General
Meet Dr. Steven Nyanzi: The Mak Graduation Guru
Assoc. Prof. Steven Allan Nyanzi is the reigning Chairperson of the Makerere University Ceremonies Committee, a position he has held for the last 5 years. Dr. Nyanzi took over from the former Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration, Prof. Tickodri Togboa. He holds a First Class Doctor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Karlsruhe (Germany), a Master of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Science degree with a Concurrent Diploma in Education from Makerere University. Below he shares his experience and thoughts of the Makerere University Graduation Ceremony with Marion Alina.
The Chairperson
As Chairperson of Ceremonies Committee, Dr. Nyanzi works with a committed team of about 20 Members of the Committee. In planning each graduation, more members are co-opted including the College Communication Officers, Public Relations Office, Vice Chancellor’s Office and Staff from other units. “I was a College representative to Senate but Prof. Baryamureeba, the then Acting Vice Chancellor believed that I could Chair the Ceremonies Committee. My name was proposed and I was unanimously elected by Senate,” says the Senator.
Changes in Graduation at Mak
With more students graduating each year, Dr. Nyanzi reveals that the next graduation ceremony will be organized and conducted by the Colleges but in liaison with the Ceremonies Committee. The College-based Graduation ceremonies will still be presided over by the Chancellor, Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera. “A recent sitting of Senate approved that graduation ceremonies be moved to Colleges to cut costs. Each graduation costs us between 500m- I billion shillings. The College-based graduation ceremony will require less personnel and will be easier to manage with smaller numbers of graduating students. We think it might also be less costly, especially if some Colleges combine their graduation ceremonies. The College Administration will fully exercise its autonomy on this issue and also identify a convenient place within the University to conduct its graduation ceremony. We welcome further proposals on this shift,” he explains.
The experience
The Makerere University Graduation ceremony is a big national event, with between 13,000 – 14,000 students graduating. Each graduand is allowed to invite a maximum of two people as witnesses of this special day. By implication, each graduation ceremony sits over 35,000 people spread throughout the graduation duration. Giant screens, a powerful public address system, huge tents, entertainment, high-level security deployment and refreshments are some of the items that heavily draw on the budget. “I used to think Graduation is a simple event but I have come to learn that there are a number of people who work so hard to make it a success. These include the unsung heroes in the Registrar’s Department who compile names and proof read the draft graduation booklet, the University printery which edits the graduation booklet, the security team and other categories of people,” he adds. In some cases, the graduation has not gone smoothly, necessitating printing of addendum lists of graduating students. Dr. Nyanzi says this delay starts from the Departments that are supposed to submit marks on time, and spills over to all the other processes. He nonetheless admits that some Departments have timely submissions, but the process cannot be complete until all submissions have been made.
Dr. Nyanzi is grateful that after the 64th Graduation ceremony, January 2014, the Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu hosted a thank-you dinner at his residence and invited most of the people who made this graduation a success. “This was the first recognition of its kind and we hope the practice is maintained. The 64th Graduation was indeed unique because for the first time, we had more female students, 50.3% graduating, compared to the 49.7% male students. It is said that once you educate a girl child you prepare the nation for better times. I am glad we are having more female graduates. It is also at this graduation that the Vice Chancellor insisted that the ceremony be held in four days as opposed to the usual 5 days, to cut costs. Indeed we saved some money. He had also proposed that we hold the 65th graduation in 2 days but this became impossible, so we will have it spread over three days. Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu will leave behind a legacy of cutting costs, so that the money is diverted to other wanting areas. He is a true economist and we appreciate this,” he says.
Makerere University has also witnessed an increase in the number of students graduating with Masters and doctorate (PhD) degrees. Dr. Nyanzi is bothered that most of the research work of this category of graduates is not funded by government. “During graduation you hear funders from Sweden, Norway, Germany, South Africa and the like, a sign that they have confidence in what we do. But you hardly hear of funding from Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education or other Government entities and yet there are important areas for us as a nation that Government can choose to fund. We need people in Government to realize that there is value in ‘growing your own timber,’ if I am to borrow the words of Prof. Mamdani,” he says emphatically. “I am also pleasantly surprised by the increasing number of people who graduate in the distance education mode. I know that State Minister for Mineral Development Hon. Peter Lokeris, the first lady Hon. Janet Museveni and other important personalities have benefitted from this arrangement and I sincerely appreciate the efforts of our colleagues in Distance Education,” he adds.
