General
A New Look for the Main Hall
The Makerere University main hall has kicked off 2015 with a fresh and modern look, following a facelift sponsored by the School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences. The hall has been freshly painted, the floor sparkles with a rich brown varnish comparable to fine honey. The brand new high quality furniture was flown in from the Top class of China and is a dazzling blend of the Makerere University colours; red and green.
The University is also in the process of procuring a state-of-the-art Public Address System complete with cabinet speakers, power amplifiers, graphic equalisers, subwoofers, microphones and receivers among other components; large format projector screens and a stationary overhead projector to complete the setup all at a cost of about $38,000. These will be fitted in due course. The plan is to have blinds in the windows to reduce on the glare/dust, install air conditioners and replace the stage curtains too.
“The 520 modern conference chairs and repainting of the hall have been provided with the kind contribution of the School of Public 
Health at acost of about 300m shillings and we are sincerely grateful to the Dean Prof. William Bazeyo. We would like to have microphones for every few chairs so that we limit this business of moving around with a microphone for someone in the audience to make their submission. The translation box also needs to be repaired,” said the Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Finance and Administration (DVC FA), Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
“Changing the look of the Main Hall has been a pending issue for some time and I am grateful that the School of Public health has weighed in on this. There are many crucial areas in the University that need urgent attention and improvement. Management is aware of these requirements and continues to devise means to address them. We nonetheless welcome such initiatives as demonstrated by the School of Public Health in improving these facilities. I am confident that it is just a matter of time and joint efforts for us to be in a better Makerere University readymade for the 21st century and comparable to no other in the region. This will take more than just infrastructure, but rather team work at all levels,” emphasised the Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu.
Prof. Nawangwe reveals that the School of Public Health was able to refurnish the Main Hall using funds from its overhead costs on research projects. “This College has a vibrant Grants Office, and I think the other Colleges can emulate this as opposed to entirely depending on the Centre, which is cash strapped. We pay tribute to units that have made efforts to improve their infrastructure like CoBAMS, CoCIS, CEDAT and encourage them to continue doing so. CHS has further demonstrated that a unit can support the University by providing the much-needed facilities. We will formerly launch the Main Hall new look once all the other components are in place but Colleagues are welcome to see the changes which have taken us about only two weeks to implement. We received the furniture in mid December 2014,” he adds.
The Main hall has indeed been restored to its former glory of the 1960s and 70s when Makerere University hosted trend-changing public debates. This is what Management is looking forward to. “We need to shape policy. We hope this will be the home of many policy debates and major conferences which were initially hosted in hotels. We will charge a reasonable fee for some of these as a way of generating income,” says Prof. Nawangwe.
Now with the Main Hall all looking glamorous, lectures that were initially conducted here will not be allowed 
anymore. These have instead been relocated to the lecture halls in residential halls of Livingstone, Lumumba and Mitchell. “The former dining halls in these places have now become lecture rooms and have been fitted with appropriate furniture for this purpose. I encourage the university Community to comfortably time table lectures in theses halls. Starting next Semester, Feb. 2015, we will not allow any more lectures in the Main Hall,” adds Prof. Nawangwe. It will be remembered that students now have joint meals in the halls of Mary Stuart, Africa, Nsibirwa and University Hall; provided through outside catering services, a policy that took effect in August 2014.
These changes are in line with creating a conducive environment at Makerere University. Other areas that will be looked at in the near future include improvements in lighting around the university, road repairs, tree planting and improvements in the general landscaping.
Story by Marion Alina, Public Relations Office
Staff and students at the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) have been sensitized on Makerere University’s Gender Equality Policy (GEP) and the Policy and Regulations Against Sexual Harassment (PRASH), in an engagement aimed at strengthening awareness of staff rights and responsibilities and promoting a safe, inclusive and respectful University environment.
The two-hour sensitization session, held on Friday, 30th October 2026 in the Chemistry Boardroom, was organized by the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD) and led by its Director, Dr Euzobia Baine.
