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Thank you Prof. William Bazeyo for Diligently serving MakSPH!

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Like Prof. William Bazeyo, Dean MakSPH and RAN Chief of Party has always put it both in writing and speech, ‘Be a Contribution’, the afternoon of Wednesday August 30, 2017 saw him, share the State of Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) presentation with students, faculty, non-teaching staff and the general public. Prof. Bazeyo’s diligent service during his term as the Dean was witnessed in the big number of people who filled the Davies Lecture Theatre in Makerere University College of Health Sciences and patiently listened to and engaged with Prof. Bazeyo for over 3 hours!

‘Look at how my people are standing at the back of this lecture Theatre, they do not have where to sit but also, we all can not fit in this theatre and thus the need for all of us to support the project-constructing a bigger home for MakSPH. Mobilization work is progressing on well and we thank all of you for the support thus far. Please continue supporting us and also share the message widely so that we solicit as much support as possible to put up a befitting home for MakSPH’ noted Prof. Bazeyo.

This was an opportunity for Prof. Bazeyo to share an account of his 8 years in service highlighting achievements, lessons learned and challenges. Prof. Bazeyo’s term as the MakSPH Dean ends on September 30, 2017, what a legacy he is leaving at MakSPH, all of us would take pride in identifying with all the achievements and excellent work. It was exciting to once again follow through MakSPH’s development from a Department, to an Institute, later into a School and now, leadership and staff are working hard to register the School as a College of Public Health. ‘Let us continue working together to coin the School of Public Health as the College of Public Health, together we can achieve this milestone too.’ Prof. Bazeyo therefore referred to the school as ‘a rolling School of Public Health’.  More so, the School of Public Health under Prof. Bazeyo’s leadership is currently running 114 Projects which in addition to the work already being done by the students and faculty are richly contributing to further research in and development of the communities in Uganda and beyond.  

L-R: Prof. David Serwadda, Principal CHS-Assoc. Prof. Charles Ibingira and Prof. William Bazeyo share a light moment during the ceremonyThese projects provide employment to a human resource of 231 individuals.  The management and staff of the School of Public Health have also registered further development of the infrastructural systems at MakSPH sharing the developments in some of the Kampala suburbs including Kasangati, Rakai and Kololo School of Public Health Annexes. Some of the projects housed in these annexes include; ResilientAfrica Network (RAN) www.ranlab.org, Center for Tobacco Control in Africa http://ctc-africa.org/,  Monitoring Evaluation and Technical Support (METS) which Prof. Bazeyo clearly highlighted and thanked for all the efforts towards further supporting MakSPH. ‘All these projects have continued to richly contribute to supporting the operations of the School of Public Health as a service institution’ he added. Prof. Bazeyo also noted that although some of the buildings in these annexes have not yet been fully renovated, the roofs are made of asbestos thus strong and long lasting. He noted that these should be some of the projects the MakSPH Dean Elect, Associate Professor Rhoda Wanyenze can start with or even plan to include in her to-do-list so that adequate and ambient working space is fully secured for all the MakSPH staff.

Prof. Bazeyo thanked everyone who has worked with him as part of the ‘Winning Team’ to register all the good work done by MakSPH. Among the people he openly and proudly talked about were; the Past Dean MakSPH and RAN Technical Advisor, Prof. David Serwadda who also chaired this session, Deputy Dean, Associate Prof. Christopher Garimoi Orach, the Registrar’s Office, Finance Management Unit, Grants writing team and the support staff who selflessly serve MakSPH. Prof. Bazeyo had a personalized plaque for all the staff who have since been working with him, majority of whom are support staff. This gesture to publicly recognize majority of the support staff he has worked with, left all participants additionally applauding the simplicity and heart of appreciation in Prof. Bazeyo.

‘It is not common that we serve with a team and as we are leaving the leadership role, we passionately thank them and recognize them in a public gathering, thank you William for being too open and generous too’ Prof. Serwadda shared.

Chairperson Appointments Board-Mr. Bruce Kabaasa (L) hands over a plaque to one of the support staff during the ceremonySome of the Key Highlights from Prof. Bazeyo’s presentation included the following;

My 10 Point Program!

