General
A winning team: Bernard Onyango (R.I.P) and Gershom Eyoku (R.I.P)
The two were part of the formidable team that oversaw the successful implementation of the affirmative action for more girls to attain University education in Uganda
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The Department of the Academic Registrar (AR) lost two former Academic Registrars, credited with laying a firm foundation for the Department. The late Bernard Onyango served in the Department from 1963 to 1992, first as a Deputy Registrar and later as Academic Registrar. He was laid to rest on Thursday 17th October 2013. The late Gershom Eyoku served in different capacities from August 1978 to Jan 1992, then as an Acting Academic Registrar until his retirement in June 1996. He was laid to rest on Friday 4th October 2013 in Asamuk, Amuria District.
Below is a tribute to them as told by a former workmate, Mr. James G. Okello, Deputy Registrar, Head of Senate Division. Mr. Okello had the privilege of working in the Academic Registrar’s Department under both men, who were a strong force; driving the Academic Registrar’s Department forward even throughout the turbulent political times of the 1970s.
One of the most outstanding contributions of the late Bernard Onyango was the initiation of the 1.5 scheme to enable more female students’ access University education. Mr. James Okello recalls how a speech was drafted for the President to read out at the Graduation ceremony in…. Part of this speech emphasized that Makerere University should initiate a mechanism to ensure that more girls are admitted without compromising the merit system. Bernard Onyango was the brain behind this speech.
“He came to me and asked me to initiate a draft which he improved. Everything happened so fast because the late Onyango knew how to lobby. The speech was sent to the President a week before graduation. He approved the idea and read it out during the Friday graduation; which was the only day reserved for this ceremony then. On Saturday morning, Onyango came to my house. He was happy that the President had read the speech with the female scheme idea in it. He suggested that we head to office and start drafting a proposal for Senate to consider in the coming week,” recalls a jovial Mr. Okello who was then serving as Personal Assistant to Onyango. After drafting the document for Senate, the two went for a drink to celebrate this partial achievement. “There were no posh bars by then. We just went to a pub in the vicinity of the University and had a beer each,” adds the nostalgic Okello.
By combining his excellent lobbying skills and powers as Secretary to Senate, Onyango managed to get Senate to accept the proposal for the 1.5 additional points to female students applying for the Government scholarship. Then University Senate then tasked the Academic Registrar’s Department to detail how the scheme would work. The late Prof. William Ssenteza Kajubi who was then Vice Chancellor and Chair of Senate complemented the efforts of this great team by ensuring that this scheme was successfully implemented after all parties had been brought on board regarding its dynamics.
In the Academic Department was another brilliant and highly committed person, the late Mr. Gershom Eyoku, who was tasked with coming up with the mathematical formula on how exactly the scheme would work. “Eyoku was initially hesitant because he feared that the scheme would compromise the merit system, but after Onyango explained the intention and merits, he (Eyoku) got started on the math. He came up with the 1.5 points which were discussed at other fora and thereafter adopted,” explains Okello.
The Scheme took effect in 1990 and continues to significantly contribute to the increased enrolment of female students. The graduation records show that only about 25% of the graduands were female compared to 75% of their male counterparts prior to the scheme’s introduction. The pattern has changed drastically courtesy of this policy and the private admission scheme; for example, during the last graduation held in January 2013, the figures were 46.7% of female students compared to 53.3% of male students. The successful implementation at Makerere attracted other countries to come to Uganda to benchmark with Makerere. These countries; Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, have lowered admission cut-off points for female candidates.
As Academic Registrar, Bernard Onyango did not tolerate any examination malpractice. Culprits of the same (both students and staff) were dismissed if found guilty and also publicized in the press. Okello recalls that before exams started, Onyango would issue a strongly worded letter to all faculties cautioning against examination malpractice and stating that names of culprits would be publicized in the press.
