General
MAK 83rd Students’ Guild equipped with knowledge and skills
The 83rd Makerere University Guild has acquired valuable knowledge and skills aimed at enhancing their leadership abilities and service delivery to students.
Officially opened by the Dean of Students, Mr. Cyriaco Kabagambe on Saturday 21st October 2017, the two day Student Leaders’ Induction and Training workshop highlighted the: Governance Structure of Makerere University, Prospects and opportunities of a student leader, Financing procedures and regulations in the University, Team Building, Leadership experiences, public speaking as well a presentation on effective public relations and communication.
Delivering a presentation titled, “Public Speaking-A skill for effective leadership,” on Sunday 22nd October 2017, Mr. Ronald Mayanja, the Chief Executive Officer of Ability Explored and an alumnus of Makerere University urged the participants comprising the Dean of Students, Deputy Dean of Students, Wardens of Halls of Residence, and student leaders to adopt public speaking as a great tool in executing their duties and responsibilities.
Student leaders at the University have been encouraged to take on several strategies which they should employ in order to be good public speakers who have the ability to arouse interest in their audience especially the fellow youths whom they serve.
Mr. Mayanja, who is also a motivational speaker advised student leaders to learn the push and pull aspect in order to persuade your audience, exercise optimism and confidence coupled with directing their attention and sight to their audience in order to defeat objections and criticisms, and to focus on their dressing code and appearance before the audience.
Mr. Mayanja finalized by asserting the leaders need to always use attention attracting stories, use gestures wisely to engage and captivate the audience.
Speaking at the same workshop, Ms. Ritah Namisango, the Senior Public Relations Officer of Makerere University emphasized the need for the student leaders and the entire students’ body to use the right Makerere University logos when executing official duties. She added that the leaders should take lead since they are the best ambassadors of the University.
“You are the right ambassadors to tell the good story of Makerere University. Communicate to fellow students and the public about the innovations and milestones in research in the different colleges. Even when we face challenges, always focus on what the University Administration is doing to solve the issues at hand,” Ms. Namisango noted.
Seeking the support of the student leaders in popularizing the policies at Makerere University and activities that help to promote the University, Ms. Namisango requested them to always work with the respective College Communication Officers.
She concluded by thanking the 83rd Students’ Guild for choosing to dialogue with the University Management to resolve some of the issues of concern raised by the students.
The Guild President, H.E Kato Paul advised his counterparts to be good listeners, analytical in order to avoid politicizing Makerere University matters, and to always be professional when handling student oriented matters/issues of concern.
Closing the workshop, the Dean of Students commended the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe for supporting the Student leaders’ Induction and Training workshop. He thanked the Wardens of the respective Halls of Residence for organising a successful workshop as well as the Student Leaders for actively participating in the workshop.
Written by: Student Volunteers- Marion Apio, Namagembe Eva, Ndyabawe Waswa Myres
Prof. Edward Bbaale, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at Makerere University, on November 10 2026 welcomed a delegation from the International Water Association (IWA), led by Mr. Keith Robertson, the Learning and Events Director at International Water Association (IWA). Mr. Robertson, in his remarks, highlighted their visit to Makerere University as a fact-finding mission regarding the potential establishment of a new regional IWA office in Africa to support the continent in solving challenges relating to water.
The International Water Association is a leading global nonprofit organisation and knowledge hub for the water and sanitation sector. Connecting more than 10,000 individual members and 500 corporate entities across 140 plus countries, the association bridges the gap between scientific research and practical engineering to solve global water crises, improve sanitation, and secure clean water systems. Currently, IWA is evaluating potential host cities in Africa; Makerere University in Kampala is the first they have visited out of their three countries and venues earmarked.
This meeting held at Makerere Main Administrative Building, was attended by university leadership, faculty from College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), and representatives from the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). Discussions explored possibilities of the yet to be established office bridging the gap between academic research and practical application in the water sector not only in Uganda but also on the continent.
On behalf of University Management, Prof. Edward Bbaale underscored this engagement that focused on possible Water and Sanitation advancement partnership as one that aligns well with the strategic direction of the University.
Projected Impact of a Kampala-Based IWA Office
Dr Philip Nyenje, Head of Department, Civil and Environmental Engineering (DCEE), expressed optimism about the collaboration, saying, “this is a very good opportunity for us to grow our interest in the sector of water and sanitation.”
In addition, Dr Seith Mugume, a Senior Lecturer at DCEE, noted that the regional office would unlock research and innovation opportunities in the real world for our students and also provide incentives for them to pursue projects within local research and innovation angles.
Eng. Zainab Mpakiraba, Acting Senior Manager at NWSC framed Kampala as a very unique venue for the centre and highlighted Makerere as one of the core academic partners for the regional Eastern and Southern Africa hub of the Global Sanitation Graduate School. Eng. Mpakiraba further endorsed Makerere, saying that, as a top-notch university in Uganda and in the region, when it leads on any aspect, it is able to pull most of the other universities.
Makerere’s Strategic Initiatives and Activities so far in the Area of Water
Dr Nyenje noted that his Department has a very strong base in water and sanitation, covering disciplines like water resources, environmental, structural, and highway engineering. Dr. Mugume added that they are conducting research on “modeling of water resource systems, hydrological and hydraulic modeling,” “water quality management,” and “fecal sludge management, sanitation in low-income and peri-urban areas.”
The two also mentioned that the department has introduced a “master’s in sanitation, and also a postgraduate program… a diploma in sanitation” to address growing interest in the sector.
All these strategies have been made possible through good will and funding from the Government of Uganda, strategic partnerships, and International Collaborations that have positioned Makerere as a key player in the region.
Concluding the session, Prof. Edward Bbaale reaffirmed Makerere’s ability to run this Office when established as the University has human resources in multidisciplinary research, global credibility and working relationships with many organisations and institutions on the continent and far.
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