  • The fact that MakSPH has thus far nurtured and supported 24 staff members to attain the qualification of a PHD.
  • The infrastructure including furnished office space, two high power/voltage generators, educated and experienced human resource, strong systems among others put in place at MakSPH to further support learning, research and development.
  • That given the growing community need and thus number of those in service, there is need to construct for MakSPH a bigger home and Makerere University Main Administration has offered the School of Public Health space within the Main Campus to construct this home. ‘I am more than happy that as I hand over the leadership of this institution, I have left in cash more than 75% of the needed funds to build up to completion a six-storey building to house the School of Public Health. It is now up to the new administration to keep the ball rolling’ noted a smiling Prof. Bazeyo. Having worked with Prof. Bazeyo for years now, I have personally started emulating his resource mobilization skills for community service.
  • That the key success factors which have enabled Prof. Bazeyo to excel in serving MakSPH include; remaining resilient in all situations, creating a team and knowing that team which you work with but above all trusting them and their capabilities in effectively performing, working on personality related issues- ‘what do you want people to see you as? A leader, a manager, a boss?’. It is important that you as a leader have an answer to this question above so that you work towards achieving your set goals and ambitions too.
  • The fact that MakSPH has managed to train and sustain several non-Makerere University officially employed staff members through encouraging and supporting resource mobilization.
  • That MakSPH under the Geo Health Hub in Eastern Africa had recently installed equipment at the roof top of the current building to monitor air pollution in Kampala and the nearby suburbs. This is the second of its kind in Uganda, the first being used and operated at/by the US Embassy in Uganda. The data collected from this study will inform not only policy but also the further management of the city and later, the country at large.
  • If you keep yesterday’s anger, you will most definitely loose tomorrow’s benefits. ‘Let go and move on working to achieve’, added a smiling Prof. Bazeyo.
  • It is good to have friends, but make and have friends who make a difference in or add value to your life.
  • Human beings are not easy to lead and work with and this can be a challenge to operations but never give up on anyone. Remain consistent and follow-up on every team member because Together Each Achieves More (TEAM) but also each individual has the potential to meaningfully contribute to the team. It is important that we explore that potential to the fullest. He emphasized the importance of not holding people to your first impression of them because ‘you will not reap the benefits of what they have to offer tomorrow’. Always endeavor to dig deeper to understand human beings as you deal with them and this will inform your ability to leverage from then, Prof. Bazeyo cautioned presentation attendees.  
  • Prof. Bazeyo also shared about the challenges in managing donor money, which comes with ‘high expectations’ and need to ‘maintain the credibility of the institution’. This he said calls for a lot of integrity and professionalism.

Assoc. Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze thanked Prof. Bazeyo for the hard and committed work noting that she was definitely not going to fit in Prof. Bazeyo’s shoes as the next MakSPH Dean. She said, ‘I will not attempt to fit in Prof. Bazeyo’s shoes, I will come in with my own pair of shoes, slightly smaller in size, a little bit brief/shorter, high off the floor and have the notorious habit of letting people know I am coming before I actually arrive to serve MakSPH. Prof. Bazeyo has left behind a rich legacy which we will all work towards further learning from and uplifting for the benefit of all of us at MakSPH and outside. As she concluded her remarks, she added that the success of all the past leaders will also be seen in their ability to support the Dean Elect to succeed.

MakSPH Dean-Elect Assoc. Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze addresses the audience during the ceremony held on 30th August 2017 in the Daviesl Lecture Theatre, CHS, Makerere UniversityProf. Charles Ibingira, the Principal Makerere University College of Health Sciences also hailed Prof. Bazeyo for his hard work noting that what could have led to all the achievements at MakSPH was the great and intact team Prof. Bazeyo put together, nurtured and closely worked with. ‘This MakSPH team is a strong one, let us all emulate them so that we develop and grow together as the College of Health Sciences spreading out to the Main Campus and other units too within this our Mother institution’ Prof. Ibingira shared.

