The aim of Quality Assurance Directorate is to enhance the effectiveness of the University’s core activities. The Directorate safeguards and helps improve the teaching and research standards and quality of services at Makerere University.
Profile
The Director Dr. Vincent A Ssembatya holds a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Florida, USA December 2001. He has a Masters and Bachelors of Sciences from Makerere University.
He brings experience gained as Dean, Faculty of Science-Makerere University (2005 – 2009 and Head, Department of Science in Acting Capacity for the year 2003. He is been a member of Makerere University Senate and various committees of the senate and council (Examinations, Staff Development, Mature Age, Budgeting & Projects sub-committees). As Dean, he piloted a number of Quality Assurance flagship projects funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. He was member of the team that wrote the new University Strategic Plan in which he developed the resource allocation model.
He is a member (2005 to date) of the University Financial and Reforms Committee which is in the process of finalizing writing an Organizational Handbook and Research Manual for the University. Nationally, he has been involved in a number of task forces including the Management Team for setting up the Uganda Petroleum Institute and the task force for writing the 2nd phase of the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Programme. He Chairs the Advisory Board for UVRI-Makerere University partnership for research collaboration in infectious diseases which is funded by the Wellcome Trust in the UK.
Internationally, Dr. Ssembatya is member of the Governing Council of the African Network for Scientific and Technological Institutions (ANSTI); He is a Visiting Professor at the University of Florida; A member of the Advisory Committee of the Eastern African Universities Mathematics Programme and a member of American Mathematical Society. He is part of the NEI (New Einstein Initiative) working with Prof. Neil Turok of the Perimeter Institute in Canada, to set up African Mathematical Institutes Networks (AMINET).
The Directorate
This is made up divisions namely: Teaching and Learning, which coordinates and supervises all activities related to the quality of teaching and learning in the university; Research and Publications, responsible for implementing the University Quality Assurance policy related to research and publications including evaluation of research training and supervision; and Support Services, which coordinates all activities related to staff, student and infrastructure support services.
Contact Information
Director, Quality Assurance Directorate: Dr. Vincent A. Ssembatya Room 203, Senate Building Makerere University P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda Tel: +256 414 533009 Fax: +256 414 533640 Email: vas[at]qad.mak.ac.ug
The aim of Quality Assurance Directorate is to enhance the effectiveness of the University’s core activities. The Directorate safeguards and helps improve the teaching and research standards and quality of services at Makerere University.
Profile
The Director Dr. Vincent A Ssembatya holds a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Florida, USA December 2001. He has a Masters and Bachelors of Sciences from Makerere University.
He brings experience gained as Dean, Faculty of Science-Makerere University (2005 – 2009 and Head, Department of Science in Acting Capacity for the year 2003. He is been a member of Makerere University Senate and various committees of the senate and council (Examinations, Staff Development, Mature Age, Budgeting & Projects sub-committees). As Dean, he piloted a number of Quality Assurance flagship projects funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. He was member of the team that wrote the new University Strategic Plan in which he developed the resource allocation model.
He is a member (2005 to date) of the University Financial and Reforms Committee which is in the process of finalizing writing an Organizational Handbook and Research Manual for the University. Nationally, he has been involved in a number of task forces including the Management Team for setting up the Uganda Petroleum Institute and the task force for writing the 2nd phase of the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Programme. He Chairs the Advisory Board for UVRI-Makerere University partnership for research collaboration in infectious diseases which is funded by the Wellcome Trust in the UK.
Internationally, Dr. Ssembatya is member of the Governing Council of the African Network for Scientific and Technological Institutions (ANSTI); He is a Visiting Professor at the University of Florida; A member of the Advisory Committee of the Eastern African Universities Mathematics Programme and a member of American Mathematical Society. He is part of the NEI (New Einstein Initiative) working with Prof. Neil Turok of the Perimeter Institute in Canada, to set up African Mathematical Institutes Networks (AMINET).
The Directorate
This is made up divisions namely: Teaching and Learning, which coordinates and supervises all activities related to the quality of teaching and learning in the university; Research and Publications, responsible for implementing the University Quality Assurance policy related to research and publications including evaluation of research training and supervision; and Support Services, which coordinates all activities related to staff, student and infrastructure support services.
