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Prof. Maria Musoke a solid bridge between Health and Information Sciences

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On 27th September 2016, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda hailed Prof. Maria Musoke for her tremendous work in bridging the gap between health and information. This was at a high profile launch of Prof. Maria Musoke’s book Informed and Healthy: Theoretical and Applied Perspectives on the Value of Information to Health Care  attended by renowned dignitaries, scholars, and academicians who convened in the Makerere University Main Hall. The launch was indeed a befitting celebration of their own; a renowned researcher, academician and mentor.

In a speech read by the Cabinet Minister in Charge of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister Hon. Mary Karooro Okurut, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister congratulated Prof. Maria Musoke for adding to a body of knowledge by authoring a book that clearly articulates the great power that is embedded in information.

“This book is very relevant and timely, it is written in the language that does not need deciphering. It highlights the value of information and confirms that indeed information is power,” he said.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for being selected by the author to write a foreword to the book when he said, “I am happy to write the Foreword to Dr. Musoke’s book and I pledge to be the one of the key marketers not only in Uganda but in the global village.”

In her own words, Hon. Karooro Okurut observed that whoever has worked with Prof. Maria Musoke can testify to her “Perennial hard work, dedication to duty, and focused and committed leadership,” further adding “she is endowed with a tickling brain which she has put to good use.” 

Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu presenting a plaque to Prof. Maria Musoke.In the same spirit, the Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu applauded Prof. Maria Musoke’s scholarly achievement in coming up with the book; a must-read for students and information professionals, Librarians and Professors of Information Science.

“Prof. Maria Musoke is an information authority in her own right, who made the most of her sabbatical leave to produce this important resource. Her work encourages us to achieve value for time during periods of research and sabbatical,” he said.

Through her book the Informed and Healthy: Theoretical and Applied Perspectives on the Value of Information to Health Care, it is hard to underestimate the academic and scholarly efforts by Prof. Maria G N Musoke, to bridge the gap between health and information among people in the rural areas.

Informed and Healthy: Theoretical and Applied Perspectives on the Value of Information to Health Care is an asset focusing on the value attributed to information by users and its effect on health care. The book also provides a new model of information behavior in which the value of information drives various information activities. According to the author, the book also demonstrates the value of having an informed audience when it comes to health issues.

Prof. Maria Musoke presenting her book to the guests.“The book confirms that when people are informed they are healthy and when the health workers apply the knowledge in their work, there are many benefits to health care. It is a valuable resource for health professionals, planners, and policy makers, as well as researchers interested in health information systems and their applicability in different environments,” said Prof. Musoke.

To the Author, the book uses a case study of the health information system in Uganda and expands the analysis by comparing it to other systems utilized by different countries in diverse levels of development. It demonstrates the fitness of the value model for the phenomenon of information access.

Informed and Healthy: Theoretical and Applied Perspectives on the Value of Information to Health Care was compiled and completed basing on research  on women and health workers in four districts of Uganda which included Lira, Mukono, Masaka and Bushenyi. It focuses on the distribution of information pertaining to health among rural people.

"If we have an informed society, the health status must improve… If all Ugandans were informed that we should wash our hands after visiting the toilet, there would be minimum disease spread," she said.

The book is currently on market in the various bookshops in Uganda at UGX 100,000 and can be accessed online at US$ 56.95.

During the launch, two renowned Scholars; Prof. Grace Ndeezi from College of Health Sciences (CHS) and Dr. Joyce Bukirwa Muwanguzi from College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) added value to the day’s proceedings by authoritatively discussing Prof. Maria Musoke’s Book.

In her discussion Prof. Grace Ndeezi a Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health said that Informed and Healthy: Theoretical and Applied Perspectives on the Value of Information to Health Care is a vital book that addresses a big gap most of other scholars have reluctantly over looked. According to Prof. Ndeezi, the book is very instrumental to information delivery, access, and use of critical information for public health.

“So many diseases and other related health problems can be solved by information. I therefore state that the title of the book is befitting,” she remarked.

Some of the Makerere University members who attended the function.In addition, Dr. Joyce Bukirwa Muwanguzi observed that Prof. Musoke’s book portrays a paradigm shift of information. Heralding the book as a great contribution to Information Science as a discipline, Dr. Bukirwa Muwanguzi noted that the publication also affirms Prof. Maria Musoke’s passion for information dissemination. She highlighted the need to translate the book into several languages so as to benefit all the different people in the country. “Since the country is multilingual in nature, there is need to translate such literature for the benefit of all citizens,” she said.

Citing the importance of authors in addressing the several challenges in this country and the world at large through scholarly writings and publications, Lady Justice Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza said there is a need to improve the policies and laws governing authors and publishers in the country. This, she noted, would encourage more writers to come forth on the scene. She commended Prof. Musoke’s commitment in translating knowledge into practice and examining the value of information and its ability to affect the bottom line of better health.

Honorable Dr. Miria Matembe congratulates her long term friend. “I therefore say, if you want to author another book and another, you should focus on the joy and thrills that you meet on your journey as a writer,” she said. The Lady Justice further said that authorship is a mark of academic growth and shared with the audience the challenge to write her own book describing her experience as a female Member of the Makerere University Management.

