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May 2010 events

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May 2010

26th – 28th May 2010: Media Workshop on analytical reporting

The University Management organized a three-day workshop for journalists and media practitioners at Makerere University. The training was meant to equip the media with analytical reporting skills, so as to improve on their accuracy of reporting about items making news in Makerere.

26th May 2010: Swearing in ceremony for New Student Guild.

The Guild President-elect Shaban Senkubuge, his cabinet as well as the Guild Representative Council Members were sworn in.

25th May 2010: Director Ashinaga Uganda visit

Mr. Yukichi Okazaki Director Ashinaga Uganda visited the country to submit the Organization’s annual report to the President’s Protocol Office (H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni agreed to act as Honorary Director-General of the establishment), and as part of a longstanding relationship with the Institute of Psychology, paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor. Mr. Okazaki hoped that Makerere as a center of academic excellence would collaborate with Ashinaga, especially in research on the psycho-social effects of HIV/AIDS.

21st May 2010: Library Day Celebrations

The theme of the Day was, “Makerere University Library : beyond the campus walls”, which focused on community outreach and highlighted the role of the university library in improving information service delivery beyond Makerere University. The University Library helped re-organize the Libraries of Mengo and Kitante Hill Secondary schools. Prof. J. R. Ikoja Odongo was the keynote speaker at the celebrations, which had Prof. A. B. Kasozi, Executive Director of the National Council of Higher Education as the Guest of Honor.

20th May 2010: Presentation on Thin Shell Concrete roofing

The idea of using a thin shell of concrete for the roof is innovative technology which been around since the 1970s and is partly the brain child of George Nez. George made his presentation to a group of staff and students at the Faculty of Technology. This technology employs less timber than conventional roofs, offers better fire resistance than grass-thatched roofs and is cheaper (by up to 30%) to deploy than roofing tiles.

14th May 2010: 5th MUBS Graduation Ceremony

The Makerere University Business School (MUBS) held its fifth graduation ceremony, which was presided over by the Makerere University Chancellor Prof. Mondo Kagonyera. Makerere University vice-chancellor, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, MUBS principal Prof. Waswa Balunywa, deans as well as Mr. Charles Mbire, who was the chief guest attended the ceremony. A total of 896 students (529 female) graduated in various disciplines.

13th May 2010: Launch of the Pan-African e-network project

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Uganda and India led to the implementation the Pan-African E-network Project at FCIT, Makerere University. The implementation of this project in Uganda is being coordinated by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) together with Telecommunication Consults of India Limited (TCIL and is carried out in partnership with Amity University, Uttar Pradesh (AUUP), India. Mr. Patrick Mwesigwa, Acting Executive Director, Uganda Communications Commission, represented Hon. Aggrey Awori, Minister of ICT.

13th May 2010: Workshop for Media on Reforms at Makerere

The University Management organized a half-day workshop for Media representatives on reforms at Makerere University, as well as strategies put in place to ensure improved management of Academic Processes. Strategies addressed touched on Application, Registration, Teaching and Learning, access to exam results and Appeals.

12th May 2010: MISR dissemination on state of Ugandan Basic Education

The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) in partnership with development partners launched the Quality Enhancement Initiative (QEI) in a bid to enhance the quality of primary education in 12 poorly performing districts. Evidence Based Findings on the State of Basic Education in Uganda’s Poorly Performing Districts were disseminated. A Forum for Discussion on the Bottlenecks Facing the Primary Education Sub-Sector in Uganda was also hosted.

11th May 2010: Visit by National Science Foundation (NSF) delegation

Dr. Zakya H. Kafafi, Divisional Director NSF led a team that met with Prof. Baryamureeba to discuss the possibilities of developing an advanced materials institute between US and Africa, with Makerere being considered as a likely host. NSF is very interested in supporting activities to create a highly stimulating intellectual environment, where advanced African and US students jointly engage in collaborative learning of specialized materials research concepts, focused on energy and sustainability.

7th May 2010: EAC Sensitization Workshop

The East African Community (EAC) Sensitization workshop was geared towards helping students and academic members of staff understand exactly what the EAC was, what it was doing to attain its goal of formation of a community and also act as an invaluable source of feedback on what can be improved within this effort. The First Deputy Prime Minster and Minister of East African Community Affairs Hon. Eriya Kategaya and Hon Beatrice Kiraso, EAC Deputy Secretary General made presentations at the gathering.