“Onyango had a policy that University affairs should not be managed in the press and any negative stories about Makerere University in the press were treated as a tip for internal investigations to start. But when it came to examination malpractice, Mr. Onyango besides getting them dismissed from the university would publicize the names of the culprits in the national newspapers. This served as a big deterrent for those who would have otherwise been involved. We sometimes referred to him as IGG because he did not tolerate any form of malpractice,” asserts Okello.
Onyango in an effort to ensure that persons in leadership in the Academic Units are accountable to staff Members in their units, initiated a policy of election of Deans and Heads of Department. This practice is now enshrined in the universities and other tertiary institutions act and resulted in many young academician taking up leadership positions in the university. Initially such positions fell vacant after the departure by retirement or death of the Office bearers.
Onyango also worked hard to attract scholarships and would go to embassies and make a case for scholarships at Makerere. He was a leader who mentored some of the Vice Chancellors too and would encourage colleagues with leadership qualities to take up positions. He particularly encouraged all employees in the AR’s Department to read each and every document of the University, irrespective of its content or discipline. He emphasized that the team in AR’s Department had to be informed in order to ably contribute and give guidance to whatever was discussed in meetings.
“The pass mark was initially at 40%. He would encourage us to read what the situation was like in other universities and compare with Makerere. Eventually he initiated a policy that the pass mark be raised to 50% as was the practice in other first-class universities. He trained the late Eyoku to take up after him,” adds Okello.
With this continuity ball set rolling, the shift from Onyango to Eyoku was seamless. Onyango informed colleagues in the AR’s Department that he was going on leave but would not come back. That signaled his end of service, as he had clocked 60 and was due for retirement. It also paved way for the fruits he had sown in the Department to be tried and tested in the able leadership of Eyoku. “As a trained mathematician, Eyoku’s style of leadership was either a ‘Yes’ or a ‘No.’ He was highly principled,” explains Okello. “Mr Eyoku was actually approached by the Minister of Education by then to take up the mantle from Mr. Onyango but he declined explaining although he had amassed enough experience, he couldn’t fit in the big shoes Mr. Onyango left behind,” adds Okello.
The two men are remembered for having shown interest in all affairs of the University and were involved in almost all processes of the University right from admission of students, registration, graduation and teaching.
Mr. Alfred Namoah is the current Academic Registrar, having joined the Department in 2000 as a Senior Assistant Registrar. He confirms that the late Onyango and the late Eyoku’s records are impeccable.
“They worked at a time when record management was a purely manual process with no aid of ICTs and yet they had a highly organized system of tracking all records. What they did is admirable,” asserts Namoah. The AR’s Department now handles bigger numbers of students compared to the times then.
“Onyango highly stood out in terms of all University processes, where he emphasized integrity at all levels. Eyoku on the other hand had all the policies of the University on his finger tips. He knew the time a particular policy had come into effect and at what meeting of the Senate,” adds Namoah. This insight is also shared by Dr. Jessica Aguti, a senior lecturer in the College of Education and External Studies, who also doubles as a relative to the late Eyoku. ‘Eyoku is remembered for his sharp knowledge and memory of Senate minutes and was fondly referred to as the Senate encyclopedia,” she says. Eyoku is said to have guided senate by researching on various options and laying them before senate to make a decision. Most of the decisions were hardly challenged in the courts of law because they were well thought out and based on evidence.
The AR’s Department still upholds integrity as a core value. “You need people of high integrity to work here because we deal with very sensitive documents. There are students who will want to change their documents if they see a loophole in the system. I am glad that we have maintained our integrity. The team in the AR’s Department is highly professional, although there is need for improvement in customer care in some of our sections,” concludes Namoah.
Onyango and Eyoku certainly laid firm ground and set high standards.
Their legacies live on. May their souls rest in eternal peace.
By Marion Alina
Public Relations Office
Students from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences on Tuesday 17th March 2026 walked away with Shs 3million after emerging winners of the 2026 Annual Safeguarding Message Contest grand finale.