Employment for Graduates
With Makerere University sending over 13,000 trained graduates each year to the already strained job market, the scare of insufficient jobs continues to worry many. “We need to think of how to skill students from an early age and make the curricula more practical to Uganda’s needs, lest we risk having a mass of disgruntled youth. It is up to Government to agree that the curricula is not serving the purpose and change it as soon as yesterday, right from Kindergarten,” Dr. Nyanzi reasons.
Honorary Doctorates
Makerere University also awards Honorary doctorates to outstanding members of society. The names of Such individuals are suggested by a College or School and forwarded to Senate for approval. “An Honorary doctorate is usually awarded to someone whose work is defendable and self explanatory as is the case with H.E. Mwai Kibaki the former President of Kenya and H.E. Yoweri Museveni the President of Uganda. Senators take time to debate the choices before the award is given,” he explains. Dr. Nyanzi believes that the awards also need to target other categories of people who have delivered exceptional services. “For example Dr. Mathew Lukwiya who lost his life saving ebola patients could be awarded an honorary doctorate posthumously. Fortunately, Senate has set up a special Committee to identify people who should be recognized. There are a number of women fighters like Rhoda Kalema who have fought for the rights of the girl child. The School of Women and Gender Studies or the Directorate of Gender Mainstreaming can propose such names with ample justification.”
Moving on
The Chemist is now thinking of retiring from the responsibility of Chairperson Ceremonies Committee and focusing on mentoring students and his research. “I am looking at how to purify water for the benefit of people with low incomes, especially in the remote settings. I also have interest in projects on cancer research, alternative energy sources like biofuels, and environmental conservation,” he says with a sparkle in the eye.
Dr. Steven Allan Nyanzi is grateful to all categories of Staff for the team work that has seen Makerere University successfully conduct graduation ceremonies. He remains optimistic that this high level team work will be maintained as Makerere University continues to scale the heights.
General
Institutionalizing ORCID at Makerere University: Strengthening Researcher Identification, Visibility and Research Output Tracking
The Unit-Based ORCID Sensitization and System Capture of Researcher Identification Workshop was held on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, commencing at 9:00 a.m. at the Telepresence Centre, Senate Building, Makerere University. The workshop was facilitated by the Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU).
The workshop was opened by Prof. Robert Wamala – Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovations and Partnerships (DRIP). In his remarks, Prof. Wamala emphasised the importance of ORCID in strengthening researcher identification, improving the visibility and discoverability of Makerere University‘s research outputs, and ensuring accurate attribution of scholarly contributions.
Prof. Wamala highlighted the need to move beyond individual ORCID registration towards systematic institutional adoption, including the accurate capture and validation of researchers’ ORCID identifiers in relevant University information systems. He underscored the importance of coordinated implementation at unit level, recognising the critical roles of College Librarians, Library staff and the Directorate of Graduate Training in supporting ORCID adoption among academic staff, researchers and graduate students.
Prof. Wamala appreciated RENU for facilitating the engagement and encouraged participants to translate the knowledge gained into practical action within their respective units. The workshop marked an important step in Makerere University‘s efforts to strengthen researcher identification, improve research visibility and enhance the institutional management and tracking of scholarly outputs.
The opening session also featured remarks from the University Librarian Prof. Ruth Nalumaga and Dr. Cyprian Misinde, the Director of Quality Assurance, who underscored the importance of ORCID in strengthening research visibility, scholarly communication and institutional research information management. Their contributions highlighted the need for collaboration across the Library, Quality Assurance, Graduate Training and DRIP to support effective ORCID adoption and integration into University processes.
The workshop provided an opportunity to sensitise participants on ORCID and strengthen their capacity to support its adoption and system capture within their respective units. The participation of College Librarians, Library staff and the Directorate of Graduate Training was particularly strategic in supporting researchers and graduate students to establish and maintain their ORCID profiles.
The workshop was attended by College Librarians and Library Staff; Representatives from the Directorate of Graduate Training; Directorate of Quality Assurance and the Directorate of Research, Innovations and Partnerships. Their participation was intended to strengthen awareness, institutional coordination and practical support for ORCID adoption across the University.
The engagement, marked a collaborative step towards institutionalizing ORCID at Makerere University and strengthening the University’s capacity to identify, track and showcase its research contributions globally.
As Greater Kampala continues to expand, the question of how the city will secure enough water for its growing population is becoming increasingly urgent. New homes, roads, industries and commercial centres are transforming the metropolitan landscape, but this growth also places pressure on wetlands, catchments and the infrastructure that supplies water to communities. For Makerere University, this challenge is not only a matter for public debate. It is also a question that research can help answer before today’s decisions become tomorrow’s problems.
