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Mak-Sasakawa symposium ‘Takes it to the Farmer’

Published

12 years ago

July 8, 2014

Mark Wamai

H.E. Joyce Kikafunda-Uganda's High Commissioner to the UK, Mr. Patrick Orr-SAA, Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera-Chancellor and Prof. Bernard Bashaasha-Principal, CAES, at the Mak-One Day National Symposium, 8th July 2014, CEDAT Conference Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, CAES, in collaboration with Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) held a one day symposium on Agricultural transformation on 8th July 2014. The symposium, held at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) Conference Hall-Makerere University, attracted a number of local and international delineates from the UK, USA, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Mali, Benin, Switzerland, Ghana and Japan. It was held under the theme, “Take it to the Farmer: The Relevance of Universities in Agricultural Transformation in Uganda.’ The symposium was as part of the events commemorating 100 years of Dr. Norman Borlaug, Nobel Laureate, who together with former US president Jimmy Carter and Japanese philanthropist; Ryoich Sasakawa founded the SAA/Sasakawa Global 2000.

It also attracted a number of dignitaries including the former President of Benin, H.E Nicéphore Soglo, Uganda’s High Commissioner to the UK, Prof. Joyce Kikafunda, MPs and members of staff, Makerere University.

A cross-section of participants at the Mak-Sasakawa One-Day symposium, 8th July 2014, CEDAT Conference Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda While opening the symposium, theMakerere University Chancellor, Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera, decried the food security question in Africa. “Africa has a big challenge of food security. Taking Uganda as an example, I have seen the population grow from 5m to 35m yet food production has not grown to the same ratio. Food shortage has even reduced the stature of people in Kigezi, my home area,” he lamented.

Chancellor Kagonyera made reference to Uganda’s recently read budget for the financial year 2015/16, which indicated an increment in taxation on farm implements. “I talk in frustration. We do not seem to see things change significantly in agriculture the backbone of our economy. Agricultural projects like the Plan for Modernization of Agriculture and its offspring, NAADs, have all not achieved the desired impact. In the last budget speech, the Minister proposed tax increments on agricultural items. I do not know whether the farming community was consulted, but is not fair,” he asserted.

The Chancellor reminisced the good old days when Makerere University was consulted before such decisions would be taken, he emphasized that high taxation on the agricultural sector will further compound the high levels of malnutrition in Uganda, at a time Government is increasingly advocating for Universal Primary Education, UPE. “How do you expect to educate a malnourished child, whose brain has not fully developed and who is always dosing in class because of hunger?” he wondered.

$L-R: Panelists-Dr. Swaibu Mbowa-CAES, Dr. Deola Naibakelao-SAFE, Mr. Charles Ocici-Enterprise Uganda and Dr. Paul Kibwika-CAES answer questions from the audience at the Mak-Sasakawa One-Day symposium, 8th July 2014, CEDAT Conference Hall, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda$ The Principal, CAES, Prof. Bernard Bashaasha called for more engagements in agriculture. “Governments in Africa need to re-engage in agriculture so that the supply and demand are addressed simultaneously. It is also critical to enhance multi-disciplinarily approach to all initiatives so that agriculture works with other fields. You cannot do it alone,” he said.

High Commissioner H.E Prof. Joyce Kikafunda observed that the time is right for Africa to make her case to the rest of the world. “It is time for Africa to bring out her needs and challenges. The post 2015 development agenda looks at inclusive development. Uganda has the UN Presidency now and we should make the best of this opportunity. In relation to involvement of all stakeholders in such gatherings, especially the farmers, I propose Think-Tanks comprised of a cross sectional representation of farmers, academicians, policy makers and the like,” she advised amidst applause. Many were happy that Prof. Kikafunda, a former member of staff, CAES was back home, at least to attend the symposium.

