General
University of Bergen alumni network launched in Uganda
“If we do not collaborate we shall never grow. Internationalization is extremely important for Universities to collaborate in research and students exchange. The network we are launching today will be in position to attract more partnerships and collaborations for valuable and positive change,” remarked the Vice Rector for International Affairs, Anne Christine Johannessen when launching the University of Bergen Alumni Network in Uganda.
Launched on Monday 7th November 2016, the University of Bergen (UiB) Alumni Network in Uganda provides a platform to Ugandans who have studied at the University of Bergen, Norway to connect and build strong networks, share knowledge and ideas for community transformation and explore approaches aimed at fostering relations between Uganda and Norway.
Speaking to the UiB alumni during a luncheon held at Hotel Africana, Anne Christine Johannessen said that the network will be considered as one of the pillars in building up and strengthening collaboration in research, knowledge sharing, capacity building and community engagement in Uganda, Africa and Norway.
She informed the UiB alumni that the network presents them with an opportunity to mobilize resources and a platform to immensely engage in more collaborations and partnership to help find solutions to the problems/challenges affecting society.
“You are alumni; you are the ambassadors of your societies. You are the ones who can tell about your society. In this drive of finding solutions to African challenges, we expect you to be at the fore front to lead your community in this noble cause. You have whatever it takes, we mentored you; we therefore expect you to mentor others,” she said.
Reflecting on the long term collaboration between University of Bergen and Makerere University, the Coordinator of the Mak-UiB Collaboration programme, Prof. Edward Kirumira said the UiB Alumni network will cement the relationship between University of Bergen Norway and Makerere University-Uganda.“ Through this network, the alumni will be able to demonstrate the fact that the two universities have trained active people. We would like to see alumni giving back to their communities, mobilizing resources for Universities as well as consolidating universities’ benefits,” he said.
According to Prof. Kirumira, the collaboration between Makerere University and the University of Bergen started in 1999. “I would like to say that Makerere University has been the main beneficiary of this support. The collaboration has enabled Makerere University students and staff to go for furthers studies, funded its research and innovations as well as providing equipments to support teaching and learning processes,” he said.
Sharing an inspiration story on Makerere University’s successful journey with University of Bergen, Prof. Livingstone Luboobi-a former Vice Chancellor of Makerere University happily noted that the collaboration that started in form of individual Professors/Scholars undertaking research and teaching in the then Department of Physics at Makerere University has grown over the years into an institutionalized programme within both Universities. Both Universities run institutionalized Mak-UiB Collaboration Offices. Currently, Prof. Edward Kirumira is the Coordinator of the programme at Makerere University while Prof. Thorklid Tylleskar is the Coordinator at the University of Bergen-Norway.
Prof. Luboobi highlighted that the introduction of the Mak-UiB collaboration after the NUFU program in 1999 opened gates for more partnership and networking opportunities that tremendously led to growth and development at Makerere University.
“Mak-UiB collaboration unveiled many other partnerships. Two years ago we renewed the agreement and we are growing strong. We are going forward after the NUFU program. This partnership laid the first brick for other partners; I am glad to say that with this example, I was asked by Sweden to set a similar program. Since then Makerere University has taken on several partnerships such as the Rockefeller foundation, MasterCard Foundation programs among others,” said the former Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Livingstone Luboobi.
In a presentation on the importance of supporting higher education, Hon. Sam Okuonzi, an alumnus from the University of Bergen said universities should prioritize seeking scholarships and support for higher education. He urged the alumni to gear the network towards elevating the image of higher education in Uganda.
Prof. Thorklid Tylleskar mentioned that the University of Bergen Alumni Network in Uganda will help the alumni to provide solutions for the anticipated future challenges affecting different communities. He highly recommended the long term collaboration between Makerere University and University of Bergen especially in the field of health.
“The reason why we engaged in this collaboration is because we share the same interest in particular programs such as health. The collaboration between Makerere University and the University of Bergen particularly in health is not limited to Uganda. We have expanded it to other sub-Saharan African countries,” he said.
Giving the way forward, Dr. Ronald Semyalo highlighted that they focused on creating a global interconnected network that is able to impact development in terms of promoting and maintaining quality higher education in Africa.