That concern shaped a dissemination workshop held at the University on Wednesday, 28th October 2026. The gathering brought together researchers, policymakers, university leaders, planners, students, development partners and members of the media to consider findings from the Urban Expansion Model for Mitigating Water Scarcity in Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, known as UREMWAS, an occasion that was graced by the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hon. Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, who attended as chief guest.
At the heart of the research is a practical concern: how can a fast-growing metropolitan area accommodate more people and economic activity without undermining the natural systems and public infrastructure on which its residents depend? The UREMWAS project seeks to help answer that question by giving planners a way to examine how different patterns of urban development may affect water availability. Rather than treating water scarcity as an isolated problem of supply, the study relates it to the choices made about land, housing, drainage, settlement and infrastructure.
Understanding the Link Between Urban Growth and Water
Presenting the study, the Principal Investigator Dr. Nestor Mugabe explained that Greater Kampala is among Uganda’s fastest-growing urban regions. Its expansion has increased pressure on water sources and supply networks, while also changing the natural landscapes that help sustain those resources. As settlements spread, the consequences can extend beyond the immediate area where construction takes place. Wetlands may be encroached upon, catchments altered and the routes through which water moves across the landscape disrupted. “The value of this model is in helping planners see the consequences of today’s choices before those choices become difficult and costly to reverse.” He stated.
The model brings together information on population movement, built-up areas, drainage patterns, wetland cover and water demand. By considering these factors together, planners can explore possible urban growth scenarios and assess their likely implications before major decisions are made. The intention is to support better-informed choices on where development should take place, which natural areas require protection and where investment in water infrastructure may be most needed.
Dr. Mugabe cautioned that water scarcity rarely emerges from a single decision or event. Instead, it can develop gradually as many small choices accumulate without sufficient attention to their combined effect. The value of the model, he explained, lies in helping decision makers see a wider picture and understand how development in one part of the metropolitan area may affect water security elsewhere.
The findings point to a close relationship between the pattern of urban growth and the pressure placed on water systems. When settlements expand without effective planning, development can reach sensitive areas such as wetlands and catchments. These landscapes perform important functions in storing, filtering and releasing water. When they are degraded, the natural processes that support water availability are weakened. At the same time, extending piped water infrastructure to scattered communities can become more difficult and expensive.
By contrast, growth guided by clear plans, the protection of natural areas and timely infrastructure investment offers a stronger basis for managing demand. The research therefore presents urban planning and water security as closely connected responsibilities. Decisions about housing, roads and commercial development cannot be considered separately from the resources needed to sustain the people who live and work in those places.
Dr. Mugabe also emphasised that water scarcity cannot be solved by infrastructure alone. The challenge involves governance, public behaviour and coordination among institutions that may otherwise plan and operate independently. Engineers, physical planners, local leaders, communities and researchers need to work with shared evidence if their decisions are to reinforce rather than undermine one another.
That message was given a human dimension through the experiences of communities consulted during data collection. Dr. Mugabe acknowledged the residents who shared their perspectives with the research team, including people who travel long distances or pay high prices to obtain water. Their experiences, he noted, helped the researchers understand the everyday consequences of water insecurity in ways that statistics alone cannot fully convey. Behind every figure on demand or supply are households and individuals whose routines, finances and wellbeing are affected by access to water.
Taking the Findings Beyond the University
The discussion that followed the presentation reflected the broad reach of the issue. Participants considered the role of wetlands in protecting water sources, the need to enforce planning regulations and the importance of involving communities early in decisions that affect their surroundings. They also explored whether the model could be adapted for other fast-growing towns and cities in Uganda, where urbanisation may create similar pressures on land and water resources.
Several contributors stressed that research findings should be communicated in accessible language, particularly to local leaders and community groups. A model can help inform technical decisions, but its impact is likely to be greater when the people affected by planning choices can also understand the evidence and use it in their own discussions. Participants further encouraged the research team to keep the model updated as new information becomes available. Because cities change rapidly, a planning tool must be able to reflect changing populations, land use and demand if it is to remain useful.
The discussion was moderated by Prof. William Tayeebwa, who guided the discussion and encouraged participants to engage with the findings from their different areas of experience. The questions and reflections reinforced the importance of treating water security as a shared metropolitan concern rather than the responsibility of a single institution or profession.
Speaking on behalf of the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund, its Engagement officer, Ms. Grace Cherotich Ruto congratulated the research team and reaffirmed the fund’s commitment to supporting research that responds to Uganda’s practical challenges. He encouraged researchers to consider the people who will use their findings from the earliest stages of a project and to plan how the knowledge generated will be communicated and applied. Research, he observed, is most valuable when it moves beyond academic shelves and contributes to policy, services and people’s lives. “Research has its greatest value when the knowledge generated at the university reaches the people and institutions that can use it to improve lives.” Prof. Julius Kikooma, Director, Directorate of Graduate Training stated.
