and Python; scripts.

Module 4.3 Ecological monitoring, modelling and management
This module aims to teach participants how to anticipate and validate trends that can be observed in various ecosystems. Lectures include ecological monitoring and its design; population monitoring studies; metrics in population monitoring; methods for monitoring and assessing marine ecosystems; human ecology to socio-ecological systems; climate change impact of ecosystems; suitability assessments; overview of the principles underlying wildlife monitoring and prediction systems for climate change adaptation. Practicals will include field data collection (individual and group); ecological data analysis using R or PAST; modelling and experiencing the behaviour of complex systems using Vensim.

Module 4.4 Natural habitat restoration ideation lab
This module is designed to spur students’ innovation and creativity, and to help students comprehensively identify interdependencies across the 17 SDG goals. Participants will be trained on ideation processes for solutions and intervention for transformative natural resource management. They will work collaboratively in small groups on case studies and develop pathways of transformative sustainable natural resource management. Examples of projects include forest (mangrove) ecosystem and habitat restoration, improved technologies for agricultural production, nature-based solutions for improving water quality, and reversing land degradation.

Language: The course will be delivered in English. Participants are expected to be fluent in writing and speaking the English language.

How to apply

Applicants are kindly requested to fill in the application form available from https://snrmafrica.com/ and submit the following documents in English through the system.

  • a curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages)
  • a letter of motivation (maximum 1 page)
  • a confirmation of university enrolment
  • a reference letter from the academic supervisor
  • project summary of MSc/ PhD project (1 page including objectives, methodology
    and key findings or expected outcomes).

Important dates
Application deadline: 30th June 2025.
Announcement of accepted applicants: 15th August 2025.
Confirmation of attendance by selected participants: 12th Sept 2025.
Summer school held: 16 – 28 Nov 2025.

Further information is available from

The secretariat info@snrmafrica.com
Dr Lydia Olaka lydiaolaka@tukenya.ac.ke
Prof. Dr. Hartmut Stuetzel stuetzel@gem.uni-hannover.de

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