6th May 2010: WAMY Secretary General’s visit

The World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) is an Islamic educational organization whose stated purpose is to establish a platform where Muslim youth can get together in an Islamic environment. The visit by the Secretary General H.E. Dr. Swaleh El-Uhaibiy, was significant in reinforcing WAMY’s commitment in a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Makerere and WAMY to help the School of Education with the growth and development of Arabic.

5th May 2010: MISR Dissemination Workshop

With the support of the Think Tank Initiative and Kabano Research and Development (KRDC), Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) disseminated results of the Global Competitiveness Survey in a half day workshop. The information used to come up with the report was collected through the Executive Opinion Survey conducted annually from business executives in over 130 countries, including Uganda.

3rd – 14th May 2010: 2nd E.A Training by HURIPEC

The Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC) of Makerere University, Uganda successfully organized the second Eastern Africa Training School on Law, Human Rights and HIV/AIDS (EASLHRA). Funded by the Open Society Initiative for East Africa (OSIEA), the two-week training school seeks to build the capacity of African lawyers in the technical and juridical aspects of Law, Human Rights and HIV/AIDS and to introduce selected participants to the various medical, public health, political and socio-cultural nuances that are at play in this growing area of jurisprudence.

3rd May 2010: BoU unveils the new bank notes

Bank of Uganda unveiled a New Family of Bank Notes, which benefited from designs by the ADCC. The Art and Design Consortium Consultants (ADCC) is made up of celebrated Ugandan Artists, designers and researchers. Its members are Assoc. Prof. George Kyeyune, Mr. Ssematimba Joseph, Mr. Sserunjogi Patrick, Mr. Nsereko Raymond – all lecturers at the Makerere University School of Industrial and Fine Arts ; Mr. Mutungi Emmanuel-PhD student Makerere University School of Industrial and Fine Arts and lecturer at Kyambogo University and Hon. Gen. Elly Tumwine – Patron of Uganda Artists Association

3rd May 2010: 5th Vice Chancellors Media briefing

The 5th monthly media briefing highlighted the progress made by the University Management in the last six months (since November 2009) including challenges and the future outlook.

May 2010

26th – 28th May 2010: Media Workshop on analytical reporting

The University Management organized a three-day workshop for journalists and media practitioners at Makerere University. The training was meant to equip the media with analytical reporting skills, so as to improve on their accuracy of reporting about items making news in Makerere.

26th May 2010: Swearing in ceremony for New Student Guild.

The Guild President-elect Shaban Senkubuge, his cabinet as well as the Guild Representative Council Members were sworn in.

25th May 2010: Director Ashinaga Uganda visit

Mr. Yukichi Okazaki Director Ashinaga Uganda visited the country to submit the Organization’s annual report to the President’s Protocol Office (H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni agreed to act as Honorary Director-General of the establishment), and as part of a longstanding relationship with the Institute of Psychology, paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor. Mr. Okazaki hoped that Makerere as a center of academic excellence would collaborate with Ashinaga, especially in research on the psycho-social effects of HIV/AIDS.

21st May 2010: Library Day Celebrations

The theme of the Day was, “Makerere University Library : beyond the campus walls”, which focused on community outreach and highlighted the role of the university library in improving information service delivery beyond Makerere University. The University Library helped re-organize the Libraries of Mengo and Kitante Hill Secondary schools. Prof. J. R. Ikoja Odongo was the keynote speaker at the celebrations, which had Prof. A. B. Kasozi, Executive Director of the National Council of Higher Education as the Guest of Honor.

20th May 2010: Presentation on Thin Shell Concrete roofing

The idea of using a thin shell of concrete for the roof is innovative technology which been around since the 1970s and is partly the brain child of George Nez. George made his presentation to a group of staff and students at the Faculty of Technology. This technology employs less timber than conventional roofs, offers better fire resistance than grass-thatched roofs and is cheaper (by up to 30%) to deploy than roofing tiles.

14th May 2010: 5th MUBS Graduation Ceremony

The Makerere University Business School (MUBS) held its fifth graduation ceremony, which was presided over by the Makerere University Chancellor Prof. Mondo Kagonyera. Makerere University vice-chancellor, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, MUBS principal Prof. Waswa Balunywa, deans as well as Mr. Charles Mbire, who was the chief guest attended the ceremony. A total of 896 students (529 female) graduated in various disciplines.

