General
Mak Printery receives Grant from Japanese Government
“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, 3rd Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Uganda.
Mr. Hashimoto Jin was accompanied by Mr. Tatsuya Nakai, the 2nd 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 14th 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
By Bernard Buteera
On Saturday 2nd December 2023, all roads led to Achukudu Community Primary School in Napak District, Karamoja sub-region, as the Scholars and Alumni of Mastercard Foundation at Makerere University commemorated their Scholars’ Annual Day of Community Service (Giveback). The 2023 Scholars Annual Day of Community Service was held at Achukudu Community Primary School, Napak District in the Karamoja sub-region. Established in 2013, Achukudu Community School serves two ethnic communities—The Iteso and Karamojong.
With a total population of 1,907 pupils only three government-paid teachers, and nine community-paid teachers, the School faces a plethora of challenges. Key among the challenges is the lack of Classrooms, decent Ventilated Pit Latrines, and Desks. Therefore when the Scholars identified the School as one that deserved to be given a gift of a classroom block, it was a befitting choice!
The Scholars with support from the alumni, the Program Team, Members of the Steering Committee, and partners of the Scholars Program at Makerere University intervened by constructing a two-classroom block, which was supervised by one of the alumni who is an Engineer. Alongside the classroom block, the Scholars also provided 40 desks, helping the school meet UNEB Center eligibility criteria.
While presiding over the event, the area member of Parliament, Hon. John Bosco Ngoya, thanked the Scholars and alumni community at Makerere University for supporting the young pupils of Achukudu Primary School and the entire community by gifting them with a two-classroom block.
“Thank you Scholars and alumni of Mastercard Foundation at Makerere University for the Christmas gift of a classroom block to the young people and the entire community of Achukudu. This classroom block will go a long way in improving the learning environment of the young children of Achukudu primary school.” Hon. Ngoya pointed out.
Hon. Ngoya called upon other people to emulate the Scholars and alumni of the Mastercard Foundation in embracing the spirit of giving back to the vulnerable people in the community. On his part, he donated One Million Five hundred shillings (1,500,000/=) to help the School purchase more desks, and he had earlier contributed One million shillings (1,000,000/=) towards the construction of the classroom block.
The District Education Officer (DEO) for Napak District, Ms. Joyce Nakoya, praised the Scholars Community for embracing and practicing the spirit of giving back to other people at an early age.
“Thank you Scholars and alumni of the Mastercard Foundation at Makerere for embracing the spirit of giving back to other people at such an early age. If all people gave back to the less privileged in our communities, we would have a better world for everyone.” Ms. Nakoya pointed out.
Ms. Nakoya further pointed out every child deserves to study in a decent environment, therefore it was a befitting cause for the Scholars to construct a classroom block for the young pupils of Achukudu community primary school, who were studying in open grass thatched classrooms.
The Program Manager of, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, Ms. Jolly Okumu who led the team of Scholars, alumni, and staff to Karamoja thanked the community of Achukudu for supporting the Scholars to deliver the class block by contributing to the construction sand.
“We come here today to join with you as a community driven by a shared commitment to education, empowerment, and ethos of giving back. Today is a historic occasion as we celebrate the completion and commissioning of the classroom block, which is a remarkable testament to the transformative power of education and our unwavering spirit of community service.” Ms. Jolly remarked.
The President of the Scholars Association, Mr. Godfrey Okello, thanked all the Scholars and alumni, and all stakeholders who contributed to the construction of the classroom block, which was a dream that became a reality.
“I would like to thank my colleagues and people of goodwill who supported us to realize our dream of constructing this classroom for our young brothers and sisters of Achukudu Primary School. Together we can make a difference in the lives of our fellow young people in Uganda and Africa as a whole.” Mr. Okello remarked.
The Headteacher of the School, Mr. Eryebu Raymond, who was visibly very excited was full of praises for Scholars and alumni of the Mastercard Foundation, for what he termed as an iconic classroom block they had gifted to his School.
“This day is very special to us, we will not see this day again. We are delighted to receive the Scholars and alumni of Mastercard Foundation from Makerere University, thank you for considering supporting our School” Mr. Eryebu excitedly remarked.
The Headteacher revealed that one of the major challenges the school was facing was an acute shortage of classrooms for his 1,097 pupils. He was therefore grateful to Mastercard Foundation Scholars for choosing to construct a two-class block for the School.
“This donation of a classroom block and Desks is a testament to your commitment to education and empowering the lives of the vulnerable people in the community. This classroom block and desks will go a long way in improving the quality of teaching and learning at our school.” Mr. Eryebu further remarked.
The 2023 Scholars Annual Day of Community Service (Giveback) was punctuated with a lot of joy, pomp, and fanfare, as the pupils and the entire community of Achukudu danced and ululated at the commissioning of the classroom block. The construction of the classroom block and purchase of desks for Achukudu Community Primary School was made possible by generous contributions by the Scholars, alumni, the Program Team, and members of the Steering Committee.
Among the Partners who made financial contributions towards the class block construction included; DFCU Bank, Post Bank, URA, Katumba Estates, Footsteps Furniture Ltd, and Sion Travels Ltd.
The Scholars and Alumni Day of Community Service (Give back) is an annual event, where Scholars and alumni of the Mastercard Foundation go out into the community to give back by providing solutions to challenges that a particular community is facing. Over the years Scholars have given back to the communities in numerous ways that range from offering professional services and erecting major projects like classroom blocks.
Bernard Buteera is the Communications and Public Relations Officer of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
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