General
Sida PhD beneficiaries share their success stories
The Quality Assurance Directorate, QAD, is set to release a pioneer publication ‘Mapping the careers and mobility of Makerere University doctoral graduates’. The publication contains success stories of some of the Sida sponsored students, 2000 -2012, who are at the height of their careers both within and outside Makerere University.
One of these students, Dr. Julius Ecuru, was part of a team of experts selected to serve on President Barack Obama’s international research panel to advance ethical science. The experience has since opened up many doors for him, including adding value to his current work and team at the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology, where he is in charge of research and technology management.
Back home in Makerere University, one of the beneficiaries, Dr. Henry Alinaitwe, heads the illustrious College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology, CEDAT and brings a wealth of experience on board. Also from the same college is Dr. Charles Niwagaba, who has gone ahead to start an NGO and is tirelessly in search of solutions to improve the condition of slum dwellers. In one of his innovations, Dr. Niwagaba explains how grey water (water from household chores) can be put to alternative use after purification.
From the College of Health Sciences, CHS is Dr. Noeline Nakasujja who has found a way of explaining psychotic disorders in people living with HIV/AIDS. “I discovered that there are certain psychiatric disorders in HIV positive patients that do not fall in any of the major categories of mental illness,” she says.
Dr. Peter Walekhwa from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), is restlessly searching for ways through which biogas can sustainably be used across Africa. He has since teamed up with a team of equally zealous researchers from other parts of the world including Scotland and Cameroon.
Dr. Lillian Namuganyi on the other hand is disturbed by how the ongoing developments in Kampala city have disadvantaged the common man, who in most cases is pushed out of the city. “We researchers are not consulted by authorities before they make certain decisions. City planners have paid attention only to the function of the city, with less consideration for the practice of the city,” she explains. The publication contains many more voices of how doctoral holders are putting their vast knowledge to use.
The richly packaged publication categorizes PhD holders by age, gender, field, College and mobility. In relation to Colleges, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, CAES, stands out with the highest number of PhD holders, most of whom are male. The gender gap stands at 23% of female PhD holders in Makerere University, compared to the 77% male counterparts. The publication among other things recommends that Makerere University mobilizes more external resources for training, to supplement the internal resources, in the medium term.
The Director QAD, Dr. Vincent Ssembatya is optimistic that the Directorate will conduct similar studies when funds allow. “This type of exercise is crucial in helping us determine the impact of graduate training, especially now that Makerere University aspires to be graduate led. We are glad that the PhD beneficiaries we spoke to are grateful to have pursued further studies and I take this opportunity to encourage as many people as possible to take this path,” he said. The Directorate will officially launch this publication at a date to be communicated later.
Please click here to view the Sida PhD Graduates Tracer Study 2014
By Marion Alina, Public Relations Office
Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. The tournament was held in three preliminary rounds, followed by semi-finals and a grand finale.
The first round covered democracy and youth participation in politics, while the second round covered inequality and wealth distribution, and the third, the ban on export of raw materials. The semi-final round debated apprenticeship for blue-collar jobs, while the grand finale debated national budget allocations for healthcare and education. In the spirit of inclusivity, all colleges, including the Jinja Campus participated in the tournament.
Commenting on the choice of topics, the organisers noted Makerere University as a bastion of academic excellence has a profound responsibility to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of our nation. These leaders, they added, ought to be equipped with 21st century skills of self-expression, critical thinking, and problem-solving so as to navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving world.
On the whole, Makerere Inter-college Debates were conceived as a strategic initiative to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and innovation. The Debating Union aims to empower the future leaders by providing a platform for students to engage in respectful discourse, articulate their thoughts, as well as develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Furthermore, the Debates serve as a platform for not only honing the intellectual prowess of students but also cultivating leadership skills, teamwork, and communication abilities that are essential for success in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It is envisaged that this initiative will have a lasting impact on the lives of students, by exposing them to debates on topical issues that can shape the mindsets of transformative leaders our nation needs.
After a thrilling two days of debate, Daphine Kemigisha and Jibril Ssekandi from the School of Law (SoL) emerged as winners of the Makerere University Inter-college Debate Tournament 2025, while Olara Emmanuel George from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) was the Public Speech Champion, and Namujuzi Martha Mociita from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) was the Poetry Champion.
The 2025 Tournament was organized by Mayanja Owen and Nkalubo Oprah – 91st Guild Representative Councils (GRCs) of the Debate Union, Akatwijuka Arthur – Chairperson Debate Union, and Debate Union Representatives from colleges. The Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF) partnered with the Debate Union to deliver the 2025 edition.
Addressing students at the award ceremony, UNNGOF’s Mr. Derrick Baluuku encouraged the youth to step out of their comfort zones and think of solutions to inspire change in their communities.
-
General1 week agoCall for Applications: Admission to Postgraduate Programmes 2025/2026
-
General5 days agoAccommodation during the Recess Term: 2024/2025
-
Humanities & Social Sciences2 weeks agoOver 2,000 Attend Makerere’s Dialogue on Traditional Spirituality, Herbal Medicine, Witchcraft and Questions of Truth
-
General5 days agoMak Targets 30% Graduate Student Enrolment
-
General2 weeks agoPhase 1 of e-Learning initiative at Makerere University registers remarkable achievements