13th May 2010: Launch of the Pan-African e-network project

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Uganda and India led to the implementation the Pan-African E-network Project at FCIT, Makerere University. The implementation of this project in Uganda is being coordinated by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) together with Telecommunication Consults of India Limited (TCIL and is carried out in partnership with Amity University, Uttar Pradesh (AUUP), India. Mr. Patrick Mwesigwa, Acting Executive Director, Uganda Communications Commission, represented Hon. Aggrey Awori, Minister of ICT.

13th May 2010: Workshop for Media on Reforms at Makerere

The University Management organized a half-day workshop for Media representatives on reforms at Makerere University, as well as strategies put in place to ensure improved management of Academic Processes. Strategies addressed touched on Application, Registration, Teaching and Learning, access to exam results and Appeals.

12th May 2010: MISR dissemination on state of Ugandan Basic Education

The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) in partnership with development partners launched the Quality Enhancement Initiative (QEI) in a bid to enhance the quality of primary education in 12 poorly performing districts. Evidence Based Findings on the State of Basic Education in Uganda’s Poorly Performing Districts were disseminated. A Forum for Discussion on the Bottlenecks Facing the Primary Education Sub-Sector in Uganda was also hosted.

11th May 2010: Visit by National Science Foundation (NSF) delegation

Dr. Zakya H. Kafafi, Divisional Director NSF led a team that met with Prof. Baryamureeba to discuss the possibilities of developing an advanced materials institute between US and Africa, with Makerere being considered as a likely host. NSF is very interested in supporting activities to create a highly stimulating intellectual environment, where advanced African and US students jointly engage in collaborative learning of specialized materials research concepts, focused on energy and sustainability.

7th May 2010: EAC Sensitization Workshop

The East African Community (EAC) Sensitization workshop was geared towards helping students and academic members of staff understand exactly what the EAC was, what it was doing to attain its goal of formation of a community and also act as an invaluable source of feedback on what can be improved within this effort. The First Deputy Prime Minster and Minister of East African Community Affairs Hon. Eriya Kategaya and Hon Beatrice Kiraso, EAC Deputy Secretary General made presentations at the gathering.

6th May 2010: WAMY Secretary General’s visit

The World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) is an Islamic educational organization whose stated purpose is to establish a platform where Muslim youth can get together in an Islamic environment. The visit by the Secretary General H.E. Dr. Swaleh El-Uhaibiy, was significant in reinforcing WAMY’s commitment in a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Makerere and WAMY to help the School of Education with the growth and development of Arabic.

5th May 2010: MISR Dissemination Workshop

With the support of the Think Tank Initiative and Kabano Research and Development (KRDC), Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) disseminated results of the Global Competitiveness Survey in a half day workshop. The information used to come up with the report was collected through the Executive Opinion Survey conducted annually from business executives in over 130 countries, including Uganda.

3rd – 14th May 2010: 2nd E.A Training by HURIPEC

The Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC) of Makerere University, Uganda successfully organized the second Eastern Africa Training School on Law, Human Rights and HIV/AIDS (EASLHRA). Funded by the Open Society Initiative for East Africa (OSIEA), the two-week training school seeks to build the capacity of African lawyers in the technical and juridical aspects of Law, Human Rights and HIV/AIDS and to introduce selected participants to the various medical, public health, political and socio-cultural nuances that are at play in this growing area of jurisprudence.

3rd May 2010: BoU unveils the new bank notes

Bank of Uganda unveiled a New Family of Bank Notes, which benefited from designs by the ADCC. The Art and Design Consortium Consultants (ADCC) is made up of celebrated Ugandan Artists, designers and researchers. Its members are Assoc. Prof. George Kyeyune, Mr. Ssematimba Joseph, Mr. Sserunjogi Patrick, Mr. Nsereko Raymond – all lecturers at the Makerere University School of Industrial and Fine Arts ; Mr. Mutungi Emmanuel-PhD student Makerere University School of Industrial and Fine Arts and lecturer at Kyambogo University and Hon. Gen. Elly Tumwine – Patron of Uganda Artists Association

3rd May 2010: 5th Vice Chancellors Media briefing

The 5th monthly media briefing highlighted the progress made by the University Management in the last six months (since November 2009) including challenges and the future outlook.

