General
Two students scoop Bernard Onyango Ace Award
The Bernard Onyango Academic Excellence Ace (B.O Ace) Awards were successfully kicked off with two students from St. Peters College Tororo as first beneficiaries. Isaac Munu, the best O-level student in this school sat for UCE exams in 2013, scoring distinctions in all eight subjects. The best A-level student Ernest Wandera scored 21 aggregates in his U.A.C.E exams. In their acceptance speeches during an award ceremony held at Silver Springs Hotel, both students pledged to stay committed to their studies. They were presented with plaques, certificates and cash prizes to cater for school fees and pocket money.
The historic day started with a memorial public lecture at Makerere University, presented by Uganda's former Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi on 'Promoting Academic Distinction, Administrative Excellence and Enduring Integrity in Contemporary Uganda.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, commended the late Bernard Onyango for laying a firm foundation for the Academic Registrar's Department. "During his tenure as Academic Registrar, the late Bernard Onyango put a lot of emphasis on effectiveness and efficiency of the management of records, particularly students' records. Through him, the team in the Academic Registrar's Department learnt the value of efficiency, customer satisfaction and integrity. The late Bernard Onyango is also remembered as a strong force in the process that led to the highly successful affirmative action scheme for girls joining Makerere University," he said.
He was grateful to St. Peters College Tororo Old Boys Association, SPECTOBA, for initiating the memorial lecture and the inaugural Bernard Onyango Academic Excellence Awards' adding that Makerere University, through the Department of the Academic Registrar, is committed to hosting the lecture annually.
Speaking at the dinner, a representative of the Bernard Onyango family, Prof. Joseph Oloka-Onyango challenged SPECTOBA to see to the sustainability of the awards so that they do not come to an end prematurely.
The Chairman SPECTOBA, Wilbrod Owor, was grateful to all sponsors and well-wishers who have so far supported the cause. Makerere University pledged 5m shillings towards the BO Ace Awards. Bernard Onyango was the first Academic Registrar at the time this Institution became a fully-fledged University in 1970.
By Marion Alina
Makerere University on 23rd January 2026 hosted the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) validation meeting of the draft minimum standards for implementing Competence-Based Education (CBE) in Higher Education Institutions. The meeting held in the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium brought together Vice Chancellors, Rectors, Principals and Academic Registrars from Higher Education Institutions in Uganda.
Hosted by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Ssali, the meeting followed institutional input into the draft minimum standards and was aimed at validating them prior to their formal adoption by the NCHE Council at their next meeting in February 2026. The minimum standards cover nine areas namely; 1) Curriculum Design, 2) Teaching and Learning Approaches, 3) Assessment, 4) Faculty Training and Support, 5) Student Support Services, 6) Quality Assurance Systems, 7) Industry and Community Linkages, 8) Monitoring and Evaluation, and 9) Gender and Equity Mainstreaming.
Following feedback into presentations by the various leaders present, a motion to adopt the draft minimum standards, with institutional input incorporated, was moved by Bugema University, seconded by UMCAT School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and unanimously supported by institutions present.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Prof. Sarah Ssali appreciated NCHE for choosing Makerere to host the landmark event, reiterating that the University greatly respects each and every Higher Education Institution and regards them as partners and collaborators in the quest to improve Uganda’s Higher Education sector.
The Executive Director NCHE, Prof. Mary Okwakol reassured leaders present that all the pertinent issues raised for input into the draft minimum standards would be incorporated, and urged those with pressing issues to submit them before month’s end. She reiterated NCHE’s readiness to continue lobbying Government for the resources required by Higher Education Institutions, particularly Public Universities, to implement Competence-Based Education (CBE).
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