The Archbishop of Uganda, His Grace Henry Luke Orombi is a man who is passionate about his role as the leader of the Church of Uganda (COU).
The Archbishop of Uganda, His Grace Henry Luke Orombi is a man who is passionate about his role as the leader of the Church of Uganda (COU).
This extraordinary job, by any measure, keeps him quite busy with his flock. He has recently returned from countrywide tour of Western, Northern and Northeastern Uganda, during which he interfaced with over 10,000 young people of College and Secondary School-going age, including launching a multipurpose hall named in his honour at Kyeizoba Girls School, Bushenyi District in April 2011.
As he traversed the country preaching, mentoring and encouraging, His Grace, in both his former and current capacities, developed a new passion – for Girl Child Education. He was soon to discover another partner with the same cause, the Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD) headed by Ms Catherine Kanabahita. On 24th June 2011, the Archbishop hosted a dinner to celebrate achievements of the Female Scholarship Initiative and to publicize the Makerere University Female Scholarship Foundation (MUFSF). He has also willingly advised the GMD and pledged his support to Makerere University, in her quest to secure funding up to the tune of 1.5bn shillings, from the Peace Recovery and Development Plan for Northern Uganda (PRDP) under the Office of the Prime Minister. The funding is meant to enable disadvantaged girls from greater northern Uganda pursue quality higher education at Makerere University.
Fresh from a function at Ogenda Girls High School, Nebbi District on 20th August 2011, where he and his wife Mrs Phoebe Orombi, and the Bishop of Nebbi Diocese Rt Rev Alphonse Wathokudi had installed Mrs. Patience Karugire as the patron of Girl-Child Education in Nebbi, His Grace visited Makerere University's Main Administration building for the very first time on 24th August 2011. His mission was simple and yet historic, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between Makerere University and the Church of Uganda.
Reverend Canon Dr. Ebong Johnson, Chaplain St. Francis Chapel Makerere University, led the prayer at this historic gathering. In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba thanked His Grace the Archbishop for honouring the University’s invitation, and observed that there was a need for both parties to work together to ensure that development in Uganda is equitably distributed, by moving in to address the needs of education, especially in greater northern Uganda. “Our graduates need to be able to engage the communities through partnerships with the districts, local governments, private companies and other stakeholders.” He said. He further noted that the only way to foster this kind of engagement is by offering quality higher education students to disadvantaged students from these districts.
Mrs Elizabeth Gabona, Commissioner for Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Sports, thanked the Archbishop for honouring Makerere University by his visit and lauded COU for partnering with the University to increase equitable access to Higher Education in Uganda. “The Government, in recognition of the fundamental role education plays is continuously extending invitations to partners like the Church to join in supporting equitable access to education,” she remarked.
She however noted the need for universities and the church to support efforts by Head Teachers to enforce morals and etiquette in the current generation of students, amidst the rampant moral degradation, “There are so many interventions we could put in place, that don’t necessarily need financial support, the Lord being our helper.”
In his speech, the Archbishop expressed his joy at the spirit of partnership and intervention in the communities of this country, as shown by such initiatives. As such, he commended GMD for engaging the COU on the needs of girls especially education. His Grace further extolled the School of Veterinary Medicine, led by Professor John Kabasa, and the Africa Institute for Strategic Animal Resource Services and Development (AFRISA) for partnering with the Church to bring services to the least constituency in Uganda. “The church and the religious bodies are spread allover the nation and if you use them as a vehicle, this country can be reached.” “I do believe very strongly, that as we work together, and as we think about this nation together, there will be a great output in the future to come,” he further added.
His Grace also thanked Makerere University and the Government for creating the community engagement platform – AFRISA, which is committed to nurturing transformative skills, technology innovations and community services, through Academic-Community-Public-Private Partnership. “Makerere has the key to open up the minds of the people and empower them to overcome disease, poverty and ignorance,” he added.
The Archbishop further urged university leaders to uphold the partnership and work to build on the synergies and God given gifts to make this world a better place to live in for generations to come. “COU undertakes to enter into partnership with Makerere University, because we believe this has been a missing link in making the communities we serve have better livelihoods.”
“I believe very strongly that this is only the beginning and this beginning will grow into something bigger and better because I can see that the key players are the key players that can change this nation.” “May God bless our partnership,” he concluded.
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.