The remarks also highlighted the role of graduate training in building research capacity. Prof. Julius Kikooma, Director of the Directorate of Graduate Training, welcomed participants and commended the team for bringing its work to a wider audience. He noted that universities demonstrate their value to society when knowledge developed through research and scholarship informs decisions beyond the campus. Graduate research, including the work of master’s and doctoral students, helps generate and develop ideas that can be tested against real conditions and contribute to practical solutions.
A Shared Responsibility for a Growing City
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Moses Musinguzi commended the researchers for addressing an issue of national importance. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to serving the country through knowledge and collaboration, and called on government agencies, local authorities and development partners to draw on the expertise available at the institution. Water, land and urban growth are interconnected, he noted, and the management of rapidly expanding cities must be guided by sound evidence.
For the university, the workshop offered an opportunity to connect research with the institutions and communities that may put its findings to use. The model’s potential depends not only on its technical capacity, but also on whether planners and decision makers can incorporate its insights into the choices they make. Continued engagement between researchers and end users will therefore be important as the work develops.
In her address, Chief Guest Hon. Hajjat Minsa Kabanda thanked Makerere University for convening the workshop and recognised the contribution of its scholars to national development. She described the growth of Kampala and the surrounding metropolitan area as both an opportunity and a responsibility. As the country’s economic heart and home to millions of people, the city needs reliable services, including access to clean and safe water. The challenge is to ensure that expansion does not outpace the systems and natural resources required to sustain it.
“Kampala’s water challenges extend beyond administrative boundaries, so our response must be built on cooperation, shared evidence and responsible planning.” Hon. Hajjat Minsa Kabanda emphasized.
Hon. Kabanda said that the UREMWAS model could help government make better-informed decisions about the direction of urban growth, the protection of natural resources and the location of water infrastructure investment. She also pointed out that the metropolitan area extends beyond the administrative boundaries of Kampala itself. Water and land pressures do not stop at those boundaries, making coordination among the ministry, Kampala Capital City Authority, neighbouring local governments, water utilities and researchers essential.
The Minister assured the university that her ministry would study the findings and consider how they could inform its planning work. She encouraged the research team to maintain a close relationship with policymakers so that the model can remain relevant to decisions as the metropolitan area changes. She also called on citizens to protect wetlands, use water responsibly and observe planning guidelines, stressing that the future of the city will be shaped by the actions of both public institutions and residents.
Turning Research into Public Action
Her remarks underscored the role universities can play as partners in public decision making. By bringing together research expertise, emerging talent and the freedom to examine difficult questions, institutions of higher learning can help government understand complex challenges and consider options grounded in evidence. She congratulated Makerere on its research tradition and encouraged it to continue producing work that responds to the needs of the country.
The workshop closed with a shared recognition that disseminating the findings is a starting point rather than an end in itself. The research team and its partners expressed the need to continue engaging government and other stakeholders, share the results more widely with local leaders and communities, and refine the model as further data becomes available. These next steps will help determine how effectively the research can support planning in Greater Kampala and whether its approach can be useful in other urban areas.
The timing of the work is significant. Decisions made now about land use, housing, drainage and water infrastructure will influence the shape of Greater Kampala for years to come. Once wetlands have been damaged, settlements established in unsuitable locations or infrastructure built without adequate coordination, correcting the consequences can be difficult and costly. A model that allows decision makers to explore possible outcomes in advance offers an opportunity to identify risks earlier and weigh development choices more carefully.
For residents, the stakes are tangible. Reliable water affects household routines, public health, livelihoods and the ability of businesses and institutions to operate. Protecting the resources that sustain supply is therefore not separate from the wider ambition to build a productive and liveable city. The challenge is to ensure that urban growth improves people’s lives without weakening the environmental systems on which those lives depend.
By bringing researchers and decision makers into the same conversation, Makerere’s UREMWAS dissemination workshop demonstrated how university research can contribute to a shared understanding of a public problem. The work does not remove the difficult choices facing the metropolitan area, but it offers a way to examine those choices with a clearer view of their possible consequences. As Greater Kampala continues to grow, the task ahead will be to turn that evidence into coordinated planning, responsible development and sustained protection of water resources.
The gathering marked a step in moving the UREMWAS findings from a research project into wider public and policy discussion. The central message was clear: the future of Greater Kampala’s water security will depend not only on how much water can be supplied, but also on how the city grows, how its natural systems are protected and how well the institutions responsible for its future work together.
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