General
Mak Team No Sexual Harassment to lead Students’ Campaign
Makerere University students have formed an Anti-Sexual Harassment body to fight against sexual harassment among staff and students.
This was during the Students’ Sensitization and Feedback workshop on the Makerere University Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment held on Tuesday 19th April 2016.
Addressing the students, the Acting Director, Gender and Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD), Ms. Frances Nyachwo said the Students’ Sensitization and Feedback Workshop aimed at sensitizing students on the Makerere University Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment and to re-align the policy to the Makerere University Collegiate System.
The Team No Sexual Harassment at Makerere University will be a proactive platform for students to actively engage in creating awareness, sensitizing fellow students on the policy and regulations on sexual harassment well as fighting against sexual harassment actions.
“With this body, it will be easy for us to monitor the activities of the Anti-Sexual Committees, participate in outreach programmes to sensitize our fellow students on the anti-sexual harassment policy. It is an umbrella which will bind us together as students and empower us for a common cause of fighting for our rights,” said Sharon Barigye, a student of Makerere University Business School (MUBS).
One of the facilitators, Prof. Sylvia Tamale from Makerere University School of Law reiterated the fact that women have always been more vulnerable to sexual harassment/sexual abuses compared to men. Prof. Tamale revealed that 98% victims of sexual harassment are female. She attributed this to the societal segregation which creates power imbalances among male and female as well as the patriarchal systems.
Prof. Tamale advised students to ensure that sexual harassment cases are backed by evidence. Sharing case studies and day-to-day incidents, Prof. Tamale equipped students with knowledge and tactics of gathering/documenting evidence on sexual harassment tendencies/incidents/cases.
Sharing her experience in handling sexual harassment cases, Prof. Tamale said the Anti-Sexual Harassment Committees face a challenge of bringing the harassers to book due to lack of evidence and unwillingness of some people to appear as witnesses.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. Timely decisions are very crucial. Therefore students should always report cases of sexual harassment to the concerned individuals in time. Avoid anonymous complaints because we will not have a complaint. Always tell the truth, equip yourself with evidence, be bold, clear and ready to fight for your rights,” she advised.
During this interactive workshop, students proposed approaches and mechanisms they could use to fight against sexual harassment. In the session facilitated by Mak Senior Public Relations Officer-Ms Ritah Namisango, the students noted that their active engagement in the Anti-Sexual Harassment Drive would empower them to fight against sexual abuses. Some of the ideas suggested included;
- Continuous sensitization of students and staff on the Makerere University Policy and Regulations on Sexual Harassment
- A proposal to include a Religious leader on the College/Unit Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee
- In Units/Colleges where Anti-Sexual Harassment Committees are non-existent, the students (Team No Sexual Harassment at Makerere University) will use official channels to demand for the formation of such Committees.
- To revitalize the Gender Mainstreaming Student Peer Trainers’ programme to support the Anti-Sexual Harassment agenda University wide.
- Students from the College of Computing and Information Sciences together with the Quality Assurance Directorate to develop an Application to sensitize staff and students on sexual harassment.
- Use of the social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter to sensitize students, staff and the wider University community on the Makerere University Policy and Regulations on Sexual Harassment.
- GMD in conjunction with Colleges/Schools should organize/ conduct debates against Sexual Harassment at School/ College Level.
- The Gender Mainstreaming Directorate to involve students (Team No Sexual Harassment and Makerere University) to develop messages against Sexual Harassment that would be circulated to Colleges/Units.
The Manager of Academic Affairs, at Quality Assurance Directorate-Makerere University Dr. Euzobia Baine encouraged students to read and understand the policy and regulations on Sexual Harassment to fully understand the approaches/processes of seeking help and/or helping those who are sexually harassed. She informed students that each College should have a functional Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee, and encouraged students to liaise with the College leadership to ensure that they prioritize the Anti-Sexual Harassment Agenda in the University.
Dr. Baine also advised students to remain bold, say NO to sexual harassment and report cases to the Anti-Sexual Harassment Committees. “Have confidence that when you lodge a complaint, it will be listened to. Do not be intimidated and do not allow the harasser to take advantage of you. Carefully document the acts of the harasser. The Anti-Sexual Harassment Committees will always handle cases backed by evidence. Always avoid false accusations in your complaint because they will fail you and destroy your life totally,” she said.
Closing the workshop on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, the Acting Director, Gender and Mainstreaming Directorate Ms. Frances Nyachwo, called for a close collaboration between students and the Gender and Mainstreaming Directorate to seriously fight against sexual harassment in the University. 
The Senior Public Relations Officer of Makerere University, Ms Ritah Namisango who facilitated the Session that culminated in the Way/Forward/Action Points thanked the students for the roactive and constructive idea of creating an Anti-Sexual Harassment Body which she said would be a driving tool to kick sexual harassment out of Makerere University.