Denis Wamala

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Job Advertisement for Positions of Principal and Deputy Principal at Makerere University

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An aerial shot of the Main Building, as taken by a drone over the Freedom Square with Left to Right: CHUSS, St. Francis, St. Augustine and CAES Buildings and the Kikoni area (Background) in view. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University, Uganda’s premier institution of higher learning and one of Africa’s leading research universities, invites applications from suitably qualified and distinguished individuals for the positions of Principal and Deputy Principal in the Colleges listed below. The University seeks visionary leaders with demonstrated academic excellence, strategic leadership, and a commitment to institutional transformation. This advertisement is for the positions of:

  1. Principal and Deputy Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) ,
  1. Principal and Deputy Principal, College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS)
  2. Principal and Deputy Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES)
  3. Principal and Deputy Principal, College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS)
  4. Principal and Deputy Principal, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB)
  5. Deputy Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS).

Mode of application

Interested individuals should submit the following documents sealed in an envelope addressed to the University Secretary;

  1. A signed letter of application;
  2. Certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts;
  3. The curriculum vitae of the candidate;
  4. Copies of the required minimum number of publications;
  5. Three (3) letters of recommendation;
  6. Copies of letters of appointment to leadership positions at the level of Dean, Head of Department or Director of a school in a nationally accredited university or other nationally accredited academic institution;
  7. Copy of the applicant’s national ID or passport;
  8. Copy of the last letter of clearance from the Inspector of Government or other equivalent national body.

The deadline for applications is 30th June 2026 at 5:00 p.m. East African Time.

Applications should be hand-delivered to:

The University Secretary
Makerere University
Main Administration Building,
Level 2, University Secretary’s Office

Or via email at search.principal@mak.ac.ug

Mak Editor

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CHS Quality Assurance Guide Book

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An aerial photo of the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Makerere University showing Left to Right: The Sir Albert Cook Memorial Library, School of Biomedical Sciences, Davies Lecture Theatre, School of Public Health, Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital (MSWNH)-Background Left and Nakasero Hill-Background Right, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The College of Health Sciences (CHS) QA Guidebook streamlines academic excellence, outlining essential quality processes, committee structures, and regulations aligned with Makerere University Policy and the 2004 Graduate Guidebook. It details roles for staff and students, including examination management, committee terms of reference, and highlights staff/student achievements.

Key Components of the QA Guidebook

  • Committees & Structure: Defines roles for the Quality Assurance, Gender Mainstreaming, and ICT Committee, ensuring alignment with SDGs and university policies and NCHE
  • Examination QA Processes: Outlines procedures for setting, moderating, and marking exams, ensuring standards and ethical compliance.
  • Regulations & Guidelines: Based on the Makerere University Quality Assurance Policy Framework (2007) and Graduate Guidebook 2004 ensuring consistency across all programmes.
  • Roles & Responsibilities: Clearly defines the responsibilities of Deans, Heads of Departments, and Students in Internal Quality Assurance.
  • Key student information in academic processes.
  • Commitment to support graduate training.
  • Recognition & Faculty Development: Recognizes outstanding female professors and acknowledges staff who completed PhDs in 2024–2026

View on CHS

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Are We Giving Enough Attention to the People Around Us Who Quietly Influence Lives Every Day?

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Sylas Ruhweza and Marion Apio at one of the Girls Alive Uganda (GAU) outreaches.

By Marion Apio

On March 21, 2026, I felt a strong urge to reconnect with a close colleague and passionate leader, Owekitinisa Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki. We had not spoken since I moved to the United States to pursue my dream of becoming a journalist. The following day, I learned that he had been quietly undergoing treatment in and out of the hospital. True to his character, he had chosen to keep his condition private. I was shocked and saddened, wishing I had known earlier so I could offer support.

At first, reports from family and friends were encouraging. He had been diagnosed with malaria and low blood platelet counts and was receiving treatment. Respecting his wish for confidentiality, members of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community at Makerere University rallied discreetly around him.

An artistic impression of Sylas Ruhweza.
An artistic impression of Sylas Ruhweza.

However, on April 29, his condition worsened. He was transferred between medical facilities and underwent extensive tests, including a biopsy, as doctors searched for answers. Sadly, on May 29, Sylas passed away.

