Makerere University Staff Retirees have been advised to actively engage in small scale businesses so as to generate more income for self-sustainability. According to Dr. Gabriel Elepu, a Senior Lecturer at College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), investing in small scale businesses will help retirees to constructively utilize their pension money to improve their standards of living.
Converging in the Makerere University Main Hall on 29th January 2015 for the 17th Annual General Meeting of Makerere University Pensioners’ Association (MUPA), Mak staff retirees were given vital tips on how to start up and sustain small scale businesses.
In his presentation Dr. Elepu shared that developing an idea and drafting a business plan are the essential elements of starting up a business. He therefore advised them to imitate the life of an entrepreneur if they are to increase their income and improve their social welfare.
“Starting up a business does not depend on how much capital you have, but rather on how better you can utilize the available capital to generate profits. A good business man should have a fundamental idea with an entrepreneurial mind. Always focus on how much you have in your pockets; don’t wait to amass millions and millions of money in order to start up a business. Even those successful businesses you admire started from a humble background,” he advised.
Dr. Elepu also noted that, in order for owners to successfully reap from their businesses, they have to be fast learners, hardworking, and ready to bear risks. He cautioned retirees against poor management and lack of passion as these were the main reasons behind the collapse of many businesses.
“I therefore recommend you to always start up businesses out of strong reasons. Have passion for the business then proper management will follow. Failure to have love for your business will lead to a poor management system,” Dr. Elepu added.
In his speech the Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu appreciated the considerable strides made by Makerere University towards clearing outstanding payments for retirees. He therefore called upon them to continuously and tirelessly support the University management so that their needs are catered for in a timely manner.
“In spite of the limited resource envelope, we committed resources to pay Commuted Pensions Gratuity (CPG) for the period of 1996 to March 2009. However, the Pension Office has a list of a few people who have not been paid due to lack of bank details while others have since passed on and the office doesn’t have the names of the administrators of their estates. I request the MUPA Board of Trustees to work with Pension Office to ensure that these outstanding payments are also cleared,” the Vice Chancellor remarked.
“I would like to assure you that Makerere University recognizes and appreciates the contributions and efforts of all retirees to the progress of our University. This is why all efforts are being made to ensure that there exists a cordial working relationship between the institution and MUPA. Our goal is mutual and this is to ensure that retirees of Makerere University live with dignity after years of serving for the good of this premier institution,” he added.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Successful appeals and supplementary lists. Below is a list arising from appeals of Government Sponsored candidates who have been admitted:
Makerere University and DFCU Bank have today signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster innovation, student leadership, research and community impact initiatives.
The collaboration which will see the equipping of the Disability Support center for students living with disabilities through the MAK run and more leadership trainings for students will begin this July.
“The MoU will strengthen research collaborations across sectors like agriculture and health and it will also support the Mutebile Centre to assist private sector growth, which is crucial in lifting Africa out of poverty,” said Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) flanked by Mr. Charles Mudiwa (L) makes his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony.
Speaking during the event, Mr. Charles M. Mudiwa, the DFCU Bank Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the move, noting its alignment with the bank’s mission to transform lives and support national development through four pillars: funding, financial inclusion, enterprise development, and vocational education.
“This MoU crowns years of effort and shared intent between our institutions,” he stated. Mr. Mudiwa highlighted the bank’s commitment to skilling youth through internships, curriculum development, and support for innovation hubs and centres of excellence at the university. “We consume the graduates of Makerere. In our most recent graduate intake of 87, 60% were Makerere alumni. The bank allocates around 30 internship positions annually to equip young people with the skills necessary for future roles within the institution,” Mr. Mudiwa, noted.
Representing the student body, Guild President His Excellency, Sentamu Churchill James, commended the partnership as a timely intervention that will empower youth, support SMEs, and expand internship and leadership development opportunities.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd L) presents a framed portrait of the Main Building to Mr. Charles Mudiwa (C) as L-R: University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta witness.
“Students are the heartbeat of the university. This collaboration will empower youth and strengthen their role in national development,” His Excellency Ssentamu, said.
About MAK RUN 2025
The Makerere Run 2025 (#MakRun2025), hosted by the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MAKEF) on 17th August 2025, returns for its fifth edition as Kampala’s premier charity marathon, uniting 8,000+ runners—students, alumni, corporate teams, and elite athletes—to tackle the city’s iconic hills under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future.” This landmark event combines competitive racing with transformative impact, channeling proceeds to strengthen Makerere University’s community programs while offering unmatched branding opportunities for partners through Kampala’s largest university-led sporting spectacle.
The Mak Run, scheduled this year for August 17th, is a flagship initiative that mobilizes students, staff, alumni, and partners to raise funds for projects such as the Disability Support Unit and the Student Centre.