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Mak’s MPIM Nurtures Uganda Vision 2040 Change Agents

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The Master in Public Infrastructure Management (MPIM) is a Pan-African Capacity Building Programme (PACBP), supported by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), the International Development Corporation (IDC) and the French Agency for Development (AFD). Launched on 30th March 2012 at Makerere University, the programme seeks to build capacity of the African Public Service by training a calibre of public service managers and supervisors who will provide effective leadership to the management of public affairs and infrastructure programmes.  

The programme though housed by the School of Business, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), is interdisciplinary in nature and is taught with support from the School of Engineering, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) and the School of Social Sciences (College of Humanities and Social Sciences-CHUSS). The programme, held in partnership with University of Pretoria (South Africa) and the University of Dakar (Senegal) ensures that students incorporate the best practices in public infrastructure management through study tours to exemplary companies/projects both within and outside Uganda.
Dean, School of Business-Assoc. Prof. Umar Kakumba addresses participants at the 3rd Study Tour Dissemination Seminar
Following this year’s tours both internally; within Uganda and externally; to South Africa, the MPIM programme held the 3rd Study Tour Dissemination Seminar on Friday 14th October 2016 at the School of Business, CoBAMS. Welcoming participants to the seminar, The School Dean, Assoc. Prof. Umar Kakumba noted that MPIM was raising a breed of professionals that would not only help establish but also sustain and better manage public infrastructure.

“It is a programme that takes on people from various backgrounds, and in terms of facilitation, we have a critical potential of human resources whereby we engage guest lecturers” remarked Dr. Kakumba. He nevertheless noted that the School has plans to enhance the delivery of the programme by requesting prospective stakeholder institutions to provide guest lectureship, and areas of learning through study tour sites.

Infrastructure for energy, transport, water, oil and gas and ICT were identified as the fundamentals that need to be strengthened in order to harness the abundant opportunities around the country so as to attain Uganda’s Vision 2040. The Uganda Vision 2040 statement is “A Transformed Ugandan Society from a Peasant to a Modern and Prosperous Country within 30 years”

Dr. Kakumba further commended current and former MPIM students for fronting the idea of a Consortium/Think Tank to provide consultancy, skills and capacity to various agencies. “This consortium or group of people may belong to different organizations but joining together under the patronage of the School of Business, will offer first-hand information on issues of water, solid waste management, roads and transport,” he said.
A cross-section of participants listens to proceedings of the 3rd Study tour Dissemination Seminar, CoBAMS, Makerere, 14th Oct 2016
He further noted that these ideas will be shared with stakeholder institutions at a future engagement to enable them weigh in their opinions. The Dean further shared that with support from partner institutions, the School will be in position to progressively create executive short training programmes, tailor-made to address industry needs as they arise.

The 3rd Study Tour Dissemination Seminar tackled three sectors namely; Transport, Water and Energy. The Transport Group shared an overview of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) and GAUTRAIN Integrated Transport System both based in South Africa, while the Water group evaluated Best practices and Lessons Learnt from Rand Water-South Africa and the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC)-Uganda. The Energy Group examined the various projects in the energy sectors of South Africa and Uganda.

The groups demonstrated passion for fulfilling the objectives of their respective study tours by presenting detailed overviews, informative comparisons on regulatory frameworks, product ranges and project costs as well as challenges, strategies and lessons learnt from the sectors. The moderator of the presentations and open discussion Dr. Godfrey Akileng commended the groups for a job well done and shared notable issues from the presentations that are critical to the discussion on a way forward.

•    At least 1 20litre jerry can of water per day to be provided freely to each poor household
•    Value Added Tax (VAT) should not be levied on water
•    Government should compulsorily acquire land for infrastructure development
•    Management of sanitation should be incorporated into the water sector
•    A multi-sectoral approach should be adopted for infrastructural development and management to drive the middle-income status agenda of the country
•    Efficient, Ugandan-run governance and management structures should be adopted for public infrastructure management systems
•    Uganda should develop its own local Public-Private Partnership (PPP) capacity mindful of project costs, bid times, and issues to do with technology transfer   
•    Support the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) in developing bankable projects especially those in infrastructure
Dr. Godfrey Akileng, CoBAMS, moderated the open discussion
“These are critical issues of policy nature which we should write down in form of a framework paper and disseminate at another forum similar to this,” noted Dr. Akileng.

The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) is an agency that has witnessed a lot of institutional change in the recent past. The Chief Guest at the seminar and Head of Research and Development at UNRA-Dr. Henry Rubarenzya, thanked the CoBAMS leadership for organizing and hosting the event.

