General
President Museveni promises to deliver on salary increment
President Yoweri Museveni has re-affirmed his commitment to increasing the salaries of Academic Staff in public universities in the financial year 2015/16. The President was addressing a packed audience of Makerere University Staff and students in the Freedom Square on 12th September 2014, as the Visitor. His visit was part of a security awareness week as Uganda Police marks 100 years and also a fulfilment of his promise to meet Staff of Makerere University. His Excellency however emphasized that the increment will take effect on condition that higher education institutions revise their academic programmes to remain with a few that are most relevant.
“If you kindly rationalise the courses, I can assure you we have the money to support public universities. Each year we collect more taxes. This year we hope to collect 10,000bn and next year we may hit 12,000bn. We calculated and realized that provided we initially concentrate on the teaching staff and the lab attendants, the salary increment can be realized,” he asserted. His Excellency drew on the adage ‘he who fights everywhere fights nowhere,’ to emphasize that tackling the pay of all staff (academic and administrative) at the same time will not be possible in the coming year, but promised that the administrative staff will be looked into at a later date.
The President proposed that some degrees in disciplines like Conflict resolution, Women Studies, and Development studies could instead be treated as papers in sociology and political science. He praised the Department of Quantitative economics and the Department of Food Science and Technology, which he helped start at Makerere University, after he was consulted.
He made reference to the 21st August 2014, meeting he held with a delegation from Makerere University over Staff pay and the 10% fees increment and said, “What I told you will happen. Museveni is just not talking, what he says he does,” sending the Staff members into uncontrollable jubilation.
The Chairperson of MUASA, Dr. Kiggundu Musoke told the President that Makerere University Staff were indeed happy on hearing the news of the salary increment to the tune of 15million for a Professor. He added that the President’s advise will be followed as per the aforementioned meeting.
The President explained that he had initially ‘resisted’ demands for salary increments and new districts so as to support infrastructural development in the country, like roads, so as to lessen the costs of production and encourage exportation of local produce. He then called on students from Moroto, Moyo and Padibe, who attested to infrastructure development and presence of electricity in these areas now as opposed to the situation before. He said the country’s produce can now be exported to countries in the East Africa region, COMESA and the European Union. He further referred to the biblical book of Ecclesiastes that talks about a time for everything, adding that the time was right to look into remuneration of Staff in higher institutions of learning.
“I am very interested in having a high quality education system. I think it is time to stabilize, standardise and upgrade the quality of university education in Uganda. It is good but it can be better,” he said.
The new fees structure (10%)
In relation to the new fees structure of an additional 10% to first year students, the President said this strategy was not going to provide a lasting solution to Makerere University’s financial gap, thus the need for his intervention. “My approach is scientific, not emotional. I do not have time for emotions and sensationalism. You need so much more than the 2.4b from the additional fees increment to run the university. I said, let us look for a real solution. We shall get the 2.4b, even this year,” added the President.
Youth entrepreneurship
The President was glad that the youth, some of them Makerere University students had been trained in self defense tactics with the support of the Uganda Police during the security awareness week. He said they now needed to acquire entrepreneur skills too. “I want someone to put a dose of entrepreneurship in you. Kayihura should find someone to give you a paper on enterprises like value addition, services, ICT; that you can engage in and make some money. If you consider the Business Process Outsourcing (B.P.O) for instance, we can give you capital to rent some space for a call centre and you start that business.
The Guild President H.E. Bwowe also encouraged students to start businesses on their own from humble beginnings, like the famous Bill Gates did.
The Chancellor, Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera appreciated the President for his continued interest in the youth as the future generation and the improved relationship between Makerere University and the security forces. “The paradigm shift in the relationship between Makerere University and the security forces is revolutionary and should not be taken for granted. I also want to thank the students for realizing that civilised behavior calls for dialogue and not hooliganism,” he emphasized.
The Inspector General of Police, Gen. Kale Kayihura, asserted that the police has continuously embraced community policing and dialogue. He noted that his docket has since registered improvement in handing riotous situations at Makerere University by intervening as early as possible. “I want to thank you, Your Excellency because I have come to you several times in relation to issues in public universities and you have found solutions,” said the I.G.P.
The Periemeter wall
The Guild President, Ivan Bwowe pointed out that the many entrances to Makerere University are a security threat and make surveillance difficult. He requested President Museveni to support a perimeter wall around the main campus. H.E Museveni promised to look into this issue at a later date.
Earlier in the opening prayer, Rev. Geoffrey Byarugaba asked the Lord to grant President Museveni fortitude, virtue and grace to lead Uganda.
