General
Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu Takes Office, Pledges to Promote Makerere’s Brand
On Thursday 6th September 2012, the Out-going Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Venansius Baryamureeba handed over office to the In-coming Vice Chancellor, Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu. “The Chancellor of Makerere University, the Chairperson of the University Council, former Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Professor Livingstone S. Luboobi and distinguished guests assembled here to witness this historic occasion, I am happy to hand over to the next Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu,” remarked a beaming Professor Venansius Baryamureeba.
Professor Venansius Baryamureeba has served as Acting Vice Chancellor of Makerere University from 1st November 2009 to 31st August 2012 with remarkable achievements registered during his tenure.
The Hand Over ceremony started with a prayer from, Msgr. Rev. Fr. Dr. Lawrence Kanyiike, Chaplain of the St. Augustine Chapel, Makerere University, and also a friend to both Professor Venansius Baryamureeba and Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu.
Msgr. Rev. Fr. Dr. Lawrence Kanyiike thanked the Almighty God, the creator of heaven and earth for enabling Professor Venansius Baryamureeba to lead Makerere University. He then dedicated the In- coming Vice Chancellor, Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu to the Almighty God, praying that he may grant him all the wisdom to lead this great university and also protect him from harm during his tenure as Vice Chancellor of Makerere University.
Addressing the congregation in the Main Building, Council Room, the Chairperson of the University Council, Eng. Dr. Charles Wana Etyem commended the Out-going Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Venansius Baryamureeba for steering the University to great heights.
“Professor Baryamureeba, being the youngest ever Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, assumed office with a lot of enthusiasm and vigour. He came with a lot of good will from almost all stakeholders of Makerere University. He initiated major reforms in the various aspects of the management of the University. He completed the formation of colleges within a remarkably short period. He streamlined the financial operations of the University, reducing the number of operational accounts from more than 150 to less than thirty. He developed a very good rapport with not only the Government of Uganda, but with many Development partners,” said Eng. Dr. Charles Wana Etyem.
Further commenting on Professor Baryamureeba’s tenure, the Chairperson of Council said: “In the unprecedented history of the University, Makerere was able to receive a commitment by the President of the Republic of Uganda to provide annually UGX.10bn for five years through the Presidential Initiative Project. The ranking of the University within Africa improved and Makerere University became the University of choice for partnering in research in many disciplines. And exploiting his background as a computer guru, he pioneered valuable relationships with donors on measures to improve on the use of ICT in the University setting and operations.”
Eng. Dr. Charles Wana Etyem also thanked Professor Baryamureeba for the innovations that he ushered in the University during his tenure and for containing the unrests that threatened to derail not only him, but the manner in which the affairs of the University were run.
The Chairperson of Council congratulated and welcomed Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu to the Office and pledged to support him throughout his five year tenure as Vice Chancellor of Makerere University.
He urged Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu to consolidate the changes and innovations that Professor Venansius Baryamureeba championed.
“The collegiate system is a good structure for Makerere University given the student population nearing 50,000. There are some units that feel the collegiate system was fast tracked too quickly for them to get on board comfortably. I would like to advise that the way forward is to identify the rough edges and bring them to the attention of Council so that they may be smoothened,” he said.
He further informed the In-coming Vice Chancellor that the University should have a well stream-lined financial management system that allows decision making to be made quickly without compromising anything.
The out-going Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Venansius Baryamureeba then presented to the In-coming Vice Chancellor, Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu the Hammer for conducting the business of the University Senate-the Chief academic organ of the University and the handover report.
“Prof. John Ddumba Ssentamu, I congratulate you upon your appointment as Vice Chancellor of Makerere University. A great institution is built by the quality of human resources. In-coming Vice Chancellor together with the Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration and the Director Human Resources, you have a great task to manage the human resources of this great university,” said Professor Venansius Baryamureeba.
He also thanked the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the entire cabinet, the Ministry of Education and Sports, the former Vice Chancellors, the University Council and Senate, the University Management team, member of staff and students for according him all the required support during his tenure as Acting Vice Chancellor.
