General
Mak to continue promoting entrepreneurship skills among students
The Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Gen. Salim Saleh has pledged to continue supporting innovations at Makerere University in order to nurture upcoming entrepreneurs.
Speaking on his behalf, the Deputy Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, Lt. Gen. Charles Angina said they were proud to be associated with innovations in Makerere University.
“The OWC fraternity commends the University over their efforts. You give us confidence that the future is brighter than others say,” Lt. Gen. Angina said. “I urge you students to be better people in the country and produce unique products than those in the market.”
Lt. Gen. Angina was speaking at the second Entrepreneurship Students Expo organised by the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) at the Freedom Square, on Friday 27th October 2017. He added that OWC would continue to support innovations across the country.
The Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Prof. William Bazeyo revealed that the University Management would set up an innovation fund to support students, whose ideas would be found viable. He represented the Vice chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, who was out of station on official duty.
“Makerere University has big potential and the raw materials, the brains are here … if we were doing this [exhibition] every week, it would be an amazing place,” he said. On behalf of the University Management, Prof. Bazeyo pledged to support the best five innovators at the expo. He also requested CoBAMS to consider holding the student exhibition, twice a year, to be able to track improvements.
The CoBAMS Principal, Dr. Eria Hisali assured the students that success was possible as long as they partnered with good sponsors. He explained that the exhibition was intended to help fight unemployment in the country.
“On many occasions, we have seen a number of graduates moving from door to door looking for jobs. The main cause of this is students lacking the entrepreneurial skills and seeing this exhibition from you the students, I’m impressed,” said Dr. Hisali.
The Dean of the School of Business, Dr. Umar Kakumba commended the students for their innovations and explained that the Expo under the theme, MAK has Talent, was about nurturing an enterprising mind. The College would continue working with various business partners to help students create an impact in their communities.
Speaking on the side lines of the expo, Dr. Peter Turyakira, the Head of Department of Marketing and Management explained that the college introduces theory to the students, who then are encouraged to put the ideas into practice. Dr. Turyakira emphasized the need for a practical approach to learning at Makerere University.
He added that the programme would enable students to become job creators rather than job seekers. “As course work, we have decided that they should demonstrate what they have learned rather than repeating what has been told to them,” he said.
exhibition saw over 1,000 students showcasing various products, ranging from Eco packaging materials, charcoal stoves, cakes, processed jam, honey, fruit shakes to juices and bushera (sorghum porridge), candles, and briquettes among other products.
There were other presentations by public entities, such as Operation Wealth Creation, Uganda Revenue Authority and Pride Microfinance.
Dr. Turyakira explained that the move would eventually culminate into an entrepreneurship centre, to train students on how to start and manage/maintain their business ideas.
“Whether you are an engineer, or a doctor, you need entrepreneur skills … how do you start a business, how do you sustain it?” he asked.
He explained that department hoped to encourage students to find ways of sustaining their businesses and the end the adage – that Uganda is the deathbed for many small scale businesses.
The Expo featured students drawn from various programmes, such as the Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Development Economics, Bachelor of Arts in Economics, as well as Master of Business Administration, Master of Economic Policy and Management.
The exhibitors, who were organised in groups of five to ten, were evaluated on their performances during the exhibition. A team of facilitators from CoBAMs evaluated the 145 business ideas/innovations presented during the Expo. The best five (5) were set aside for recognition.
Winning the Shs 1m award for best exhibitor, was To App, who devised a software application for first year admissions. The second place, claiming a cash prize of Shs 700,000 was Agro Innovations, a group that developed a solar dryer to limit post-harvest losses. This dryer is able to store energy, when the sun is not shining brightly. They had also developed a host of other products. In third place, Nkwatako Beverages, a group of postgraduate students, who received a Shs 500,000 cash prize for their efforts in wine making.
whose efforts were recognised for their innovations were Organic jack fruit jam; makers of bread spread as well as Esperanza Limited, who made a charcoal stove from anthill soil and grass.
Among the many exhibitors was a group called Unique Candle makers, who showcased new designs, including glass candles to limit fire outbreaks. The group is planning candles designed to ward off mosquitoes, while leaving behind a good aroma. The move is aimed at reducing malaria in various homes.