By Marion Alina, Public Relations Office
General
Makerere University Writing Centre holds second training workshop: Roots for standard University-wide templates in minute writing
By Chris Kaahwa and Ritah Namisango
Makerere University Writing Center (MakWC) has intensified efforts to improve the quality, consistency, and accuracy of official records across the institution.
In pursuit of this agenda, MakWC has lined up a series of writing training workshops targeting University staff in the various units. On 13th November 2025, 27 members of staff participated in the second training workshop, which highlighted the need for development of standardized templates, to guide the documentation processes within the University. This builds on the workshop for the first cohort where 24 members of staff were trained on 6th November 2025.
With over 50 members of staff so far trained, MakWC is building both the individual and institutional capacity in writing minutes, record keeping and presentation of official records.
Addressing the participants, Professor Fredrick Jones Muyodi, Team Leader, MakWC, described the Center as a transformative initiative committed to enhancing academic and scholarly writing, and publication capacities across the University. He shared that the Center continues to support faculty, staff, and students through mentorship and training on various forms of writing, including theses, dissertations, publications, project proposals and grants.
Noting the urge for professional development, Professor Muyodi acknowledged staff from the Department of the Academic Registrar, administrative units, colleges, and Makerere University Jinja Campus for embracing continuous learning. He highlighted the Centre’s deliberate plan to continuously use a comprehensive training and mentorship model, bringing on board specialists and mentors with extensive experience in writing, collaborative research, and publication to guide and support participants.
The Academic Registrar of Makerere University, Professor Buyinza Mukadasi represented by Mrs. Patience Rubabinda Mushengyezi, applauded the Writing Center for continuously providing practical support to staff who handle official documents and sensitive academic information. “This is the kind of support we all need in the various units. Many of us will benefit from this workshop,” she said.
Stressing the need for standardized templates and ethical writing practices, Mrs. Mushengyezi noted that minutes are important documents that must be accurate, confidential, and easy to reference. “Many of us handle sensitive information. A standard template will help us keep our records consistent and professional across all units,” she stated.
Mrs. Mushengyezi encouraged staff to take the training seriously pointing out that proper minute writing and documentation contributes to professional and institutional credibility. She tasked staff involved in writing minutes as well as documentation of university proceedings to ensure that official records conform to the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act.
Guiding participants through the Roles of a Minute Taker, Mrs. Mushengyezi pointed out the different types of meetings, which included; Regular, Special, and Emergency, and urged them to have a solid understanding of the University’s operational framework in order to record such meetings accurately.
During a session on legal compliance, Ms. Esther Kabinga, Principal Legal Officer, explained that adherence to policies and regulations, which govern minutes writing, upholds the integrity of records and decision making process of institutions. “In addition”, she said, “Accuracy and objectivity, completeness and clarity, timeliness and confidentiality, compliance with organizational policies and procedure,” are among the key considerations that the staff should comply with while writing minutes.
She guided participants to desist from including personal opinions in writing minutes, stressing that in accurate or incomplete documentation may expose institutions and individuals to legal risks. “Proper documentation protects both the University and the decision-makers,” she said.
To ensure consistency across academic and administrative units, Ms. Prossie Nakayiki, Acting Deputy Academic Registrar (Examinations and Transcripts) advocated for the adoption of University-wide standardized templates. She explained that standard templates promote a uniform and consistent writing culture. She called upon participants to use simple, clear and official language while avoiding abbreviations and unnecessary jargons. She emphasized that each minute should accurately record the resolution made, indicate the person responsible for follow-up actions, and provide clear timeline for implementation. “Good minutes, reflect not just what was discussed, but also the discipline, clarity, and accountability of the institution,” she added.
In a virtual presentation, Professor Paul Birevu Muyinda, Director of the Institute of Open, Distance and e-Learning (IODeL) sensitized the participants on the Ethical and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Underscoring AI’s growing transformative role in teaching, learning, research, and administration, Professor Muyinda urged participants to integrate AI tools into their daily work, and to conform to the University’s approved AI policy.
Supporting his submission, Dr. Godfrey Mayende, Head of the Department of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Deputy Director of IODeL, highlighted how AI and Online platforms provide automated accuracy, faster turnaround in work efficiency, and better accountability in writing and recording minutes.
He guided participants on preparing effectively for virtual meetings, including confirming the agenda, setting platform options (recording, captions, cohost), and preparing consent scripts.
Closing the workshop, Professor Ronald Bisaso, Assistant Team Leader, MakWC commended staff for their active participation, as well as, the facilitators for sharing the knowledge and expertise.
