General
Makerere shines at National recognitions
On the 9th October as Uganda turned 51, the Head of State President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni recognized outstanding individuals for their dedicated service to the country over the years. Amongst the many people who received gold medals in recognition, were Makerere University members of Staff and alumni, recognized for their service at different levels. One of them was Prof. Livingstone Luboobi, the former Vice Chancellor of Makerere University.
In an interview with the Public Relations Office, Prof. Luboobi had this to say, “I am happy that my country has recognized my service. I thank the Almighty God for having enabled me to carry out this service.” He however emphasized that he owed this recognition to many people and mentors in this University who made him what he is today.
“The late Prof. Ssenteza Kajubi was my first mentor when I was appointed Head of Department. He supported me to write projects for this University,” Prof. Luboobi reminisced. “Prof. Lutalo Bbosa who was the Dean Faculty of Science and later a Deputy Vice Chancellor also involved me in many things including training me to be a Chair of Committees,” he added. Through this mentorship, Prof. Luboobi learnt not to take rushed decisions because their effects and cost can be hard to reverse.
This experience was of great help later when he became the first elected Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, a position he held for five years. “I am satisfied. I have no complaints in this world. God has been so good to me. He has enabled me to do what I can and I have produced positive results especially in the academia,” he shared. “I have actually reproduced myself because some of my former students have risen to the rank of Professor,” he emphasized with a smile on his face.
Prof. Luboobi also had words of counsel for the entire University Community, “Each one of us in whatever position has a role to play in building for the future of this university. Please do not think you are always the best and that you direct in the best possible way,” advised Prof. Luboobi. He advised staff to do their part and allow others to do theirs; further adding that It is such a consolidated position that takes the University forward. Being one of great humility and courteousness Prof. Luboobi further shared, “There is a tendency to say ‘I am the best. I cannot be questioned.’ I do not buy into that. Even if one is a Vice Chancellor, he/she may not be as experienced as other Professors in other fields. The top-down approach is not good. I advocate for the horizontal approach because it builds a team,” he counseled. He further outlined that this approach should apply at all levels of this University, as this is the way strong institutions are built and sustained.
In relation to the awards, Prof. Luboobi proposed that some of his predecessors ought to be recognized for the good job they did. “One of them is Prof. Ssebuwufu who made a tremendous contribution too. I implore the organizers to look into this too. Secondly, if you are not known, you may not be recognized. The organizers should do good research so that people who have contributed tremendously are recognized even if they are not so known, for example the category of former Academic Registrars and many others,” he asserted.
Other former and current Chancellors/Vice Chancellors of Makerere University recognized include The Chancellor Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera, Former Vice Chancellors Prof. Joseph S.Lutwama (RIP) and Prof. William Ssenteza Kajubi (RIP), as well as Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, the former Acting Vice Chancellor.
In the category of Academicians, Mrs. Christine Kiganda, the former Vice Chairperson of the Makerere University Council, Prof. Mahmood Mamdani, Director, Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) and Prof. Samwiri Karugire (RIP) were also recognised.
Dr. Gilbert Gumoshabe, a member of Staff in the School of Languages, Literature and Communication, CHUSS, was recognized in the category of Local Uganda language dictionary writers/publishers. He spoke to the Public Relations Office. “I feel good that I have been recognized at the national level when I am still alive. It is a testimony that my contribution has made an impact to society. It gives me encouragement to work harder and make more contribution not only in academia but also to the general public.
In the category of Social Service, Prof. Moses Musaazi, famous for inventing the MakaPads was recognized as an innovator. (visit http://cedat.mak.ac.ug/research/maka-pads.html to read more about the pads). Dr. Alex Coutinho, Executive Director of the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) was also recognized as an Educationist.
Some of the other alumni/former members of Staff of Makerere University recognized include Prof. Livingstone Walusimbi, Prof. Paul Mugambi, Prof. Lutalo Bbosa, Prof. Badru Kateregga, Dr. Manuel Muranga and Ms. Alice Muhoozi among others.
Congratulations!
Article by Marion Alina, Public Relations Office
Makerere University is participating in the New Vision Education Expo 2023 to strengthen its niche as the leading provider of education services.
The three-day New Vision Expo (Friday 27th January 2023 to Sunday 29th January 2023) at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) Nakawa brings on board players in the education and business fields to forge partnerships to improve the quality and outcomes of education in Uganda.
Makerere University seeks to maximally utilize the three days to ensure that the participants at the Education Expo gain a deeper understanding of its 100 year journey of providing excellent services to humanity through academic programmes, services offered and ongoing efforts aimed at producing employable graduates as well as entrepreneurs.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe highlights that Makerere University values stakeholder engagements and partnerships. “The New Vision Expo 2023 presents Makerere University with an opportunity to enhance stakeholder engagements. It is about consolidating the relationships with schools, prospective students and parents, and partners in the education sector. I applaud the CEO of Vision Group-Mr. Don Wanyama for coming up with the Education Expo.”
To respond to the information needs of stakeholders, Makerere University has lined up a team of experienced staff from the Department of the Academic Registrar, the Admissions Office, Public Relations Office, Career Guidance experts as well as the Institute of Open Distance and e-Learning (IODeL) under the College of Education and External Studies (CEES).
According to the Principal PRO of Makerere University Ms. Ritah Namisango, the Education Expo provides a platform to reach out to the clients that Makerere University exists to serve. “You must be in touch with your prospective parents, students as well as schools and partners that continue to recommend you as the leading university in the region. Makerere University has celebrated 100 years of excellent service to humanity (1922-2022). So, as we continue to promote the academic programmes, innovations and services that we offer, we are ready to listen, interact and learn from respective stakeholders about what they expect from the University as we embark on the next 100 years.”
The New Vision Expo 2023 is happening at an opportune (holiday) time, which accords the students, parents and guardians quality time to visit the exhibition and interact with experts in the education sector.
In addition, Makerere University has recently advertised its academic programmes and it is preparing to receive students for the Academic year 2023/2024. Sharing her experience about the interaction with participants who visited the Makerere University exhibition space, Ms Joyce Muhanguzi, Senior Assistant Registrar in the Department of the Academic Registrar noted that most of the prospective students and parents wanted to know about the academic programmes, the subject combinations that students should study to qualify to apply for the respective academic programmes, and the available admission avenues i.e. government sponsorship, private sponsorship, diploma entry, direct entry, national merit, talented sports entry and district quota programme).
Ms Joyce Muhanguzi and Mr. Dennis Kibuuka’s interaction focused on students who expressed their desire to join Makerere University in the coming years, and needed a case by case approach to their information needs, career guidance and linkages to Professors and Administrative staff in the respective Colleges at Makerere University.
The prospective students and parents also disclosed that in addition to the information on the Makerere University website, they welcome interactive and friendly approaches such as the New Vision Education Expo where they are presented with a golden opportunity to interact with Makerere University officials face-to-face.
At the New Vision Education Expo 2023, Makerere University joins other exhibitors that include; Government agencies, NGOs, Telecom companies, Banks, Insurance companies, Kindergartens/Daycare Centres, Primary and Secondary schools, Ugandan and Kenyan Universities, International schools, Study Abroad Agencies, Vocational institutions, Scholastic materials suppliers and SME service providers.
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