General
Mak Launches RUMPELHA To Enhance Livelihoods and Health in Africa
The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, has launched the Regional Universities Mediated Partnerships for Enhancing Livelihoods and Health in Africa (RUMPELHA). This was during the 4th International Scientific Meeting on sustainable Livelihoods and Health in Africa held on the 18th and 19th of June 2015 at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala.
The scientific meeting was organized by the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) and her partners in the Africa-US Integrated Disease Management (AFRUS-IDM) Network.
AFRUS-IDM is a network of higher educational institutions from East and Central Africa and North America that was established to advance higher education led development in Africa. It is under the CIMTRADZ project that has been running since 2011 with support from USAID’S Higher Education for Development (HED).
Held under the theme, “Sparking Innovations for Sustainable Livelihoods and Health Security in Africa”, the international scientific meeting marked the end of Capacity Building in Integrated Management of Trans-boundary Animal Diseases and Zoonoses (CIMTRADZ) project, and the beginning of RUMPELHA one of the several novel initiatives that emerged from CIMTRADZ. The AFRUS-IDM network is however expected to continue growing by leveraging additional resources to sustain activities initiated under CIMTRADZ.
Speaking at the launch, Prof. John David Kabasa, CoVAB Principal called for action to engage in the RUMPELHA mechanism whose emphasis is on food Security, Global Health Security and Transformative Higher Education for Development. Prof. Kabasa said that one of the areas that RUMPELHA will address is increased production and safety of animals and their products in the next 20 to 30 years to cope with the ever increasing populations in Africa.
RUMPELHA comprises University-led partnerships structured at regional levels (with member Universities) and the summit housed at The African Union (AU). The proposal for RUMPELHA has already been endorsed by the AU and if implemented will be one of the self-sustaining University-led partnerships in Africa. Makerere University will therefore partner with other universities from East, Central and Southern Africa as well as the United States and Canada within the RUMPELHA mechanism.
Present at the meeting were among others, academicians, researchers, practitioners, Makerere University staff and Students from regional universities and North America. Among the students were 12 who participated in the Annual Summer school program that has been running under CIMTRADZ. The students were from the partnering Universities of Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania), Mekelle University (Ethiopia), National University of Rwanda, University of Nairobi (Kenya), Mississippi State University and Makerere University (COVAB). Each of these students received a certificate of completion of the one-month summer school that started on 24th May 2015.
The meeting was also attended by the Vice Chancellor Makerere University represented by Prof. Bernard Bashasha, Principal of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). In a speech read by Prof. Bashasha, the Vice Chancellor said that Makerere University recognized the importance of the scientific meeting in bringing togetherresearchers from the region and America to forge ways of achieving sustainable health and livelihoods among populations in Africa.
The scientific meeting was characterized by both oral and poster presentations which focused on five key areas of Capacity building, Community Service Learning, Zoonotic and Trans-boundary Animal diseases, Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity Managementplus Food Security and Food safety.
Prof. Nawangwe thanked CoVAB under the leadership of Prof. Kabasa for its hard work and resilience in liberating Africa through the various innovations taking place within the College. One such innovation was the development of a multi-stakeholder platform-AFRISA, an academic-community-public-private partnership on basis of value chain approach in animal source food to address food security and unemployment.
All the different focal persons from the partnering Universities were recognized for their efforts in the CIMTRADZ project. They each received a plaque in appreciation for their services. Prof Nawangwe particularly thanked Prof. Margaret Khaitsa from Mississippi State University and Prof. Florence Wakoko from Columbus State University for not forgetting Uganda, even though they are working from abroad.
“Go to the world and deliver knowledge. Be the torch for Africa”, Prof. Nawange told participants as he declared RUMPELHA launched.
Prior to this scientific meeting, CoVAB had hosted the annual international cultural boma, which attracted over 200 participants. The boma was characterized by presentations based on experiences of various professionals on several topics ranging from research, training and outreach opportunities in regional and American Universitiesfrom to communication and financial sustainability, among others.
Article by Jovia Musubika Kavulu, CoVAB
The Director of Makerere University Jinja Campus, Associate Professor Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, has urged students to familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding policy aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment.
Speaking during the safeguarding policy sensitization meeting held today Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, emphasized the importance of awareness and adherence to the policy, which seeks to protect students, staff, and other stakeholders from all forms of abuse, harassment, exploitation, and discrimination.
“As Management we want every student to enjoy their stay at the University without being tormented and that can only happen, if students know their rights by reading about different policies on our website. You are meant to be living in a safe environment. We do not want anybody’s dream to be shattered or somebody to drop out from University,” Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, said.
In his speech, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, also called upon students who have complaints but do not know the reporting lines, to approach staff safeguarding champions to make sure that they live in a safe environment.
Addressing guests, Emmanuel Muchake, the Guild Administrator at Jinja Campus, pointed out that the launch of the safeguarding policy is timely because as a University, without creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, they will not have students graduate.
On Friday, April 4,2025, the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Right Honourable Lukia Isanga Nakadama, officially launched the Safeguarding Policy and commended Makerere University for crafting a policy that lays out the University’s framework for embedding viable safeguarding measures into its ethos and all institutional activities and processes to: Identify, detect, and act swiftly on safeguarding risks.
The Safeguarding Policy was developed in response to the growing need for institutions of higher learning to implement proactive measures that address concerns related to student welfare, mental health, gender-based violence, and power imbalances in academic settings.
Some of potential safeguarding risks in Institutions of higher learning include emotional distress, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH); material loss, financial exploitation, discrimination and neglect, unfair and illegitimate response to civic engagements, cyber security/threats, psychological and emotional harm, substance abuse and physical assault. Discrimination and neglect which are often high risks for students with disabilities and international students.
The safeguarding policy sensitization meeting in Jinja Campus brought together students and staff in a meaningful dialogue on safeguarding issues affecting learning.
The event was graced by Dr. Rodney Rugyema, from the Dean of Students Office, who emphasized the University’s commitment to the well-being of all its members. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of safeguarding policies in preventing abuse, harassment, exploitation, and other forms of misconduct within the Jinja Campus community.
“Safeguarding is not a one-time action, but a continuous culture of care and accountability. We all have a role to play in ensuring a safe and respectful space for learning and growth,” Dr Rugyema, said.
The sensitization session covered key topics including; recognizing signs of abuse, understanding reporting procedures on the MakSafeSpace and fostering mutual respect among peers.
Participants were encouraged to actively engage and reflect on their roles in upholding safety standards both on and off campus.
Students who attended the sensitization welcomed the initiative, with many expressing optimism that the policy would improve campus safety and encourage victims to come forward without fear of retaliation.
“We have seen issues go unreported in the past because students didn’t know where to turn. This policy provides clarity and assurance that the university is taking these matters seriously,” noted, a third-year student.
The University plans to conduct a series of sensitization workshops and distribute printed copies of the policy to ensure that every member of the campus community is well-informed. This initiative is part of Makerere University‘s broader strategy to reinforce its values of integrity, respect, and protection for all.
The Safeguarding Sensitization Meeting concluded with a collective pledge to uphold safety, dignity, and mutual respect within the University community.
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