General
QAD Presents Makerere Self Assessment Report 2013
The Quality Assurance Directorate (QAD) held a half-day dissemination workshop on 5th March 2014, to publicize findings of a ‘Self Assessment Report 2013,’ to stakeholders in Makerere University.
The report, the first of its kind, appreciates and also highlights areas that call for improvement across Makerere University’s three core functions of Teaching & Learning; Research & Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and Networking. “The exercise was hinged on the Quality of Inputs, Processes and Outputs and data utilized was for the period 2010-2012 except in a few circumstances where trend data were available,” explained Dr. Vincent Ssembatya, Director Quality Assurance Directorate.
A quick synopsis of the report shows disproportionate male: female student numbers in some disciplines, inadequate government funding and limited infrastructure at Makerere University – all of which hamper the full realization of the core functions. The mechanisms of Self Assessment were devised by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) and based on national, regional and international benchmark metrics. “The Self Assessment Report may not be comprehensive to include all metrics but the key elements were identified and analysed. The aim of this workshop therefore is to interface with you; our key stakeholders as we seek to find solutions to the issues raised,” emphasized Dr. Ssembatya.
The workshop was attended by College Principals and their Deputies, Deans, Department Chairs, Members of University Management, Registrars, Senior Academicians and Communication Staff from the respective colleges, among others. Dr. Ssembatya was grateful to the participants for honouring the invitations and acknowledged all their respective contributions to the successful compilation of the report. The interactive workshop made recommendations to the report, which will be incorporated in a second draft to be published at a later date. The participants decried the intended move to increase student numbers as a way of generating more income for the University, irrespective of the strained resources. They urged government to critically weigh in on this matter by increasing University funding.
In June 2009, The University Research, Administrative and Financial Reforms Committee (URAFRC) was set up to identify the core and support processes in the University, critically examine them and make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the University. On 10th November 2011, a Change Management Committee (CMC) was appointed to assess the level of preparation for the Reform, complete any outstanding work from the URAFRC and to implement the continuous change management process.
As the Unit in charge of the University’s Quality Assurance function, QAD is the owner of the Change Management process. One of the factors identified during this process was the need to set up Data Centres at College level, to 
help monitor and track key factors affecting Graduate Students, especially as Makerere strives to entrench her stance as a research-led university. At the workshop, the Directorate handed over computers and printers to Registrars in the Colleges and School of Law, to facilitate the setting up of Data Centers and implement the Quality Assurance function for Research and Graduate Training at a devolved level.
Officiating at the handover of the computers and equipment, Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, the Director – Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT), Makerere University commended QAD for facilitating the Data Centre setup process. “DRGT believes that the setting up of these Data Centres will enable Units to better perform the Research and Graduate Training function at College level. College Registrars need to be equipped with basic tools to help track and give up-to-date records on Graduate Students and today’s handover is a meaningful step to improve,” remarked Prof. Buyinza. He however tasked the Units to put the equipment to use according to Data Centre objectives, warning that a monitoring and evaluation exercise shall be carried out in this regard.
Prof. Charles Opolot-Okurut, College of Education and External Studies (CEES), then took participants through an intricate discussion on coming up with a way forward. He however asked participants to take note of the fact that 
the scope of the report did not cover a few factors like the quality of processes feeding into the three core functions of Teaching & Learning; Research & Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and Networking. At the close of the workshop, Prof. David J. Bakibinga, School of Law, in moving a vote of thanks commended QAD for organizing the workshop and Sida for supporting the Reforms initiative. He thanked Makerere University for agreeing to subject itself to a Self Evaluation exercise, noting that change is a continuous process and this kind of activity was critical for the institution’s survival. “Thank you all for honouring QAD’s invitation and may we all utilize these findings to improve Quality Assurance for the core activities of Makerere University,” he concluded.
The Self Assessment Exercise was carried out with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), under activities of the Bilateral Support extended to the Government of Uganda.
Article by Marion Alina Public Relations Office
By Gerald Ochwo
On Friday 18th September 2026, the Department of the Academic Registrar, Makerere University, held a befitting farewell ceremony in honour of Mr. Charles Ssentongo and Ms. Betty Akoli, who have retired from University service upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.
Mr. Ssentongo retires as Deputy Academic Registrar in charge of Undergraduate Admissions and Records, after 26 years of dedicated service to the University, a journey he began in 2000. Ms. Akoli retires as Assistant Academic Registrar.
The farewell, held in the Senate Building Conference Hall, was presided over by Ms. Prossie Nakayiki, the Acting Academic Registrar, and was attended by members of the Senior Management Team and staff of the Academic Registrar’s Department.
In recognition of their distinguished and spotless service, the two retirees were awarded institutional plaques and assorted gifts from the Department and individual members of staff.
Mr. Ssentongo and Ms. Akoli’s retirement follows that of other senior members of the Department, including Mrs. Patience Mushengyezi, who retired earlier this year.
The Department of the Academic Registrar remains deeply indebted to Mr. Ssentongo and Ms. Akoli for their highly committed, exemplary, and dedicated service to Makerere University. We wish them a happy, healthy, and fulfilling retirement.
We celebrate you.
More photos from the event: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD5btz
-
General1 week agoUndergraduate Admissions: Students allowed to Change Programs/Subjects 2026/27
-
Computing & IS1 week agoProf. Engineer Bainomugisha Takes Over as Principal of CoCIS, Pledges Focus on Excellence, Research and Innovation
-
General5 days agoProf. Sarah Ssali urges the Makerere University Community to embrace local philanthropy
-
Engineering, Art & Tech1 week agoMakerere & Partners Kick Off FLOWERS Project to Turn Restaurant Waste into a Regenerative Resource
-
Business & Management2 weeks agoCoBAMS, European Partners Launch Programme to Equip Students with Polycrisis Management Skills