Mrs. Mary Mugyenyi (2nd R) hands over a dummy cheque worth UGX 10m to the Chancellor Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera as Prof. Oswald Ndoleriire-Ag. Principal CHUSS witnesses during the 2nd Joshua Mugyenyi Memorial Lecture, 15th March 2013, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
On 15th March 2013, Makerere University held the second Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi Memorial Lecture in the University Main Hall. The Lecture, focused on the theme, A Living Monument of a Patriotic and Intellectual Mind, was delivered by the Guest of Honour, Hon Professor Ephraim Kamuntu, Minister of Water and Environment and long time friend of the Late Dr. Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi.
Dr. Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi was born on the 27th May 1947 in Kajara Country in Ankole Kingdom and died on 15th March 2002. He joined Makerere University in 1968 and pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration.
While serving on the Student’s Guild Executive of 1969/70, Joshua Mugyenyi, late Ambassador Daudi Taliwako and Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o conceived the Makerere Africa Lecture Series. Dr. Mugyenyi later became the Senior Lecturer at his alma mater, Makerere University. At the time of his death, he was serving on the Makerere University Council; the top policy making organ of his alma mater.
Prof. Oswald Ndoleriire
In a speech, read by Prof. Oswald Ndoleriire the Acting Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University thanked the Guest of Honor, Hon. Professor Ephraim Kamuntu for accepting to deliver a presentation during the Memorial Lecture.
“Today, we join the nation in celebrating the life of an ever optimistic and passionate leader-transformer and eloquent discussant of the socio-economic transformation of Uganda and Africa,” read the Vice Chancellor’s speech.
Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu thanked the Mugyenyi family for donating UGX.10million shillings to the Makerere University Female Scholarship Foundation, which will support bright female students who come from socially and economically dis-advantaged backgrounds to access higher education.
Dr. Charles Bwana
During the lecture, Dr. Charles Bwana, Dean of School of Social Sciences recalled the fond moments he shared with Dr. Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi, “I was in the same class with him; he was frank and eloquent,” he said.
He thanked the Mugyenyi family for the exemplary work that they had carried out as the Joshua Mugyenyi Foundation and was proud to say that the College of Humanities and Social Sciences was associated with the foundation.
Presenting the day’s lecture, The Chief Guest, Hon. Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, fondly recalled the memories of his first days at school with “Josh”; in reference to Dr. Joshua B. Mugyenyi.
“Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi and I met for the first time at the Notice Board of Ntare School in 1962 as each of us was trying to find out where everything was; dormitory where to sleep, classroom where to go for classes, dinning-hall where to eat etc. We became friends and remained friends for the six years (1962-1967) of our stay in the school.”
He went ahead and emphasized the moral values that Ntare school had placed in them, these include, Meritocracy and individual merit as a basis for recognition, Academic freedom and tolerance to listen to ideas of others, Non-sectarianism, Student participation in the administration and management of the school and Haven for vulnerable groups (Refugees and expellees from seminaries).
“While at Ntare School, Joshua Mugyenyi was a brilliant student and his peer-group at the school can testify to this fact. His peers included Richard Ntiru, the late Saul Mboijana, the late Frank Kamurari, Zake Bibangamba, Abedneg Bazibumba, Rev. Sam Kakiiza, Edward Kiiza and others who became prominent personalities in the country”.
Hon. Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu
The period 1962-1967 during the time Uganda was undergoing a lot of political change brought forth Joshua Mugyenyi’s passion for debating “He was one of the most active and eloquent students in debating these issues,” noted Prof. Kamuntu.
Prof. Kamuntu thanked Makerere University‘s innovation in the Rebirth of the Makerere Africa Lecture Series which started on 2nd December 2011.
“I would like to thank Hon. Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, the only one of the trio still living, for presenting the Inaugural lecture in the Re-birth of the Makerere Africa Lecture Series,” he said.