“Change is part of reality and we have to continually innovate in all dimensions of our work for improvement. At UNRA, we take innovation seriously and have structured it formally to ensure that the organisation does not stop challenging the status quo,” remarked Dr. Rubarenzya.
Dr. Henry Rubarenzya-Head of Research and Development, UNRA was the Chief Guest at the Seminar held on 14th Oct 2016, School of Business, CoBAMS, Makerere University
He further noted that public funds management presents a very challenging task for the weak hearted but is a simple task for managers of high integrity. He commended the MPIM programme for the human capital development initiatives within Makerere, other institutions and within the country. “I therefore applaud the milestones so far obtained in building management skills for existing and upcoming leaders in the infrastructure sector” said Dr. Rubarenzya.

At the conclusion of the seminar, the Day’s emcee and Coordinator, Graduate Programs & Research- School of Business, CoBAMS-Dr. Peter Turyakira noted that innovation is the only way to go as everything was constantly changing. “We must be seen to be change agents and therefore demonstrate effective managerial skills in public infrastructure management” he said.

Please see Downloads for the detailed presentations by the Groups

Article by Public Relations Office

Mark Wamai

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Call for Applications: Admission to Postgraduate Programmes 2026/2027

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SoL Graduands celebrate after being conferred upon their awards. 75th Graduation Ceremony, Day 1, CoCIS, CEES, CoVAB and School of Law. 13th January 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications for admission to Graduate Programmes (Postgraduate Diplomas, Masters and Doctoral Degree Programmes) for the 2026/2027 Academic Year. Applicants should have obtained at least a first or second class degree (or its equivalent) from a Chartered University at the time of completion. Applicants should also possess a Uganda Certificate of Education (or its equivalent) and a Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (or its equivalent).

Sponsorship:

All Graduate Programmes are PRIVATELY-SPONSORED. Therefore, applicants seeking sponsorship should have their applications endorsed by their respective sponsors where applicable. Applicants should note that the various fees payable to the University indicated for the various programmes EXCLUDE functional fees, accommodation, books, research and other expenses.

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Simon Mungudit: Mak’s Best Performing Male Science Student & Rising Star in Petroleum Geoscience

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Simon Mungudit emerged the best performing male science student this year. He is set to graduate from Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa on 24th February 2026 in the Freedom Square.

At just 24 years old, Simon Mungudit from the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) has etched his name in the academic history of Makerere University, having emerged as the overall best male student in the Sciences, an achievement earned through perseverance, discipline, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence.

Mungudit is set to graduate during 76th graduation ceremony scheduled for 24th to 27th February 2026, having attained a CGPA of 4.76 in the Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geoscience and Production. His academic interests-Reservoir Engineering, Petrophysics, and Drilling-reflect a deep understanding of the subsurface sciences that power modern energy systems.

Early Life and Journey to Academic Excellence

Born to Mr. Owor Thomas, a Game Ranger with the Uganda Wildlife Authority at Murchison Falls National Park, and Ms. Lilly Obewun Grace of Akuru Bridge Village, Nyaravur Sub-County in Nebbi District, Mungudit’s journey to academic excellence began far from the lecture halls of Makerere. At Karuma Primary School, Mungudit scored 12 aggregates in the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), setting the pace for his future success. He proceeded to St. Daniel Comboni College, Nebbi, where he attained 14 aggregates in 8 subjects at O’ Level. He then joined Namilyango College, one of the best secondary schools in Uganda, where he studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) and scored 19 points, results that secured him government sponsorship to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geoscience and Production at Makerere University.

Gratitude to his mentors and sponsors

Behind these milestones lies a story of humility, gratitude and opportunity. Mungudit credits his parents for supporting his primary and O’ Level education and expresses gratitude to TotalEnergies, which provided a full bursary for his A’ Level studies, covering tuition, upkeep, and medical care. He also acknowledges the Government of Uganda for sponsoring his university education, a factor he says motivated him to excel.

At Makerere, Mungudit thrived in an environment that blended rigorous academics with mentorship. He pays tribute to his lecturers, particularly Dr. Arthur Batte, Head, Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies, for their unwavering commitment to nurturing students and pushing them to excel.

“I always aimed to excel,” Mungudit says. “Together with a few colleagues, we formed a group and held discussions on a daily. This, coupled with a conducive study environment, prayer, and discipline, enabled us to attain excellent grades.”

Dr Arthur Batte describes Mungidit as a humble yet very intelligent student.

Achievements and Professional Experience

Beyond academics, Mungudit consistently demonstrated expertise in petroleum engineering. In 2024, he led a team that won the Reservoir Modelling Challenge, organized by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Makerere University Chapter, earning prize money and a sponsored field trip to the Tilenga Project courtesy of COSL. He was First Runner-Up in the Petro Bowl competitions of 2023 and 2025, a highly competitive petroleum knowledge quiz organized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Uganda Section. He served as a Student Officer for the SPE Makerere University Chapter in 2023, and in 2024, he chaired the Organizing Committee of the SPE Annual Students’ Technical Conference and Exhibition, helping bridge the gap between academia and industry.

