The Vice President, H.E. Edward Ssekandi and the Chancellor, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera shake hands after the installation ceremony on 12th January 2012 at Makerere University.
Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera has been installed as the Chancellor of Makerere University, in a highly colorful ceremony presided over by the Vice President of Uganda, His Excellency Hon. Edward Ssekandi on Thursday 12th January, 2012 . He will be serving for a second term spanning for the next four years. His first term run from October 2007 – October 2011.
In attendance at the University Main Hall were a number of Ministers, Foreign dignitaries, Makerere University Staff, the Lord Mayor of Kampala – Erias Lukwago and the press. The Department of Performing Arts and Film put up energetic performances that added colour to the event. The Chairperson of Council, Eng. Dr. Charles Wana Etyem revealed that members of the University Council unreservedly endorsed the candidature of Prof. Kagonyera because of his able leadership during his first term. In his acceptance speech Prof. Kagonyera, committed to serving the University unreservedly and called upon the University community to appreciate the uniqueness of Makerere University.
“Makerere University has a unique responsibility to offer leadership in academic excellence as well as participating in finding solutions to problems that affect the economic, social and political development – not only in Uganda but also in the East African region and Africa at large. I appeal to the Staff and Students of Makerere University not to take our unique position lightly. We must at all times endeavour to focus our minds and actions on issues that are relevant to our calling and values as a university,’’ he said.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba (L) adorns Prof. Mondo Kagonyera with a cap after his installation as Chancellor, Makerere University.
The fresh Chancellor appealed to Government to revise the law stipulating that Chancellors are Titular Heads, without powers, to at least accord them responsibilities. He re-echoed his appeal for Government to use Makerere University and other Institutions of Higher learning for finding solutions to the development needs of the country. “Your Excellency, there are so many ideas at Makerere University in a range of fields, that would, if applied on an industrial scale, economically transform this country,’’ he emphasized. He thanked the Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Jessica Alupo, development partners, and Makerere University staff for the efforts in steering Makerere forward.
The Vice President, Hon. Edward Ssekandi described Prof. Kagonyera’s appointment as a reaffirmation of the trust the Management and Staff of Makerere University have in him as the Titular Head. He pledged continued Government support towards Makerere and the ongoing innovations.
“During His Excellency the President’s last visit to Makerere University on 24th November 2011, he noted with great pleasure the excellent work being done by the staff and students of Makerere University. He particularly appreciated the advances made by the Vehicle Design Project in coming up with the Kiira Electric Vehicle. The Government of Uganda has therefore agreed to allocate at least 50acres of land to house the Centre for Research in Transportation Technologies (CRTT) and provide additional funding directly through the Ministry of Finance (up to the tune of 154 billion Uganda Shillings) over the next five years. The Centre’s welfare will be overseen by a Board of Trustees,’’ he said amidst applause.
The Vice President, H.E. Edward Ssekandi.
“I wish to reassure the Chancellor of the Government’s full support to Makerere University. Do not be in any way limited if we can help. The President noted your concern during his visit, requesting the President’s Office to take up the task of handling Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, so that brilliant projects from students are not frustrated at the implementation phase. We are considering this request and at an opportune moment, we will revert to you,’’ he added.
Education Minister Hon. Jessica Alupo challenged Makerere University to be the centre of change throughout East Africa and called upon the private and public sectors to focus on Makerere.
“Mr. Vice Chancellor, you are steering a University that has great potential, with a vibrant student base. One of the challenges before you right now is to see that this University continues to positively impact on our industrialization as a country. We all know that industrialization is key in driving world economies. I call upon the private and public sectors to look up Makerere and partner with her in advancing many of the ongoing innovations,’’ she said.
“Students on the other hand should seriously consider making use of the 40b put aside by government to address unemployment by financing innovative ideas. This is your money, go ahead and make use of it. We have now moved into regional cooperation and this means your innovations will have broader reach and relevance. I challenge you to think East Africa now. Here you will ride on the advantage of cohesion and compatibility to gain more ground with your innovations,’’ she advised.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, pointed out that Prof. Kagonyera was identified as a suitable candidate way back.
“My first time to meet him was in 2007 when he appeared before the ‘’Chancellor Search Committee’’ of which I was a member. In an interview that lasted about 40 minutes, he repeated the sentence I love Makerere University 14 times. He emerged the best candidate for the position of Chancellor of Makerere University. Professor Kagonyera has been providing constructive advice, which we as Management have taken seriously. We are grateful to H.E the President of the Republic of Uganda for having appointed Professor Kagonyera Chancellor of Makerere University for another term after Makerere University Council unanimously recommended him for re-appointment,’’ he asserted.
“When we came into office on 1st November 2009, we pledged to improve University-Government relations through constructive projects/ interventions with the different government ministries/ departments. We have lived up to our pledge. Today the different colleges are highly involved with government ministries/ departments. As Acting Vice-Chancellor, every six (6) months I provide a comprehensive progressive report to Makerere University Council that is copied to all stakeholders including the Rt. Hon Prime Minister and the Minister of Education and Sports among others,” he added.
At the close of the function, the guests were treated to a delicious luncheon, befitting of such an installation.
Story by Marion Alina Asst. Communications Officer, Public Relations Office
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.