The Chief Guest also commended the Department of Political Science and Public Administration and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences for organizing to be the 2nd Joshua Baitwa Mugyenyi Memorial Lecture, as held on the 11th Anniversary of his passing on. “I am truly honored!” he added.
While concluding in his speech, Prof. Kamuntu, pondered aloud on what exactly Dr. Mugyenyi would have asked if he were alive today.
“I believe that if he was alive today, he would point out to Government and Makerere University the urgent need to address the youth unemployment beginning with the need to transform our education and training system. He would point out the need for Uganda to start producing the skills needed for expanding our economy and create more jobs. And while he would underscore the onus on Government and our education system; I believe Joshua would also do something about it in his own capacity,” said Prof. Kamuntu.
Mr. Aaron Mukwaya
Mr. Aaron Mukwaya, a Lecturer in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration and a former student of Dr. Joshua Mugyenyi, speaking as the main discussant of the lecture said: “He was brilliant, friendly and not boring. His class was interactive. It was a fond time for me. You could not miss his voice. I am sure he is with us in spirit.”
Mr. Mukwaya pointed out how his simplicity and boldness made him a unique Lecturer. Dr. Mugyenyi was a Pan Africanist who always looked at the problems in Uganda on a wider context. His zeal and love for Education, made him focus on helping and teaching. “If you do not have a degree, you cannot build your village,” recalled Mr. Mukwaya of a statement the late Joshua Mugyenyi always made.
“He was a thinker and would always look for solutions,” added Mr. Mukwaya.
Mrs. Mary Mugyenyi
Speaking on behalf of the Mugyenyi family, Mrs. Mary Mugyenyi, thanked the Department of Political Science, for inviting Hon Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu to deliver the second Joshua Mugyenyi memorial lecture, further adding; “The institution made him what he was. It was his home as well mine.”
She highlighted the importance of The Joshua Mugyenyi Education Foundation which honours the passion for Education as well as enables the talented youth to contribute to the development of their communities, country and region.
The Foundation it also a targeted scholarship fund that will help the Bright but Disadvantaged Youth obtain Tertiary and University Education. Mrs. Mugyenyi thereafter handed over a dummy check worth Ten Million shillings to the Makerere University Female Scholarship Fund (FSF) on behalf of the Foundation.
The Chancellor, Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera
The Chancellor, Makerere University, Prof George Mondo Kagonyera in his remarks challenged the audience to portray the level of intellectualism that the Late Mugyenyi portrayed.
“Our level of intellectualism has become shallow; we should go back to those times.”
He further went ahead to challenge the students to start thinking on their own and use their minds to create new ideas especially in a recognised institution like Makerere University.
The Chancellor thanked the Mugyenyi family for their support, as well as the College of Humanities and Social Sciences specifically the Department of Political Science, friends and relatives for honouring the late Dr. Joshua B. Mugyenyi.
The memorial lecture concluded with a cocktail in Senior Common Room, Main Building.
The Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi on Thursday 29th May, 2025 held a press conference to update members of the Media on the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) Medical Drone Programme, and the Kampala Status Summary 2023 on Road Safety Risk Factors, conducted under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, a collaborative effort between the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit and the Trauma, Injury, and Disability (TRIAD) Unit at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH). Also presented were updates on; Digital Certification of Academic Transcripts, Digital Supervision of Graduate Students, Inclusive e-Learning and Smart Classrooms, and Launch of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Laboratory at the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS).
The event held in the Senior Common Room, Main Building, was on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe presided over by the Acting (Ag.) DVC AA and substantive Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi. Presentations were made by Executive Director of the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Dr. Andrew Kambugu and Head of the Trauma, Injuries, and Disability (TRIAD) Unit, Dr. Fredrick Oporia. Dr. Jimmy Osuret and Dr. Esther Bayiga from TRIAD supplemented Dr. Oporia’s presentation. In attendance were; the Director for ICT Support (DICTS)-Mr. Samuel Mugabi, Deputy Chief – Public Relations-Ms. Betty Kyakuwa, Deputy Chief Security Officer-Mr. Musa Mulindwa and other university officials.