The Expo was sponsored by Operation Wealth Creation, with additional support from Pride Microfinance, Uganda Revenue Authority, Equity Bank, Centenary Bank and Mr. Eriot Arinaitwe.
General
Makerere University Set to Develop Curriculum to Transform Graduate Supervision and Mentorship
By Moses Lutaaya
KAMPALA – Makerere University is set to develop a curriculum for a specialized Certificate Course in Supervision and Mentoring for Graduate Training and Higher Education Management, in a move aimed at professionalizing graduate supervision and strengthening the capacity of academic staff to deliver quality postgraduate education.
The proposed programme will equip academic staff with advanced competencies in graduate-level teaching, research supervision, mentorship, and higher education management, while supporting the University’s agenda of improving the quality and relevance of graduate training.
The curriculum development process was discussed during a Stakeholders’ Curriculum Development Consultation Workshop held on Thursday, 18th June 2026 at the Senate Building Telepresence Hall, Makerere University.
The workshop, organized by the Directorate of Graduate Training in collaboration with the Centre for Teaching and Learning Support (CTLS), brought together curriculum specialists, academic staff, and higher education stakeholders to review and enrich the proposed curriculum before it proceeds through the University approval processes.
Participants included 11 lecturers from the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), 3 from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), 2 from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (CoVAB), 1 from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), 4 from the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), among others.
The National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) was represented by Dr. Patrice Ssembirige, Deputy Executive Director in charge of Curriculum Review and Instructional Materials Development. The Centre for Teaching and Learning team was led by Dr. Dorothy Ssebowa, while Dr. Stephen Wandera coordinated the workshop.
Addressing participants, Prof. Julius Kikooma, Director Graduate Training at Makerere University, said the curriculum development initiative is central to strengthening graduate education and ensuring that academic staff are adequately prepared to support postgraduate learners.
Prof. Kikooma noted that Makerere University is targeting an increase in graduate student enrolment to 50 percent of the total student population, but emphasized that this ambition must be matched with investment in the capacity of academic staff who supervise and mentor students.
“We can get many graduate students, but if the people supporting them do not have the right tools and preparation, we will still have challenges,” Prof. Kikooma said.
He explained that the initiative responds to University policies requiring academic staff teaching graduate students to undergo pedagogical training, while those supervising graduate research must undergo specialized preparation in supervision and mentoring.
Prof. Kikooma said graduate supervision requires deliberate preparation because supervisors play a central role in shaping research quality, student success, and the overall effectiveness of postgraduate programmes.
He further emphasized Makerere University’s responsibility as a leading institution in the region.
“We have a double expectation. We must support the country to achieve its aspirations in national development, but we also have an expectation from other institutions to support them in building graduate training capacity. In that sense, we are a trainer of trainers,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), Dr. Patrice Ssembirige commended Makerere University for adopting a consultative and inclusive approach to curriculum development.
He noted that education systems globally are undergoing significant transformation, requiring continuous curriculum review and alignment with emerging needs.
“Education systems globally are undergoing significant transformation, and in Uganda, NCDC has been leading and spearheading the implementation of the competency-based curriculum,” Dr. Ssembirige said.
He explained that NCDC has developed competency-based curriculum frameworks at primary and lower secondary levels and is currently advancing reforms at upper secondary level, which feeds into higher education institutions.
Dr. Ssembirige said the new curriculum presents an opportunity to align graduate training with global trends, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), international best practices, and national development priorities.
“As we develop this curriculum, we need to align with global trends, SDGs and international best practices. We also need to undertake comparative analysis because curriculum reforms are taking place across East African Community states,” he noted.
He encouraged developers to ensure that the programme follows competency-based principles and equips participants with relevant 21st-century skills.
“Since we are talking about competency-based curriculum, we must be cognizant of the principles of competency-based education and ensure that we develop skills that fit the demands of the 21st century,” he added.
Dr. Dorothy Ssebowa, Director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning Support at Makerere University, said the initiative marks an important step in strengthening professional development for academic staff involved in graduate education.
She noted that effective supervision requires more than disciplinary expertise, but also skills in mentorship, communication, research guidance, ethics, assessment, and student support.
