General
Hall Launches Code of Conduct: Warns against drug abuse
Livingstone Hall has launched a code of conduct to guide student relations in the Halls of residence. This code, the first of its kind, is written in line with the University rules and regulations. It among other things prohibits students from crossing the Hall quadrangles in towels on any occasion, playing loud music and using drugs.
At the launch, on 26th Sept. 2014, a reformed student (names withheld) shared his experience with using drugs. This student was allegedly drawn to the practice by peer pressure but was lucky to have been rehabilitated. He is now pursuing his studies aggressively to make up for lost time. “Without rules and regulations on this, anyone can stray. It starts with a small puff, then another and another,” he shared in relation to smoking marijuana.
Students also shared experiences on being ‘exported’ when their roommates had female visitors, and were 
optimistic that the code of conduct will address this. Other halls of residence are welcome to adopt the code.
Dr. Allan Birabi-CEDAT, who represented the DVCFA Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe at the launch, encouraged students to stay focused amidst the many challenges. “Your generation stands in a challenging time when values have evaporated. Do the right thing, at the right time, in the right place and the right way. Narcotics have no value addition but rather subtract from you,” he said. “You are the future. You have the will power to make the right decisions and this is all up to you,” he added.
The Deputy Dean of students, Stephen Kateega called upon students to rise up to the challenge and abide by their own code of conduct. He was glad that the students have ably differentiated between their “rights and responsibilities by drafting the code of conduct.” This code was initiated by one of the students, Solomon Kalema Musisi who requested that the code be published annually to all freshmen. The Hall Warden, Amos Tukamushaba, pledged that Livingstone Hall will indeed abide by this code.
A visit to the Makerere University Counseling and Guidance Centre, located opposite Mary Stuart Hall, reveals that the number of students battling drug addiction is on the increase. According to the Centre’s Manager, Henry Nsubuga, the increase is partly as a result of increased awareness of this Centre’s presence. “Many of the cases of drug abuse are students whose icons are celebrities. These students think that if the big Jamaican musicians are taking drugs, then it is the way to becoming a star. But this is not true, there are many big musicians who are not on drugs,” he says.
The students take a variety of drugs including kuber, marijuana, mirra, injectables like cocaine and smoke shisha. All these are obtained from suppliers in neighbouring slums and other areas. “Many of these students have confessed that they started taking drugs while in secondary school and with the freedom at the university, they graduated in the practice. Some of them have as a result failed to finish their studies,” adds Nsubuga.
The centre has now started a special drug-support group to help students who are trying to get off drugs. “Drug and alcohol addiction is a disease, so you have to be treated over a long period of time. This is what we hope to achieve in the support group which runs between 3:00pm and 4:00pm every Thursday,” explains Nsubuga.
Nsubuga says drug addiction is now a national problem and the authorities are not doing enough to curb the 
vice. He is calling upon all those who know of colleagues, relatives and friends who are struggling with drug/alcohol addiction to bring them to the centre.
Monnie Lubega, a Senior Counselor at the Centre reveals that last semester, the centre handled about 10 cases of drug and alcohol abuse. She further reveals that students presenting with academic related concerns are equally many. “Some of these students have diverted their tuition into business ventures and failed to reap back the money in time to clear their tuition. Last semester, three students were threatening to commit suicide over the same but we counseled them against it. Others have accumulated a lot of retakes and a selected few are battling with love relationship issues,” she adds.
By Marion Alina, Public Relations Office
Makerere University and the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (ND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University and Rev. Robert A. Dowd, the 18th President signed on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony, which was held at the University of Notre Dame campus at South Bend, Indiana was witnessed by Dr. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Council of Makerere University, who led the Mak delegation.
Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.
General
Press Release: Government of Uganda and Partners Launch SAY Plus+ to Scale Youth Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) Impact in Underserved Regions
USD 50 million national programme moves into full implementation, strengthening
adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to youth-responsive
services in 13 districts across five sub-regions
KAMPALA, 7 MAY 2026: The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda’s underserved regions.
The launch, held at Makerere University‘s Freedom Square under the theme “My Voice Matters: Youth Voices for SAY Plus+” and the tagline “Nothing for us, without us”, marks the programme’s transition into full implementation.
SAY Plus+, formerly known as Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment: Scaling Impact, is led by the Ministry of Health, in coordination with other Ministries, with UNFPA Uganda serving as the Managing and Technical Agency.
Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the initiative is scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. It is currently being rolled out across thirteen districts within five sub-regions, providing targeted assistance to regional referral hospitals in Jinja, Mbale, Moroto, Yumbe, Arua, and Gulu. Furthermore, the programme supports the Human Capital Development goals established in Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
“SAY Plus+ represents a shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated national effort that meaningfully places young people at the centre of both design and delivery. Through our partnership with the Government of Uganda, development partners, and implementing partners, we are investing not only in services, but in the systems, communities, and environments that enable adolescents and young people to thrive not only today but also in the future,” said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, Representative – UNFPA Uganda.
Officially launched by the Minister of State for Health Hon. Margaret Muhanga, the SAY Plus+ programme targets adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 years, with particular focus on adolescent girls and young women, refugees and host-community youth, out-of-school young people, those not in employment, education or training, adolescents with disabilities, and young people in humanitarian and post-conflict settings.
“For many of us, things like this one are designed without listening to what we go through every day, think or even feel. SAY Plus+ feels different because it starts with our voices and gives us a real role in shaping solutions. It is not just about information, it is about being supported to make decisions, access services, and build the future we want.” – Jovia Dranzoa, Young person.
SAY Plus+ operates through three pillars. First, it empowers youth to exercise their rights and make informed choices. Second, it engages families, communities, and leaders to address harmful social norms. Third, it strengthens youth-responsive SRHR, HIV, and gender-based violence services via health facilities and community platforms, aiming to reach over 2.3 million direct and indirect beneficiaries.
The SAY Plus+ initiative stands as a model of international cooperation and multi-sectoral synergy. Through the combined support of the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and the technical leadership of UNFPA, Uganda is now equipped to scale-up critical interventions in HIV prevention, gender-based violence response, and reproductive health. With implementation now in high gear through 2030, the programme is poised to make a lasting contribution to the nation’s human capital development goals.
— ENDS —
Photos from the event
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