General
HERS-EA Inaugural Academy Closes on Euphoric Note
The curtains came down on the Higher Education Resource Services-East Africa (HERS-EA)’s Inaugural Academy on Friday 7th July 2017 at a colourful ceremony held at the Grand Global Hotel, Makerere. The few minutes prior to the start of closing ceremony painted a brief picture of what HERS-EA is all about; an army of volunteers, participants and facilitators joining in to redecorate the room, all under the careful watch of HERS-EA’s Chair-Dr. Ruth Muwazi and UK Coordinator-Ms. Naomi Lumutenga, as well as Acting Director Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD)-Ms. Frances Nyachwo.
Right there was a live example of leadership and mentorship as the mostly younger ladies and few gentlemen got the room ready, at their seniors’ bidding. A few rooms away, HERS-EA Co-founders Prof. Margaret Khaitsa and Dr. Florence Wakoko-Studstill could be seen quietly engaging Amb. Oliver Wonekha, perhaps sharing strategies on future collaborations. H.E. Oliver Wonekha; Uganda’s Ambassador to the USA in transit to Rwanda, would later be joined at the event high table by the Vice Chair, Education Services Commission-Mrs. Elizabeth Gabona, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang and Vice Chancellor, Busitema University-Prof. Mary Okwakol. The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) & Vice Chancellor-Elect – Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS)-Prof. Edward Kirumira completed the list of leaders in attendance at the closing ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, HERS-EA Chair-Dr. Ruth Muwazi thanked all invited guests for gracing the occasion as well as the conference sponsors for ensuring that the event was a success. “We thank the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) who sponsored a number of non-Ugandan participants to attend the workshop, and Makerere University School of Women and Gender Studies under the Sida Project sub-programme and Principal Investigator, Dr. Consolanta Kabonesa who sponsored 10 participants.
“Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate headed by Ms Frances Nyachwo also sponsored 10 participants, and provided office space for the HERS-EA Secretariat, Makerere University Central Administration sponsored 10 participants and Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) sponsored 10 participants” acknowledged Dr. Muwazi. HERS-EA UK Coordinator-Ms. Naomi Lumutenga continued with the acknowledgements by singling out Champions such as Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who ensured that the HERS-EA Secretariat secured office space, and was always on hand to advise the leadership. She also thanked the Principal, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-Security-Prof. John David Kabasa for believing in HERS-EA’s vision right from the start, and Prof. Edward Kirumira who when approached appointed a liaison person for HERS-EA at CHUSS.
To the participants, Ms. Lumutenga commended the parable of talents (Matthew 25:14-30) saying, “I hope that we have helped you to dig into yourselves, discover your talents and hopefully use them, or else lose them. If you don’t develop it and you lose it and society will miss out on your unique contribution” she counseled.
She challenged participants to embrace the power of networking and mentoring, announcing that she had received offers by four ladies; all experts in their field, who are willing to edit participants’ publications and get them going on the path to excellent publication with leading journals. “Keep in touch with each other, share your stories to encourage other women and I hope that you have taken something out of this workshop to impact your life” concluded Ms. Lumutenga.
The Inaugural Academy drew participants from six countries namely; Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia and the host country Uganda. Expressing his delight to the leadership for their kind acknowledgement of his contribution, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe heartily congratulated HERS-EA upon not only pulling off their Inaugural Academy but also drawing participants from each of the six countries.
“I am glad that I facilitated you to achieve this success and I thank the pioneers, particularly the Ugandans based in the US for not forgetting their homeland. I also thank colleagues in Makerere such as Dr. Ruth Muwazi, Dr. Consolata Kabonesa, Ms. Frances Nyachwo and many others for collaborating with them to make HERS-EA a success” remarked Prof. Nawangwe.
Prof. Mary Okwakol is a lady of many firsts dotted across her long and successful career. Addressing the audience at the closing ceremony, she shared being the first female Vice Chancellor of a public University and first Vice Chancellor of Busitema University as some of the examples. In her brief remarks, the 2007 Graduate of HERS-South Africa showed that it was indeed possible to balance family and career.
“I got married soon after my first degree and this year, we mark 43 years in marriage” said Prof. Okwakol amidst prolonged applause and cheers from the audience. “I thank God for a stable family and a steady career. I have successfully raised three professional children; an Accountant, a Medical Doctor and a Lawyer and we have five grand children so far” she added.