The Makerere University Council representative at this engagement, Mr. Bruce Kabaasa, Chairperson of the Appointments Board also joined all speakers to sincerely thank Prof. Bazeyo for the work well done, noting that he was also happy with the growth and development of the School under Dean Bazeyo’s selfless, open and committed leadership. ‘I pray that the new leadership takes advantage of the already developed firm foundation left behind not only by Dean Bazeyo but also by the past leaders of the School. As the University Administration, we will continue to support the School to further grow as a service provision institution in Uganda and the globe at large’ added Mr. Kabaasa.

He also congratulated the School for leading by example, achieving despite all odds and encouraged staff to keep up the team work he has found and experienced among them. Mr. Kabaasa challenged the School to come out to help and support other units of the University to grow at the same pace, leaving behind no one in Makerere. Additionally, he applauded the College of Health Sciences as a whole for the good work done. As he came to the close of his remarks, he introduced his colleagues Honorable Thomas Tayebwa, Member of Parliament for Ruhinda County North, Mitooma District and Associate Professor Sarah Ssali, School of Gender Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.  He thanked all participants for turning up in big numbers to listen to and engage with Prof. Bazeyo, specially thanking his colleagues for joining in the same engagement. This engagement was also attended by the University Director of Quality Assurance Dr. Vincent A Ssembatya. Thank you all for continuously supporting Makerere University College of Health Sciences School of Public Health http://musph.mak.ac.ug/.

After all this sharing, participants were officially invited to a mouthwatering cocktail, sharing bites, drinks and cake in honor of and thanking Dean Bazeyo for ably leading the MakSPH team for the last 8 years.

Dean Bazeyo a.k.a WBaz is also on Twitter @williambaz, please connect with him.
Long Live the School of Public Health and all its employees, alumni and well-wishers as ‘We Build for the Future’.

Compiled by Harriet Adong, Communications Manager at ResilientAfrica Network (RAN) www.ranlab.org

 

Mark Wamai

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MUTIC Board Inauguration Marks New Beginning for Innovative Minds

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The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (Centre) with the Chair-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta (3rd Right) and MUTIC Advisory Board Members Left to Right: Mr. Japheth Kawanguzi, Ms. Rhinah Akankunda, Dr. Peter Kimbowa, Dr. David Gonahasa, and Dr. Ivan Engoru after the inauguration on 24th July 2025. Official inauguration of the Advisory Board of Makerere University Technology and Innovation Centre (MUTIC) by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe,24th July 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on Thursday, July 24, 2025 officially presided over the inauguration of the Advisory Board of Makerere University Technology and Innovation Centre (MUTIC). The move aims to enhance, encourage and nature innovation and research among the young people and the country at large in order to fight poverty and nurture job creators other than job seekers.

The newly-appointed Advisory Board members of MUTIC are; Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta the Chairperson of the Board representing Makerere University Council, Dr. Cathy IIikor Mbidde, Ag. Manager, MUTIC and Board Secretary, Dr. Dorothy K. Okello-Dean School of Engineering, representing Science-based colleges, Dr. Ivan Engoru from the School of Law representing Humanities-based colleges, Ms. Rhinah Akankunda-91st Guild Minister for Information, Research and Computer Technology representing the Students Guild, Dr. David Gonahasa representing the Ministry for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Japheth Kawanguzi-Team Leader at the Innovation Village representing the Private Sector, and Dr. Peter Kimbowa-Board Member Private Sector Foundation of Uganda (PSFU). Each expressed their appreciation for having been given the opportunity to carry the responsibility and play a role in achieving the University’s goals.

The inauguration event was preceded by a tour of the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak UniPod) that highlighted the innovations such as; the new Malaria treatment (Maisha Syrup), new soybean varieties, an Intern Database Management application that tracks internship at the Mak UniPod, a long-range e-bike by Redvers limited, an off-grid irrigation water pump by Matia Ategeka, among other innovations. The board members also toured Mak UniPod’s photo, video and audio studios as well as the Makerere AI and Data Science Research Lab.

Official inauguration of the Advisory Board of Makerere University Technology and Innovation Centre (MUTIC) by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe,24th July 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe presides over the inauguration event.

Speaking at the inauguration of the MUTIC Advisory Board, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe highlighted the marginalization of Africa and the need for the continent to rise again, despite political and other hurdles. “Africa is gradually awakening”, he said.

