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His Grace H.L. Orombi Blesses Mak-COU partnership

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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.

 

 

mwamai@admin.mak.ac.ug, Public Relations Office

Denis Wamala

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Applications Open: Short Course in Decision Modelling for Economic Evaluation

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Applications Open for a two-week online short course on Introduction to Decision Modelling for Economic Evaluation by the Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University School of Public Health, through the Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, is accepting applications for a two-week online short course on Introduction to Decision Modelling for Economic Evaluation.

The course will introduce participants to the principles and practical application of decision modelling in economic evaluation, covering Markov modelling, evidence synthesis, model development, validation, sensitivity analysis and interpretation of results to inform policy and resource allocation.

Convened by Dr. Elizabeth Ekirapa, Associate Professor of Health Economics at MakSPH, the course will feature Dr. Joseph Babigumira, Managing Consultant at GHE Consulting, as Guest Lecturer.

The training targets health professionals, researchers, policymakers, students and other individuals interested in applying decision modelling to economic evaluation.

Dates: 9–20 November 2026
Time: 3:00–6:00 PM EAT
Mode: Online via Zoom
Fees: UGX 800,000 (Ugandans) | USD 270 (non-Ugandans)
Application Deadline: 1 November 2026

Apply now: https://t.ly/sKdts

For inquiries:
Ms. Edith Namuleme, Short Course Coordinator
Email: carvell.andy@gmail.com
Tel: +256 759 761 161

John Okeya

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Makerere University and Xiangtan University Advance Strategic Partnership in Chemical Engineering

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Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (C) with Prof. Dingyu Ou (4th R) and R-L: Mr. Fei Tang, Prof. Gilbert Gumoshabe, Prof. Fang Hao, Prof. Zhuoqiong Xia, Ms. Hawa Ndagire Kajumba, Ms. Miao Yang and Ms. Betty Nabisubi after the meeting on 12th October 2026. Visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively, to update 20-year academic partnership, with new focus on joint Master's degree program in Chemical Engineering 12th October 2026, French Embassy, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University and Xiangtan University are set to update their close to 20-year academic partnership, with a new focus on launching a joint Master’s degree program in Chemical Engineering and expanding student and staff exchange initiatives. 

The commitment was reaffirmed during a recent visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University to Makerere University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in the company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively. 

While addressing the delegation, Professor Nawangwe highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify academic offerings and contribute to national development through training in Chemical Engineering. Through this new initiative, the University will better prepare graduates for the petrochemical industry and support the country’s industrial growth.

The meeting in session. Visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively, to update 20-year academic partnership, with new focus on joint Master's degree program in Chemical Engineering 12th October 2026, French Embassy, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The meeting in session.

The Vice Chancellor appreciated that the proposed collaboration aims to address Uganda’s growing need for industrial expertise, particularly as the country develops its petroleum sector. The two universities here are working toward a 1+2 training model, which will enable Makerere students to gain practical experience and access advanced laboratory facilities at Xiangtan University.

Professor Nawangwe further reiterated that “our relationship with the people of China, not just for Makerere but also for a big part of Uganda, has been opened wider by the establishment of the Confucius Institute, considering that many other collaborations like one being discussed now have come through this collaboration.”

The head of the Xiangtan delegation, Professor Dingyu Ou, expressed appreciation for the meeting, and acknowledged the history between the institutions. “As mentioned, we have a very long relationship and a very stable friendship between our two universities.” 

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (L) presents an assortment of Makerere Souvenirs to Prof. Dingyu Ou (R). Visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively, to update 20-year academic partnership, with new focus on joint Master's degree program in Chemical Engineering 12th October 2026, French Embassy, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (L) presents an assortment of Makerere Souvenirs to Prof. Dingyu Ou (R).

Professor Ou extended appreciation for the support provided to the Confucius Institute at Makerere, the care shown to his colleagues, and looked forward to the successful start of the Chemical Engineering collaboration.

Assuring the delegation of Makerere’s readiness for the collaboration, Ms. Hawa Ndagire Kajumba the Lead, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, Makerere University Advancement Office, aligned with the Vice Chancellor’s emphasis of University goal to have both theory and practice imparted to the students. 

She said “the curriculum of the university and Uganda as a whole is moving towards competence-based education training to ensure students are equipped to demonstrate those skills in the actual field, particularly regarding petroleum exploration.” 

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (L) presents an assortment of Makerere Souvenirs to Prof. Zhuoqiong Xia (R). Visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively, to update 20-year academic partnership, with new focus on joint Master's degree program in Chemical Engineering 12th October 2026, French Embassy, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (L) presents an assortment of Makerere Souvenirs to Prof. Zhuoqiong Xia (R).

Ms. Ndagire Kajumba also emphasised a shift in strategy for the partnership office, saying, “we are moving away from just signing MOUs that collect dust, and moving towards those that are more collaborative to benefit our faculty and students, just like this one.”

Professor Gilbert Kumushabe aligned his remarks with those of the Vice Chancellor and Ms. Ndagire Kajumba, and described the method used at Xiangtan University as “actually competence-based teaching.” 

Based on his recent visit, Prof. Gumoshabe shared that students in China are divided into groups with dedicated teachers to perform practical, hands-on work beyond the theoretical lecturers. He expressed gladness that the same was being adopted for the Ugandan context.

Both institutions are now working to finalise the specific agreements for the joint degree and exchange programs. Beyond academic training, the collaboration will advance cultural and professional exchange.

Elvis Lubanga, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Elvis Lubanga

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Job Opportunities: NETOMA Study

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Kickoff training for teams tasked with collecting data for the Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA) 2024-2025, held 19th May 2025, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) Auditorium, Main Campus, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University School of Public Health invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for three positions under the Wellcome Trust-supported NETOMA study, which examines the coexistence of health worker shortages and unemployment among qualified health professionals in Africa.

Available Positions

  1. Research Officer
    To coordinate longitudinal research, data management, quality assurance, and statistical analysis across study sites.
    Full details and application: https://sph.mak.ac.ug/careers/?view_job=21465
  2. Policy Scientist
    To undertake health workforce policy research, evidence synthesis, qualitative analysis and knowledge translation.
    Full details and application: https://sph.mak.ac.ug/careers/?view_job=21468
  3. Research Assistants
    To support participant recruitment, field data collection, research documentation, and analysis.
    Full details and application: https://sph.mak.ac.ug/careers/?view_job=21470

Application deadline: Friday, 16 October 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EAT .

Mak Editor

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