The proceedings of the Press Conference follow below;
Vice Chancellors’ Press Statement
Good morning colleagues, members of the press,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to this important media briefing, where we share compelling findings from two groundbreaking studies that reflect Makerere University‘s ongoing commitment to impactful research, innovation, and community transformation.
The first is a pioneering initiative led by the Infectious Diseases Institute—the IDI Medical Drone Programme. This project explores the use of drone technology to deliver lifesaving HIV medications and test samples to hard-to-reach populations, particularly in Kalangala District and the West Nile region. The study demonstrates how drones can overcome logistical barriers, reduce costs, and enhance access to critical healthcare in some of Uganda’s most underserved communities.
The second study is the Kampala Status Summary 2023 on Road Safety Risk Factors, conducted under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety. This collaborative effort between the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit and our Trauma, Injury, and Disability Unit here at Makerere University presents over two years of data on vehicle speed and helmet use in Kampala. It provides vital insights into the human behaviours and systemic gaps contributing to road traffic injuries and fatalities—particularly among vulnerable road users. The study also offers evidence-based recommendations for enforcement, planning, and public health messaging aimed at making Kampala’s roads safer for all.
We are proud to support this kind of research that not only advances knowledge but also drives tangible improvements in public health and safety.
Before I invite the researchers to present their findings, allow me to briefly highlight some transformative developments in the areas of academic registry and ICT advancement here at Makerere University:
Digital Certification of Academic Transcripts:
Alumni can now certify their transcripts digitally through the Makerere Academic Records System (Mak-ARS https://makars.mak.ac.ug/), eliminating the need for physical visits. This user-friendly platform allows access from anywhere in the world, supported by comprehensive video tutorials and public communications.
Digital Supervision of Graduate Students
We have introduced the Research Information Management System (Mak-RIMS), piloted at the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, to streamline the supervision of Master’s and PhD research. This initiative enhances accountability, timely feedback, and is now being rolled out university-wide to improve graduation rates.
Inclusive eLearning and Smart Classrooms
Through support from development partners and the Government of Uganda, we are establishing multimedia studios and smart classrooms across our colleges. These state-of-the-art facilities are designed to produce professional, accessible learning content, including tools tailored for students with visual and auditory disabilities. This aligns with our goal of equitable, globally competitive education.
Launch of the AI Laboratory at CoCIS:
The newly launched Artificial Intelligence Laboratory will spearhead the development of AI-enabled solutions tailored to Uganda’s socio-economic needs, including localized assistive eLearning tools and context-sensitive curriculum development.
These initiatives are part of our broader vision to transform Makerere University into a research-led, inclusive, and globally relevant institution.
The Senior Program Director, Higher Education and Research in Africa, International Program, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Prof. Omotade Akin Aina on 23rd May 2025 visited Makerere University during his short trip to Kampala. Prof. Aina was received on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe by Prof. Tony Oyana, Principal of the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS).
During his visit, Prof. Aina met with the Project Implementation Committee, representatives from the Consolidating Early Career Academics Programme (CECAP) phase I Fellowship Cohort, and current Fellows of phase II. The meeting discussed the progress of CECAP II, which focuses on fostering academic development and research among early-career academics.
Left to Ritght: Dr. Jesca Nakavuma and Prof. Julius Kikooma alongside Prof. Omotade Akin Aina during the meeting.
CECAP II is being implemented by Makerere University in collaboration with four other Ugandan public universities, including; Busitema University, Gulu University, Kyambogo University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, the Project Principal Investigator was represented at the meeting by the Director of Graduate Training, Prof. Julius Kikooma.
The Directorate of Graduate Training at Makerere University has equipped several Senior ranking lecturers with expert knowledge in a Training of Trainers’ workshop on “Philosophy of Methods”.