His learning extended beyond the classroom. During his internship, he worked with TotalEnergies, where he applied petrophysics skills to analyze gas-while-drilling data for formation evaluation, hands-on exposure that sharpened his professional competence. At Makerere University, he mastered PetroMod 2018, a critical software tool in oil and gas exploration. After completing his studies in June 2025, Mungudit trained with the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), participating in the 2D seismic acquisition in the Kasurubani Block in Buliisa and Hoima districts.

Mungudit currently works as the Special Projects Coordinator for the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Uganda Section Student Liaison Committee.

Future Plans

Mungudit hopes to work in the oil and gas industry in the upstream sector as a geoscientist. He also plans to pursue further studies in petroleum engineering.

From a village in Nebbi to the forefront of petroleum geoscience, Mungudit’s story is one of an opportunity seized and potential realized. It is a testament to what is possible when talent meets support, and when determination is guided by faith, mentorship, and service. As Uganda’s oil and gas sector continues to evolve, Mungudit stands as a symbol of the skilled, principled professionals poised to shape its future.

The CoNAS fraternity congratulates Mungudit on this noble achievement.

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Hasifa Kabejja

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Press Statement: Makerere 76th Graduation Ceremony

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Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (Centre) presents one of the printed batches of transcripts the Registrar College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS)-Ms. Ruth Iteu Eyoku (2nd Right) as Right to Left: DVCAA-Prof. Sarah Ssali, AR-Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi and Ms. Prossy Nakayiki witness on 28th January 2026. Vice Chancellor's Press Briefing on the 76th Graduation due to be held 24th-27th February 2026 at Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University’s 76th graduation ceremony will be held from February 24th – 27th, 2026, at the Makerere University Freedom Square, starting at 8.30am. During the 76th graduation ceremony, we shall confer degrees and award certificates to 185 PhDs, 2034 Masters, 6,043 bachelors, 137 postgraduate diplomas and 33 diplomas.

I am proud to announce that in comparison to the 75th graduation, we have registered a 30% growth in graduate student output. This is a result of our strategic decision to prioritize graduate education per our research-led agenda.

I also wish to announce that the transcripts have been finalized and are ready for pick up. Today, I am handing over the ready transcripts to the College principals and can be picked up from respective Colleges even before the graduation ceremony.

Important to Note:

In preparation for the graduation ceremony, the University wishes to note the following:

  1. Pre-graduation clearances
    Graduands are reminded to clear all necessary payments such as tuition and all graduation
    fees. It is also important to check with your College to ensure your name is on the graduation
    list and all mandatory clearances with university officials have been finalized. Note and
    internalize the graduation schedule (attached) to know which day you are graduating.
  2. Securing the graduation gowns
    Graduation gowns will be issued starting from 2nd February 2026 from the University Hall (Dinning Hall), Monday to Friday, from 9am to 4pm. To collect your gown, check and ensure your name appears on the Senate Graduation list, present your student number or National ID, and proof of payment for the gown.
  3. Security requirements
    • Attendance: For each day of graduation, entrance to the graduation ground will be by invitation only. Graduands will be issued with invitation cards which permits two guests per graduand. Do not come with more than two people or they will not be allowed access to the graduation venue. Graduands are encouraged to arrive to settle at the Freedom Square by 7am on graduation day to for a seamless flow of planned activities including the necessary security checks.
    • Prohibited items: Prohibited items include firearms, sharp instruments like mirrors and knives, alcohol, cell or batteries and chemicals, canned food and drinks, laptops, flashes and hard disks, radios including pocket radios, bottled drinks, cameras, large bags or any other heavy items.
    • Media: All media and journalists who wish to cover the ceremony must be pre-accredited by the Makerere University Public Relations office or they will not be allowed to access the ceremony venue. The access point for accredited media personnel will be the Senate Building.
    • Parking: There will be two designated parking areas; Rugby Grounds for those coming through the Eastern and Main Gate; and the second one is the Makerere University Main Grounds at Makerere College School. For VVIPs, VIPs and procession parking will be at CTF1, Directorate of Legal parking, St Francis and St Augustine parking, JICA and Senate Building.
    • Access Control: To ease traffic flow and management, the University has planned three access points to the graduation venue: the School of Social Sciences, Senate Building and the University Swimming Pool.
  4. For help and inquiries
    • Starting February 2, 2026, the Academic Registrar ’s Office and Graduation Committee will set up an information tent outside the Senate Building to provide guidance and handle all inquiries pertaining to graduation.


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