Prof. Okwakol shared that her journey from a Graduate Assistant at Makerere University to the first female Vice Chancellor in Uganda should encourage young ladies that it is possible raise a family and build a successful career. She noted that HERS was at the bottom of her heart and expressed happiness that the link she had initiated between HERS-EA and IUCEA had produced results in form of sponsorship.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, the first deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Okello Ogwang thanked the HERS-EA Visionaries for reminding Makerere University Management of their responsibility to promote women leaders in Higher Education. “We thank the Facilitators who have so willingly given of their time to support this cause and we hope that you will not tire of giving back. We hope that those who have benefitted will always remember you for the difference you have made in their professional and personal lives” remarked Dr. Okello Ogwang.
He further noted that the beneficiaries’ gratitude to the organisers, supporters, facilitators and funders of the Inaugural academy would be best demonstrated through their proactive efforts to develop their respective institutions. He urged them to be supportive of other women and to always lead by example.
The HERS-EA Inaugural Academy beneficiaries were never short of examples of women who had successfully balanced family and career. Imagine starting out as a secondary school teacher and growing through the ranks to become the second-in-command at the Nation’s Education Sector Recruitment Agency… That is Mrs. Elizabeth Gabona’s testimony, currently serving as Vice Chair, Education Services Commission, after a career spent serving the education sector, including 37 years of stable marriage.
“I was present on that day, 5th August 2014 when we launched HERS-EA at Imperial Royale Hotel and it makes me very happy to come back today and witness the fruits of that launch. I congratulate the HERS-EA founders for their vision, voice and commitment to uplifting women and remembering to give back to their home, country and region” remarked Mrs. Gabona.
She noted that HERS-EA had demonstrated that its model was an excellent tool to move the East African Community (EAC) integration agenda forward, adding that women are the best change agents. She noted that self esteem was still a major obstacle for so many women and the best way to build it was right from the grassroots level. “Let us light our own sky for if we don’t, no one will do it” added Mrs. Gabona.
Allies are vital assets to the advancement of any cause or development agenda. HERS-EA has so far done a commendable job by securing female leaders from her consortium of partners to motivate female early career professionals. Nevertheless, Prof. Edward Kirumira in his remarks urged HERS-EA to step beyond the mentorship in female dominion and bring some males on board.
“My approach is based on the three prongs of Networking, Mentorship and Collaboration. In terms of networking, I urge all participants to look at the content of your academy material, pay attention to the people around you, and follow them up after this workshop and network with them” urged Prof. Kirumira.
With regard to Mentorship, Prof. Kirumira opined that the only way that HERS-EA would know that they had achieved their objective through registering an increased number of male mentors to the aspiring female professionals. On the Collaboration front, Prof. Kirumira shared that CHUSS by virtue of its over 10,000 student population and 293 Faculty Members presented a good starting point. “Let us sit down together and write these grant proposals. The funds are out there, let us go out and get them” he concluded.
Amb. Oliver Wonekha is a proud alumna, having secured both her BSc (Botany & Zoology) and Postgraduate Diploma in Education from Makerere University. Crowning the day’s speeches, Amb. Wonekha congratulated the founders upon not joining the crop of complaining Ugandans in the Diaspora but working hard to link the US to Uganda, “and to all of you here at home, the supporters, donors, universities, thank you for welcoming and being part of making this innovative idea a reality” she added.
Re-echoing Prof. Kirumira’s input on the need to include men in their networking, Amb. Wonekha urged the ladies to use the male leaders that already understood their cause to reach out to others. “Look out for these men because otherwise we are talking to ourselves. So let’s talk nicely to them, especially the Professors who are seated right here and the men in this room,” rallied the Ambassador, before adding “we start here and we build on that.”
The ambassador concluded her remarks on a note that resonated with the day’s theme; Advancing Women in Leadership: Empowered Women Empower Women. “I also did some balancing. I am a single parent with three daughters; One is working with the UN in Vienna, the second one is with Apple in the US and the third is a lawyer right here in Uganda, so you too can make it!”
Article by Public Relations Office
College of Health Sciences Quality Assurance (QA) Training in Assessments, Pedagogy and Competence Based Curriculum Held 18–19 June 2026 at Esella Hotel.
Pedagogy, Assessment and Supervision Training Workshop
The College of Health Sciences has embarked on the journey to improve the teaching, assessment and preparation for the adoption of the competence-based curriculum.
The training was held on 18-19 June 2026, at Esella Hotel, Kira, the training targeted the teaching assistants, lecturers’ senior lecturers’ key administrators and some PhD fellows, generally the early career academic staff that are yet growing in the ranks.
Objectives
- Equip participants with modern pedagogical approaches for effective teaching and learning.
- Review and harmonize assessment strategies to ensure quality and fairness in academic evaluation.
- Enhance supervisory competencies for guiding graduate students in research and academic progress.
- Foster collaboration and shared experiences among facilitators, supervisors, and administrators.
