General
DVC Okello Ogwang to advocate for Library Funding
The Fresh-in-office Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Academic Affairs (DVC AA), Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang (Pictured Right) has started his duties with a promise to advocate for more funding for the University Library. Dr. Okello Ogwang was appointed DVC AA effective 1st Dec.2013 for a five year term. He was speaking at the Library End of year party on Friday 13th Dec. 2013 at the Forest Park Resort – Buloba.
His remarks followed a speech by the University Librarian, Prof. Maria Musoke, who pointed out that the Library was constrained in its plans partly due to limited resources.
“Makerere University Library has automated most of its functions amidst challenges of limited bandwidth and unstable internet and challenges of a sustainability budget for equipment that will go obsolete after a few years,” she explained.
Prof. Musoke (Right) also pointed out that the Library grapples with an inadequate budget to power the generator when needed. She however expressed confidence that the Library will be in position to handle these constraints when the Development fees are released to it.
“In 2011/12, we had planned that after the extension to the Main library, the next extension will be the Medical Library which we had put in our financial year’s budget. However, the Library Development fees, which are expected to build the library, are not yet released. We request the Guest of Honour to assist us on this matter,” she said.
Guidelines set by the National Council for Higher Education recommend that 10% of the University’s budget should be spent on the Library. In his response, Dr. Okello Ogwang vowed to make this issue one of his priority areas since Libraries are a key factor to ensuring quality teaching, learning and research. “Today’s libraries are not only repositories and access points for electronic, print, audio and visual materials; they are the foundations of the evolution of the world,” he said.
“I pledge my support to the Library concerning the budgets for weekend duty, evening transport, maintenance of equipment and facilities, generator fuel and renovation of the old library building,” he added.
He also promised to look into the Council Resolution (2007) in relation to the Library Development fees. The DVC AA congratulated all Library Staff for the hard work exhibited, especially in demystifying the belief that Information Systems have not worked in Makerere.
As part of the celebrations, the different sections of the Library were rewarded for their outstanding performance, which saw the Africana Section (Pictured Above) take lead with 70.85% overall performance, followed by the Digitalization Unit at 70.3%. Amongst Colleges, the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS)–Pictured Left, took lead as the College whose performance was based on the submitted activity plan. Mr. Brian Wamala (Pictured Below) took home the Library's Dedicated Staff Award 2013.
The University Library Staff celebrated a number of achievements for the year including a working information system, a functional new Library extension building and the Makerere University Institutional Repository that has contributed the highest number of richfiles. These files have enabled Makerere University’s webometric ranking to progressively improve to the 4th position in Africa as of Aug 2013.
The Library Staff were grateful to all internal and external stakeholders who have contributed to betterment of the Library including Makerere University Staff, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Sida SAREC project, the University of Bergen and the Mortenson Center – U.S.A.
Article by Marion Alina, Public Relations Office
Makerere University staff have been urged to embrace servant leadership, integrity and compassion as they prepare to welcome students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The call was made during the Makerere University Staff Prayer Breakfast held on 31st July 2026 at St. Francis Students Centre Upper Hall under the theme “Faithful Stewards: A Servant Heart with Integrity and Wisdom,” drawn from Colossians 3:23–24 and Mark 10:35–45.
The prayer breakfast brought together members of Council, University Management, academic, and administrative staff to dedicate the new academic year to God while reflecting on their responsibility of serving students with excellence, humility and integrity.
A Call to Seek God’s Wisdom
Host Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa reminded staff that no amount of professional experience or academic expertise can replace God’s guidance.
She noted that the University’s mission can only be fulfilled when staff continually seek God’s wisdom in serving students and one another.
“There is no amount of experience or expertise that can replace God’s wisdom.”
Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed that students remain the reason universities exist and challenged staff to approach their work as a calling rather than merely employment.
“Without students, there is no university,” she said, encouraging members of staff to remain united, avoid unhealthy competition and trust God as they begin another academic year.
She further urged staff to become faithful stewards who work together in harmony, which she summed up as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research
In her remarks, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Members of Management to the breakfast, and reminded staff that a university’s value cannot be measured by research and innovation alone.
She described Makerere as a community held together by the spiritual as well as academic wellbeing of its people, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
Draw Inspiration From Stewardship
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Sarah Ssali told staff that this year’s breakfast carried special significance.
“This is the first prayer breakfast we are having ever since we launched our strategic plan,” she said, referring to the University’s new Strategic Plan, launched on 2nd July 2026.
She encouraged staff to hold on to the morning’s reflections as a guide for implementing the plan over the next five years, describing Makerere as an institution many families choose above all others for the vision and training it offers their children. She urged staff to see themselves as stewards of that trust rather than simply employees carrying out a job.
Compassion and Discipline Must Go Together
Delivering her remarks, Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara challenged staff to strike a balance between compassion and discipline when dealing with students.
She observed that many students face different personal and academic challenges, making encouragement and timely support essential throughout their university journey.
“A word of encouragement can restore hope and prevent costly mistakes,” she noted.
Dr. Lorna encouraged lecturers and administrators to respond promptly to students’ concerns, explaining that delays, insensitive decisions and abuse of authority can discourage students and negatively affect their academic experience.
She reminded staff that students often remember how they were treated long after they have forgotten what was taught in class.
“Students may eventually forget what we teach them, but they will always remember how we treated them.”
She added that education goes beyond transferring knowledge.
“Education is more than knowledge. We communicate life, character and values.”
Quoting Mark 10, Dr. Lorna called upon staff to embrace servant leadership by exercising authority with humility, integrity and accountability.
She encouraged members of staff to ask themselves whether they would treat every student the same way ashey would treat their own child.
“We may not always have all the answers,” she said, “but we can communicate honestly, take responsibility and treat every student with dignity.”
She concluded by urging different colleges and administrative units to work together instead of operating in isolation, noting that unity strengthens the University community.
Referring to Galatians 6:2, she reminded staff to carry one another’s burdens and remain faithful stewards of the responsibility entrusted to them.
Servant Leadership Begins with Faithfulness
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. James Magara, husband to Dr. Lorna Magara, called on members of staff to embrace servant leadership grounded in humility, faithfulness and service to others.
Drawing from Mark 10:35–45, Dr. Magara reflected on the account in which James and John asked Jesus for positions of honour in His kingdom, prompting discontent among the other disciples. He observed that despite walking closely with Christ, the disciples continued to struggle with the desire for status and recognition. He noted that such competition remained evident even during the Last Supper, where concerns over positions and prominence persisted.
Dr. Magara said that Jesus responded to these human tendencies by redefining leadership through service rather than authority. He described Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet as the ultimate demonstration of servant leadership, explaining that genuine leaders are willing to undertake even the humblest responsibilities in service of others.
Referencing Philippians 2, he urged staff to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness, contrasting it with the pride and self-exaltation illustrated in Isaiah 14. He emphasised that lasting influence and greatness are not measured by titles, positions or recognition, but by one’s willingness to serve faithfully and put the needs of others before personal ambition.
Drawing on his own leadership journey spanning several decades, Dr. Magara challenged leaders across the University to cultivate humility, integrity and a servant heart in the execution of their responsibilities. He cautioned that leadership driven by pride and personal ambition undermines both individual effectiveness and institutional progress, whereas servant leadership strengthens organisations and fosters lasting impact.
The prayer breakfast concluded with a call for unity and collective commitment as Makerere University prepares to begin a new academic year. Organisers noted that the reflections on stewardship, integrity and servant leadership would provide a strong foundation for the University community as it advances the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
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