By the powers of the authority entrusted in him, the Chancellor, Professor George Mondo Kagonyera read the Instrument of Appointment.
“Citing Section 31 (2) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act and on the recommendation of the University Council, I, Professor George Mondo Kagonyera – do hereby appoint Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu as Vice Chancellor of Makerere University for a period of five years with effect from the date of assumption of duty.”
Professor George Mondo Kagonyera adorned Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu with the Vice Chancellor’s robe and cap, presented to him the Instrument of Appointment and a copy of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act.
“It is now my honour and privilege to handover to you-Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu , this instrument of authority to govern Makerere University. Congratulations!” remarked Professor Mondo Kagonyera.
Accepting the appointment as Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu thanked the Visitor of Makerere University-His Excellency,President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Chancellor, Chairman and Members of Council, Senate , Staff, students and the entire Makerere University community for the confidence and trust vested in him.
“With a great sense of humility and honour, I accept this appointment as the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University to be the Chief Executive of the University responsible for academic, administrative and financial affairs of the university,” remarked Professor Ddumba Ssentamu amidst cheers from the congregation.
Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu asked the Almighty God-his creator-to grant him wisdom, good health and knowledge to diligently serve this great institution. He then paid tribute to the Out-going Acting Vice Chancellor-Professor Venansius Baryamureeba and his team for their contributions to the institution. “They will be remembered for a number of achievements but most especially for having spearheaded the implementation of the collegiate system and for designing and developing manuals for the university reforms. We shall ensure that these reforms are implemented, I together with my team, will provide full support to the Change Management Committee which is responsible for overseeing the implementation of these reforms,” he said.
Under his leadership for the period 2012-2017, Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu said that his efforts will be geared towards the restoration of Makerere‘s glory to a University that will be locally and internationally recognized as: well governed, promotes innovative teaching and learning, research driven and a university with a conducive learning and living environment, adequate and motivated staff and a university that is financially sustainable.
In his address, the Chancellor, Professor George Mondo Kagonyera said he made the decision to appoint Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu-Vice Chancellor without influence from anybody.
“I want to assure you that Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu merited the appointment. I was not influenced by anybody,” emphasized the Chancellor.
He advised Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu to not only build on the foundation laid by Professor Venansius Baryamureeba; but also develop his original ideas and innovations, and above all use his rich experience in economics, finance and banking sector to transform Makerere into a financially sustainable institution.
Other documents:
Highlights of Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba’s tenure as Ag. Vice Chancellor
Remarks by the Chairperson Makerere University Council Eng. Dr. Charles Wana Etyem
Acceptance Speech by the Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba Ssentamu
Congratulatory Messages from Candidates who participated in the Makerere VC Race
Story by: Ms Ritah Namisango, Senior Public Relations Officer, Makerere University
General
From Information to Innovation: ‘This Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint’—Academic Registrar and Director of Graduate Training Urge PhD Cohort 11
By Moses Lutaaya
A strong message of transformation, resilience, and purpose defined the orientation of PhD Cohort 11 (2025/2026) held on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at the Makerere University School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering Conference Hall, with academic leaders urging students to rethink what it means to pursue doctoral education in the 21st century.
Presiding over the function, the Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, delivered an expansive and deeply reflective message, challenging the new doctoral candidates to embrace a fundamentally different academic journey.
Welcoming the students, he reminded them that their admission followed a highly competitive process, placing them among a select group entrusted with shaping the future through research.
“You have come from a competitive pool of deserving Ugandans to embark on a journey that may turn out to be the most challenging in your life, but also the most transformative and rewarding intellectual experience,” he said.
Drawing a clear distinction between earlier academic stages and doctoral study, Prof. Buyinza emphasized that PhD candidates must now take full ownership of their learning journey.“The first time you were here, someone was driving you. This time, you are going to sit in your own seat and drive it.”
He stressed that doctoral study is not a quick academic exercise but a long-term intellectual commitment requiring discipline and endurance. A PhD is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Don’t burn out so fast. Build your stamina, be consistent, and be resilient.”
