General
Director Estates and Works Hands Over Office
The outgoing Director, Estates and Works Department (EWD)-Eng. Fred Nuwagaba has today Thursday, 30th November 2017 handed over office to his newly-appointed counterpart Eng. Christina Kakeeto. The brief handover ceremony was held at the EWD Offices, Makerere University and witnessed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. William Bazeyo, University Bursar-Mr. Augustine Tamale, Manager Records and Information, Human Resources Directorate (HRD)-Mr. Ssanyu Lawrence, who represented the Acting Director-Mrs. Dorothy Sennoga Zake, Mr. Patrick Akonyet-Internal Audit as well as staff from EWD.
In his handover speech, Eng. Nuwagaba thanked the University Management and EWD staff for all the support rendered to him throughout his tenure, “I have had a lot of achievements but it would not have been possible without your support,” he emphasised.
Some of the critical achievements highlighted by the outgoing Director included: successful development of the University Infrastructure Master plan for the Main Campus, Mulago and Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK); Increasing the teaching and learning space by 15,000square metres, which was way above the 10,000square metres target envisaged by the Mak Strategic Plan 2008/2018; Instituting controlled access at all Makerere gates which has generated approximately UGX 20million in revenue per month over the last six months; total rehabilitation of the University Road Network; managing loss through introduction of metering units for water and electricity at household level, among others.
Eng. Nuwagaba however pointed out some projects that need to be fast tracked such as; completion of decorative works and reopening of the Main Gate, renovation of old buildings such as the first Administration block at CCE for purposes of academic tourism, implementing the outdoor advertising and campus beautification project, recruitment of senior staff to strengthen the EWD team, completing the digitisation of all physical infrastructure and instituting biometric access to Makerere buildings.
In his remarks, Prof. William Bazeyo congratulated Eng. Nuwagaba upon all the projects completed throughout his tenure. “Thank you for the very detailed handover report whose summary you just presented to us. I am satisfied with it and particularly happy that there is an Infrastructure Development Master plan for the University. You have laid a good foundation for the incoming Director,” he noted.
He also urged the EWD staff present at the ceremony to accord the incoming Director all the support she needs, noting that, “when the Director fails, you all fail. Just as the outgoing Director said that he succeeded because of your backing, I urge you to give the incoming Director the same support,” urged Prof. Bazeyo.
In her acceptance speech, Eng. Christina Kakeeto thanked the DVCFA for his wise counsel and thanked Eng. Fred Nuwagaba for his detailed handover report. “I will continue to rely on Fred as I familiarise myself with all EWD’s operations so please, don’t tire whenever I have to consult you” she said, further adding “I am happy to be here working with all of you. It is a big task but I am looking forward to taking the next steps and I think it is going to be fun.”
Eng. Christina Kakeeto is a BSc Civil Engineering graduate of Makerere University. She also holds an MSc in Strengthening & Maintenance of Civil Engineering Structures from the University of Leeds and an MBA (Construction & Real Estate) from the University of Reading both in the UK. She is a registered Member with the Engineers Registration Board (ERB) and a Corporate Member of the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE). She brings extensive exposure in real estate development appraisal and strategy from both the private sector and government parastatals.
Article by Public Relations Office
General
Advanced Research Methods Training of Trainers Sparks Transformation in Doctoral Training at Makerere University
By Moses Lutaaya
Makerere University has intensified efforts to strengthen graduate supervision and research excellence through a dynamic three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop in Advanced Research Methods held from April 28 to 30, 2026 at the Senate Building Telepresence Hall.
The high-impact training, organized by the Directorate of Graduate Training with support from iCARTA and funding from the NORHED Project, brought together lecturers from across colleges including the School of Law, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), College of Natural Sciences (CONAS), College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (COVAB), and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS).
The training aimed to build institutional capacity to enhance supervision of graduate students and improve doctoral completion rates, a long-standing challenge in many universities.
Opening the workshop, Prof. Julius Kikooma underscored the strategic importance of continuous staff development in responding to evolving academic demands.
“This particular training is one of the routine tools that we use as the Directorate of Graduate Training to continuously re-tool and re-engage with staff in response to the requirements of the new policy of teaching and learning,” he said.
Prof. Kikooma highlighted that the training is anchored in the university’s shift toward competence-based education, a model increasingly being adopted globally and nationally.
“We are going to be engaging with very important issues on how to redesign and support learners in this new dispensation of competence-based teaching and learning,” he added.
He also pointed to recent reforms in doctoral training, including the introduction of a structured framework for PhD-by-research programmes aimed at addressing delays in completion.
“The expectation is that all staff should be aware of that framework and appreciate that it is designed such that the student picks up a range of skills and knowledge that gives them competence,” he explained.
The workshop also serves as preparation for lecturers who will facilitate upcoming cross-cutting PhD courses, with a long-term vision of decentralizing doctoral training to individual colleges.
Sharing his perspective, Dr. Robert Kakuru a Lecturer at the department of Philosophy described the training as both necessary and timely for strengthening the university’s academic core.
“By all standards, all academic staff are required to do research and supervise graduate students. Therefore, a ToT in Advanced Research Methods becomes important,” he said.
He noted that while the initiative is commendable, more staff still need to be reached.
“This is still a drop in an ocean we have more than 1,000 academic staff who all need these skills,” he observed.
Dr. Kakuru emphasized that improved understanding of research methods by both lecturers and students could significantly ease doctoral journeys. “Once the lecturers know the methods and the students know the methods, then the job is well cut out,” he said.
He further linked the training to Uganda’s broader development agenda, noting that research plays a central role across sectors. “Research has a multiplier effect… every programme area requires research,” he added.
From the participants’ perspective, Dr. Sarah Nakijjoba, a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Linguistics, English Language Studies & Communication Skills described the training as transformative and aligned with global shifts in higher education.
“We are being encouraged to move away from the traditional knowledge-based methods of teaching and embrace competence-based pedagogy,” she said.
Dr. Nakijjoba explained that the training emphasized learner-centered and practical approaches such as peer review, simulations, case studies, and role play. “Research methods is a practical course and requires learners to go out and do as opposed to just knowing,” she noted.
“This training is timely, it prepares us as instructors to deliver our content effectively,” she said, adding that the knowledge gained would be cascaded to other staff and students.
She also highlighted the wider implications for national development and employability. “If we have graduates who have the ability to problem-solve, they will devise practical solutions to real challenges,” she said, emphasizing the potential for evidence-based policymaking.
Dr. Nakijjoba further described research methods as central to the university’s agenda of being research led. “Research is the engine, the backbone and everything rotates around it,” she said, reinforcing Makerere’s ambition of being a research-led institution.
Participants were also equipped with skills in curriculum design, research ethics, academic writing, and the use of statistical tools, all within a competence-based framework. A key focus was on authentic assessment that measures what learners can do.
The training marks a significant step in Makerere University’s broader strategy to enhance graduate education, strengthen supervision, and produce competent researchers capable of addressing national and global challenges.
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