General
Centralised Teaching Facilities Transform Mak Skyline
Cognizant of the changing skyline of Makerere University, the Public Relations team interacted with the Planning and Development Department (PDD); the Unit coordinating the US$29.2million AfDB-HEST project, to get the latest details.
“The University Strategic Plan highlights the need to have in place centralised teaching facilities as a mechanism for management of large student numbers. It was against this background that the central facilities were prioritised in the AfDB-HEST support. Our aim is to ensure that students and staff across the University will benefit from central spaces,” said Dr. Florence Nakayiwa, Director-PDD, Makerere University.
Applauding AfDB for the grant that has enabled Makerere University to implement some of the strategies stipulated in the University Strategic Plan, Dr. Nakayiwa confirmed that the works that will significantly improve the university’s core functions are on schedule.
“We are on schedule to have the facilities commissioned in April 2017,” she said.
The Government through the African Development Bank secured a loan of US$100m to improve science and technology in Higher Education Institutions (AfDB-HEST programme). US$29.2m of this amount was allocated to Makerere University in respect of infrastructure rehabilitation, refurbishment of laboratories, merit based scholarships at PhD, Masters and Undergraduate level, and refresher courses for middle management staff.
Dr. Nakayiwa highlighted that the University Estates and Works Department has supervisory role over all civil works currently being undertaken.
Some of the facilities include:
Central Teaching Facility 1:
Central Facility 1 is the building next to the School of Social Sciences with construction works currently at roofing level. The facility is a four-storeyed building with; fully equipped lecture rooms, seminar/breakaway rooms, a lounge and a fully equipped e-learning laboratory.
Central Teaching Facility 2
Central teaching facility 2 occupies the plot next to the College of Business and Management Sciences-CoBAMs at the former UCB slab. This is a five-storeyed building that will house a state-of-the-art auditorium with a capacity of 1000 seats, flexible and dynamic lecture rooms for both medium and big classes, and seminar/breakaway rooms. The procurement process for equipment and furniture is in the final stages. 
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
“All facilities designated as centralised will be available for access and utilisation by the staff and students in the respective disciplines,” emphasized Dr. Nakayiwa.
Other Central Facilities include,
a) The Diagnostic Laboratory hosted by the College of Natural Sciences-CoNAS. It is anticipated that all laboratory based units at the University will have access to this facility and its state-of-the-art equipment.
b) The Biotechnology Laboratory based at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences-CAES. Equipment worth US$1million will be installed in this facility.
c) The GIS Laboratory based at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology-CEDAT. Equipment is being procured to upgrade the existing laboratory to a higher level. All Staff and Students in this field will have access to the facility.
d) The Computer Laboratory based at the College of Computing and Information Sciences-CoCIS. 200 computers will be installed for use by the student community.
Other areas of focus supported by the AfDB-HEST:
1) Specialised laboratory rehabilitations. Existing Laboratories in the following colleges are being renovated and refurbished: Physiology Lab in the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Chemistry Laboratory based in the College of Natural Sciences-CoNAS, Science Labs in College of Education and External Sditues (CEES), Materials and Hydraulics Lab in the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology-CEDAT
2) For income generation and resource mobilisation, the University is setting up an incubation centre at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute (MUARIK) targeting the Dairy Value Chain. Rehabilitation works for the Centre are in final stages, and resources for operationalisation have been received.
3) Scholarships– The support has enhanced staff development of 10 academic staff at the doctoral level (5Female, 5Male) and 12 Masters students in their final year of study for research (5Female, 7Male). Support will also be given to 31 bright but needy undergraduate students (8Female, 23Male). Additionally, middle level management staff have been nominated to participate in various short-term skills development courses.
4) The School of Open and Distance Learning is spearheading the E-Learning activities. A number of staff have been trained to develop e-content. A total of 40 business courses have been fully developed and they are online. The courses are now ready, awaiting their launch to the University community and stakeholders.
5) Bridging the Gap between the University and the Private Sector through Internships: This component is coordinated by Uganda Manufacturers Association. It is aimed at providing students with soft skills that can enable them transition into the work environment. In the first cohort, a total of 292 students from various Colleges in Makerere University were sent to UMA for placement. Of these, 164 (56 %) were placed in 83 companies and agencies in Uganda. 31 of these students were retained by the companies they were placed in. A total of 480 students were trained in the second cohort and forwarded to UMA for placement. 195 (42%) of these had been placed as of September 2016. Only final year students who have completed University education pending their graduation are eligible for this component.
6) Gender, HIV AIDS & Special Needs: A number of activities have been identified under this category. Gender issues will be implemented under Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, Special needs under the Dean of Students, and HIV/Aids prevention under the University Health Services.
For any further inquiries and or comments, please contact Makerere University Planning and Development Department (PDD). Telephone: +256 414 542 470 / +256 414 532699, Email: pdd[at]pdd.mak.ac.ug
Source: Mak Planning and Development Department, Mak Public Relations Office
On the evening of Friday, 13th February 2026, the Scholars of Mastercard Foundation embraced the new semester with enthusiasm and celebration, showcasing their rich cultural diversity at the annual cultural dinner. This event not only fostered a sense of community but also highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and understanding among the scholars. The purpose of the cultural dinner is to foster unity in diversity within the Scholars community and to enable young people to appreciate and respect each other’s cultural differences.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars community at Makerere University is a vibrant tapestry of countries, cultures, and backgrounds. In recognition of this richness, the Program team has proposed organising an annual cultural dinner to kick off each new semester. This event aims to achieve several important objectives:
- Promote mutual understanding and cross-cultural appreciation among Scholars.