“As the Writing Center, we are profoundly honored that we started with a team entrusted with essential duties of this great institution. Standardizing minute writing is the next step toward improving the credibility and accountability of our academic records,” he concluded.
Makerere University has made a notable advance by officially launching the implementation of its Mentorship Policy. This initiative aims to strengthen support and guidance for students, fostering personal and academic growth within the university community. This was announced on Thursday, 13 November 2025, by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs, in her remarks delivered by the Dean of Students, Dr. Winfred Kabumbuli, during the annual workshop for mentors of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, held at the Fairway Hotel.
Prof. Ssali praised the university’s mentors for their outstanding work in supporting students.
“I am pleased to join my fellow mentors at this crucial capacity-building workshop organised under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University. It is important to recognise and commend your unwavering dedication to the holistic development of our Scholars. Your roles in mentorship, safeguarding, and fostering inclusion are essential, and together, we must continue to advance these efforts for the benefit of our Scholars,” asserted Prof. Ssali.
Prof. Ssali expressed her enthusiasm, noting that mentorship closely aligns with the shared mission: ensuring that all Makerere University students feel safe, thrive, and achieve their academic and personal goals.
“Our efforts in student affairs are incomplete unless we provide our students with the mentorship, guidance, and support they need to develop into responsible global citizens. Safeguarding, mentorship, and inclusion are not just programmatic themes; they are values that define the Makerere University community we seek to build,” Prof. Ssali remarked.
Prof. Ssali further praised the University Council and Management for adopting key policies, the Mentorship Policy 2025 and the Safeguarding Policy 2024, which are essential for the well-being of students and staff at Makerere University.
“I wish to commend the University Council and Management for approving and implementing the Makerere University Career Guidance and Mentorship Policy (2025) and the Safeguarding Policy (2024). These policies provide structure and accountability to our work, helping us strengthen systems that protect and support our students and staff,” Prof. Ssali noted.
Speaking in her role as the Dean of Students, Dr. Kabumbuli highlighted the importance of Mentorship, inclusion, and safeguarding as the critical areas in managing student affairs at Makerere University.
“Safeguarding reminds us of our duty to create and maintain a learning environment where every student feels safe, respected, and valued. Career guidance and mentorship remind us that academic excellence must go hand in hand with personal growth, discipline, and preparation for life after university. Inclusive mentorship compels us to extend our support to every learner, including those with disabilities, those from refugee backgrounds, young mothers, and international students, ensuring that no one is left behind,” Dr. Kabumbuli asserted.
Dr. Kabumbuli urged the mentors to reaffirm their shared commitment to a student-centred approach, one that recognises the human dignity, potential, and diversity of every Scholar. She encouraged the mentors to continue exemplifying the values of integrity, professionalism, and compassion that embody the spirit of Makerere.
On behalf of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and the Africa Climate Collaborative, Program Director Prof. Justine Namaalwa shared exciting news with the Program mentors about the recent recruitment of 191 undergraduate scholars and 41 graduate students. She highlighted the importance of providing mentorship and guidance to these scholars, who come from diverse backgrounds and possess various strengths and challenges. Prof. Namaalwa encouraged everyone to actively support these students as they embark on their academic journeys.
“We were excited to welcome 191 undergraduate and 41 master’s Scholars to the Programme this academic year. These talented individuals hail from diverse backgrounds and bring immense potential, and they need your active support and mentorship,” Prof. Namaalwa remarked.
Prof. Namaalwa further requested that, as the University continues to recruit more mentors, it’s essential to recognise that effective mentorship goes beyond mere knowledge sharing. It involves actively listening, empathizing with the mentees, and empowering them to forge their own unique paths.
”Together, we can create a supportive environment that fosters growth and success for all our Scholars and students of Makerere University.” Prof. Namaalwa pointed.
The Annual Mentors’ Workshop, which was attended by over 70 mentors from different units of the University and others from other organisations, featured a range of activities designed to enhance mentors’ skills and understanding. Mr. Musa Mwambu from Light for the World, a partner of the Mastercard Foundation, led a valuable training session focused on inclusion, equipping participants with essential insights. Additionally, Mr Apollo Mulondo from the Refugee Law Project provided an in-depth training session designed to empower mentors to support students with refugee status effectively. The workshop also included opportunities for mentors to hear firsthand from young individuals, including a student with disabilities and two safeguarding champions, enriching their understanding and commitment to inclusive mentorship.
The writer is the Principal Communications Officer for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
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