His death sparked an extraordinary outpouring of love and solidarity. Friends, colleagues, and former scholars mobilised to support his family, settle medical expenses, organise virtual vigils, and plan a dignified farewell. Hundreds gathered at St. Augustine Chapel to pay their respects. Within three days, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community raised approximately UGX 11 million, a testament to Sylas’ impact on countless lives.

Sylas Ruhweza addressing his fellow alumni on 5th April 2025.
Sylas Ruhweza addressing his fellow alumni on 5th April 2025.

In the days that followed, I found myself wrestling with difficult questions. In a world where we spend so much time following people online, are we paying enough attention to those quietly transforming lives around us? Why do we invest so much emotional energy in distant personalities while overlooking the people God has placed right in front of us?

Sylas lived with humility and served with grace. His death left more than 1,500 Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni grieving, alongside many others around the world who knew him. Yet his passing also exposed a contradiction in modern life.

We live in an age of unprecedented connectivity. Uganda has millions of internet users and WhatsApp subscribers, while globally, people spend hours each day on social media. We have more tools than ever to stay connected, yet many of us are becoming increasingly disconnected from the people who matter most.

Selfie time: Marion Apio and Sylas Ruhweza.
Selfie time: Marion Apio and Sylas Ruhweza.

Sylas resisted this trend. Through mentorship, service, and community-building, he remained deeply present in others’ lives. While many people retreat into individual pursuits, he consistently chose connection.

This challenge is especially relevant for Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni. Every year, young Africans leave home to pursue education and professional opportunities abroad. Distance, time zones, visa restrictions, and rising travel costs make it difficult to maintain relationships and remain actively involved in the communities that helped shape us.

For Sylas, the answer was simple: show up. Celebrate others. Offer support. Stay connected.

Sylas with some of the Girls Alive Uganda (GAU) beneficiaries.
Sylas with some of the Girls Alive Uganda (GAU) beneficiaries.

He never allowed geographical or personal barriers to become excuses for disengagement. Even while facing his own struggles, he invested in others. He embodied the values the Mastercard Foundation seeks to cultivate—ethical leadership, service, and community empowerment.

Sylas did not wait for a perfect platform to create change. He simply served where he was. He helped build bridges between education, culture, and professional development while remaining grounded in his values. He dreamed of creating a stronger alumni ecosystem and brought both passion and compassion to every initiative he touched.

Since his passing, social media has been filled with memories of his infectious smile and unwavering commitment to others. Those tributes reveal an important truth: people gave generously because Sylas had first given himself generously to them. People from different backgrounds, generations, and communities showed up because he had spent his life showing up for them. His legacy now challenges all of us.

Sylas with friends at a Birthday Celebration.
Sylas with friends at a Birthday Celebration.

The greatest tribute we can offer is not simply to mourn his loss but to continue his work. That means supporting the causes he cared about, helping the children whose education he championed, strengthening alumni networks, and pursuing the dreams we discussed with him.

The tragedy of modern life is not that we follow people online. It is that too often our attention to distant lives comes at the expense of meaningful relationships nearby. Yet strong relationships are as essential to our well-being as physical health.

As Ugandans, we take pride in our faith, culture, and sense of community. We contribute to fundraisers, attend ceremonies, and support family members in times of need. But increasingly, genuine connection is being replaced by passive digital interaction. Families and communities cannot thrive on likes, retweets, and emojis alone.

They require presence—phone calls, visits, conversations, and the willingness to notice when someone is struggling.

Sylas Ruhweza with friends at the Third Edition of the MakRun in 2019.
Sylas with friends at the Third Edition of the MakRun in 2019.

Before spending another hour immersed in the lives of strangers online, look around. Call the friend you have not spoken to in years. Check on a family member. Reach out to a colleague who seems withdrawn. Communities are not built by algorithms or celebrities. They are built by ordinary people who choose, day after day, to care for those within their reach.

Uganda needs more people like Sylas. At just 32 years old, he achieved what many spend a lifetime striving for. He served as Minister of Information in the Toro Kingdom and as President of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Association in Uganda. More importantly, he dedicated himself to serving others.

While his death is deeply painful, his life remains a powerful example of how we should live. My prayers and condolences go to his family, friends, and the entire Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community.

Rest in perfect peace, Owek. Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki.

The author is a Mastercard Foundation Alumna from Makerere University and the University of California, Berkeley. She is a journalist based in Southern California and the CEO of the Debunk Media Initiative.

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