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
Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. The tournament was held in three preliminary rounds, followed by semi-finals and a grand finale.
The first round covered democracy and youth participation in politics, while the second round covered inequality and wealth distribution, and the third, the ban on export of raw materials. The semi-final round debated apprenticeship for blue-collar jobs, while the grand finale debated national budget allocations for healthcare and education. In the spirit of inclusivity, all colleges, including the Jinja Campus participated in the tournament.
Commenting on the choice of topics, the organisers noted Makerere University as a bastion of academic excellence has a profound responsibility to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of our nation. These leaders, they added, ought to be equipped with 21st century skills of self-expression, critical thinking, and problem-solving so as to navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving world.
On the whole, Makerere Inter-college Debates were conceived as a strategic initiative to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and innovation. The Debating Union aims to empower the future leaders by providing a platform for students to engage in respectful discourse, articulate their thoughts, as well as develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Furthermore, the Debates serve as a platform for not only honing the intellectual prowess of students but also cultivating leadership skills, teamwork, and communication abilities that are essential for success in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It is envisaged that this initiative will have a lasting impact on the lives of students, by exposing them to debates on topical issues that can shape the mindsets of transformative leaders our nation needs.
After a thrilling two days of debate, Daphine Kemigisha and Jibril Ssekandi from the School of Law (SoL) emerged as winners of the Makerere University Inter-college Debate Tournament 2025, while Olara Emmanuel George from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) was the Public Speech Champion, and Namujuzi Martha Mociita from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) was the Poetry Champion.
The 2025 Tournament was organized by Mayanja Owen and Nkalubo Oprah – 91st Guild Representative Councils (GRCs) of the Debate Union, Akatwijuka Arthur – Chairperson Debate Union, and Debate Union Representatives from colleges. The Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF) partnered with the Debate Union to deliver the 2025 edition.
Addressing students at the award ceremony, UNNGOF’s Mr. Derrick Baluuku encouraged the youth to step out of their comfort zones and think of solutions to inspire change in their communities.
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