General
Brand Yourself and Brand Mak-VC to College Leaders
“In line with your rules and responsibilities, when you are Head of Department, you are in essence a University. The way you conduct yourself will determine how Makerere is run” said the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe as he officially launched the induction training for college leaders.
The two-day induction for College Principals, Directors, Deans and Heads of Department has been organised by the Staff Training and Development Division of the Human Resources Directorate (HRD), Makerere University. Speaking at the opening ceremony held on Monday 30th October 2017 in the Food Science and Technology Conference Hall, the Acting Director Mrs. Dorothy Sennoga Zake thanked the University Management, College leadership and staff for honouring the invitation to the training workshop.
“I acknowledge the presence of all the leaders here this morning especially our Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and I am sure that this workshop will be a good avenue to learn from each other” said Mrs. Zake. She paid special tribute to the staff in the Training and Development Division; Ms. Josephine Nalweyiso and Mr. Patrick Mutebi as well as other HRD staff for their role in organizing the workshop.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor noted that it was important for leaders to reflect on what Makerere meant to each and every one of them and where it is located in Uganda’s geopolitical situation. He noted that Makerere is consistently ranked as the third best in Africa and there was no reason why the University should not claim the top position as stated in its vision.
“The reason that we are ranked so highly is because of our human resource. We have the best academic staff on the continent thanks to an inflow of resources aimed at training PhD staff after the turbulent times, and I am sure that we can even do better if we fix all the loopholes” said the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Nawangwe reminded the attendees that as leaders, they were protected by law and had the backing of the University Council. “You should avoid being populist as this will prevent you from taking hard decisions” cautioned the Vice Chancellor before adding, “Execute your responsibilities without fear or favour and the people you lead will respect and re-elect you, provided you act within the law. The tougher you are, the more respected you are so be tough but also be objective and fair.”
He further urged the Heads of Units to equip themselves with knowledge of University policies, the college statute as well as the University Organisation Manual. “This manual is your bible of responsibilities for every function and timelines for every officer. It was revised after college formation and I urge you to read the soft copies that will be circulated” advised Prof. Nawangwe.
In conclusion, the Vice Chancellor urged the leaders to treat their positions honourably and be proactive by enhancing knowledge partnerships between their respective units and the line Ministries. He thanked the Human Resources Directorate for organising the induction training and wished all leaders an interactive learning experience.
Article by Public Relations Office
Makerere University on Thursday 15th May, 2025 embarked on a two-day induction exercise spearheaded by the Directorate of Human Resources for newly appointed staff, whose tenures commenced in the 2024/2025 financial year. Held in the Senate Conference Hall, day one of the induction was presided over by the Acting (Ag.) Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-DVCAA, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
Warmly welcoming the new staff, Prof. Buyinza congratulated the ladies and gentlemen upon choosing Makerere University as the workplace for embarking on their next phase of professional growth, self-discovery, and personal development.
“You are joining a century-old institution with a distinguished history and a deeply rooted culture of academic excellence” Prof. Buyinza remarked. “For over 100 years, Makerere has nurtured the intellectual talents of young people and contributed meaningfully to the development of society across the globe,” he added.
The Ag. DVCAA nevertheless tipped that although the onboarding process might overwhelm staff with a lot of information, it is all meant to enable them better understand their roles, the benefits due them, and the unique opportunities that come with working in a world-class institution. Prof. Buyinza therefore encouraged new staff to contribute to the attainment of Makerere’s Mission, connect with the vibrant community they are now part of, enjoy the beautiful greenery the campus affords, and take advantage of professional development as well as well-being promoting programmes.
“At Makerere University, the well-being, safety, and professional growth of our staff are priorities. We are committed to walking this journey with you, and to building an institution that is not only a place of work but a place of inspiration and belonging” Prof. Buyinza reassured.
In his welcome remarks, the Chief Human Resources Officer, Mr. Deus Tayari Mujuni congratulated the new staff upon successfully completing the rigorous process the resulted into their respective appointments. He equally thanked the Vice Chancellor for endorsing the induction ceremony with not only budgetary support but also his representation.
Reiterating the need to appreciate the culture, politics and dynamics of the institution that they are now part of, Mr. Mujuni tasked new staff to take time and appreciate the University Vision, Mission and Objectives, and ensure that they adhere to them. He equally urged new staff to read and understand the various university policies and where in doubt, consult the relevant offices.
Ultimately, he urged staff in the fulfilment of their duties and responsibilities not to disregard their individual goals. “You have aspirations that you must achieve as an individual and I encourage you not to neglect them.”
The University Council as the supreme governing body of the university is also the policy making body, whose Appointments Board oversees the appointment, promotion, removal from service, and discipline of all university staff and officers. The representative of Staff with Disabilities on University Council, Mr. Amon Muteganda Kabahima who chaired the session on University Governance equally congratulated new staff.
“You underwent a tough process full of various competitive stages and we are sure that we have the right people for the various jobs” he commended.
Addressing aspects of University Governance and the key Offices, the University Secretary and Secretary to Council, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda guided that the policies and regulations that govern the institution are broad, numerous, and as such cannot adequately be covered over the two-day induction. He nevertheless encouraged staff to visit the University Policies website and appraise themselves with the details, not only for avoidance of breaching them but also building a culture voluntary compliance.
Mr. Kiranda equally encouraged staff not to ascribe importance and respect to colleagues based on rank and titles but seek to esteem each and every member of staff as an important and vital contributor to the fulfilment of the University’s Vision and Mission.
“We are all equally important in this university; the person whose services the university does not require, it does not hire. As long as you are here, you are required” he explained.
The University Secretary equally called upon staff to familiarize themselves with the law that establishes and governs public universities; the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (UOTIA). In his presentation, he singled out section twenty-four (24) that outlines the objectives of a public university in Uganda, as well as sections 30 to 32 that prescribe various offices’ responsibilities.
Mr. Kiranda equally encouraged staff to read the Human Resources Manual, Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment (PRASH), the Safeguarding Policy, among others. He concluded by reiterating the need for staff to read and appreciate the policies that directly address their welfare and steer clear of negative narratives and discourse, particularly those that seek to weaponize discourse. Other topics to be covered during the two-day induction include; the University Strategic Plan, Financing, Research-led Agenda, Institutional Communication and Public Relations and the Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme (MURBS). Topics to be covered on day two include; Legal Instruments, The Collegiate System, Human Resources Management and Functions, as well as Policies on Gender Equality and Sexual Harassment. Others include; Academic Issues, Quality Assurance, Procurement, Audit, and Library Resources.
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