General
Outgoing MURBS Trustees Handover Amidst Praises
The terms of the outgoing Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme (MURBS) Trustees came to an end on 31st March 2017, marking what was described by many as a very successful tenure. Speaker after speaker heaped praises on the Hajati Fatumah Nakatudde-chaired Board of Trustees (BoT) at a lively handover ceremony held on Monday 3rd April 2017 in the Senate Conference Hall, Makerere University.
Notable among the outstanding achievements during the BoT’s tenure was the near doubling of the fund’s original value to the tune of UGX 78.2billion as reported at the close of the 2015/2016 Financial Year, and winning the coveted Financial Reporting (FiRe) Awards in 2016. Initiated by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) in 2011, the FiRe Awards are aimed at improving the quality of financial and business reporting in the country.
In her communication, the outgoing Chairperson attributed all the gains made to the hard work and cooperation of the Trustees. “I wish to heartily thank all members I served with to put MURBS at the level it is today. Together we have made our contribution in which we shall always pride.” said Hajati Nakatudde.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Dr. John Kitayimbwa who served as Secretary to BoT and was successfully reelected to the same position attributed the excellent reporting that the FiRe award to Mr. David Ssenoga, the MURBS Audit Committee Chairperson. “Openness to outside help as displayed by the appointment of an external person to chair the audit committee has guaranteed that we have full disclosure of what is happening in the scheme. Mr. David Ssenoga’s professional work led to the FiRe Award” he remarked.
Dr. Kitayimbwa also thanked the professional bodies like the Uganda Law Society (ULS), The Actuarial Society of Uganda (TASU) and Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) for nominating Trustees to MURBS, whose contributions led to the Scheme’s growth. These included Ms. Miriam Magala-ULS, Mr. Dyson Maswere-TASU and Mrs. Edna Isimbwa Rugumayo-ICPAU.
It was a moment of truth as the outgoing BoT silently signed their deed of discharge; officially signifying the end of their term as trustees, and the functions of Trustees as per the Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority (URBRA) Act were read out for the incoming BoT. The brief ceremonies were presided over by the Scheme’s Lawyers Mr. Paul Kutesa and Mr. Sylvester Wambuga respectively.
Welcoming the incoming Board, Mr. Joseph Njuguna from the MURBS Administrator Octagon Uganda Limited commended the team for fulfilling the rigorous requirements for all new Trustees as per the charter. “The current charter requires that all new Trustees have to undergo certification training and pass the final exams. I am proud to say that all our Trustees worked so hard and passed with flying colours” he said, much to the appreciation of the audience. He then introduced the new board as; Mr. Wilber Naigambi-Chairperson, Dr. John Kitayimbwa-Secretary, Ms. Dorothy Kabanda, Mr. Peter Okello and Mr. William Ndoleriire.
In his brief inaugural remarks, the Chairman MURBS-Mr. Wilber Naigambi thanked the outgoing BoT for laying a firm foundation by establishing systems to aid the scheme’s operations. “The groundwork has been done for the new Board to accelerate the scheme’s growth. As the New Board we envisage that the scheme’s value will grow by 200% or 300%” said Mr. Naigambi, who also pledged to work harmoniously with all stakeholders to maintain MURBS’ status as the best scheme in Uganda.
Makerere University as the scheme’s sponsor is responsible for contributing 10% of employees’ monthly salaries to MURBS. Speaking on behalf of the University, The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance & Administration), Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe congratulated the new BoT upon their election and expressed the sponsor’s willingness to work with them to improve welfare through retirement benefits.
“I am always delighted to attend MURBS meetings. Save for the pending In-House Scheme obligation by the sponsor, MURBS is doing very well because fresh retirees from the University can access the benefits instantly! MURBS has made Makerere University proud and we thank the outgoing Chairperson Hajati Fatumah Nakatudde and her Board for steering the scheme from the state where they found it to the current one” Prof. Nawangwe praised.
Following a brief interlude during which the Outgoing Trustees were awarded plaques, The Director Finance and Administration, URBRA Mr. Daniel Badebye congratulated MURBS upon being a model scheme. “You have done very well with only a few issues that need to be ironed out, and thereafter, other schemes will be sent to benchmark you” he said.
He explained that the purpose of separating retirement benefits schemes from their sponsors was to ensure that they were fully funded at all times and that retirees could easily access their benefits. He therefore urged Makerere University to ensure that the 10% contribution is always remitted to MURBS as allocations for salaries are being made.
“The outgoing team needs to be commended for a job well done. As an accountant, I was proud to witness MURBS being awarded during the FiRe Awards. This team has been diligent and always consulted URBRA. It is therefore good to see that the new team is part of the old team infused with new blood. This is commendable for continuity as no gaps will be left unfilled” said Mr. Badebye
He expressed hope that MURBS will remain the top scheme in the country because it has surrounded itself with “the best team of outsiders.” Outsiders, he said, would provide critical checks and balances which promote transparency, further adding “Where there is transparency, you will gain trust.”
The ceremony was concluded by a personal tribute by Dr. John Kitayimbwa to Hajati Fatumah Nakatudde, thanking the outgoing Chairperson for her “impartiality, good listening skills and harmonious working relationship.”