The engagement provided staff with an opportunity to understand the purpose and scope of the two policies, their role in promoting gender equality and preventing sexual harassment, as well as the mechanisms available for reporting and addressing cases of sexual harassment within the University.
Sensitization on the Gender Equality Policy
The Makerere University Gender Equality Policy, originally adopted in 2009 and amended in 2022, provides a broad institutional framework for promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. It seeks to integrate gender considerations into the University’s core functions, including teaching and learning, research and innovation, institutional management, recruitment, staff development and leadership.
The policy also promotes equal opportunity and non-discrimination, equitable participation and progression of students, increased participation of women in leadership and decision-making, and a gender-responsive, inclusive and secure University environment.
The Policy Against Sexual Harassment
Staff were also sensitized on PRASH, which provides the institutional framework for preventing and responding to sexual harassment at Makerere University. The policy establishes mechanisms for sensitization, reporting, investigation and management of complaints, while providing for accountability and protection of members of the University community.
The policy applies to members of the University community, including academic, administrative and support staff, students, contractors, partners and visitors to University premises. Sexual harassment encompasses unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours and other unwanted physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature.
The sensitization highlighted the complementary role of the two policies. While the GEP provides the broader framework for gender equality, equity and inclusion across the University, PRASH specifically addresses sexual harassment and establishes measures for its prevention and response.
Implementation and Institutional Commitment
Mr. Eric Tumwesigye, Principal Gender Officer in Makerere University’s Directorate of Gender Mainstreaming, briefed staff on progress in implementing MakPRASH, sharing experiences and lessons learned, as well as the consequences of persistent sexual harassment.
On behalf of CoNAS, the Deputy Principal, Prof. Godwin Kakuba, welcomed the initiative and called for continued sensitization of staff and students on the policies.
Prof. Kakuba pledged support towards ensuring that the policies are understood and observed, noting that regular awareness and engagement are important in creating a respectful and safe working and learning environment.
The sensitization forms part of the University’s ongoing efforts, through the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, to strengthen implementation of its gender-related policies and promote a University community where all members can participate, work and learn in an environment free from discrimination, harassment and other forms of gender-based harm.
Staff and students at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) were encouraged to embrace gender-responsive practices as a key step towards building an inclusive, equitable, and productive academic environment.
The call was made during a gender sensitization workshop held on October 28th, 2026, organized by the Directorate of Gender Mainstreaming, which brought together members of the CoVAB community to deepen their understanding of gender issues and their relevance in higher education institutions.
Principal Calls for Active Participation
A section of the participants that included academic and administrative staff listen attentively
Welcoming participants to the workshop, CoVAB Principal Prof. Clovice Kankya thanked the Directorate of Gender Mainstreaming for choosing the College to host the engagement and encouraged staff and students to take advantage of such learning opportunities.
He described the meeting as one of his first major engagements with members of the College community since assuming office and emphasized the importance of continuous learning and participation in institutional programs.
“Opportunities such as these should not be taken for granted. When experts come to share knowledge and experiences, it is important that we make time to attend, listen, and learn,” he said.
Prof. Kankya noted that he was one of the staff training gender in the past and noted that to date, there were many gender experts who together work towards ensuring the student community gains the needed knowledge and skills to mainstream gender concerns in the college activities.
Gender Concerns Everyone
Some energizers to keep the participants fully engaged
Addressing common misconceptions about gender-related discussions, the Principal emphasized that gender is not exclusively a women’s issue but one that concerns all members of society.
“Gender is not all about women. It is about the social roles, responsibilities, and relationships that shape our lives and workplaces. Understanding these issues helps us create a more supportive and inclusive environment for everyone,” he explained.
Drawing from his academic experience, Prof. Kankya noted that gender considerations cut across disciplines and sectors and remain an important component of sustainable development efforts worldwide. He urged participants to appreciate the role of gender mainstreaming in fostering equal opportunities, promoting respectful working relationships, and enhancing institutional effectiveness.