During the grand finale held in the Main Hall, five finalists from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), College of Education and External Studies (CEES) and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (CoVAB), captivated the audience with their powerful safety and inclusion messages. The show was filled with joy.
The finalists took part in a series of activities such as a collaborative video, written poems and arts works, among others.
Speaking on behalf of the winning team, Allan Mugisha, a third-year Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences student, explained that their video aimed to highlight everyday safeguarding issues that are often overlooked.
“Creating this video was both a collaborative effort and a challenge, especially since we used our phones to record. But our goal was to show the public that safeguarding is not just a policy or a University requirement, it is about protecting our dignity, safety, and wellbeing here at Makerere University. We depicted some of the risks and incidents students may face, and importantly, highlighted who to approach when encountering such challenges,” Mugisha, who also serves as a student safeguarding champion, said.
Mugisha thanked the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for giving students like him and his colleagues an opportunity to actively engage, noting that it has made them feel empowered rather than dormant.
Khamala Elphas Makokha, a master’s student in Peace and Conflict Resolution, who produced a poster about safeguarding claimed the 1st runner-up position, earning Shs 2million and Mildred Aine Nicks, a first -year student pursuing Early Childhood Care and Education was 2nd runner-up with her spoken poem.
In the popular award, Khamala clinched the top spot with a prize of sh500,000.
Makerere University has an obligation and has committed to continue providing a Safe and Supportive learning and working environment for all Students, Staff and other Stakeholders. Therefore, the Annual Safeguarding message is a celebration that brings together students to come up with a message that will be identified as the Institutional main message.
The 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.
The guest of honour and the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, congratulated the winners and noted that the University is very intentional about ensuring that students are safe at all times because people achieve their full potential in any endeavor when they feel safe.
“Over the years, we have put in place various policies to safeguard our students. In addition to the Safeguarding policy, we have the Anti sexual harassment policy and the policy to support Students with Disabilities. Every student should know these policies so as to know the steps to take in case they feel threatened,” Prof Nawangwe, said.
In her welcoming remarks, the Dean of Students thanked the students who took time to participate when they saw the Safeguarding Awareness message call in September 2025, noting that their enthusiasm and commitment reflect a shared responsibility to promote safety, dignity, and wellbeing across the university community.
“Your creativity, commitment and passion for promoting safety and wellbeing are truly commendable,” Dr Winnie Kabumbuli, the Dean of students, said.
Addressing guests, Prof Justine Namaalwa, the Co-ordinator of the Mastercard Foundation Initiatives at Makerere University, explained to the audience why the Mastercard Foundation has supported the University to Improve the learning and working environment to make it safe for everyone.
Prof Namaalwa described the Safeguarding Annual contest as an inclusive and interactive platform that brings together students, to amplify voices, showcase creative messages, and strengthen commitment to a safe and supportive environment for all.
“The safeguarding initiative although student-led has not only student but also staff champions. Through the Office of the Vice Chancellor, we commit to continue supporting the Annual Safeguarding contest every year till 2032,” Prof Namaalwa, said.
On behalf of the 6 panel of judges, Dr Viola Karungi, a senior lecturer at the department of Performing Arts and Film, explained that they received 22 entries compromising of seven written poems, three posters, two songs, eight short videos, one slogan, and one comic book.
“We assessed submissions based on five key criteria, including originality and creativity. During the review, we found that some entries contained or replicated existing work, which was verified using digital tools by one of our panelists.” Dr Karungi, said.
Other winners included Job Diryo, a 5th year student of Veterinary Medicine who performed a poem and Abraham Tumwine who presented a poster.
The grounds of Makerere University came alive with energy and ambition as students, graduates, and industry leaders gathered for the 2026 Makerere Careers Fair, an engagement that continues to cement the University’s role as a bridge between academic training and the realities of the modern workplace.
Held in partnership with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) as part of the wider NSSF Career Expo, and the US-Mission Uganda, the three-day event created a vibrant space where conversations about careers moved beyond theory into lived, practical experience. The Yusuf Lule, Central Teaching Facility, Auditorium, the Freedom Square and exhibition spaces transformed into arenas of exchange, where students interacted directly with employers, asked difficult questions about their futures, and began to map out their professional journeys with greater clarity.