Article by Public Relations Office
On 20th August 2026, Makerere University welcomed another cohort of 258 recipients of the prestigious Mastercard Foundation scholarship for the 2026/2027 academic year with pomp and fanfare. The colourful Scholarship Award Ceremony was presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who was represented by Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, the Dean of the School of Economics and the Chairperson of the Scholars Selection sub-committee of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
While addressing the gathering, Prof. Nawangwe reminded the Scholars that the scholarship was both an honour and a responsibility, and that they ought to make the most of it to improve their lives and communities.
“Now that you have stepped through the gates of Makerere University, remember that a scholarship is both an award and a responsibility. You have been chosen because we believe in your potential to lead, innovate, and serve. Makerere University offers you world-class academic resources, mentorship, and networks—but the impact you make with these resources will depend on your discipline, integrity, and vision,” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
A Call for Responsible Living
The Vice Chancellor further urged the new recruits to embrace university life responsibly and form lasting bonds that will support future networks.
“I encourage you to engage fully and responsibly in University life, build lasting bonds with your peers, and, equally important, keep your home communities close to your heart. Let the knowledge and skills you gain here become the seed for innovative solutions to the challenges facing your communities, our country, Uganda, and the African continent.” Prof Nawangwe emphasised.
Prof. Nawangwe further expressed his gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation for recognising Makerere University as a worthy partner and pledged to continue supporting all the Mastercard Foundation’s initiatives at Makerere University.
Leadership starts with self
Mr. Adrian Bukenya, the Senior Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program globally and the Country Director for Uganda, urged Scholars to embrace leadership, particularly through self-leadership. He emphasised that the Scholars Program is fundamentally a leadership development program.
“The Scholars Program offers more than just a scholarship; it is a leadership development Program. I encourage you, Scholars, to embrace leadership, and leadership starts with leading yourself, then your community, your country and the continent,” Mr. Bukenya emphasised.
Mr. Bukenya expressed his gratitude to the Management of Makerere University for partnering with the Mastercard Foundation on various initiatives. He emphasised that the Foundation is committed to continuing this partnership to educate young people and nurture the next generation of leaders on the African continent.
Selection Process Highlights
On his part, the Chairperson of the Scholars Selection Committee, represented by Mr Charles Ssentongo, the Deputy Academic Registrar responsible for Undergraduate admissions, congratulated all the Scholars who had made it through a very competitive and watertight selection process. To illustrate how tight the selection process had been, he shared compelling statistics that clearly demonstrated its competitiveness.
“We received 3,664 Applications for the Scholarship; 2,904 Undergraduates and 760 master’s students. Of these scholarship applicants, 1,440 Undergraduates and 280 Master’s students were admitted to Makerere University on private sponsorship, and they were all eligible for the Scholarship,” Mr Ssentongo pointed out.
Mr Ssentongo informed the attentive audience that one of the biggest challenges the Committee faced was the very high number of applicants, while the number of scholarships available was always very small. Mr Ssentongo then highlighted further statistics that characterised the tedious selection process.
“For the Undergraduates, 650 applicants were shortlisted for interviews, while 58 Master’s applicants were also shortlisted. Of these, 245 undergraduates and 13 Master’s students were selected for the final award,” Mr Ssentongo highlighted.
Celebrating A Diverse Cohort
The Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, used the occasion to highlight achievements made in the years gone by.
“Today, we are overjoyed to have successfully recruited 258 Cohort 9 Scholars—bringing us to the mark of 546 Scholars, 54.6% of the target recruitment of 1,000 Scholars under Phase II of the Program. To date, a total of 1,596 Scholars have been recruited since 2013, when the Scholars Program started at Makerere University,” Prof. Namaalwa announced.
Prof. Namaalwa showcased the diversity created by the Scholars Program, highlighting the arrival of international students from across the African continent at Makerere University through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
“For Cohort 9 Scholars, it’s time to celebrate our diversity in the Program. Let me call out the nationalities represented in the room: Lesotho (1 Scholar), Malawi (1 Scholar), Ghana (1 Scholar), D.R. Congo (13 Scholars), Cameroon (7 Scholars), Burundi (3 Scholars), Rwanda (10 Scholars), South Sudan (40 Scholars) and Tanzania (1 Scholar).” Prof. Namaalwa revealed.
Scholars Speak Out
Nathan Tamba, an international student from Cameroon, conveyed his enthusiasm regarding the opportunities afforded by the scholarship, particularly the prospect of pursuing his studies at Makerere University, recognised as one of the leading institutions on the continent.
“On behalf of my fellow scholars, I would like to express our gratitude to Makerere University and the Mastercard Foundation for awarding us this scholarship. It has given me the opportunity to study at this prestigious university and to experience Uganda for the first time.” Tamba remarked.
Tamba, clearly delighted like his fellow scholars, committed to using the scholarship opportunity to gain knowledge and skills he will use to benefit himself and his community.
The function was punctuated by entertainment from the Makerere University Choir, networking, and plenty of joyous celebration.
Bernard Buteera is Principal Communications Officer for the Scholars Program at Makerere University.
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