Introducing the author, the Deputy Principal, College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), Dr. Agnes Semwanga Rwashana  presented Professor Maria G N Musoke as a lady of many firsts. She is and will always be remembered as the first Ugandan woman to get a PhD in Information Science in 2001, which she obtained from the University of Sheffield, UK. She was the first Ugandan woman to become a Professor of Information Science in 2010, the first Librarian from the Sub-Saharan Africa to chair the Health and Bioscience Section on the International Federation of Library Association and Institutions (IFLA), and the first Ugandan woman to head Makerere University Library Services in 2004, a post she held for two terms until December 2014.

Prof. Maria Musoke poses with Students, Teachers and Former Students of Trinity College Nabbingo

Prof. Musoke holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a concurrent Diploma in Education, a Postgraduate Diploma in Library and Information Science (LIS) from Makerere University, a Masters degree from University of Wales and a PhD in Information Science.

The guests were treated to a series of entertaining folk compositions by the Department of Performing Arts and Film (PAF), Makerere University, led by their beaming Head, Dr. Sylvia Nannyonga-Tamusuza.

Arrticle by:  Mak-Public Relations Office

 

Proscovia Nabatte

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Applications for Admission to Undergraduate Programmes 2025/26 AY

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The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications from Ugandan, East African, and international applicants for the undergraduate programmes under the private sponsorship scheme for the 2025/2026 Academic Year for ‘A’ Level Leavers Only.

Each applicant should:

Have the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with at least five (5) passes, or its equivalent and at least two (2) principal passes at Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) obtained at the same sitting. For day programmes only candidates who sat A’ Level in 2024, 2023 and 2022 are eligible to apply. For evening, afternoon, and external programmes, a candidate is not restricted on the year of sitting A’ Level. Detailed information on the weighting system can be accessed by following this link.

Other relevant information can be obtained from UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE, LEVEL 3, SENATE BUILDING OR CAN BE found on the University Website https://www.mak.ac.ug. Effective Wednesday 16th April 2025. 

A non-refundable application fee of shs.50,000/= for Ugandans, East African and S. Sudan applicants or $75 or equivalent for internationals  plus bank charges should be paid in any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority.                                           

 Candidates who hold grades X, Y, Z, 7 and 9 of ‘O’Level results should not apply because they are not eligible for admission. Below are the availble courses including respective fees structure.

How to submit your application                                            

  1. Applicants should access the Institution’s Admissions URL https://apply.mak.ac.ug/
  2. Sign up by clicking on the REGISTER NOW. Use your full name, e-mail and Mobile No.  Please note that your name must be similar to the one on your supporting academic documents for your application to be considered valid.
  3. A password will be sent to you on your mobile phone and email.                                      
  4. The system will prompt you to change the password to the one you can easily remember.
  5. To fill an application form, click on the APPLY NOW button displayed on the appropriate running scheme.                                              
  6. Obtain a payment reference number by clicking on “Pay for Form” Button
  7. Make a payment at any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority                                            

MOBILE MONEY PAYMENT STEPS:                                                 

  1. Dial *272*6# on either MTN or Airtel                                                             
  2. Select option 3-Admission                                                     
  3. Select option 3-Pay Fees
  4. Enter reference number obtained from Application portal 
  5. Details of Application form will be confirmed                                                              
  6. Enter PIN to confirm payment                                                            

The closing date for receiving applications to undergraduate programmes shall be Tuesday 20th May 2025.                                                           

WARNING:                                                             

  1. Applicants are strongly warned against presenting forged or other people’s academic documents to support their applications for admission.  The consequences, if discovered, are very grave indeed.
  2. Do not buy any other documents not originating from the Academic Registrar’s Office.  Those who buy them do so at their own risk. 
  3. The Academic Registrar has not appointed any agent to act on his behalf to solicit for additional funds other than the application fee stated above.    
  4. Applicants are advised to use the right programme names and codes. the university will not be responsible for any wrong information entered in the system by applicants.                                               

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR

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Embrace the Safeguarding Policy- Makerere Jinja Campus Students urged

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Makerere University Jinja Campus safeguarding policy sensitization meeting for students, staff and stakeholders by the Office of the Dean of Students, 15th April 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Uganda, East Africa.

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.

Prof. Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, the Director Makerere University Jinja Campus. Makerere University Jinja Campus safeguarding policy sensitization meeting for students, staff and stakeholders by the Office of the Dean of Students, 15th April 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, the Director Makerere University Jinja Campus.

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.

Mr. Emmanuel Muchake addressing guests. Makerere University Jinja Campus safeguarding policy sensitization meeting for students, staff and stakeholders by the Office of the Dean of Students, 15th April 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Emmanuel Muchake addressing guests.

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.

Dr. Rodney Rugyema (Left) and Prof. Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala (Right) during the sensitization. Makerere University Jinja Campus safeguarding policy sensitization meeting for students, staff and stakeholders by the Office of the Dean of Students, 15th April 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Rodney Rugyema (Left) and Prof. Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala (Right) during the sensitization.

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.

Carol Kasujja
Carol Kasujja Adii

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Government Sponsorship Undergraduate Admission Lists 2025/26

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The Office of the Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released admission lists for Government sponsored students for the Academic Year 2025/2026. The Office has also released Cut Off Points for Government Admissions.

Below are lists of candidates admitted to the respective courses tenable at Makerere University and Makerere University Business School:

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