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
Makerere University staff have been urged to embrace servant leadership, integrity and compassion as they prepare to welcome students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The call was made during the Makerere University Staff Prayer Breakfast held on 31st July 2026 at St. Francis Students Centre Upper Hall under the theme “Faithful Stewards: A Servant Heart with Integrity and Wisdom,” drawn from Colossians 3:23–24 and Mark 10:35–45.
The prayer breakfast brought together members of Council, University Management, academic, and administrative staff to dedicate the new academic year to God while reflecting on their responsibility of serving students with excellence, humility and integrity.
A Call to Seek God’s Wisdom
Host Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa reminded staff that no amount of professional experience or academic expertise can replace God’s guidance.
She noted that the University’s mission can only be fulfilled when staff continually seek God’s wisdom in serving students and one another.
“There is no amount of experience or expertise that can replace God’s wisdom.”
Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed that students remain the reason universities exist and challenged staff to approach their work as a calling rather than merely employment.
“Without students, there is no university,” she said, encouraging members of staff to remain united, avoid unhealthy competition and trust God as they begin another academic year.
She further urged staff to become faithful stewards who work together in harmony, which she summed up as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research
In her remarks, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Members of Management to the breakfast, and reminded staff that a university’s value cannot be measured by research and innovation alone.
She described Makerere as a community held together by the spiritual as well as academic wellbeing of its people, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
Draw Inspiration From Stewardship
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Sarah Ssali told staff that this year’s breakfast carried special significance.
“This is the first prayer breakfast we are having ever since we launched our strategic plan,” she said, referring to the University’s new Strategic Plan, launched on 2nd July 2026.
She encouraged staff to hold on to the morning’s reflections as a guide for implementing the plan over the next five years, describing Makerere as an institution many families choose above all others for the vision and training it offers their children. She urged staff to see themselves as stewards of that trust rather than simply employees carrying out a job.
Compassion and Discipline Must Go Together
Delivering her remarks, Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara challenged staff to strike a balance between compassion and discipline when dealing with students.
She observed that many students face different personal and academic challenges, making encouragement and timely support essential throughout their university journey.
“A word of encouragement can restore hope and prevent costly mistakes,” she noted.
Dr. Lorna encouraged lecturers and administrators to respond promptly to students’ concerns, explaining that delays, insensitive decisions and abuse of authority can discourage students and negatively affect their academic experience.
She reminded staff that students often remember how they were treated long after they have forgotten what was taught in class.
“Students may eventually forget what we teach them, but they will always remember how we treated them.”
She added that education goes beyond transferring knowledge.
“Education is more than knowledge. We communicate life, character and values.”
Quoting Mark 10, Dr. Lorna called upon staff to embrace servant leadership by exercising authority with humility, integrity and accountability.
She encouraged members of staff to ask themselves whether they would treat every student the same way ashey would treat their own child.
“We may not always have all the answers,” she said, “but we can communicate honestly, take responsibility and treat every student with dignity.”
She concluded by urging different colleges and administrative units to work together instead of operating in isolation, noting that unity strengthens the University community.
Referring to Galatians 6:2, she reminded staff to carry one another’s burdens and remain faithful stewards of the responsibility entrusted to them.
Servant Leadership Begins with Faithfulness
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. James Magara, husband to Dr. Lorna Magara, called on members of staff to embrace servant leadership grounded in humility, faithfulness and service to others.
Drawing from Mark 10:35–45, Dr. Magara reflected on the account in which James and John asked Jesus for positions of honour in His kingdom, prompting discontent among the other disciples. He observed that despite walking closely with Christ, the disciples continued to struggle with the desire for status and recognition. He noted that such competition remained evident even during the Last Supper, where concerns over positions and prominence persisted.
Dr. Magara said that Jesus responded to these human tendencies by redefining leadership through service rather than authority. He described Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet as the ultimate demonstration of servant leadership, explaining that genuine leaders are willing to undertake even the humblest responsibilities in service of others.
Referencing Philippians 2, he urged staff to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness, contrasting it with the pride and self-exaltation illustrated in Isaiah 14. He emphasised that lasting influence and greatness are not measured by titles, positions or recognition, but by one’s willingness to serve faithfully and put the needs of others before personal ambition.
Drawing on his own leadership journey spanning several decades, Dr. Magara challenged leaders across the University to cultivate humility, integrity and a servant heart in the execution of their responsibilities. He cautioned that leadership driven by pride and personal ambition undermines both individual effectiveness and institutional progress, whereas servant leadership strengthens organisations and fosters lasting impact.
The prayer breakfast concluded with a call for unity and collective commitment as Makerere University prepares to begin a new academic year. Organisers noted that the reflections on stewardship, integrity and servant leadership would provide a strong foundation for the University community as it advances the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
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