At the heart of this year’s engagement on day one, 11th March, 2026, was a theme that resonated deeply with a generation stepping into uncertainty: “Man or Machine: Exploring AI’s Impact on Careers.” Across panel discussions and keynote sessions, speakers challenged students to confront the realities of a rapidly shifting job market. The message was consistent: technology is not simply displacing jobs; it is reshaping them, demanding a workforce that is adaptable, digitally fluent, and grounded in distinctly human skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
Day Two, 12th March, 2026, led by the United States Mission to Uganda, shifted the focus to global opportunities, equipping students with practical guidance on U.S. university applications, scholarships, and visa processes, as well as fully funded fellowships they can apply for. Through direct engagement with credible experts, students gained clarity on navigating international academic pathways and positioning themselves competitively beyond national borders, expanding the Careers Fair’s scope from local employability to global mobility.
The final day, 13th March 2026, under the theme “Connecting potential to purpose: Partnerships for sustainable impact,” brought together Makerere University and key partners, including Stanbic Bank, Absa Bank Uganda, TotalEnergies Uganda, the Uganda Police, Pslams Food Industries, among others, to emphasise collaboration as the cornerstone of career readiness. The conversations underscored a shared commitment to aligning education with industry needs, demonstrating that sustainable career pathways are built through strong partnerships that connect talent to opportunity in a rapidly evolving world.
What stood out most was not just the content of these conversations, but the way students engaged with them. There was a palpable sense of curiosity and urgency, as young people sought to understand where they fit in a future increasingly defined by automation and innovation. For many, the Careers Fair became more than an event; it was a bridge to internship and graduate trainee opportunities, and to careers whose balls were set rolling. It was a moment of reckoning and possibility.
This transformation was made possible through a strong network of partners whose presence underscored the importance of collaboration in shaping career pathways. NSSF Uganda anchored the engagement with insights into financial planning and long-term security, reframing how young professionals think about work beyond immediate income. Stanbic Bank Uganda brought industry perspective, offering students a clearer understanding of the competencies required to thrive in the financial sector. The United States Mission to Uganda contributed to broadening horizons through knowledge exchange and exposure to global opportunities, while TotalEnergies Uganda highlighted the evolving energy sector landscape and the role of innovation in driving sustainability, among other players.
Together, these partners did more than exhibit; they participated in shaping a narrative about the future of work that is inclusive, dynamic, and grounded in real-world demands.
For Makerere University, the Careers Fair represents more than an annual engagement; it is a reflection of its enduring commitment to preparing students for life beyond the lecture room. By convening diverse actors from academia, industry, and development spaces, the University continues to position itself as a national hub for talent development and thought leadership. It is within these spaces that education becomes truly transformative, where knowledge meets opportunity, and where ambition is matched with access.
Advancing Partnerships for Sustainable Impact
The Careers Fair also speaks directly to Makerere University’s Advancement agenda, which is increasingly focused on building purposeful, long-term partnerships that extend the University’s impact beyond its campus.
Through such engagements, Makerere is intentionally cultivating relationships that create shared value. The presence of industry leaders and development partners is not incidental; it is part of a deliberate strategy to align academic training with market realities while opening up pathways for mentorship, internships, and employment. These collaborations are gradually shaping an ecosystem in which students are not only educated but also actively supported in their transition into the workforce.
What emerges is a model of engagement that moves beyond transactional interactions to something far more meaningful. Partners are not just sponsors or participants; they are co-creators in preparing the next generation of professionals. In turn, Makerere strengthens its position as a trusted partner, one capable of convening, connecting, and contributing to national and global development priorities.
As conversations from the Careers Fair continue to echo across campus, one thing remains clear: the future of work will belong to those prepared to evolve with it. Makerere University, through platforms such as this, is ensuring that its students are not merely observers of change but active participants in shaping it.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.