“The quality of graduate education depends on the quality of mentorship and supervision we provide. This curriculum will strengthen the capacity of academic staff to guide graduate students effectively, improve research outcomes, and uphold the standards expected of a leading university,” Dr. Ssebowa said.
She added that the Centre for Teaching and Learning will continue working with the Directorate of Graduate Training, academic colleges, curriculum specialists, and regulators to ensure the programme remains relevant and impactful.
During the workshop, stakeholders reviewed the proposed curriculum structure, course content, competency areas, assessment strategies, quality assurance mechanisms, and alignment with national and international standards.
Once finalized, the programme is expected to strengthen graduate supervision at Makerere University and serve as a model for professional development across higher education institutions in Uganda and beyond.
General
Revised Advertisement for Positions of Principal and Deputy Principal at Makerere University
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, has called for strengthened graduate training and research systems, urging a significant scale-up in the production of Masters and PhD graduates to meet Uganda’s and Africa’s growing knowledge and development needs.
The call was made during an engagement with the College of Health Sciences leadership, where the Vice Chancellor underscored the strategic importance of research-intensive colleges in advancing the university’s mission and contributing to national transformation.
The Vice Chancellor noted that while the College of Health Sciences continues to make a substantial contribution to the university’s research output and remains one of the most productive units, there is need to further strengthen systems that support graduate training, supervision, and timely completion of studies.
He emphasized the need to increase postgraduate enrolment, with a target of raising graduate participation to 40 percent. According to him, expanding graduate training is essential for building a critical mass of highly skilled researchers capable of addressing Uganda’s and Africa’s development challenges.
Improving Completion Rates and Supervision
The Vice Chancellor highlighted concerns over graduate completion rates, noting that delays in supervision and academic support continue to affect timely graduation across many institutions.
He called for stronger supervision systems, improved mentorship, and more structured academic support to ensure that students complete their programmes within the stipulated timeframes.
“Completion of graduate programmes must be prioritized through effective supervision and structured academic support systems,” the Vice Chancellor emphasized.
Strengthening Research Output
The Vice Chancellor also stressed the need to enhance research productivity and visibility through increased publications, improved citation impact, and expanded access to competitive research funding.
He encouraged deeper collaboration among researchers, including co-supervision arrangements with international scholars and strengthened partnerships with other universities to enhance research quality and global competitiveness.
Investment in Infrastructure
The College Deputy Principal, Prof. Richard Iwa Idro, shared with the VC some of the college’s challenges which included low staffing levels at both academic and administrative levels, inadequate infrastructure and high staff turnover among others.
The Vice Chancellor reaffirmed the University’s commitment to improving infrastructure for teaching and research within the College of Health Sciences. He noted that ongoing and planned developments are aimed at strengthening PhD training environments and supporting advanced research activities.
He further emphasized the importance of expanding academic staffing and leveraging expertise from both active and retired scholars, including the appointment of honorary professors to support mentorship and research development.
Academic Accountability and Innovation
The Vice Chancellor reminded professors and associate professors of their responsibility to deliver inaugural lectures within stipulated timelines as part of academic accountability and recognition of scholarly contribution.
He also encouraged researchers to translate their work into innovation and practical solutions that contribute to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation, noting that research must go beyond publication to deliver real-world impact.
The Vice Chancellor reiterated that strengthening graduate training and research is central to achieving national development goals and enhancing Uganda’s competitiveness in the global knowledge economy.
He emphasized that sustained investment in Masters and PhD training, combined with stronger research systems, will be critical in producing the next generation of scholars, innovators, and leaders required to drive sustainable development.
The Vice Chancellor was accompanied by the Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the Director DRIP, Prof. Robert Wamala, Prof. Edward Bbaale, who represented the Deputy VC in charge of Academic Affairs, Prof. Fredrick Muyodi, the Director of the Writing Centre, Dr. Margaret Nagwovuma, the Deputy Director of Makerere University Technology and Innovation Centre, Prof. William Tayeebwa, the Manager of Makerere Press and Prof. Kikooma Julius, the Director of Graduate Training. The officials shared with staff how staff can benefit from their offices.
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