General
MURBS Registers 16% Growth Despite Volatile 2016-17 Markets
The Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme (MURBS)’s total fund value has grown from UGX 67.46billion as at 30th June 2015 to UGX78.2billion as at 30th June 2016 representing a 16% growth, despite declines in the money and equity markets over the same period. This was the latest update shared by Hajati Fatumah Nakatudde the Chairperson, Board of Trustees, MURBS at the 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Thursday 27th October 2016 in the Main Hall, Makerere University.
The AGM which came in the wake of similar ones by other players in the Ugandan Retirement Benefits market was highly anticipated, given the generally poor performance by regional equity and money markets over the same period. Approximately 30% of the fund value is invested in Equities especially in the Kenyan market, which played witness to two banks failing in the same period. The fast approaching Kenyan election combined with the recently concluded Ugandan election also led to a poor performance of local currencies, which led to foreign investors exiting the regional markets.
“After due consideration, the Trustees are declaring a rate of return of 4.34% on the opening balances as at 1st July 2016,” reported Hajati Fatumah Nakatudde as she gave her report. She however reassured members that the Board was anticipating a higher rate of return at the next AGM especially as foreign investors, who wield a lot of influence in the regional equity and money markets are expected to return as the currencies stabilize. The Chairperson further commended Makerere for remitting contributions due to MURBS members consistently over the 2015/16 financial year, but urged the University to honour outstanding debt obligations to the Scheme.
In his remarks, Dr. John Kitayimbwa the Secretary, Board of Trustees restored the member’s confidence in the scheme when noted that despite declaring a lower rate of return than other players, the MURBS fund value was solid and guaranteed. He also reported that the Scheme had sought legal redress with regard to the outstanding debt owed by the University and Trustees were only awaiting the signing of a judgement on the same. He further clarified that the change in the Scheme’s Custodians from Standard Chartered Bank Limited to Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited was completely in line with terms of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) as agreed upon at commencement. Additionally, he explained that the recruitment of GenAfrica Asset Managers Limited to replace Stanlib Uganda Limited as Fund Manager, whose contract expired on 31st January 2016, was after a thorough review of their performance in the regional market. The scheme retained PineBridge East Africa Investments Limited as Fund Manager.
The regional investment atmosphere and opportunities for the future were further explained by Mr. Denis Mugalya, Investment Manager at PineBridge when he said, “In the equity markets, about 70-80% of investors within our region are actually outside East Africa and so when the currency misbehaves within the region like it did in 2015, even if the share price hasn’t moved, they are already losing value. The only election we are left with is in Kenya under a year and for now the currencies have sort of stabilized.”
He anticipated that within at least 6 months, the projections would have improved and confidence would have returned to the market, “and therefore it might not be as bad as we did previously, maybe a 10% growth and we are looking at a 10-15% return on equities” he added.
In other initiatives reported at the AGM, the Board of Trustees has developed an online platform through which members can access their statements at their own convenience. “This is a good innovation and we are going to train members intensively on how to use the system,” remarked Dr. Kitayimbwa the Board Secretary. He added that members will still be able to receive printed statements but warned that this trend would gradually be phased out as a way of improving efficiency.
At the conclusion of the AGM, the Chairperson, Hajati Fatumah Nakatudde thanked members for sparing time to participate in the meeting. She reminded all present that the term for the current serving Trustees expires on 31st March 2017 and an election for new members is slated to take place in December 2016. She therefore thanked all Trustees who were ineligible for another term for their service and urged scheme members to actively participate in the election process when it is announced.
The 2016 AGM was attended by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, as well as representatives from; Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority (URBRA), Scheme Administrator-Octagon Uganda Limited, Auditors-KPMG, Custodian-Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited and Fund Managers-PineBridge Investments and GenAfrica Asset Managers.
Article by Public Relations Office
General
Makerere University Set to Develop Curriculum to Transform Graduate Supervision and Mentorship
By Moses Lutaaya
KAMPALA – Makerere University is set to develop a curriculum for a specialized Certificate Course in Supervision and Mentoring for Graduate Training and Higher Education Management, in a move aimed at professionalizing graduate supervision and strengthening the capacity of academic staff to deliver quality postgraduate education.