General
Makerere University and Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation Sign MOU to Advance Centre of Excellence for Private Sector Development
Makerere University and the Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance the Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile Centre of Excellence for Private Sector Development, marking a significant step toward strengthening collaboration between academia, policy actors, and the private sector.
The agreement formalises a strategic partnership aimed at promoting research, policy dialogue, entrepreneurship development, innovation, and knowledge exchange to support Uganda’s economic transformation and the growth of its private sector.
The MoU, which will run for an initial five-year term, brings together Makerere University’s academic and research expertise with the Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation’s commitment to advancing the legacy of the late Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, one of Uganda’s most influential economic reformers and a proud alumnus of the University.
Advancing a Shared Vision for Private Sector Development
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi, SC, Chairman of the Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation, described the occasion as an important milestone that establishes a purposeful partnership between two institutions committed to knowledge, national development, and the advancement of Uganda’s private sector.
“This is an important occasion because it formalises a partnership between two institutions with a shared commitment to knowledge, to national development, and to the advancement of Uganda’s private sector,” he noted.
Rt. Hon. Mbabazi emphasised that Uganda’s future prosperity will depend on the strength and competitiveness of its private sector and the country’s ability to nurture innovation, entrepreneurship, and sound policy.
According to him, the Centre will provide a practical platform through which research can inform policy, young people can be trained and inspired, partnerships can be built, and innovation can be supported to help enterprise flourish.
“These are not separate concerns,” he said. “They are all part of the same national task: building an economy that creates jobs, expands opportunity, and improves the lives of our people.”
Makerere’s Role in Hosting the Centre
Makerere University will host the Centre of Excellence and support its work through its research capacity, innovation ecosystem, and network of scholars and experts. The University leadership noted that the partnership aligns closely with Makerere’s mission as one of Africa’s leading research universities and its commitment to knowledge-driven development.
In her remarks, Prof. Sarah Ssali noted, “Makerere University is fully committed to hosting, resourcing, and championing the Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile Centre of Excellence, and we look forward to working closely with the Foundation to attract additional partnerships that will strengthen its impact.”
The collaboration will bring together academic excellence and practical engagement with the private sector, positioning the Centre as a national resource for policy research, entrepreneurship development, and dialogue on economic transformation.
She also reaffirmed Makerere’s commitment to working closely with the Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation to attract additional partnerships and funding to strengthen the Centre and expand its impact.
Honouring the Legacy of Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile
Beyond its institutional significance, the establishment of the Centre represents a tribute to the enduring legacy of Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, who served for many years as Governor of the Bank of Uganda and played a central role in shaping Uganda’s economic policy and institutional development.
Governor Mutebile was widely recognised for his intellectual rigour, commitment to sound economic policy, and dedication to building strong institutions that could support sustainable growth and stability.
Through the Centre of Excellence bearing his name, Makerere University and the Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation seek not only to commemorate his contributions but also to continue advancing the values he championed, including policy discipline, intellectual seriousness, and a commitment to national development.
As Rt. Hon. Mbabazi noted that legacy should be understood not merely as remembrance but as meaningful work that benefits future generations. “It is about creating a platform through which research can inform policy, through which young people can be trained and inspired, and through which innovation can be supported,” he said.
A Platform for Ideas, Innovation, and National Development
The Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile Centre of Excellence for Private Sector Development is expected to serve as a hub for research, capacity building, entrepreneurship support, and policy engagement aimed at strengthening Uganda’s private sector and expanding economic opportunity.
By bringing together academia, policymakers, business leaders, and innovators, the Centre will help foster practical solutions to the challenges facing enterprise development while nurturing the next generation of Ugandan entrepreneurs and economic leaders.
Through this partnership, Makerere University and the Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation have taken an important step toward ensuring that Governor Mutebile’s legacy continues to inspire ideas, institutions, and opportunities that contribute to Uganda’s long-term prosperity.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.
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