H.E. Nicéphore Soglo, Former President of Benin in an exclusive interview with Makerere Public Relations Office's Marion Alina during the Mak-Sasakawa One-Day National Symposium, 8th July 2014, CEDAT, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda. In an exclusive interview with the Public Relations Office, the Benin former President, who is also a member of the Sasakawa Board- H.E Nicéphore Soglo, pointed out that it is necessary to show that good life can be obtained even in the villages without necessarily coming to town. He referred to a visit he had had to a one acre farm in Entebbe owned by Dr. Nyamutale Natalie – on which she carries out a variety of activities including fish farming, poultry rearing and cultivation. “It is good to show that in each village you can do this. It is not necessary to come to town to have a good life. You can have a good life even in the village. From what I saw on this farm, I want to go back and share the same with the people of Benin,” he said.

CAES has a long history of working with Sasakawa in capacity building, including opportunities extended to students and farmers. According to the CAES Principal, Prof. Bashasha, these engagements are good ground for addressing the rampant youth unemployment through skills enhancement.

In relation to youth unemployment, one of the panelists-Mr. Charles Ocici of Enterprise Uganda pointed out that the biggest deterrent is the mind set, focusing on white-collar jobs. “Agriculture is a low hanging sector for anyone to get into, with numerous opportunities right from production all the way to processing. Attitude is the challenge. The dogma that you go to school and get a job afterwards is so entrenched in our young generation and is a hindrance to entrepreneurship. Many think that agriculture is for those who have failed,” he emphasized. “The private sector will not buy from you because of your age, qualifications, tribe, or gender. We will buy from the best service provider. It is a brutal sector of choice, competition, continuous learning but is certainly very rewarding,” he added.

Sharing his experience on the same, Prof. Jacob Agea, a member of staff, CAES, Makerere University revealed that he is actively engaged in a private business of supplying pigeons to a top hotel in Kampala and that he has every reason to smile when his pay cheque jets in from the proceeds. He encouraged others to follow suit by actively engaging in agriculture.

Sharing about the international experience, Dr. David Norman of Winrock International advised that it is critical to engage all players in the value chain to provide information to and from the farmers as a way of addressing emerging issues.

Former President of Benin H.E. Nicéphore Soglo (C-White), Ugandan High Commissioner to the UK-H.E. Prof. Joyce Kikafunda (4th L) SAA Board Chairperson-Prof. Ruth Oniang'o (3rd L) with members of the Borlaugh Family, and participants in the Mak-Sasakawa One-Day Symposium, 8th July 2014, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

Other panelists included Dr. Swaibu Mbowa, Br. Deola Naibakelao, Dr. Paul Kibwika, Dr. Tim Chancellor, Dr. Dorothy Masinde, Dr. Florence Lubwama, Prof. Jonny Mugisha and Hon. Prof. Ruth Oniang’o among others.

The first two symposiums of its kind were held in Mali to mark the 20th and the 25th anniversaries of Dr. Norman Borlaug. The next symposium will be agreed upon after a decision of the Sasakawa Board. After the engagement at Makerere University, the symposium delegates are set to travel to Jinja and share these deliberations with selected farmers.

By Marion Alina, Public Relations Office

General

Call for Applications: Admission to Postgraduate Programmes 2026/2027

Published

2 days ago

February 4, 2026

Mak Editor

SoL Graduands celebrate after being conferred upon their awards. 75th Graduation Ceremony, Day 1, CoCIS, CEES, CoVAB and School of Law. 13th January 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications for admission to Graduate Programmes (Postgraduate Diplomas, Masters and Doctoral Degree Programmes) for the 2026/2027 Academic Year. Applicants should have obtained at least a first or second class degree (or its equivalent) from a Chartered University at the time of completion. Applicants should also possess a Uganda Certificate of Education (or its equivalent) and a Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (or its equivalent).

Sponsorship:

All Graduate Programmes are PRIVATELY-SPONSORED. Therefore, applicants seeking sponsorship should have their applications endorsed by their respective sponsors where applicable. Applicants should note that the various fees payable to the University indicated for the various programmes EXCLUDE functional fees, accommodation, books, research and other expenses.