In a powerful reflection on global change, he noted that today’s complex challenges can no longer be solved within single disciplines. “No single discipline can solve the challenges of the day. You need multi-disciplinarily, inter-disciplinarily, and collaboration to address complex problems.”
He urged students to abandon disciplinary silos and embrace collaborative thinking. “Gone are the days when one discipline could despise another. The world has changed; we need all of these fields working together.”
Prof. Buyinza further emphasized the shift from the information age to the innovation age, challenging students to move beyond consuming knowledge to producing new ideas. “Artificial intelligence can tell us the known. For you, we want you to tell us the unknown.”
He dismantled the traditional image of isolated doctoral study, calling it outdated in the modern academic environment. “That mental image of being hidden away in a library for years is outdated. A PhD in 2026 is very different and the landscape has changed dramatically.”
He emphasized that success in doctoral education depends heavily on collaboration and global academic engagement. “No scholar has ever flourished in isolation. Success today requires peer-to-peer collaboration, cross-cultural learning, and a global mindset.”
In a striking moment, he reframed failure as an essential part of the research process. “Ninety-nine percent of what you try may fail, but the PhD is about using that failure as data to improve your next step.”
He also cautioned against overdependence on artificial intelligence, stressing academic integrity and independent thinking. “Use AI to strengthen your thinking—not to replace it. There are no ghostwriters in scholarship. You must be the thinker.”
Addressing mental health, he urged students to build supportive academic communities. A PhD can be emotionally exhausting. Build communities around you. Take care of your mental health, we need you alive.”
He further called for structured planning and accountability in the doctoral journey. “Write your study plan from day one, how you will move from semester one to semester six. This must be well-structured, well-managed, and supervised.”
Warning against perfectionism, he added: “Perfection is the enemy of completion. If you want everything to be perfect, you may never finish. The world will judge you immediately as a PhD holder. It has no time for excuses. You must be ready.”
In his opening remarks, the Director of Graduate Training, Prof. Julius Kikooma, welcomed the cohort and reinforced the university’s structured approach to doctoral education.
He explained that the cohort system is designed to ensure students progress together and support one another throughout their studies. “You are coming in as a group, and we have put systems in place to ensure you move as a group. This reduces the feeling that you are alone.”
He emphasized that doctoral research must be aligned with national and global priorities. “You are not here for research for its own sake. Your research must be fit for purpose and aligned to the challenges facing society.”
He reminded students of the structured three-year timeline for completion. “We have a contract with you for three years. It may look long, but it is also short. It requires commitment and responsibility on both sides.”
On technology, he cautioned against intellectual dependency on artificial intelligence. “AI is part of our reality, but it must not take over your thinking. Do not outsource the skills you are supposed to acquire.”
He concluded by reaffirming institutional support while stressing student responsibility. “We will do everything possible to ensure you complete in time, but you must also play your part.”
Speaking on behalf of the students, PhD outgoing President Habibu Malyamungu encouraged his colleagues to embrace practical habits and peer support systems.
He urged students to celebrate their achievement but remain grounded in discipline. “You need to congratulate yourselves for joining this program, it is a very important step.”
He challenged the perception that PhD study must be unnecessarily long and difficult.“A PhD is not necessarily a long journey. Sometimes simple things, like writing a few paragraphs before checking your phone can make a big difference.”
He emphasized the importance of collaboration among students.“A colleague can give you a solution that helps you overcome a problem in seconds.”
He further announced psychosocial support initiatives aimed at improving student well-being. “We are planning sessions to help you relax, engage, and relieve stress. These moments are important and they help the brain reset.”
The event closed with a unified message: doctoral training at Makerere University is evolving into a journey of innovation, interdisciplinary, and real-world problem solving—anchored in collaboration and resilience.
General
Advanced Research Methods Training of Trainers Sparks Transformation in Doctoral Training at Makerere University
By Moses Lutaaya
Makerere University has intensified efforts to strengthen graduate supervision and research excellence through a dynamic three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop in Advanced Research Methods held from April 28 to 30, 2026 at the Senate Building Telepresence Hall.