Important notes: In 2015, Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate organized a related Sensitization and Feedback workshop for staff.
Article: Mak Public Relations Office
Makerere University staff have been urged to embrace servant leadership, integrity and compassion as they prepare to welcome students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The call was made during the Makerere University Staff Prayer Breakfast held on 31st July 2026 at St. Francis Students Centre Upper Hall under the theme “Faithful Stewards: A Servant Heart with Integrity and Wisdom,” drawn from Colossians 3:23–24 and Mark 10:35–45.
The prayer breakfast brought together members of Council, University Management, academic, and administrative staff to dedicate the new academic year to God while reflecting on their responsibility of serving students with excellence, humility and integrity.
A Call to Seek God’s Wisdom
Host Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa reminded staff that no amount of professional experience or academic expertise can replace God’s guidance.
She noted that the University’s mission can only be fulfilled when staff continually seek God’s wisdom in serving students and one another.
“There is no amount of experience or expertise that can replace God’s wisdom.”
Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed that students remain the reason universities exist and challenged staff to approach their work as a calling rather than merely employment.
“Without students, there is no university,” she said, encouraging members of staff to remain united, avoid unhealthy competition and trust God as they begin another academic year.
She further urged staff to become faithful stewards who work together in harmony, which she summed up as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research
In her remarks, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Members of Management to the breakfast, and reminded staff that a university’s value cannot be measured by research and innovation alone.
She described Makerere as a community held together by the spiritual as well as academic wellbeing of its people, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
Draw Inspiration From Stewardship
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Sarah Ssali told staff that this year’s breakfast carried special significance.
“This is the first prayer breakfast we are having ever since we launched our strategic plan,” she said, referring to the University’s new Strategic Plan, launched on 2nd July 2026.
She encouraged staff to hold on to the morning’s reflections as a guide for implementing the plan over the next five years, describing Makerere as an institution many families choose above all others for the vision and training it offers their children. She urged staff to see themselves as stewards of that trust rather than simply employees carrying out a job.
Compassion and Discipline Must Go Together
Delivering her remarks, Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara challenged staff to strike a balance between compassion and discipline when dealing with students.
She observed that many students face different personal and academic challenges, making encouragement and timely support essential throughout their university journey.
“A word of encouragement can restore hope and prevent costly mistakes,” she noted.
Dr. Lorna encouraged lecturers and administrators to respond promptly to students’ concerns, explaining that delays, insensitive decisions and abuse of authority can discourage students and negatively affect their academic experience.
She reminded staff that students often remember how they were treated long after they have forgotten what was taught in class.
“Students may eventually forget what we teach them, but they will always remember how we treated them.”
She added that education goes beyond transferring knowledge.
“Education is more than knowledge. We communicate life, character and values.”
Quoting Mark 10, Dr. Lorna called upon staff to embrace servant leadership by exercising authority with humility, integrity and accountability.
She encouraged members of staff to ask themselves whether they would treat every student the same way ashey would treat their own child.
“We may not always have all the answers,” she said, “but we can communicate honestly, take responsibility and treat every student with dignity.”
She concluded by urging different colleges and administrative units to work together instead of operating in isolation, noting that unity strengthens the University community.
Referring to Galatians 6:2, she reminded staff to carry one another’s burdens and remain faithful stewards of the responsibility entrusted to them.
Servant Leadership Begins with Faithfulness
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. James Magara, husband to Dr. Lorna Magara, called on members of staff to embrace servant leadership grounded in humility, faithfulness and service to others.
Drawing from Mark 10:35–45, Dr. Magara reflected on the account in which James and John asked Jesus for positions of honour in His kingdom, prompting discontent among the other disciples. He observed that despite walking closely with Christ, the disciples continued to struggle with the desire for status and recognition. He noted that such competition remained evident even during the Last Supper, where concerns over positions and prominence persisted.
Dr. Magara said that Jesus responded to these human tendencies by redefining leadership through service rather than authority. He described Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet as the ultimate demonstration of servant leadership, explaining that genuine leaders are willing to undertake even the humblest responsibilities in service of others.
Referencing Philippians 2, he urged staff to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness, contrasting it with the pride and self-exaltation illustrated in Isaiah 14. He emphasised that lasting influence and greatness are not measured by titles, positions or recognition, but by one’s willingness to serve faithfully and put the needs of others before personal ambition.
Drawing on his own leadership journey spanning several decades, Dr. Magara challenged leaders across the University to cultivate humility, integrity and a servant heart in the execution of their responsibilities. He cautioned that leadership driven by pride and personal ambition undermines both individual effectiveness and institutional progress, whereas servant leadership strengthens organisations and fosters lasting impact.
The prayer breakfast concluded with a call for unity and collective commitment as Makerere University prepares to begin a new academic year. Organisers noted that the reflections on stewardship, integrity and servant leadership would provide a strong foundation for the University community as it advances the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
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