In his remarks at the opening of a 3-day training workshop at Level4 Conference Hall – Senate Building, the Director of Graduate Training Prof. Julius Kikooma said, “The teaching of Philosophy of Methods gives all participants the fundamentals to extend knowledge to other learners, hence its importance in upholding the Makerere University values.”
Kikooma urged and challenged the participants to also attend and actively participate in the follow up of learners’ training of students, stating that the PhD students need support as the directorate continues to coordinate the curriculum of PhD by-research that was approved by the senate recently.
“To holistically implement the senate approved PhD curriculum, we are coordinating capacity building trainings of all stake holders in a structured approach with the different units of the University. Many more trainings including Training of Trainers in advanced research methods course are on the way.”
He further urged the participants to be intentional in their teaching profession and in whatever they were doing, adding “Apart from focusing on practices as teachers and researchers, we can engage in wider philosophical debates in our research areas so that we are relevant in the society and in the empowerment of PhD research students.”
The participants for the Philosophy of Methods training were from College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Education and External Studies, Makerere University Business School among others.
During the same training, Dr. Dickson Kanakulya stressed the need to train senior lecturers in the Philosophy of Methods, saying, “The biggest connection is that societal problems require concrete research to find solutions. Our challenge in Africa is that we employ a short barrow approach to find solutions to problems. This cannot work. We need consistent researchers to solve problems. Lasting solutions to societal issues can only be got through training such as Philosophy of Methods, where researchers come up with new models for societal solutions.”
Prof. Julius Kikooma pose for a photo with participants and facilitators.
Dr. Kanakulya said that Makerere University remains the biggest research University in Africa and philosophy of Methods helps to come up with good research tools that produce good research outputs. “Research has shown that the higher the number of PhD researchers in any given country, the higher the levels of development of that country e.g. the USA, China etc., adding that research is not limited to only medicinal or agricultural related issues.”
He said philosophy of methods, encourages philosophical creativity in research, “It is meant to bring out philosophical generation of concepts, theories and ideas. It is meant to encourage students to question the existing philosophical assumptions and status quo in a given field of knowledge such that new philosophical concepts are created.”
For successful rollout of government programs like the National Development Plan 4, Dr. Kanakulya said that Philosophy of Methods training needs to be integrated into such systems. “Philosophy of Methods focuses on ethical thinking aspects. For example, for a better rollout of the Parish Development Model, we need implementers to be ethical.” He added.
Prof. Sulait Tumwiine, the associate Dean of Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at MUBS said, “This is a discussion where new ideas are shared to guide and gauge applicability in the current knowledge diversity coupled with lots of technological development including Artificial Intelligence and Chat GPT.”
He added, “As professors of Universities, we need to understand how we leverage on what comes up so that it does not take our space, but also appreciate how we can support growth of knowledge. The Philosophy of Methods training is the answer.”
Dr. Jim Spire Ssentongo highlighted that Philosophy uses more of the critical mind than Science. He added that philosophy is more of speculation of the mind.
“Sustainability of philosophy Education encourages us to continue training. Philosophy being the oldest discipline retained special status in the academia as a pinnacle of pursuit of knowledge. All disciplines have major elements of philosophy citing examples in the philosophy of Mathematics and Physics.
Dr. Spire added, “If you do not understand philosophy, you cannot deeply investigate anything because philosophy is the reality of understanding everything. Philosophy is the basis of understanding what knowledge is and how it is arrived at.”
Also participating in the workshop was Prof. Joseph Ntaayi from MUBS, in his remarks he said PhD students need the philosophy of methods training to understand how to best to create knowledge. He added that ontological and epistemological questions that lead to good research design methods can only be answered by this training.
Dr. Robert Kakuru, a Lecturer in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences said that the Philosophy of Methods training is needed by every graduate student as well as supervisors to critically determine the choice of methods to use in academic research. For example, “If one wants to use a questionnaire as an interview approach, one should understand, why that approach and yet without this training, the why cannot be answered.” He added.