The high-impact training, organized by the Directorate of Graduate Training with support from iCARTA and funding from the NORHED Project, brought together lecturers from across colleges including the School of Law, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), College of Natural Sciences (CONAS), College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (COVAB), and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS).
The training aimed to build institutional capacity to enhance supervision of graduate students and improve doctoral completion rates, a long-standing challenge in many universities.
Opening the workshop, Prof. Julius Kikooma underscored the strategic importance of continuous staff development in responding to evolving academic demands.
“This particular training is one of the routine tools that we use as the Directorate of Graduate Training to continuously re-tool and re-engage with staff in response to the requirements of the new policy of teaching and learning,” he said.
Prof. Kikooma highlighted that the training is anchored in the university’s shift toward competence-based education, a model increasingly being adopted globally and nationally.
“We are going to be engaging with very important issues on how to redesign and support learners in this new dispensation of competence-based teaching and learning,” he added.
He also pointed to recent reforms in doctoral training, including the introduction of a structured framework for PhD-by-research programmes aimed at addressing delays in completion.
“The expectation is that all staff should be aware of that framework and appreciate that it is designed such that the student picks up a range of skills and knowledge that gives them competence,” he explained.
The workshop also serves as preparation for lecturers who will facilitate upcoming cross-cutting PhD courses, with a long-term vision of decentralizing doctoral training to individual colleges.
Sharing his perspective, Dr. Robert Kakuru a Lecturer at the department of Philosophy described the training as both necessary and timely for strengthening the university’s academic core.
“By all standards, all academic staff are required to do research and supervise graduate students. Therefore, a ToT in Advanced Research Methods becomes important,” he said.
He noted that while the initiative is commendable, more staff still need to be reached.
“This is still a drop in an ocean we have more than 1,000 academic staff who all need these skills,” he observed.
Dr. Kakuru emphasized that improved understanding of research methods by both lecturers and students could significantly ease doctoral journeys. “Once the lecturers know the methods and the students know the methods, then the job is well cut out,” he said.
He further linked the training to Uganda’s broader development agenda, noting that research plays a central role across sectors. “Research has a multiplier effect… every programme area requires research,” he added.
From the participants’ perspective, Dr. Sarah Nakijjoba, a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Linguistics, English Language Studies & Communication Skills described the training as transformative and aligned with global shifts in higher education.
“We are being encouraged to move away from the traditional knowledge-based methods of teaching and embrace competence-based pedagogy,” she said.
Dr. Nakijjoba explained that the training emphasized learner-centered and practical approaches such as peer review, simulations, case studies, and role play. “Research methods is a practical course and requires learners to go out and do as opposed to just knowing,” she noted.
“This training is timely, it prepares us as instructors to deliver our content effectively,” she said, adding that the knowledge gained would be cascaded to other staff and students.
She also highlighted the wider implications for national development and employability. “If we have graduates who have the ability to problem-solve, they will devise practical solutions to real challenges,” she said, emphasizing the potential for evidence-based policymaking.
Dr. Nakijjoba further described research methods as central to the university’s agenda of being research led. “Research is the engine, the backbone and everything rotates around it,” she said, reinforcing Makerere’s ambition of being a research-led institution.
Participants were also equipped with skills in curriculum design, research ethics, academic writing, and the use of statistical tools, all within a competence-based framework. A key focus was on authentic assessment that measures what learners can do.
The training marks a significant step in Makerere University’s broader strategy to enhance graduate education, strengthen supervision, and produce competent researchers capable of addressing national and global challenges.
-
General1 week agoNational Merit Scholarship Undergraduate Admission List 2026/2027
-
Agriculture & Environment1 week agoRe-Advertised Call for Applications: QCF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
-
General7 days agoDiploma Holders Admission Lists under Government Sponsorship for 2026/2027 AY
-
General2 weeks agoMakerere University Employment Opportunities: Academic, Administrative and Support Staff
-
Research2 weeks agoCall for two PhD Positions under the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking funded Digital Dashboards in Diagnostic Innovations (DiDiDi) Project