General
Alternative Lecture Space and Academic Affairs
The two Deputy Vice Chancellors in charge of Academic Affairs and Finance and Administration, Assoc. Prof. Ernest Okello Ogwang and Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe respectively, toured the proposed lecture rooms in the halls of residence on 30th Jan 2015. The tour was aimed at assessing the readiness of the Halls of Mitchell, Livingstone, Lumumba and the Bamboo house (located at the Guest house gardens) to host lectures this semester.
These rooms which initially served as dining halls have since been converted into lecture spaces, especially following the cessation of the use of the Main Hall as teaching space. The conversions have involved fitting the halls with classroom furniture and sprucing up the floor. The sitting capacity of the halls ranges from 300-500.
“Efforts have been made to change these halls from dining halls to lecture rooms. Improvements will continue to be made and by the end of the year we will have a better picture. We are in this together and I urge the entire university community to support the ongoing developments,” said Dr. Okello Ogwang, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs.
A report from the Estates and Works Department indicates that these halls are in need of renovation both on the outside and inside. Installation of public address systems, improvement of lighting and constant maintenance among other works are some of the activities still lined up in order to fully convert the former dining halls into fully-fledged lecture spaces. The Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has since directed the Estates and Works Department to make emergency procurements.
“The Office of the DVC (F&A) has commenced procurement of 500 additional chairs with writing pads and public address systems for all the new lecture halls. The new chairs will replace broken ones and also supplement those already transferred. Efforts are being made to finalise this procurement as soon as possible,” explained Prof. Nawangwe.
“Given that the Main hall is a meeting point for many other functions, we need to find new space. We continue to look forward to the African Development Bank (ADB) project which will open up even more space. When you have your own space, it makes it easier to plan as opposed to hiring. We need to put our heads together, so that we utilise the available space harmoniously,” added Dr. Okello Ogwang.
The ADB funding will be used to support the construction of two centralized lecture facilities; one at the UCB slab (College of Business And Management Sciences- CoBAMS) and the other at the foundation next to the College of Humanities and social Sciences- CHUSS. This funding will also be used to put up a multi-disciplinary complex at the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS). Each of these structures is hoped to have a 10,000 sitting capacity, with lecture theatres that can accommodate up to 1,000 students at a go.
Dr. Ogwang also expressed his gratitude to all Members of Staff who contributed to the recently successfully concluded 65th graduation ceremony. He however urged them to not to relax. “I sincerely appreciate all members of Staff for the hard work put into the successful completion of the 65th graduation ceremony. This is one of the key ways we account to the government, development partners, the general public and other stakeholders. The second semester is here and I urge all of us to keep up the hard work and focus on excellent results in each of our dockets. I also ask continuing students to guard against malpractices in any way or form,” he concluded.
Article by Marion Alina
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Waste Management efforts at Makerere University have been boosted by a donation of 30 waste bins by Centenary Bank’s Makerere Branch. The bins received on Monday 11th May 2026 in the Freedom Square by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in the company of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Ssali, Deputy University Secretary, Mr. Simon Kizito and other officials were handed over by the Branch Manager, Mr. Sunday Julius.
Appreciating the donation from Centenary Bank on behalf of University Management, Prof. Nawangwe noted that Makerere University strives to maintain “the cleanest environment in Kampala”, especially as a good example to future leaders, the students.
Acknowledging earlier donations to the Halls of Residence by Centenary Bank, Prof. Nawangwe described the ceremony as “the beginning of a long journey of collaboration in environmental stewardship,” with separation of plastics from biodegradable waste earmarked as the next step in user education.
In his remarks, Mr. Sunday noted that the donation was in line with the Bank’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives, particularly the Social component, where supporting institutions with waste management facilities to enhance hygiene is key. “It is important for Centenary Bank to give back to the society where it makes money”, he emphasized.
Describing Makerere University as the “main institution that Centenary Bank operates a branch”, Mr. Sunday recognised the donation as a step in the right direction with a valuable partner.
The newly-donated bins will be placed in various public locations under supervision of the Estates and Works Directorate.
Makerere University and the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (ND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University and Rev. Robert A. Dowd, the 18th President signed on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony, which was held at the University of Notre Dame campus at South Bend, Indiana was witnessed by Dr. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Council of Makerere University, who led the Mak delegation.
Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.
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