Makerere-Advert-for-Graduate-Programmes-2026-2027 Download

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Simon Mungudit: Mak’s Best Performing Male Science Student & Rising Star in Petroleum Geoscience

Published

2 days ago

February 3, 2026

Hasifa Kabejja

Simon Mungudit emerged the best performing male science student this year. He is set to graduate from Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa on 24th February 2026 in the Freedom Square.

At just 24 years old, Simon Mungudit from the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) has etched his name in the academic history of Makerere University, having emerged as the overall best male student in the Sciences, an achievement earned through perseverance, discipline, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence.

Mungudit is set to graduate during 76th graduation ceremony scheduled for 24^th to 27th February 2026, having attained a CGPA of 4.76 in the Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geoscience and Production. His academic interests-Reservoir Engineering, Petrophysics, and Drilling-reflect a deep understanding of the subsurface sciences that power modern energy systems.

Early Life and Journey to Academic Excellence

Born to Mr. Owor Thomas, a Game Ranger with the Uganda Wildlife Authority at Murchison Falls National Park, and Ms. Lilly Obewun Grace of Akuru Bridge Village, Nyaravur Sub-County in Nebbi District, Mungudit’s journey to academic excellence began far from the lecture halls of Makerere. At Karuma Primary School, Mungudit scored 12 aggregates in the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), setting the pace for his future success. He proceeded to St. Daniel Comboni College, Nebbi, where he attained 14 aggregates in 8 subjects at O’ Level. He then joined Namilyango College, one of the best secondary schools in Uganda, where he studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) and scored 19 points, results that secured him government sponsorship to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geoscience and Production at Makerere University.

Gratitude to his mentors and sponsors

Behind these milestones lies a story of humility, gratitude and opportunity. Mungudit credits his parents for supporting his primary and O’ Level education and expresses gratitude to TotalEnergies, which provided a full bursary for his A’ Level studies, covering tuition, upkeep, and medical care. He also acknowledges the Government of Uganda for sponsoring his university education, a factor he says motivated him to excel.

At Makerere, Mungudit thrived in an environment that blended rigorous academics with mentorship. He pays tribute to his lecturers, particularly Dr. Arthur Batte, Head, Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies, for their unwavering commitment to nurturing students and pushing them to excel.

“I always aimed to excel,” Mungudit says. “Together with a few colleagues, we formed a group and held discussions on a daily. This, coupled with a conducive study environment, prayer, and discipline, enabled us to attain excellent grades.”

Dr Arthur Batte describes Mungidit as a humble yet very intelligent student.

Achievements and Professional Experience

Beyond academics, Mungudit consistently demonstrated expertise in petroleum engineering. In 2024, he led a team that won the Reservoir Modelling Challenge, organized by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Makerere University Chapter, earning prize money and a sponsored field trip to the Tilenga Project courtesy of COSL. He was First Runner-Up in the Petro Bowl competitions of 2023 and 2025, a highly competitive petroleum knowledge quiz organized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Uganda Section. He served as a Student Officer for the SPE Makerere University Chapter in 2023, and in 2024, he chaired the Organizing Committee of the SPE Annual Students’ Technical Conference and Exhibition, helping bridge the gap between academia and industry.

His learning extended beyond the classroom. During his internship, he worked with TotalEnergies, where he applied petrophysics skills to analyze gas-while-drilling data for formation evaluation, hands-on exposure that sharpened his professional competence. At Makerere University, he mastered PetroMod 2018, a critical software tool in oil and gas exploration. After completing his studies in June 2025, Mungudit trained with the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), participating in the 2D seismic acquisition in the Kasurubani Block in Buliisa and Hoima districts.

Mungudit currently works as the Special Projects Coordinator for the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Uganda Section Student Liaison Committee.

