General
CHUSS showcases research in social sciences and gender relations
On 2nd October 2017, researchers and scientists from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) supported by MAK-Sweden Bilateral Research Cooperation showcased research projects in social sciences and gender that are contributing to social transformation of society.
The Social Sciences and Gender Research Day was a key highlight of the Makerere-Sweden Bilateral Research Cooperation Annual Review Meeting 2017 officially opened by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and presided over by the Ambassador of the Royal Swedish Embassy to Uganda H.E Per Lindgärde.
Following the theme of the Annual Review Meeting, ‘Multidisciplinary Research for Social Transformation,’ the Social Sciences and Gender Research Day provided an opportunity to researchers and scientists from the College to share key findings, discuss and exchange ideas on pertinent issues affecting society.
“Our research focuses on finding solutions to issues that affect the social relationship between humans and their environment. And in Uganda, the most outstanding issues that are currently affecting this relationship include; climate change, energy concerns, natural disasters, food insecurity, human rights abuse, conflict and insecurity among,” said Dr. Andrew Ellias State, Dean School of Social Sciences.
The Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Prof. Edward Kasujja Kirumira appreciated the researchers in the College for undertaking research aimed finding solutions to challenges that are becoming more complex not only in Uganda, but the world at large. “Issues like natural disasters, food insecurity, and human rights abuse are a concern to everyone around the world. I am pleased that our College is working hard to find solutions,” he said.
Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the Director of Makerere University Directorate of Research and Graduate Training hailed Makerere University together with other partnering Public Universities for creating an environment conducive to high quality relevant research in the country. In a special way he thanked the Swedish collaborators for being a strong pillar in the Makerere University research.
During the interactive sessions moderated by Principal Investigators-Dr. Andrew Ellias State and Dr. Consolata Kabonesa, researchers presented key findings with the audience in order to measure the strength and contributions of the projects in solving the societal problems in the 21st Century.
In research carried out in Amuru and Kabale districts, Dr. Josephine Ahikire aims at Interrogating customary land tenure & women’s land rights in context of reform & large scale investment. She found out that the inherent dilemma of customary tenure is that rights are allocated and sanctioned following the customs of a given community.
“Men still abuse power in the name of custom when it comes to who owns the land. There is limited decision-making and right to fruits of labour on land. The land is poorly governed in these districts. Women find it difficult to translate the letter on property rights,” said Dr. Josephine Ahikire, the Deputy Principal-CHUSS.
Presenting findings on Socio-cultural Values for Sustained Use of Modern Contraceptives: Voices from Central Uganda, Prof. Peter Atekyereza from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology said that the cultural beliefs and norms have increasingly hindered the proper usage of contraceptives in Uganda. According to the research undertaken in Central Uganda, contraceptives are believed to go against the principle of sex that is fresh to fresh. And people still believe in their own traditional birth control methods which have been discovered to be unsuccessful.
Prof. Rev. Sister Dominic Dipio in her research on Mother Centred Africa from the Lens of Folktales both in the folktales and the interviews, discovered that despite the predominance of patriarchy, actual and symbolic life is organized around the mother and this is what makes matrifocality a given in Africa.
“Evident in folktales from diverse communities under study, the quick-witted mother saves her family from hunger as well as from the ogre who is sometimes led to the family by the self-interested father figure, particularly in trickster tales. Similarly, in contemporary society, women as mothers go out of the way to do all it takes take to provide for their families. This is regardless of whether they are single mothers,” she said.
When investigating and documenting the nature of transformations in smallholder agriculture and gender ideologies that account for effective utilization of the NAADS government policy by farmers in Kijongo village, Dr. Henry Manyire said that Masculinity and femininity is still defined in the traditional context of smallholder agriculture. He stated that roles, responsibilities and allocation of resources are still traditionally gendered.
“Decision making within the household, on the farm, in markets, on income and expenditures are still male dominated,” he said.
Looking at the Social protection and Disability in central Uganda: The case of the youth and children living with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (SBH), Prof. Anthony Mugeere a lecturer and post-doctoral researcher at the Department of Sociology & Anthropology said that his research was informed by the need to explore the nature, functioning and contribution of the existing social protection systems for children and youth with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (SBH).
Dr. Mugeere said that although there are strong incentives for including children and youth living with SBH in social protection policies, the action is hampered by a range of bottlenecks such as political will, availability of data, appropriate legislation, economic resources, stigma and discrimination.
Speaking about the need to bridge the gap that exists between Persons with Disabilities and other people and they can both enjoy the benefits of development, Dr. Julius Omona said that there is need to revisit some of the policies, whether in the short or long run, so that issues of disabilities are included, where they are currently not explicitly acknowledged.