 He also discussed Africa’s low involvement in global research, contributing only 3% to the world’s knowledge despite people’s arguments that Africa is the wealthiest continent.

 The Vice Chancellor further emphasized the need for Africa to increase its research and educational investment to improve its development. “Nobody is going to industrialize Africa accept its young people through those innovations, through beginning small and big enterprises”. Said Prof. Nawangwe.

In addition to winning research grants and establishing centres of excellence, the Vice Chancellor emphasized the need to invest in the innovation hubs at the University as a way of encouraging the young minds to be innovators. “We have been establishing centers for research and emphasizing the need for products, not just coming up with research for the sake but moving this to commercial products”, he stated.

“We have made progress in Makerere’s strategy to be a more research intensive and become a research-led University”, said Prof. Nawangwe. He acknowledged the innovative work that is going on in the University’s innovative hubs such as the Food and Technology and Business Incubation Centre at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Mak UnIPod and the Makerere AI and Data Science Research Lab at the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS).

Officials that took part in the inauguration with MUTIC Advisory Board Members in the Vice Chancellor's Office. Official inauguration of the Advisory Board of Makerere University Technology and Innovation Centre (MUTIC) by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe,24th July 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Officials that took part in the inauguration with MUTIC Advisory Board Members in the Vice Chancellor’s Office.

However, Prof. Nawangwe regretted that some members of society still demoralize and discourage the innovations of the young people instead of encouraging them to continue being big thinkers and innovators. He attributed this behavior as a mindset problem among the population which he said that if this continued, the nation will never develop. To this, he said that they are going to introduce a mindset course in the University aimed at nurturing innovative and creative minds.

He also explained the role of universities in producing business managers and administrators, as entrepreneurs need to work through Universities in order to access better resources and support. Prof. Nawangwe noted the importance of government funding for innovation, which has steadily increased at Makerere University and the need for Universities to take ownership of these initiatives.  He equally appreciated UNDP Uganda for their support towards establishing the Mak UniPod.

The chairperson of the Advisory Board for MUTIC, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta expressed his appreciation to the University Council and Management for entrusting him with such big responsibility of carrying forward the center to reach greater heights in achieving their goals.

He explained that MUTIC has come at a defining moment in the University’s journey where the demand for research-informed solutions, innovation and meaningful engagement with society has never been greater.

“This center has been designed not just to inspire ideas but to engineer solutions. It will be an engine of innovation, where curiosity is natured, partnerships are cultivated and discoveries are transformed into impact”, said Prof. Ireeta.

He further said, “Through MUTIC, Makerere University will not only respond to societal needs, we will anticipate them. We will shape the future, not merely react to it”.    

Nancy Atwenda

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Admission Lists for Postgraduate Programmes 2025/26

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The Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT), Makerere University has released the admission lists for applicants successfully admitted for postgraduate programs for the 2025/26 Academic Year. The lists include postgraduate diplomas, PhD and Masters programmes.

Please see admission lists for the respective Colleges listed below:

The admission lists for the following Colleges are yet to be finalised:

  • College of Computing and Information Sciences
  • College of Natural Sciences
  • The School of Law

Prof. Julius Kikooma
DIRECTOR DGT

Mak Editor

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Makerere Hosts Forum on Great Lakes Research & Cooperation on Ecological & Socio-Economic Challenges of L.Victoria & Beyond

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From July 21st to 23rd, 2025, Makerere University College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology proudly hosted two major international gatherings: the 2025 International Conference on the Cooperation and Integration of Industry, Education, Research and Application, and the2025 International Conference on Great Lakes Research.

During the Great Lakes Forum, Professor Moses Musinguzi, Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), underscored the critical importance of ongoing research into the Great Lakes, especially Lake Victoria. He emphasized its ecological and socio-economic significance to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, while voicing concern over mounting threats from climate change and human activities particularly sedimentation and deteriorating water quality.

The forum served as a platform for scientists, policy makers, and regional stakeholders to collaborate on preserving the lake’s health and ensuring sustainable use of its resources for generations to come.

Click here for details

Alex Isemaghendera

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