General
Vice President Commissions Makerere Library Extension
The Vice President of Uganda, H.E Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, commissioned the new library extension at Makerere University on the 29th October 2012, amidst jubilations from the Makerere University staff and well-wishers. The library extension will provide an additional 8,000 sq metres of space and was constructed with internally generated funds. It is fitted with state-of-the-art facilities like research commons and ICT infrastructure. After commissioning the library, the Vice President took a tour around the facility and was quite impressed by what he saw.
“First of all I congratulate the ‘Mugole’ (groom), Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu for having been appointed Vice Chancellor of Makerere University,” said the Vice President amidst shouts and cheers of ‘Ddumba abeewo. Ddumba oyeee’ from the crowd, as the Vice Chancellor smiled.
“Documentation and information retrieval are important elements in academic institutions. I believe Makerere University has gained fame and good rankings partly because of having good repositories like this library, and embracing ICT. I urge you to put emphasis on research, since education is a priority area for government,” added Hon. Ssekandi.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu said, “I congratulate the Makerere University Library team headed by the University Librarian, Professor Maria G. N. Musoke for competing with several University Libraries in East and West Africa for this grant and emerging the best. We thank you and encourage you to write and win more proposals that will benefit this University. I also take this opportunity to thank the Government of Uganda for the conducive environment that has enabled us to carry out academic activities and also set up this facility.”
The Director for Higher Education Elizabeth Gabona who spoke on behalf of the State Minister for Higher Education, Hon. John Chrysostom Muyingo, emphasized the need to instill a reading culture amongst the country’s young generation so that they grow up to appreciate and utilize high standard libraries like the one at Makerere University.
The Chairperson of Makerere University Council, Eng. Charles Wana Etyem, who was represented by Justice Stephen Kavuma (a member of Makerere University Council) had this to say, “I take this opportunity to thank parents and guardians who have faithfully paid both tuition and functional fees to enable their sons and daughters receive quality education at Makerere University. They deserve the credit for facilitating the development of such infrastructure as we see today. I also thank the Ministry of Education & Sports, the Government of Uganda, and the Parliament of Uganda who have supported Makerere University in our continuing struggle for increased funding through Internally Generated Funds, and other sources, towards Infrastructural Developments.”
In her slide presentation, the University Librarian, Prof. Maria G. N. Musoke chronicled the journey of the Main library, explaining that it this 1959 building has been extended thrice, to accommodate the growing academic transformations and increasing student population. She was grateful to the Carnegie Corporation of New York for the US $ 2.5m grant for the ICT infrastructure, new books and capacity building of library staff. She was also grateful to the Norwegian government, Swedish government and other development partners, whose contribution to the Main Library has been crucial.
Carnegie Corporation of New York thanked Makerere University, especially the Library Staff members for adequately utilizing the grant, and looked forward to future collaborations.
Article by Ms Marion Alina
Public Relations Office, Makerere University.
The Director of Makerere University Jinja Campus, Associate Professor Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, has urged students to familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding policy aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment.
Speaking during the safeguarding policy sensitization meeting held today Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, emphasized the importance of awareness and adherence to the policy, which seeks to protect students, staff, and other stakeholders from all forms of abuse, harassment, exploitation, and discrimination.
“As Management we want every student to enjoy their stay at the University without being tormented and that can only happen, if students know their rights by reading about different policies on our website. You are meant to be living in a safe environment. We do not want anybody’s dream to be shattered or somebody to drop out from University,” Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, said.
In his speech, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, also called upon students who have complaints but do not know the reporting lines, to approach staff safeguarding champions to make sure that they live in a safe environment.
Addressing guests, Emmanuel Muchake, the Guild Administrator at Jinja Campus, pointed out that the launch of the safeguarding policy is timely because as a University, without creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, they will not have students graduate.
On Friday, April 4,2025, the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Right Honourable Lukia Isanga Nakadama, officially launched the Safeguarding Policy and commended Makerere University for crafting a policy that lays out the University’s framework for embedding viable safeguarding measures into its ethos and all institutional activities and processes to: Identify, detect, and act swiftly on safeguarding risks.
The Safeguarding Policy was developed in response to the growing need for institutions of higher learning to implement proactive measures that address concerns related to student welfare, mental health, gender-based violence, and power imbalances in academic settings.
Some of potential safeguarding risks in Institutions of higher learning include emotional distress, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH); material loss, financial exploitation, discrimination and neglect, unfair and illegitimate response to civic engagements, cyber security/threats, psychological and emotional harm, substance abuse and physical assault. Discrimination and neglect which are often high risks for students with disabilities and international students.
The safeguarding policy sensitization meeting in Jinja Campus brought together students and staff in a meaningful dialogue on safeguarding issues affecting learning.
The event was graced by Dr. Rodney Rugyema, from the Dean of Students Office, who emphasized the University’s commitment to the well-being of all its members. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of safeguarding policies in preventing abuse, harassment, exploitation, and other forms of misconduct within the Jinja Campus community.
“Safeguarding is not a one-time action, but a continuous culture of care and accountability. We all have a role to play in ensuring a safe and respectful space for learning and growth,” Dr Rugyema, said.
The sensitization session covered key topics including; recognizing signs of abuse, understanding reporting procedures on the MakSafeSpace and fostering mutual respect among peers.
Participants were encouraged to actively engage and reflect on their roles in upholding safety standards both on and off campus.
Students who attended the sensitization welcomed the initiative, with many expressing optimism that the policy would improve campus safety and encourage victims to come forward without fear of retaliation.
“We have seen issues go unreported in the past because students didn’t know where to turn. This policy provides clarity and assurance that the university is taking these matters seriously,” noted, a third-year student.
The University plans to conduct a series of sensitization workshops and distribute printed copies of the policy to ensure that every member of the campus community is well-informed. This initiative is part of Makerere University‘s broader strategy to reinforce its values of integrity, respect, and protection for all.
The Safeguarding Sensitization Meeting concluded with a collective pledge to uphold safety, dignity, and mutual respect within the University community.
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