Ms. Alex Nakato, a member of the Organising Committee thanked the alumni for all the efforts to make the launch a success. She thanked the University of Bergen, Makerere University and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Uganda for enhancing professional development and networking in different Universities.
Article by: Mak News Reporters and edited by: Ritah Namisango
The Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has today, Friday, 26th June 2026 handed over the CCE (Complex) Hall of Residence Site to National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) Managing Director and CEO, Lieutenant General James Mugira for renovation and overhaul works. The UGX 12billion Government of Uganda-funded works, expected to be completed within a year, are the fourth project to be undertaken by NEC. They were preceded by; construction of the University Perimeter Wall, Renovation of Lumumba Hall, and Renovation of Mary Stuart Hall.
NEC’s Record Lauded
Prof. Nawangwe in his remarks at the handover ceremony lauded these projects. “The quality of work done by NEC makes us proud because we can finally say that we have Ugandans who can do the things, which we previously depended on foreigners to do.” He therefore thanked the Government of Uganda for fully funding the projects and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Museveni, whose visit set the renovation projects in motion.
The Vice Chancellor added that as the Alma mater for most members of both the Contractor and Project Management Teams, this was a moment of great pride as their expertise and skills have saved the country billions of taxpayers’ money. “Thank you for being patriotic”, he commended.
Prof. Nawangwe concluded by noting that CCE Hall, by virtue of its location, provides a first impression of Makerere University as a whole. He therefore urged the contractor to ensure that upon renovation, CCE Hall would create a memorable and lasting first impression, exceeding even that of the renovated Mary Stuart Hall.
A Project Fueled by Nostalgia
Speaking of impressions, Lt. Gen. Mugira, with nostalgia recalled that close to 42 years ago, he not only attended his first lectures in Hall 1 of the CCE Complex but also, on a more personal note added, “my wife was a resident, and so I have every motivation to put in a lot of effort and make sure that I deliver more than was done with Mary Stuart and Lumumba.”
He therefore extended heartfelt appreciation to his Alma mater Makerere University for the trust and confidence bestowed in NEC, which underscored their ability to deliver. “Trust is earned through performance, through integrity and consistency, and your decision to engage us motivates us to work even harder to exceed your expectations.”
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) Prof. Henry Alinaitwe reechoed the need to ensure that the project is executed with adherence to the cost, quality, specifications and safety related issues as earlier shared by the Acting (Ag.) Chief Engineer of Estates and Works, Eng. Ezra Sekadde.
“NEC has already demonstrated this (with previous projects), and that is why we have all the confidence that you can deliver this project within 12 months” remarked Prof. Alinaitwe. He equally lauded the Project Management Team (PMT) led by Arch. Dr. Kenneth Ssemwogerere whose supervision ensures timely project completion.
Relatedly, Arch. Dr. Semwogerere was on 25th June 2026, the eve of the handover, promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, a milestone Prof. Alinaitwe attributed to his track record as Head of PMT. He therefore, on a light note, urged him to keep up the good work as this could equally contribute to his promotion to the rank of full Professor.
Also present at the handover ceremony was the Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES) Prof. Anthony Mugagga, whose unit will be greatly affected by the renovations. He nevertheless welcomed and reiterated his full support for the project, noting that just as renovation of Lumumba and Mary Stuart Halls had resulted in many alumni revisiting, the CCE Complex would upon renovation attract former residents and teaching professionals to give back or forge new partnerships.
Student Welfare at the Forefront
On her part, the Dean of Students Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli lauded the renovations of Halls of Residence as a clear demonstration of Government’s dedication to the improvement of student welfare, and creating an environment conducive for nurturing responsible citizens who can contribute to national development. She pledged her Office’s and the Student Leadership’s readiness to ensure that the renovated facilities used responsibly for the benefit of future generations.
As a resident of the recently renovated Mary Stuart Hall, 92nd Guild President H.E. Kadondi Gracious could not help but appreciate how impactful the renovation of CCE Hall would be to student welfare. “The female students will be very excited (to occupy CCE Hall) but the male students will be left complaining – so we shall be expecting more renovations, not just for the female but also the male students,” she amiably concluded.
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