The key focus areas for the training
- Guidelines in Assessment & Course Outlines- Dr. Cyprian Misinde -Chief Quality Assurance Officer.
- Competence Based Education and Assessment- Dr. Mike Kagawa
- Advancing continuous improvement in teaching, learning through teaching styles -Dr. Ssebowa Dorothy.
- Teaching methods Knowledge production and acquisition- Dr. Peter Ssenkusu
- Graduate Supervision Challenges and Opportunities- Prof. Grace Ndeezi.
- Competence Based Curriculum in line with the NCHE- Dr. Innocent Besigye.
- Feedback mechanisms in training- Dr. Irene Rebecca Namatende.
Key Outcomes for this training
- The participants gained the understanding of learner-centered teaching approaches and pedagogical principles.
- Acquired new skills supervisory skills, particularly in guiding research and addressing student challenges.
- Consensus on adopting standardized assessment tools across graduate programmes.
- Practical exposure to teaching models and interactive learning methods.
- Development of action plans for continuous professional development in pedagogy and supervision.
- The participants also acquired more skills in line with the competence-based curriculum as required by the National Council for Higher Education.
During the Discussion Key important Questions emerged as follows:
- Who supervises the supervisor?
- What is the difference between notion hours and contact hours?
- The 60/40 way of assessments—can it be independent for every course unit taught or allocated differently?
- How do we manage difficult supervisors?
- How do we Coerce PhD students to be fully involved in departmental activities without them feeling Coerced?
- How much time do we need to prepare for the review of the programmes in line with the competence-based curriculum as required by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and the World Health Organization (WHO)?
We truly thank the facilitators and the participants who made this training very informative and enlightened. We also appreciate the Principal/Deputy CHS, the Chief QA Officer, Makerere University and the University Management for the enormous support and for making this activity possible.
Dr. Irene Rebecca Namatende
Quality Assurance 0ffice
College of Health Sciences,
Makerere University
The Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs (DVCAA) Prof. Sarah Ssali on 15th July 2026 commended the Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU)’s Industrial Trainee Program, describing it as the perfect hands-on intervention for the future workforce. She made the comments while on a guided tour of RENU’s on-campus Lab facility where ten undergraduate students from Makerere and other Universities are undergoing a two-month practical training.
Origin of tour
The tour was prompted by a 24th June 2026 meeting with a RENU delegation led by CEO, Mr. Nicholas Mbonimpa, aimed at broadening the existing partnership with Makerere University beyond internet service provision to supporting teaching, learning and research activities. During the said meeting, Prof. Ssali expressed Makerere‘s desire to produce graduates that are not only academically grounded but also cognizant of the needs of the job market.
In his response then, Mr. Mbonimpa expressed RENU’s readiness to continue advancing digital transformation through advancing resilient connectivity, research infrastructure, and innovative initiatives that enhance teaching, learning, and research. He shared that the Senate Building’s computer network had been revamped in line with advancing resilient connectivity, and the initiative would be expanded to the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) buildings and other premises subsequently.
The RENU CEO further highlighted that resilient connectivity forms a good basis for the proposed Open Radio Access Network (RAN) Architecture deployment set to be done within six months, so as to boost training of students in 5G and other technologies. Other initiatives discussed included training staff and students on acquisition of Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) to improve visibility of their publications and research output.
Training Program Lauded
Addressing student interns during the 15th July guided tour, the DVCAA who was accompanied by the 92nd Guild Speaker Rt. Hon. Trevis Mutatiina Muhwezi urged beneficiaries to harness all the technical and social opportunities accorded by the Program. “Not all students in your respective academic programmes had the benefit of being exposed to this kind of training so please make the most of it and utilize skills gained here beyond the classroom setting”.
The 2026 Industrial Trainee Program is equipping students with skills on how to diagnose and repair ICT equipment based on old and disused stock.
Prof Ssali was also toured the makerspace where solar-powered routers are manufactured and deployed to extend internet connectivity to both rural and urban locations. In 2023, RENU partnered with Mesh++, a Chicago-based connectivity solutions manufacturer, to manufacture solar-powered internet routers in Uganda. Since inception, over 200 units have been manufactured and deployed across various sites in Uganda, while over 80 units have been shipped to various African countries such as Malawi, Rwanda and South Sudan under the RENUMESH Technologies joint venture.
Partnerships Inspiring New Prototypes
The RENU CEO nevertheless pointed to a long turnaround time for shipping parts from the U.S. as one of the drawbacks hindering the product’s rapid deployment. As a result, RENU, in response to the Ugandan Government’s call for import substitution and local capacity development is developing a solar-powered internet router with some of the components sourced from Ugandan companies Innovex and Chloride Excide.