The proposed programme will equip academic staff with advanced competencies in graduate-level teaching, research supervision, mentorship, and higher education management, while supporting the University’s agenda of improving the quality and relevance of graduate training.
The curriculum development process was discussed during a Stakeholders’ Curriculum Development Consultation Workshop held on Thursday, 18th June 2026 at the Senate Building Telepresence Hall, Makerere University.
The workshop, organized by the Directorate of Graduate Training in collaboration with the Centre for Teaching and Learning Support (CTLS), brought together curriculum specialists, academic staff, and higher education stakeholders to review and enrich the proposed curriculum before it proceeds through the University approval processes.
Participants included 11 lecturers from the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), 3 from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), 2 from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (CoVAB), 1 from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), 4 from the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), among others.
The National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) was represented by Dr. Patrice Ssembirige, Deputy Executive Director in charge of Curriculum Review and Instructional Materials Development. The Centre for Teaching and Learning team was led by Dr. Dorothy Ssebowa, while Dr. Stephen Wandera coordinated the workshop.
Addressing participants, Prof. Julius Kikooma, Director Graduate Training at Makerere University, said the curriculum development initiative is central to strengthening graduate education and ensuring that academic staff are adequately prepared to support postgraduate learners.
Prof. Kikooma noted that Makerere University is targeting an increase in graduate student enrolment to 50 percent of the total student population, but emphasized that this ambition must be matched with investment in the capacity of academic staff who supervise and mentor students.
“We can get many graduate students, but if the people supporting them do not have the right tools and preparation, we will still have challenges,” Prof. Kikooma said.
He explained that the initiative responds to University policies requiring academic staff teaching graduate students to undergo pedagogical training, while those supervising graduate research must undergo specialized preparation in supervision and mentoring.
Prof. Kikooma said graduate supervision requires deliberate preparation because supervisors play a central role in shaping research quality, student success, and the overall effectiveness of postgraduate programmes.
He further emphasized Makerere University’s responsibility as a leading institution in the region.
“We have a double expectation. We must support the country to achieve its aspirations in national development, but we also have an expectation from other institutions to support them in building graduate training capacity. In that sense, we are a trainer of trainers,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), Dr. Patrice Ssembirige commended Makerere University for adopting a consultative and inclusive approach to curriculum development.
He noted that education systems globally are undergoing significant transformation, requiring continuous curriculum review and alignment with emerging needs.
“Education systems globally are undergoing significant transformation, and in Uganda, NCDC has been leading and spearheading the implementation of the competency-based curriculum,” Dr. Ssembirige said.
He explained that NCDC has developed competency-based curriculum frameworks at primary and lower secondary levels and is currently advancing reforms at upper secondary level, which feeds into higher education institutions.
Dr. Ssembirige said the new curriculum presents an opportunity to align graduate training with global trends, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), international best practices, and national development priorities.
“As we develop this curriculum, we need to align with global trends, SDGs and international best practices. We also need to undertake comparative analysis because curriculum reforms are taking place across East African Community states,” he noted.
He encouraged developers to ensure that the programme follows competency-based principles and equips participants with relevant 21st-century skills.
“Since we are talking about competency-based curriculum, we must be cognizant of the principles of competency-based education and ensure that we develop skills that fit the demands of the 21st century,” he added.
Dr. Dorothy Ssebowa, Director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning Support at Makerere University, said the initiative marks an important step in strengthening professional development for academic staff involved in graduate education.
She noted that effective supervision requires more than disciplinary expertise, but also skills in mentorship, communication, research guidance, ethics, assessment, and student support.
“The quality of graduate education depends on the quality of mentorship and supervision we provide. This curriculum will strengthen the capacity of academic staff to guide graduate students effectively, improve research outcomes, and uphold the standards expected of a leading university,” Dr. Ssebowa said.
She added that the Centre for Teaching and Learning will continue working with the Directorate of Graduate Training, academic colleges, curriculum specialists, and regulators to ensure the programme remains relevant and impactful.
During the workshop, stakeholders reviewed the proposed curriculum structure, course content, competency areas, assessment strategies, quality assurance mechanisms, and alignment with national and international standards.
Once finalized, the programme is expected to strengthen graduate supervision at Makerere University and serve as a model for professional development across higher education institutions in Uganda and beyond.
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