“I recently worked closely with a Japanese student who was studying a Masters program in Makerere University, and through her I leant that Makerere University is providing quality education for both undergraduate and graduate students. I really hope that the equipment we have donated will contribute to better students’ life as well as enhancing quality education as we look forward to working closely with you in the future,” said Mr. Hashimoto Jin, 3^rd Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Uganda.

Mr. Hashimoto Jin was accompanied by Mr. Tatsuya Nakai, the 2^nd Secretary-Embassy of Japan in Uganda, and Mr. Shinsuke Iwama-a Visiting Engineer from Japan. The Visiting Engineer will remain at the Makerere University Printery for two (2) weeks to train staff on the effective operationalisation of the equipment. Additionally, the staff in the Makerere University Printery will ultimately benefit from the “technology transfer” package from Japan.

The Makerere University Management, Staff from the Makerere University Printery, Planning and Development Department, Mak Public Relations Office and the Mak Holdings Company Limited witnessed the handover ceremony held on Tuesday 14^th July 2015 in the Main Building- Council Room and Makerere University Printery respectively.

Receiving the grant worth 2,480,700 Japanese Yens equivalent to UGX. 72,000,000/= in form of machine spare parts, consumables and technical support, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu applauded the Government and People of Japan for their continued support towards the institutional development and capacity building programmes at Makerere University.

“We thank you for the support that includes the construction of the JICA building, which houses a large part of the College of Natural Sciences. In 2007, the Makerere University Printery received assistance from the Government of Japan worth UGX 722,759,076/=, in form of Equipment, that raised the production capacity by 100%. We are therefore humbled that we are again gathered here today to receive another generous contribution from the Government of Japan worth 2,480,700 Japanese Yen, equivalent of UGX 72million,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor equally commended the Management and Staff of the Makerere University Printery for undertaking a resource mobilisation strategy that has continuously attracted development partners, companies and individuals to donate equipment vital to the production and printing processes.

“I am happy to note that Makerere University Printery has made us proud by engaging with and creating critical partnerships. It is through such initiatives that different units in the University can continue to develop. University Management therefore extends its appreciation to the Management and staff of Printery for attaining results that are beneficial to the entire University. We applaud Mr. Joseph Kirabo, for providing visionary and innovative leadership. The University Management is committed to supporting commercial units as viable options for financial sustainability of the University,” he remarked.

The Manager, Makerere University Printery, Mr. Kirabo Joseph Edmond thanked the Government of Japan through the Embassy of Japan in Uganda for honouring their proposal.

“The Makerere University Printery wrote a proposal to the Japanese Embassy requesting for assistance to sustain our production line performance. Consequently, the proposal was honoured and today we are here to receive the generous contribution including two (2) weeks capacity building,” revealed the Manager.

“Since 2007, we have been working hard to utilize the equipment you gave us. We believe  that you have decided to come up to provide additional equipment to ensure that we move to the next level of continuing to be a role model in Uganda in the provision of quality and timely services in the printing industry,” he added.

On behalf of Makerere University Holdings Company Limited, the Acting Executive Officer, Mr. Moses Nadiope commended the Makerere University Printery Management for building partnerships that are enabling the Unit to become efficient and competitive.  

“We are really happy that the Makerere University Printery has received this equipment, the first of its kind in the country. This shows that Government of Japan is transferring technology to Uganda more so to Makerere University and making the Printery an innovative printing business which we hope to develop and create more businesses,” he said.

In her 46 years of existence, the Makerere University Printery that is owned by the Makerere University Council has continued to collaborate with several development partners to realise her mission of providing quality services to clients.

“We value partnerships. We applaud the Government and People of Japan and other development partners namely: Norwegian Agency for International Development, European Economic Community now called European Union, Japan Cultural Grant (2007 & 2015) and, The Federal Republic of German for the support rendered to the Makerere University Printery respectively,” said the Manager, Makerere University Printery.

    By: Ritah Namisango and Nabatte Proscovia