- Celebrate and highlight the unique cultural identities within our community.
- Encourage confidence and creativity through a dynamic talent showcase.
- Foster a sense of unity and excitement as we embark on the new academic semester together.
During the event, the Scholars proudly showcased their diverse cultures through a vibrant display of traditional attire, engaging dances, delectable dishes, and meaningful expressions in their native languages. The event showcased a rich tapestry of cultures, including the Baganda from Central Uganda; the Banyankore, Bakiga, Batooro, and Banyoro from Western Uganda; the Acholi from the North; the Karamojong from the Northeast; and the Basoga and Bagisu from the Eastern region, among many other indigenous tribes in Uganda. Additionally, attendees enjoyed cultural performances from South Sudan, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, celebrating the unique heritage of each community.
The event also featured a vibrant showcase of cultural attire, accompanied by traditional songs and dances. Attendees enjoyed cultural dress modelling, engaging performances, art displays, and interactive quizzes, culminating in exciting prizes awarded to outstanding performers. This diverse array of activities contributed to a rich celebration of creativity and cultural exchange.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University is committed to fostering holistic development, community building, and leadership among Scholars. At the start of each semester, the Program Team hosts a cultural dinner to reconnect the Scholars community, share key Program updates, and create an inclusive space to strengthen belonging and engagement. The cultural dinner is a critical platform for raising awareness of the need to appreciate and respect cultural diversity.
Bernard Buteera is the Principal Communications Officer for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
More Photos from the Dinner
The degree of attentiveness was at its peak in the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility (CTF) Auditorium as Ms. Janet Nabukeera addressed support staff during a Safeguarding and Inclusion training. Her words were firm, direct and reflective. Ms. Nabukeera, the Deputy Human Resource Officer in charge of Performance and Payroll, emphasized that a negative attitude in the workplace creates a toxic environment where colleagues feel hesitant to collaborate or share ideas.
“Avoid unnecessary confrontations with colleagues because jealousy and anger destroy more than they build. When you hold grudges at work, you slowly burden your own heart and mind. Stress can take a toll on your health and productivity. Safeguard yourself by choosing peace, love yourself first and extend that same grace and respect to others.” Ms Nabukeera, cautioned.
The training attracted over 300 Support Staff Members, including Security Personnel, Cleaners, Hall Attendants, Administrative Assistants, Librarians, and Laboratory Support Teams from across the University.
In his remarks, Dr. Rodney Rugyema, the Acting Principal Warden, urged staff to have a positive attitude towards their jobs and encouraged them to ensure that students, fellow staff and visitor’s feel safe, respected and protected.
“You are the eyes and ears of the University, while you may not deliver lectures, you are often the first to notice when something is wrong. So you have to promote an environment free from bullying, discrimination, neglect and intimidation. You have to ensure secure hostels, well-lit walkways, functioning locks and safe laboratory environments,” Dr Rugyema, said.
Makerere University has a duty of care to do no harm and promote the wellbeing of all students, staff, and other University community stakeholders. It seeks to enhance the learning environment to make it more secure, inclusive, and ethically sound for all stakeholders.
The Makerere University Safeguarding Policy lays out the University’s framework for embedding viable safeguarding measures into its ethos and all institutional activities and processes to: Identify, detect, and swiftly act on safeguarding risks; prevent the occurrence of harm; provide mechanisms for reporting all allegations or incidents that have occurred; respond appropriately to all reported incidences; and, continuously monitor, evaluate and learn from practices and experiences of managing safeguarding concerns.
“Safeguarding is not only for lecturers or University Management, it is everyone’s responsibility, If you have someone mistreating you, or you come across any risk, do not suffer in silence report through the MakSafeSpace,” Dr Rugyema, said.
The MakSafeSpace is the e-reporting platform complimenting the other University traditional reporting channels. It is an inclusive platform that provides for confidential modes of reporting safeguarding risks and incidences.
As the session concluded, there was a renewed understanding among participants that safeguarding is a collective duty. From the security guard at the gate to the cleaner in the Hall of Residence, it was clear that every staff member contributes to creating a safe and respectful learning environment.
To involve and create opportunities for students and staff members with disabilities, Light for the World Uganda trained the support staff to become inclusion champions.
Mr. Musa Mwambu, the Disability Inclusion Advisor at Light for the World Uganda, called upon staff to remove barriers limiting the full participation of students and colleagues with disabilities, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
“Just like any other person, people with disabilities have the right to education, health, and protection. Society has the duty to remove barriers that block participation. When barriers are removed, disability no longer limits opportunity,” Mr. Mwambu noted.
Drawing from his own lived experience as a person with a disability, he shared how access to the right support systems enables him to communicate effectively and perform daily tasks.
“It is about putting the right conditions in place to participate fully in society. We need multi-stakeholder collaboration to remove barriers and achieve an inclusive society,” he said.
Justine Namuddu, the Support Staff representative on the Makerere University Council, thanked the organizers for the insightful workshop. She reminded fellow staff that Makerere University is a home for everyone and urged them to take care of it.
“Fellow members, as you carry out your duties, ensure that you observe both emotional and intellectual safety. Before sharing information, first verify whether it is true. Safety is being at peace with yourself and with others,” Namuddu emphasized.
She also encouraged younger staff members to take advantage of educational opportunities provided by the University, noting that those who wish to continue with their studies may apply for tuition waivers.
The training concluded with reminders on professionalism and accountability. Staff were encouraged to consistently use the Biometric Attendance Management System to capture attendance accurately. With biometric clock-in devices installed at reception areas across the Main and Satellite campuses, the Directorate of Human Resources can monitor attendance in real time, while staff can keep track of hours worked.
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