Other presentations included:
• Technology Gender Relations and Household Decision Making Processes on the Access to and Use of Mobile Phones and Radio for Agricultural Production: A Case of Farmers in Apac District, Northern Uganda by Mr. David Mugambe Mpiima
• Gender and Economic Transformation in Uganda’s Agricultural Sector: The Case of Kijongo Village, Mugusu Sub County, Kabarole District, Uganda by Dr. Henry Manyire
• The Drivers and Efficacy of Social Accountability on Service Delivery: The Case of UPE in Uganda by Prof. William Muhumuza
• “Technologizing” Orality: Toward a Hybrid Model of Oral Media for Rural Communities in Central Uganda by Dr. Aaron Mushengyezi
Held in the Makerere University Main Hall, the Social Sciences and Gender Research Day was coordinated by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) with support from the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) and the Embassy of Sweden in Uganda.
Article by: MAK Public Relations Office
Hon. Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, the newly appointed Chancellor of Makerere University, has laid out his vision for the institution during the 75th graduation ceremony.
Installed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as the Chancellor of Makerere University on 2nd October 2024, the 75th occasion marks his maiden graduation ceremony as the titular head of this great institution.
A total of 13,658 graduands will receive degrees and diplomas during the 75th graduation ceremony (13th to 17th January 2025).
On the first day of the 75th Graduation ceremony, the following colleges presented students for conferment of degrees and award of diplomas: College of Education and External Studies, College of Computing and Information Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security and the School of Law.
The Guest of Honour, Hon. Janet. K. Museveni, First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports represented by Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, Minister of State for Primary Education congratulated the congregation upon attaining this major milestone.
“On my own behalf and on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Sports, I am grateful to the University Council, Senate, Management and all staff for their unwavering commitment towards preparing our students who have duly completed the requirements leading to the award of the academic qualifications they are receiving today” she said.
The Minister equally congratulated the University Management for ensuring that transcripts for all students graduating are ready for collection from their respective colleges, and urged the graduands to embrace the spirit of hard work and the desire to make the world a better place.
“I have no doubt that you will face the future with courage, creativity and conviction. There are plenty of opportunities out there, take advantage of the many opportunities to create jobs,” encouraged the First Lady and Honourable Minister of Education and Sports.
Furthermore, she commended the Students Guild for cultivating a cordial working relationship with the University Management and ensuring that matters affecting to students welfare in the University are handled amicably.
In his address, Hon. Dr. Kiyonga outlined several key areas that he aims to focus on as he steers the university forward. A proud alumnus of Makerere, Dr. Kiyonga reflected on the transformative power of education, emphasizing that Makerere’s role in national progress must extend beyond teaching to include research, industry collaboration, and community engagement.
Dr. Kiyonga revealed that enhancing the university’s research capacity is one of his primary goals. He praised the government’s allocation of UGX 30 billion to the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF), recognizing the importance of research in driving Uganda’s socio-economic growth.
“Makerere University is the oldest university in the country. Over the years the institution has built a strong stock of high quality human resources. The University is doing significant amount of research,” he said.
He noted that there is need for further support, saying, “More work is required to mobilize for an increment of funds in order to further support research work.”
He also emphasized that Makerere should play a leading role in generating knowledge to address pressing national challenges. “Research plays a very vital role in the development of any community,” he said, underscoring the importance of transforming research into actionable solutions.
In addition to research, Dr. Kiyonga highlighted the need forMakerere University to build stronger connections with both national and international industries. “We are generating innovations that should eventually be taken to the commercialization level,” he remarked. He proposed the creation of agro-industrial parks on land allocated by President Museveni, which would provide both practical training for students and contribute to the nation’s food security and economic growth.
“At this stage, more resources and infrastructure are needed to support our innovations,” he added, calling for formal partnerships with the investment community to scale up these efforts.
Addressing the issue of unemployment, Dr. Kiyonga urged graduates to leverage their education to create opportunities for themselves and others. “What is critical is sustaining the thinking that you can indeed apply your knowledge to create work in areas with demand within the population,” he said.
He also encouraged graduates to work together to innovate and start businesses, stating, “Partner with some of your friends to form teams, come up with an idea, and you could turn that idea into an innovation, business enterprise or product.” He emphasized that graduates should not limit themselves to seeking employment, but should embrace entrepreneurship as a means of solving societal problems.
Dr. Kiyonga proposed expanding Makerere’s community outreach efforts, particularly in the agricultural sector. “I propose formalized relationships with some medium to large scale farmers across the country,” he said, suggesting that students in the agriculture department could benefit from hands-on internships with these farmers. In return, students would assist with extension services, boosting productivity in smaller farms and contributing to food security.
“There are also gaps in some of the training of Ugandans abroad,” Dr. Kiyonga added, noting that Makerere University could collaborate with foreign universities to provide practical training for Ugandan students, especially in fields such as human medicine.
In line with President Museveni’s directive, Dr. Kiyonga also highlighted the importance of incorporating political economy into all university courses. “It is critical that we deeply appreciate socio-economic forces that determine forward movement or lack of it,” he said, explaining that understanding these forces is essential for preparing graduates to lead effectively in a rapidly changing world.
Prof. Nawangwe Highlights Achievements and Growth
In his address, Vice Chancellor Prof. Nawangwe celebrated Makerere’s progress