General

Lion Gudrun Bjort Yngvadottir Visits Makerere University

Published

9 years ago

February 15, 2017

L-R, the District Governor, 411B (Uganda & Tanzania), 2016-17, Mr. Venie Tinkumanya, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe together with the Second Vice President of Lions Club International; Lion Gudrun Bjort Yngvadottir.

On 7^th February 2016, the Second Vice President of Lions Club International; Lion Gudrun Bjort Yngvadottir paid a courtesy call to the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University. This was during her three days trip that aimed at meeting and fellowshipping with the Lions Fraternity in Uganda.

In accompaniment of her spouse Dr. Jon Bjarni Thorsteinsson and other Lion delegates, Lion Gudrun Bjort Yngvadottir was welcomed to the Ivory Tower by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe who represented the Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu.

During the insightful meeting attended by some members of Makerere University, Gudrun Bjort Yngvadottir shared ideas on how Makerere University and Lions Club International can partner to promote basic education in Uganda. According to her, Makerere University and Lions Club International have similar interests in helping students to attain basic academic and valuable life skills. She therefore called upon the two institutions to make a workable relationship to build a transformative career of young Ugandans.

“Makerere University is one of the best institutions of higher learning in Uganda. It has embarked on providing better quality education with the aim of promoting and bettering the lives of Ugandans. As well, Lions Club International is spotting all the opportunities that can help to provide education to children at local level. This means that if we come together and have a relationship with a focused aim, we can be part of the team that will improve the education system of this country. We can corporate with Makerere University and see that a Ugandan child attains the basic education he needs,” she said.

Delegates from Lions Club International together with some of Makerere University members posing for a photo.

Lion Gudrun Bjort Yngvadottir was happy to visit Makerere University, a remarkable and renowned university around the world to have mentored and nurtured many prominent people in Africa. “I am happy to be here and I am hoping for a close relationship between the university and the club to tap into the available opportunity that can change the lives of Ugandans,” she happily remarked.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended the constructive ideas shared by the Vice President and pledged to fully engage the University Management on how the institution can better collaborate with the Club. Prof. Nawangwe acknowledged the tremendous work done by Lions club International in developing the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the Ugandan community through its financial and moral support.

“We thank Lions Club International and Lion Clubs of Uganda and its partners for the wonderful job done in pulling our country out of poverty. On behalf of Makerere University I welcome Lion Gudrun Bjort Yngvadottir, the 2^nd Vice President of Lions Club International and her spouse Dr Jon Bjarni Thorsteinsson to the legendary Makerere University. I believe that your visit will open stronger collaborations between Makerere University and Lions Club International,” he said.

He applauded the Club’s spirit of giving back to the community that has enabled to improve Uganda’s health and education sectors when he said, “I am aware that the Club constructed a nursery school in Masaka, an orphanage in Kasese and two dormitories for the disabled in Mbarara. The Club also built Rugarama Church of Uganda Eye Hospital in Kabale. It has also enabled Cataract surgeries in many parts of the country.”

The International Association of Lions Clubs (Lions Clubs International is the largest and most active voluntary organisation in the world. with a membership of over 1.4 million men and women in more than 46,000 clubs. In July 2017, the Association will be celebrating 100 years of existence.

Lion Gudrun Bjort Yngvadottir with some members of Lions Club Uganda.

Lions around the world are united by a spirit of giving and dedication to helping others. The Association is funded by Lions Club International Foundation through grants that are geared towards local and global humanitarian efforts.

In Uganda, Lions Club International together with its partners have improved peoples’ lives by investing in cubing down the looming vision problems that affect Uganda’s population. The Foundation has also responded to to major catastrophes, provided valuable life skills for youth and partnered with government ministries to fight preventable diseases through immunisations and other health interventions.

According to District Governor, 411B (Uganda & Tanzania), 2016-17, Mr. Venie Tinkumanya, about USD 345000 has been geared towards compressive Eye Care project which is about to start in the Acholi region. The Club has invested USD 3.5million towards elimination of River Blindness and USD 5 million towards elimination of Trachoma in Busoga and Karamoja regions.

“LCI has managed to build and equip five major eye departments in five Regional Referral Hospitals of Masaka, Mbale, Lira, Gulu, and Arua. Lions club International has also constructed ten primary schools in Busoga region, some bore holes and facilities for the disabled in many parts of the country,” he said.

After paying the courtesy call to the Vice chancellor, Vice President headed to Makerere University Lions Leisure Park, an activity project for the Lions Club of Kampala Central. Lion Gudrun Bjort Yngvadottir together with club members planted a tree as a sign of togetherness in maintaining environment and fighting against climate change.

Vice President of Lions Club International; Lion Gudrun Bjort Yngvadottir planting a tree at Makerere University Leisure Park.

She thanked the members for the tremendous work they are doing in keeping up with their mission that calls for empowering volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions Clubs. “I am glad that we have managed to influence many lives for the years we have existed as lions. Let us keep up with the spirit as we drive the world to a better place to live in,” she said.

According to Prof. Charles Ibingira, Principal of College of Health Sciences, the leisure park is an environment conservation project of Makerere University and Lions Club of Kampala Central that was initiated with the aim of protecting and conserving the environment.

“This is project signifies our togetherness in fighting against climate change. The place has been well maintained with good environment that enable students to rest or read their books from here. Prof. Ibingira thanked Assoc. Professor Lawrence Mugisha and his team for not only maintaining the leisure park but also building as strong foundation of Lions Club at Makerere University.

Born in Iceland, Gudrun Bjort Yngvadottir was elected the 2nd International Vice President of the Lions Club International at the Association’s 99th International Convection that was held in Fukuoka, Japan on 28th June 2016. She is the Vice Director of the Institute of continuing Education at University of Iceland. Gudrun Bjort Yngvadottir is the first highest ranking female international president of Lions Club International, she believes in woman emancipation and very passionate in uplifting the rights of women around the globe.

Mak- Public Relations Office.

General

Call for Applications: Admission to Postgraduate Programmes 2026/2027

Published

20 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Mak Editor

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.

Makerere-Advert-for-Graduate-Programmes-2026-2027 Download

View on DGT

General

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

Published

2 days ago

February 3, 2026

Hasifa Kabejja

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 24^th 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.

View on CoNAS

General

Press Statement: Makerere 76th Graduation Ceremony

Published

1 week ago

January 28, 2026

Mak Editor

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 76^th graduation ceremony will be held from February 24^th – 27^th, 2026, at the Makerere University Freedom Square, starting at 8.30am. During the 76^th 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 75^th 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:

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.
Securing the graduation gowns
Graduation gowns will be issued starting from 2^nd 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.
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.
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.