General
Mak to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Waste
“Public waste awareness is key to successful waste management,” remarked the Dean of Students, Mr. Cyriaco Kabagambe who was representing the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe at the closing ceremony of the Waste Awareness Week held on Friday 6th October 2017.
Mr. Kabagambe added that waste results from human activities and everyone needs to have proper understanding of how to manage it. “Issues of waste can be a havoc to the environment if not handled well. Therefore, we have to take on the mantle to ensure proper waste management,” he said.
The Waste Awareness Week (2nd to 6th October 2017) under the theme, “Sustainable Waste Management at Makerere University,” was organized by the Sustainability Program- Department of Planning and Development at Makerere University in partnership with Sustainability Lab at Bangor University in the UK.
The Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Dr. Eria Hisali challenged the student leaders to analyze the views received from students during the Waste sensitization week. He tasked the student leaders to present the views to the Makerere Universityy Management Consultative Forum in order to incorporate them within the activities of the University.
“I appreciate the collaborative partnership between Makerere University and Bangor University and I believe it should be given room to grow. Therefore, we should take it forward providing specific roles of different stakeholders in mainstreaming of the waste management campaign in the activities of the University,” Dr. Hisali emphasized.
In an interview with the Coordinator of the Sustainability Programme, Ms Pamela Matovu remarked that proper waste disposal within and out of the University is everyone’s role and contribution towards the wellbeing of the institution and the environment.
The Town Clerk Kawempe Division, Mr. Geoffrey Rwakabale expressed his gratitude towards the collaborative relationship between Makerere University and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). He said he would continue to support waste management and environmental conservation programs in the University.
During the Waste Awareness Week several activities took place which include: displaying of placards with awareness message and pictures at the Western and Eastern Gates, social media campaign at Mary Stuart and Africa Hall, picking of litter at University Hall, Nsibirwa Hall as well as litter collection and sorting at Mitchell Hall.
Also, the students of Makerere University Waste Management Association (MUWMRA) organized an exhibition at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences focusing on the 3R approach towards waste management and environmental conservation. Focusing on the 3R approach of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle waste, several students exhibited a number of waste-recycled items /products such as an eco-house made from plastic, eco-seats made from tyres, eco-shoes that were used as flower pots. The students also showcased Ear rings, bow ties and puff holders made from used clothes, shopping baskets made from plastics and a straw fan made from used straws.
“Makerere University Waste Management Research Association (MUWMRA) believes in the 3R of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle as the basic approach towards proper waste management and environmental conservation. I commend fellow students who have come up with eco-friendly products that have been exhibited during the Awareness Week,” said Nasasira Emmanuel, the President (MUWMRA).
During the exhibition, one of the students, Kwagala Cissy Irene, demonstrated that not all waste is waste by making earrings, puff holders and bow ties from used clothes. She said that her ability to make and sell a few of these products made from waste benefits the community at large.
Sustainable Waste Management is an action towards combating climate change. This is in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 of ‘Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns,’ focusing on target 5 that states, ‘By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
Throughout the entire week, a number of ideas were received from staff and students, which will further inform the Waste Management processes at the University.
Dr. Florence Nakayiwa, the Director of Planning and Development Department appreciated the Sustainability Program at Makerere University, Sustainability Lab at Bangor University in UK, Makerere University Estates and Works Department, KCCA, MUWMRA, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Research of the 83rd Students’ Guild and the Management of Makerere University for supporting and participating in the 2017 Waste Awareness campaign.
Business & Management
PIM Centre Holds 9th Steering Committee Meeting, Set to Benefit from World Bank Support
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University today, October 10th, 2025, held its 9th Steering Committee Meeting to review progress made in the first quarter of the financial year and plan for the months ahead.
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Getrude Basiima, who represented Mr. Hannington Ashaba, Director Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Ms. Basiima commended the Centre for its continued commitment to strengthening public investment management capacity across government institutions.
In her remarks, Ms. Basiima applauded the Centre for successfully hosting the Public Investment Management Conference held in August at Makerere University. The conference attracted key policymakers, development partners, and academics who deliberated on how to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and impact of public investments in Uganda.
She further shared exciting news that the Government of Uganda has secured funding from the World Bank to support the public investment management function. The PIM Centre, she announced, will be among the key beneficiaries of these funds — receiving support for the construction and acquisition of a permanent home to enhance its institutional sustainability and training capacity.
Reviewing the Centre’s quarterly performance, Ms. Basiima congratulated the team for successfully conducting three specialized trainings in the first quarter, reaching officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. These trainings continue to strengthen the technical competencies required for effective project preparation, appraisal, and implementation in line with Uganda’s National Development Plan.
She encouraged the Centre to integrate climate change considerations into its future training programmes, noting that sustainable public investment must now account for environmental resilience and climate adaptation.
The centre team presented the proposed structure/ organogram, the financial performance of 2024/2025, research areas for 2025/2026 and the strategic plan for 2025 – 2030.
The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the PIM Centre’s vision of becoming a regional leader in building capacity for efficient, transparent, and sustainable public investment management.
A significant development unfolded at Makerere University during a strategic, hour-long meeting in the vice chancellor’s boardroom on 7th October 2025, marking a deepening bond with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The primary goal was to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program. Prof. Sarah Saali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, set the tone by emphasizing that institutional partnerships are crucial to Makerere University, which she proudly called the leading research and most collaborative university in the world.
The discussion promptly formed the core structure of the program: a four-year PhD (or three if the master’s was research-based), with supervision duties split 50-50% between the two institutions. A key feature is the mobility requirement, stipulating that PhD candidates would spend a total of six months in the Netherlands, potentially divided into two three-month periods. Crucially, the University of Groningen confirmed there would be no teaching requirement during this stay, allowing students full access to focus on their research. A major financial hurdle was overcome with the adoption of a fee-waiver policy; Makerere would waive tuition for incoming Groningen candidates, and Groningen would reciprocate for Makerere‘s students, significantly boosting the program’s financial viability.
However, the critical issue of the stipend remained. Dr. Anita Veltmaat explained that to meet the required living standard of approximately €1,875 per month in Groningen, the incoming candidate must secure a partial external scholarship of around €250 per month. The positive news is that if the candidate secures this minimum scholarship, the University of Groningen is prepared to top up the amount to the full living standard for the six months the student spends in the Netherlands. It was noted that this initial financial hurdle might be simplified for Makerere students, as many are already staff members receiving a salary, which could help cover the required €250.
The path forward was clear: it was to complete the agreement template guided by the setup committee from both institutions. The plan culminated in scheduling an online follow-up meeting for Tuesday, November 11th, to review the first revision of the agreement, capping a highly constructive discussion that solidified the two universities’ shared future in graduate education.
Makerere University was represented by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics Affairs; Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Head of the Department of Gender Studies; Dr. Patricia Ndugga, School of Statistics; Dr. Stella Achen and Dr. Joseph Watuleke, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning; Agatha Ainemukama, School of Engineering; Racheal Nuwagaba, School of Psychology; Awel Uwihanganye, Martine Rugamba, and Hawa Ndagire from the Advancement Office; and Muhammad Kiggundu from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.
The University of Groningen was represented by Dr. Dinie Bouwman, Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalization and Quality Assurance; Dr. Anita Veltmaat, Faculty of Social Behavior and Social Sciences, Department of International Studies, involved in mentorship programs for women; and Dr. Alette Arendshorst, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, working on graduation/collaboration for students/staff.
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