Contact Information
Director, Quality Assurance Directorate: Dr. Vincent A. Ssembatya Room 203, Senate Building Makerere University P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda Tel: +256 414 533009 Fax: +256 414 533640 Email: vas[at]qad.mak.ac.ug
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Getrude Basiima, who represented Mr. Hannington Ashaba, Director Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Ms. Basiima commended the Centre for its continued commitment to strengthening public investment management capacity across government institutions.
In her remarks, Ms. Basiima applauded the Centre for successfully hosting the Public Investment Management Conference held in August at Makerere University. The conference attracted key policymakers, development partners, and academics who deliberated on how to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and impact of public investments in Uganda.
She further shared exciting news that the Government of Uganda has secured funding from the World Bank to support the public investment management function. The PIM Centre, she announced, will be among the key beneficiaries of these funds — receiving support for the construction and acquisition of a permanent home to enhance its institutional sustainability and training capacity.
Reviewing the Centre’s quarterly performance, Ms. Basiima congratulated the team for successfully conducting three specialized trainings in the first quarter, reaching officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. These trainings continue to strengthen the technical competencies required for effective project preparation, appraisal, and implementation in line with Uganda’s National Development Plan.
The PIM Steering Committee in a meeting held at Emin Pasha Hotel
She encouraged the Centre to integrate climate change considerations into its future training programmes, noting that sustainable public investment must now account for environmental resilience and climate adaptation.
The centre team presented the proposed structure/ organogram, the financial performance of 2024/2025, research areas for 2025/2026 and the strategic plan for 2025 – 2030.
The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the PIM Centre’s vision of becoming a regional leader in building capacity for efficient, transparent, and sustainable public investment management.
A significant development unfolded at Makerere University during a strategic, hour-long meeting in the vice chancellor’s boardroom on 7th October 2025, marking a deepening bond with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The primary goal was to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program. Prof. Sarah Saali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, set the tone by emphasizing that institutional partnerships are crucial to Makerere University, which she proudly called the leading research and most collaborative university in the world.
The parties from Makerere University and the University of Groningen meeting in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom.
The discussion promptly formed the core structure of the program: a four-year PhD (or three if the master’s was research-based), with supervision duties split 50-50% between the two institutions. A key feature is the mobility requirement, stipulating that PhD candidates would spend a total of six months in the Netherlands, potentially divided into two three-month periods. Crucially, the University of Groningen confirmed there would be no teaching requirement during this stay, allowing students full access to focus on their research. A major financial hurdle was overcome with the adoption of a fee-waiver policy; Makerere would waive tuition for incoming Groningen candidates, and Groningen would reciprocate for Makerere‘s students, significantly boosting the program’s financial viability.
Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Mak Souvenir to Dr. Anita Veltmaat.
However, the critical issue of the stipend remained. Dr. Anita Veltmaat explained that to meet the required living standard of approximately €1,875 per month in Groningen, the incoming candidate must secure a partial external scholarship of around €250 per month. The positive news is that if the candidate secures this minimum scholarship, the University of Groningen is prepared to top up the amount to the full living standard for the six months the student spends in the Netherlands. It was noted that this initial financial hurdle might be simplified for Makerere students, as many are already staff members receiving a salary, which could help cover the required €250.
The meeting in session.
The path forward was clear: it was to complete the agreement template guided by the setup committee from both institutions. The plan culminated in scheduling an online follow-up meeting for Tuesday, November 11th, to review the first revision of the agreement, capping a highly constructive discussion that solidified the two universities’ shared future in graduate education.
The Team from Makerere University from Left to Right: Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Dr. Racheal Nuwagaba, Dr. Patricia Ndugga, Dr. Stella Achen, Dr. Joseph Watuleke, and Ms. Agatha Ainemukama.
Makerere University was represented by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics Affairs; Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Head of the Department of Gender Studies; Dr. Patricia Ndugga, School of Statistics; Dr. Stella Achen and Dr. Joseph Watuleke, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning; Agatha Ainemukama, School of Engineering; Racheal Nuwagaba, School of Psychology; Awel Uwihanganye, Martine Rugamba, and Hawa Ndagire from the Advancement Office; and Muhammad Kiggundu from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.
Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Makerere Souvenir to Mrs. Alette Arendshorst.
The University of Groningen was represented by Dr. Dinie Bouwman, Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalization and Quality Assurance; Dr. Anita Veltmaat, Faculty of Social Behavior and Social Sciences, Department of International Studies, involved in mentorship programs for women; and Dr. Alette Arendshorst, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, working on graduation/collaboration for students/staff.
Makerere University on Tuesday, 7th October 2025 hosted a delegation from Nelson Mandela University (NMU), South Africa in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom in a bid to strengthen academic partnerships and operationalize their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The delegation, led by Prof. Azwinndini Muronga, Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, NMU, aimed to turn earlier agreements into actionable collaborations and build sustainable partnerships with various colleges.
The Acting (Ag.) Deputy Vice Chancellor; Finance and Administration, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, provided an overview of the institution’s structure—nine colleges, two schools, and two institutes—while acknowledging the challenges of maintaining excellence amid resource limitations and post-pandemic recovery. He emphasized that collaboration must serve the broader goal of research-driven development, calling for teamwork and resilience among African universities. “We have to work together to sustain high academic standards and contribute to the continent’s progress,” he noted.
Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta (L) presents a Mak necktie to Prof. Azwinndini Muronga (R).
Prof. Muronga spoke passionately about the NMU’s “African footprint agenda.” He urged both institutions to start with small, practical projects that can build confidence and momentum for larger initiatives. “We must grow partnerships within Africa first,” he stated, “before we expand globally. True collaboration begins when both sides contribute equally, share capacity, and build self-reliance.”
Prof. Muronga also expressed interest in joint research projects, doctoral supervision, and shared grant applications, noting that NMU and Makerere are strategically positioned to lead regional academic innovation.
In her remarks, Prof. Judy Peter, Senior Director in the International Office at NMU emphasized the University’s commitment to African-centered collaboration and the importance of internationalizing the curriculum and expanding research capacity.
Prof. Peter underscored the importance of student mobility, joint supervision of postgraduate students, and the recruitment of talented African scholars, noting that such exchanges enrich both institutions’ academic communities. She also emphasized the need to internationalize the curriculum, particularly through virtual learning platforms and co-teaching models, to ensure broader accessibility and shared expertise.
Contributions also came from Prof. James Wokadala, Deputy Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), further amplified the need to “start small and build on existing collaborations.” He proposed developing a clear roadmap that defines short-term goals and identifies areas for mutual growth.
From the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Richard Idro, the Deputy Principal highlighted opportunities for fellowship, training and collaboration in clinical subjects, emphasizing the need for practical exchanges that benefit students and staff alike. He also addressed logistical challenges such as transportation and coordination, urging for targeted partnerships that can yield tangible results.
Some of the Makerere officials that attended the meeting from Left to Right: Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze, Dr. Richard Idro, Prof. James Wokadala, Prof. Eric Awich Ochen, and Prof. Godfrey Akileng.
The meeting reaffirmed the universities’ commitment to collaboration in areas including faculty exchange for guest lectures, seminars, and sabbaticals; joint research and grant applications for regional and international funding; co-supervision of postgraduate students; virtual classroom exchanges; curriculum internationalization and exchange of academic materials; and capacity development for academic and administrative staff.
The teams also identified “quick-win” projects that could be implemented in the short term and agreed to establish a joint implementation team to monitor progress. Further discussions will explore funding mechanisms, including the possibility of leveraging programs like Erasmus+, to support student exchange and joint research initiatives.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Muronga reaffirmed Nelson Mandela University’s commitment to ensuring that the partnership yields visible outcomes. Both universities agreed that future engagements will be structured around mutual respect, accountability, and measurable results.
The meeting concluded on a note of optimism, with both institutions expressing confidence that their partnership will not only advance academic excellence but also contribute to Africa’s broader vision of educational and research self-reliance.
The meeting was attended by several officials from Makerere including; Prof. Eric Awich Ochen-Deputy Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze-Deputy Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Prof. Godfrey Akileng-Dean School of Business, Dr. Geoffrey Nuwagaba-CoBAMS, Mr. Martine Rugamba-Ag. Chief Advancement Office, and Ms. Hawa Kajumba-Advancement Office.