General
MURBS declares 12.6percent interest rate at Third AGM
All the financial figures and projections provided at the 3rd Annual General Meeting indicate a great improvement in the finances of the Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme (MURBS).
Addressing the members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Thursday 7th November 2013, in Lab 2 at the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), the Chairperson Board of Trustees, Hajjati Fatumah Nakatudde said: “We are happy to report that for the financial year ended 30th June 2013, the MURBS made a Gross income of UGX 8.6billion and Net income of UGX 5.4billion. The total Fund Value as of June 2013 stood at UGX 78.8billion. It is also important to note that it is during the same financial year that the NIC/DAP monies amounting to over UGX 20billion were paid out in benefits.”
The Board Secretary, Dr. John Kitayimbwa pointed out that the Board of Trustees (BoT) takes responsibility of the interest declared at 12.6% and applauded the fund managers for performing over and above BoT’s expectations.
“Our rate of return this year was 15.4%. Our declared interest for the year is 12.6% because we must have a reserve to absorb shocks and changes in the market. Compared with institutions/bodies that provide similar services in our current market, an interest ate of 12.6% is very good,” reechoed Dr. Kitayimbwa.
Also commenting on the declared interest rate of 12.6%, Dr. Saul Nsubuga, Member of the BoT said: “It is better to accrue a fair interest rate, within a regulated framework, but ensure that this money is available on retirement.”
The well attended 3rd Annual General meeting (AGM) was characterized by precise questions and comments directed at the BoT, indicative of a strong desire for information sharing and exchange of ideas, appreciation for the work done, optimism and goodwill. The same scene played out as highlights of the Financial and External Auditor’s Reports for the Year ended June 2013 were presented.
The day’s emcee Mr. Louis Kakinda provided a brief reflection on the 2nd AGM held on 25th October 2012; presented the agenda of the 3rd AGM and also introduced the current BoT comprising; Hajjati Fatumah Nakatudde (Chairperson), Dr. John Kitayimbwa (Secretary), Ms. Edna Rugumayo, Dr. Saul Nsubuga, Mr. Dyson W. Maswere, Prof. Julius Zake, Mr. Bruce Twesigye and Ms Miriam Magala.
With regard to general composition, all permanent employees of the university under the age of 50 are eligible to join the MURBS as contributing members. During the AGM, the BoT made reference to the Trustee 
Deed signed between Makerere University and the MURBS, which stipulates that all permanent members of staff are eligible to join the Fund and therefore advised members to fill in the registration forms to enable BoT track all the finances due to them.
Another key message shared by the BoT assured the members that unlike past experiences with other pension/retirement schemes where members of staff retired without payment due to them, MURBS is committed to ensuring that the money is timely given to the concerned member upon retirement.
In the same spirit, members were advised that in addition to the designated 5% deducted from their salaries, 
they could liaise with the MURBS Secretariat and fill out forms to voluntarily increase their monthly contribution, which will inevitably increase on the savings they will access on retirement.
The Board Secretary, Dr. John Kitayimbwa thanked the members for supporting the current Board of Trustees since they assumed office on 1st April 2013. “The term of office for the previous Board of Trustees chaired by Dr. Augustus Nuwagaba ended on 31st March 2013. A new BoT chaired by Hajjati Fatumah Nakatudde was constituted following the provisions in the Trustee Deed. We thank the previous BoT for laying a firm foundation. We also thank you members for supporting the new BoT to seamlessly transition into service,” remarked Dr. Kitayimbwa.
In agreement, one member, Ms Grace Christine Bazaya applauded the old and current BoT and the Executives of Staff Associations for working tirelessly to deliver the NIC/DAP funds to members at the time they needed it most. Commenting on the future of MURBS, Ms Bazaya proposed a mechanism of checks and balances to ensure accountability and transparency at all levels.
Regarding the members’ contributions which are yet to be remitted by Makerere University to MURBS, Hajjati Fatumah Nakatudde reported that BoT had sued the University, but were advised to settle the matter out of court and since then several negotiation meetings have been held between BoT and the University Management. However, since the Makerere University Council is the employer, a joint committee comprising membership from BoT and University Management is scheduled to present to the University Council on whether to pay interest on the contributions from the members who benefited from the previous In-house Retirement Scheme. She added that BoT is committed to the welfare of her members and they were optimistic that the negotiations at the different levels would all yield positive results.
According to the External Auditors Report to the members of MURBS by Ernst & Young-Certified Public Accountants, the financial statements presented fairly, in all material respects, the statement of net assets available for benefits of MURBS as at 30 June 2013. Ernst & Young further assented, that the reports represented changes in the net assets available for benefits and cash flows for the year then ended, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and the Requirements of the Trust Deed.
The Fund Managers, Pine Bridge Investments (E.A.) Limited (PINE) and STANLIB in their report informed the AGM that they prepared the financials and shared the information with the Auditors.
“The Year closed with UGX 78.8billion. There was a reduction in the fund by UGX 5.7billion because of the NIC/ DAP funds which were paid out to the members during the year. The assets as of June 2013 added up to UGX. 78.8billion. If the MURBS was to be wound up today, we would sell our assets worth UGX 78.8billion and pay our liability,” highlighted the statement from PINE and STANLIB.
Responding to the Fund Managers’ report, the Board Secretary, Dr. John Kitayimbwa had this to say
“The Fund Managers work on behalf of the BoT, which takes full responsibility of the interest declared. The two fund managers (PINE and STANLIB) performed over and above our expectations. The Board of Trustees will consider giving them a bonus,’’ commended Dr. Kitayimbwa.
To toast to this historic achievement, the BoT hosted a cocktail for its Members at the Makerere University Guest House.
Story by: Ritah Namisango and Mark Wamai, Public Relations Office
Photos by: Henry Mukasa, Service Provider
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.
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