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
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on 20th April 2026 inaugurated the Second Makerere University Health User Committee (Mak-HUC). The Committee was established by the Vice Chancellor in 2022 as part of his strategic mandate to strengthen and oversee the University Hospital services delivery.
Chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Mak-HUC has as its members; Prof. Josaphat K. Byamugisha-Director Makerere University Health Services (MakHS) and Dr. Daniel Ronald Ruhweza-Department of Law and Jurisprudence, School of Law.
Other members include; Dr. Arthur Kwizera-Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, College of Health Sciences (CHS) and Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) Representative, Dr. Lillian Tukahirwa-Makerere University Administrative Staff Association (MASA) Representative, Mr. Godfrey Othieno- National Union of Educational Institutions (NUEI) Representative, and as Secretariat, Ms. Kevin M. Nabiryo-Directorate of Human Resources.
The 2nd Mak-HUC has been appointed for a period of four years effective 1st January 2026 with a mandate to: Guide, monitor and oversee delivery of health services by MakHS; Represent the interests and concerns of staff and students that use MakHS; Advise on alignment with sustainable health financing and insurance models; Strengthen systems for fraud prevention, digital transformation and access to specialized treatment, among other responsibilities.
The 1st Mak-HUC was chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi and had as members; Prof. Josaphat Byamugisha, Dr. Fred Mayambala, Dr. Zahara Nampewo, Mr. Othieno Godfrey, Mr. Apunyo Paul Okiria and Ms. Ikiriza Racheal. Milestones during the first era included; Outpatient Department visits growth from 4,802 (2022) to 7,388 (Nov 2025) for staff and 14,641 (2022) to 19,069 (Nov 2025) for students.
Others milestones included; Commissioning of a fully equipped Operating Theatre, Establishment of a modern Imaging Hub, Development of a fully functional Audiology Unit, Expansion of the Temporal Bone Laboratory, Launch of the Olink Proteomics Platform and Enhancement of the Dental Unit with 32 dental chairs and experienced personnel.
Related article: https://news.mak.ac.ug/2025/12/three-years-of-impact-makerere-university-health-user-committee-presents-status-report/
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