The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) recently hosted a gender sensitization session aimed at increasing awareness of Makerere University’s gender policies and gathering stakeholder feedback to support their effective implementation.
Organized by the Directorate of Gender Mainstreaming, the engagement brought together staff and students to discuss gender equality, prevention of sexual harassment, gender-responsive planning and budgeting, and the role of university stakeholders in fostering an inclusive academic environment.
Principal Welcomes Gender Mainstreaming Directorate
Prof. Clovice Kankya, Principal CoVAB – made welcome remarks, acknowledging the importance of gender in all areas
The session was officiated by the new CoVAB Principal, who thanked the Directorate for selecting CoVAB to host the engagement and encouraged staff and students to take full advantage of opportunities that contribute to professional and personal growth. While challenging the common misconception that gender discussions are solely women’s affairs, he emphasized the importance of participation in university activities, noting that such engagements provide valuable opportunities to learn, share experiences, and contribute to institutional development. “Gender is not all about women. It is about the social roles and responsibilities that shape our interactions and work environments. Understanding these issues is important for all of us.”, he stated.
Disseminating University Gender Policies
R-L: The Director of the Gender mainstreaming Directorate at Makerere University Dr. Euzobia Baine, and Mr. Eric Tumwesigye facilitated the session.
Facilitators from the Directorate of Gender Mainstreaming led by Dr. Euzobia Baine explained the purpose and scope of Makerere University’s Gender Equality Policy and the Policy and Regulations Against Sexual Harassment. Dr. Baine said the sensitization session aimed to increase awareness and understanding of the University’s gender policies and to obtain feedback from stakeholders to guide their implementation and continuous improvement.
Participants were informed that the policies apply to students, academic staff, administrative staff, and all other individuals who study, work, or undertake activities within university spaces. The Directorate also highlighted its mandate to coordinate policy implementation and provide technical support to colleges, schools, departments, and administrative units across the University.
Promoting Gender Equality across University Functions
The meeting highlighted the broad scope of the Gender Equality Policy, which seeks to integrate gender considerations into teaching, learning, research, outreach, partnerships, and institutional management.
Participants learned that the policy promotes the integration of gender perspectives into curricula and research activities, equitable access, participation, retention, and progression for students and staff, increased participation of women and other underrepresented groups in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields and leadership positions, Gender-responsive community engagement and university partnerships and a university culture founded on respect, inclusion, equity, and equal opportunity. The facilitators emphasized that gender mainstreaming is not a stand-alone activity but a responsibility that should be incorporated into all university programs and operations.
Addressing Sexual Harassment in University Spaces
A key component of the sensitization focused on the University’s Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment. Participants were informed that the policy was developed in response to evidence showing that sexual harassment was affecting members of the university community and that stronger preventive and response mechanisms were needed.
It was explained that the policy provides guidance on prevention, reporting, investigation, and management of sexual harassment cases while promoting safe and respectful learning and working environments for all and that the was commited to supporting colleges and administrative units in implementing the policy and creating awareness among staff and students.
Gender and Equity in Planning and Budgeting
The session also highlighted the growing importance of gender and equity considerations in institutional planning and resource allocation. Participants were informed that the Public Finance Management Act requires public institutions to mainstream gender and equity concerns in their plans and budgets. They also learned that the Equal Opportunities Commission assesses institutional performance in implementing gender and equity commitments. The discussion prompted reflection on how colleges can strengthen compliance with these requirements and address existing gaps in implementing gender-responsive activities.
Fostering an Inclusive University Community
The sensitization session provided an opportunity for participants to share experiences, ask questions, and provide feedback on the implementation of the University’s policies. Participants welcomed the engagement, noting that it enhanced their understanding of gender issues and underscored their role in promoting a respectful, inclusive, and supportive environment for both staff and students.
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