General
Rockefeller commends CoCIS on optimal use of funds
Having invested USD 300,000 in the then Faculty of Computing and Informatics Technology to help set up a National Software Incubation Centre (NSIC), the Rockefeller Foundation made a follow-up visit to Makerere University on 4th July, 2011.
Having invested USD 300,000 in the then Faculty of Computing and Informatics Technology to help set up a National Software Incubation Centre (NSIC), the Rockefeller Foundation made a follow-up visit to Makerere University on 4th July, 2011.
The delegation was led by the Foundation’s Vice President Dr. Heather Grady, who was accompanied by the Managing Director, Rockefeller Foundation Office based in Nairobi, James Nyoro and Betty Kibaara.
The 15month old project housed in the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS)’s new state-of-the-art facility, had a major aim of addressing the shortage of proficient software developers in Uganda, and many achievements have been registered since its inception.
Increase in human resource capacity in the field of software engineering and development is one of the major achievements. Computing graduates are now able to acquire basic software development skills, thus making them competitive in the software development industry.
The country has also benefited from this project as the locally produced software is steadily encouraging investment in the ICT industry. This software has also proved to be equally as good as that brought in from outside Uganda and Africa at large. The Centre has also promoted global collaborations. Ms. Heather applauded the progress made by the NSIC so far, and the College for exploring ways of availing locals with developmental information through mobile phones, whose usage is on the increase in Africa.
Apart from the numerous objectives that the NSIC project has already achieved, there are still a number of prospects the continued partnership is yet to explore. The NCIS hopes to not only cover software development, but all the components of business incubation. This move will support the entrepreneurial process, hence helping to increase survival rates for innovative startup companies.
Furthermore, with the increasing effects of climate change leading to unstable weather patterns in the country, the college seeks to engage in studies and research on climatic change predictions. The Vice President persuaded the college to take on researches that will enable communities to cope with the effects of climate change.
The Principal CoCIS, Prof. Ikoja Odongo thanked the Rockefeller Foundation for the support and pledged the College’s readiness to strengthen its partnership with the foundation. “The College values the power of partnerships and over the past years; the grants received have been effectively used to serve the society” Prof. Ikoja remarked.
Article by Grace K. Magare, Intern, Public Relations Office, Makerere University
Makerere University on 23rd January 2026 hosted the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) validation meeting of the draft minimum standards for implementing Competence-Based Education (CBE) in Higher Education Institutions. The meeting held in the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium brought together Vice Chancellors, Rectors, Principals and Academic Registrars from Higher Education Institutions in Uganda.
Hosted by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Ssali, the meeting followed institutional input into the draft minimum standards and was aimed at validating them prior to their formal adoption by the NCHE Council at their next meeting in February 2026. The minimum standards cover nine areas namely; 1) Curriculum Design, 2) Teaching and Learning Approaches, 3) Assessment, 4) Faculty Training and Support, 5) Student Support Services, 6) Quality Assurance Systems, 7) Industry and Community Linkages, 8) Monitoring and Evaluation, and 9) Gender and Equity Mainstreaming.
Following feedback into presentations by the various leaders present, a motion to adopt the draft minimum standards, with institutional input incorporated, was moved by Bugema University, seconded by UMCAT School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and unanimously supported by institutions present.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Prof. Sarah Ssali appreciated NCHE for choosing Makerere to host the landmark event, reiterating that the University greatly respects each and every Higher Education Institution and regards them as partners and collaborators in the quest to improve Uganda’s Higher Education sector.
The Executive Director NCHE, Prof. Mary Okwakol reassured leaders present that all the pertinent issues raised for input into the draft minimum standards would be incorporated, and urged those with pressing issues to submit them before month’s end. She reiterated NCHE’s readiness to continue lobbying Government for the resources required by Higher Education Institutions, particularly Public Universities, to implement Competence-Based Education (CBE).
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