General
Mak to partner with UBA to promote financial literacy
Makerere University is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Uganda Bankers Association(UBA) aimed at promoting financial literacy among staff and students. The mutual partnership will also focus on incorporating financial literacy in the University curriculum and hosting of workshops/seminars.
The Uganda Bankers Association is the umbrella body of 25 commercial banks and one Development Bank operating in Uganda. The UBA member commercial banks are licensed and regulated by the Bank of Uganda under the Financial Institutions Act 2004.
Addressing the Makerere University Management, Mr. Emmanuel Turyamuhika Kikoni- the Executive Director, Uganda Bankers Association highlighted that Makerere University, with a population of over 40,000 students and staff, is one of the critical and valued strategic partners of banks. He noted that many UBA member banks are strongly represented at Makerere University; the University and its staff and students are good customers of UBA member banks as depositors, borrowers and consumers through various banking outlets.
“Makerere University is an institution that trains business and economics; we thought it worthy collaborating with it in promoting our financial literacy programme to sensitize Ugandans on money, the principles of its effective handling, borrowing and investment activities,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu appreciated UBA’s proposal on financial literacy and expressed the institution’s readiness for partnership.
“We are glad that you have chosen Makerere University as your partner institution. Makerere University embraces private-public partnerships. We welcome the financial literacy programme. We also know the vital services banks provide. I believe that our community will benefit tremendously from your services when you actively engage with them,” said the Vice Chancellor.
On the implementation of the financial literacy programme, the Vice Chancellor stated that the UBA team would work with the Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences in liaison with the mandated offices in the University including the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Dean of Students and the Public Relations Office.
Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu reiterated the need for both parties to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that will describe the terms and conditions of their mutual partnership. To expedite the MoU, the Vice Chancellor advised the UBA team to work with the Makerere University Legal Office. He equally encouraged the UBA team to develop a program activity that both parties would follow during the implementation of the partnership activities.
The team from UBA comprised the following: The Executive Director Mr. Emmanuel Turyamuhika Kikoni, the Chairman of the Association Mr. Fabian Kasi, Vice Chairman Mr. Balbir Singh Dhaka, Manager Research Mr. Solomon Ichumar and Consultant Mr. Daniel K. Nsibambi.
The Makerere University team comprised the following: Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs-Associate Prof. Okello Ogwang; Ag. University Secretary-Mr. Charles Barugahare; Ag.University Librarian-Dr. Helen Byamugisha; Ag. University Bursar-Ms Deborah Nalule; Academic Registrar-Mr. Alfred Masikye Namoah; Dean of Students-Mr. Cyriaco Kabagambe; Ms Naome Kiconco representing the Mak Legal Office; Ms Caroline Nanono-Personal Assistant to the Vice Chancellor; and Ms Ritah Namisango-Senior Public Relations Officer. The meeting was held on 13th October 2015 in the Main Building Council Room.
Article by: Mak-Public Relations Office
Business & Management
PIM Centre Holds 9th Steering Committee Meeting, Set to Benefit from World Bank Support
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University today, October 10th, 2025, held its 9th Steering Committee Meeting to review progress made in the first quarter of the financial year and plan for the months ahead.
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Getrude Basiima, who represented Mr. Hannington Ashaba, Director Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Ms. Basiima commended the Centre for its continued commitment to strengthening public investment management capacity across government institutions.
In her remarks, Ms. Basiima applauded the Centre for successfully hosting the Public Investment Management Conference held in August at Makerere University. The conference attracted key policymakers, development partners, and academics who deliberated on how to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and impact of public investments in Uganda.
She further shared exciting news that the Government of Uganda has secured funding from the World Bank to support the public investment management function. The PIM Centre, she announced, will be among the key beneficiaries of these funds — receiving support for the construction and acquisition of a permanent home to enhance its institutional sustainability and training capacity.
Reviewing the Centre’s quarterly performance, Ms. Basiima congratulated the team for successfully conducting three specialized trainings in the first quarter, reaching officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. These trainings continue to strengthen the technical competencies required for effective project preparation, appraisal, and implementation in line with Uganda’s National Development Plan.
She encouraged the Centre to integrate climate change considerations into its future training programmes, noting that sustainable public investment must now account for environmental resilience and climate adaptation.
The centre team presented the proposed structure/ organogram, the financial performance of 2024/2025, research areas for 2025/2026 and the strategic plan for 2025 – 2030.
The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the PIM Centre’s vision of becoming a regional leader in building capacity for efficient, transparent, and sustainable public investment management.
A significant development unfolded at Makerere University during a strategic, hour-long meeting in the vice chancellor’s boardroom on 7th October 2025, marking a deepening bond with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The primary goal was to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program. Prof. Sarah Saali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, set the tone by emphasizing that institutional partnerships are crucial to Makerere University, which she proudly called the leading research and most collaborative university in the world.
The discussion promptly formed the core structure of the program: a four-year PhD (or three if the master’s was research-based), with supervision duties split 50-50% between the two institutions. A key feature is the mobility requirement, stipulating that PhD candidates would spend a total of six months in the Netherlands, potentially divided into two three-month periods. Crucially, the University of Groningen confirmed there would be no teaching requirement during this stay, allowing students full access to focus on their research. A major financial hurdle was overcome with the adoption of a fee-waiver policy; Makerere would waive tuition for incoming Groningen candidates, and Groningen would reciprocate for Makerere‘s students, significantly boosting the program’s financial viability.
However, the critical issue of the stipend remained. Dr. Anita Veltmaat explained that to meet the required living standard of approximately €1,875 per month in Groningen, the incoming candidate must secure a partial external scholarship of around €250 per month. The positive news is that if the candidate secures this minimum scholarship, the University of Groningen is prepared to top up the amount to the full living standard for the six months the student spends in the Netherlands. It was noted that this initial financial hurdle might be simplified for Makerere students, as many are already staff members receiving a salary, which could help cover the required €250.
The path forward was clear: it was to complete the agreement template guided by the setup committee from both institutions. The plan culminated in scheduling an online follow-up meeting for Tuesday, November 11th, to review the first revision of the agreement, capping a highly constructive discussion that solidified the two universities’ shared future in graduate education.
Makerere University was represented by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics Affairs; Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Head of the Department of Gender Studies; Dr. Patricia Ndugga, School of Statistics; Dr. Stella Achen and Dr. Joseph Watuleke, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning; Agatha Ainemukama, School of Engineering; Racheal Nuwagaba, School of Psychology; Awel Uwihanganye, Martine Rugamba, and Hawa Ndagire from the Advancement Office; and Muhammad Kiggundu from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.
The University of Groningen was represented by Dr. Dinie Bouwman, Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalization and Quality Assurance; Dr. Anita Veltmaat, Faculty of Social Behavior and Social Sciences, Department of International Studies, involved in mentorship programs for women; and Dr. Alette Arendshorst, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, working on graduation/collaboration for students/staff.
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