Future Plans

Mungudit hopes to work in the oil and gas industry in the upstream sector as a geoscientist. He also plans to pursue further studies in petroleum engineering.

From a village in Nebbi to the forefront of petroleum geoscience, Mungudit’s story is one of an opportunity seized and potential realized. It is a testament to what is possible when talent meets support, and when determination is guided by faith, mentorship, and service. As Uganda’s oil and gas sector continues to evolve, Mungudit stands as a symbol of the skilled, principled professionals poised to shape its future.

The CoNAS fraternity congratulates Mungudit on this noble achievement.

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General

Press Statement: Makerere 76th Graduation Ceremony

Published

1 week ago

January 28, 2026

Mak Editor

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (Centre) presents one of the printed batches of transcripts the Registrar College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS)-Ms. Ruth Iteu Eyoku (2nd Right) as Right to Left: DVCAA-Prof. Sarah Ssali, AR-Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi and Ms. Prossy Nakayiki witness on 28th January 2026. Vice Chancellor's Press Briefing on the 76th Graduation due to be held 24th-27th February 2026 at Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University’s 76^th graduation ceremony will be held from February 24^th – 27^th, 2026, at the Makerere University Freedom Square, starting at 8.30am. During the 76^th graduation ceremony, we shall confer degrees and award certificates to 185 PhDs, 2034 Masters, 6,043 bachelors, 137 postgraduate diplomas and 33 diplomas.

I am proud to announce that in comparison to the 75^th graduation, we have registered a 30% growth in graduate student output. This is a result of our strategic decision to prioritize graduate education per our research-led agenda.

I also wish to announce that the transcripts have been finalized and are ready for pick up. Today, I am handing over the ready transcripts to the College principals and can be picked up from respective Colleges even before the graduation ceremony.

Important to Note:

In preparation for the graduation ceremony, the University wishes to note the following:

Pre-graduation clearances
Graduands are reminded to clear all necessary payments such as tuition and all graduation
fees. It is also important to check with your College to ensure your name is on the graduation
list and all mandatory clearances with university officials have been finalized. Note and
internalize the graduation schedule (attached) to know which day you are graduating.
Securing the graduation gowns
Graduation gowns will be issued starting from 2^nd February 2026 from the University Hall (Dinning Hall), Monday to Friday, from 9am to 4pm. To collect your gown, check and ensure your name appears on the Senate Graduation list, present your student number or National ID, and proof of payment for the gown.
Security requirements
- Attendance: For each day of graduation, entrance to the graduation ground will be by invitation only. Graduands will be issued with invitation cards which permits two guests per graduand. Do not come with more than two people or they will not be allowed access to the graduation venue. Graduands are encouraged to arrive to settle at the Freedom Square by 7am on graduation day to for a seamless flow of planned activities including the necessary security checks.
- Prohibited items: Prohibited items include firearms, sharp instruments like mirrors and knives, alcohol, cell or batteries and chemicals, canned food and drinks, laptops, flashes and hard disks, radios including pocket radios, bottled drinks, cameras, large bags or any other heavy items.
- Media: All media and journalists who wish to cover the ceremony must be pre-accredited by the Makerere University Public Relations office or they will not be allowed to access the ceremony venue. The access point for accredited media personnel will be the Senate Building.
- Parking: There will be two designated parking areas; Rugby Grounds for those coming through the Eastern and Main Gate; and the second one is the Makerere University Main Grounds at Makerere College School. For VVIPs, VIPs and procession parking will be at CTF1, Directorate of Legal parking, St Francis and St Augustine parking, JICA and Senate Building.
- Access Control: To ease traffic flow and management, the University has planned three access points to the graduation venue: the School of Social Sciences, Senate Building and the University Swimming Pool.
For help and inquiries
- Starting February 2, 2026, the Academic Registrar ’s Office and Graduation Committee will set up an information tent outside the Senate Building to provide guidance and handle all inquiries pertaining to graduation.