“Innovex will supply the Internet of Things (IoT) component to help RENU remotely monitor and control the router while Chloride Excide will provide the batteries” Mr. Mbonimpa explained. He added that some of the current lot of trainees were already running simulations on the prototype and proposing how the device can be further refined so as to increase its portability and reduce its price.
A call for Expansion
At the conclusion of the tour, Prof. Ssali who commended the use of modular Ugandan components for the prototype thanked the RENU team to exposing students to real-world technological deployments. She nevertheless urged the CEO and his team to expand the program’s intake beyond ten trainees and duration beyond the current two months so as to give students a richer experience.
The CEO RENUMESH Technologies Mr. Brian Masiga thanked the DVCAA for following up their 24th June meeting with the visit, which demonstrates that the University Management values students’ development of practical skills. He equally thanked Prof. Ssali for Management’s support to RENU activities and pledged to further refine the prototype to produce a cheaper and more portable proudly Ugandan product.
General
Makerere University Launches First Writing Summer School to Strengthen Professional Writing Skills.
KAMPALA, UGANDA, EAST AFRICA| July 6, 2026.
Makerere University has officially launched its inaugural writing summer school, a week long professional development program aimed at equipping students, graduates, researchers and staff with practical writing skills required for academic excellence and success in today’s competitive job market. The program jointly organized by the Makerere University Writing Centre and Makerere University Press (MakPress), reflects the University’s commitment to nurturing graduates with not only academic knowledge but also the communication skills needed to thrive professionally.
Held virtually, the launch attracted more than 280 participants from Makerere University and other higher education institutions, demonstrating the growing demand for structured writing support beyond the classroom.
Building the Next Generation of Writers.
Speaking at the launch, the Director of Makerere Writing Press, Prof. William Tayeebwa, said the summer school represents an important investment in developing writers before their work reaches publication.
“The press has traditionally focused on publishing books, journals and scholarly work. Today, we are expanding that mission by helping and develop the writers who will produce tomorrow’s publication.
He noted that MakPress continues to support the publication of books and scholarly works produced by members of the Makerere Community. Using recently published books authored by a member of staff and a student as examples, he encouraged participants to submit manuscripts for publishing support rather than relying solely on self publication.
Writing as a Foundation for Academic and Professional Success.
Chairperson of the Makerere University Writing Centre, Prof. Frederick Muyodi, said the center was established to strengthen the writing competences among students, researchers and university staff.
” The Writers Center is here to support every stage of the writing process from CVs and application letters to research manuscripts, grant proposals, reports and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in writing.”
He explained that the Centre supports writing across multiple disciplines and professional contexts, adding that its long term vision is to extend writing support beyond Makerere University to institutions across Uganda and the East African region.
Equipping Graduates for the Labour Market.
Officially launching the summer school, the First Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, described the initiative as a strategic investment in preparing graduates for an increasingly competitive labour market.
She observed that while universities successfully impart disciplinary knowledge, many graduates leave campus without the practical writing skills required to secure employment and other professional opportunities.
“We teach content very, but many students are never taught how to write an effective CV, application letter, motivation statement or scholarly essay. Yet these are the documents that often determine whether someone secures an opportunity.”
Prof. Ssali said the writing summer school would bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice by equipping participants with market ready communication skills.
Reaffirming her office’s commitment to the initiative, she added:
“My office is pleased to support this initiative as we institutionalize the Writing Summer School to ensure that Makerere graduates leave not only with degrees but also with practical competencies needed to thrive professionally,”
She officially declared the inaugural Writing Summer School open and expressed optimism that future editions would attract even more participants and resources.
Participants Gain Practical CV Writing Skills.
The first technical session was facilitated by Mr. Abdul Noor Luttamaguzi, a PhD student in the Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences within the School of Bio sciences at Makerere University, a Senior Fisheries Officer with Luweero District Local Government, and the founder and director of the ANL Foundation, an organization that supports youth employment and capacity building.
During the session, he guided participants on developing competitive CVs tailored to specific professionals and employer expectations. He emphasized that applicants should customize their CVs to suit each opportunity instead of submitting the same document for every application. Participants also learned how effectively present their education, work experience, leadership roles technical competencies and professional achievements, while avoiding unnecessary personal information. Practical demonstrations using professional specific CVs provided participants with hands on examples of preparing competitive job application documents.
Looking Ahead.
The Writing Summer School continues throughout the week sessions on application letter writing, responsible use of artificial intelligence, professional communication and other essential writing skills aimed at improving academic productivity and employablity.
Through initiatives such as the Writing Summer School, Makerere University continues to strengthen its commitment to producing graduates who are not academically accomplished but also equipped with practical communication skills that enable them to compete and lead in today’s global workplace.
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