General
Over UGX150 million raised for International Symposium on Non-Communicable Diseases
On 12th December 2017, over UGX150 million was raised during the Mak Fundraising dinner organised by Makerere University College of Health Sciences together with St. Augustine International University to mobilise resources for the upcoming 1st International Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Symposium scheduled to take place from 12th to 15th February 2018 at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
The Minister of State for International Affairs, Hon. Oryem Henry Okello officiated at the fundraising drive that engaged corporate and development partners from both public and private sector as well as partners from the business world.
The Minister acknowledged the tremendous support from development partners towards fighting against NCDs in Uganda and encouraged them to continue soliciting funds to boost the health sector of the country. He pledged to mobilise more partners, fellow ministers and friends to work with the committee and also contribute towards the noble cause.
Hon. Oryem applauded the brains behind the 1st International Non Communicable Diseases Symposium saying that, Uganda has yarned for an awareness campaign on Non Communicable Diseases. “We live in a terrible situation without knowledge on NCDs. The percentage of victims of NCDs in Uganda is very high, including myself. This drive is a formidable one and I believe we are going to achieve the intended goals,” he said.
He encouraged Ugandans to go for screening so that they can understand their status earlier and adopt the preventive measures or start the medication. He pledged to extend the campaign to fellow ministers so that they can also carry out the test “talk to your friends and family about this and encourage them to go for tests and screening. I pledge to reach out to the cabinet ministers so that they can also be tested and screened during this drive. We need to fight this killer disease before it fights our population,” the Minister remarked.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Prof. William Bazeyo called for a collective measure to create awareness among Ugandans on the Non Communicable Diseases. He also urged Ugandans to embrace the development of a research fund geared towards collecting data aimed at finding lasting solutions on Non Communicable Diseases.
“We discovered that little research has been done on NCDs. Africans we are depending on research done by the western world. We need to support our own research. Makerere University might not be endowed with funds but it is endowed with human capacity to do research. Therefore if we raise funds, I am sure the University together with other partners can carry out research on the NCDs,” said Prof. Bazeyo.
He thanked all the developmental partners that have immensely contributed towards the symposium as well as the Research fund. Prof. Bazeyo recognised the efforts of H.E King Caesar Augustus Mulenga to mobilise funds for the symposium and the research fund. He thanked the Principal of College of Health Sciences Prof. Charles Ibingira for commitment to hosting a successful symposium.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor informed the audience that Makerere University Council chaired by Eng. Charles Wana-Etyem would contribute UGX50million. Prof. Bazeyo also pledged to contribute UGX5million towards the Symposium on Non-Communicable Diseases.
Appreciating the drive to fight against NCDs in Uganda, the Chairman of St Augustine International University H.E King Caesar Augustus Mulenga, pledged to contribute UGX100milliom towards the Symposium and also pledged on behalf of St Augustine International University to raise UGX50 million annually for a period of 7 years towards development the research fund.
H.E King Caesar Augustus Mulenga emphasized the need to create awareness on NCDs when he said, “there is a need to make Ugandans know that Non Communicable Diseases are here and here to kill. We therefore need to provide this information. We must teach them about the prevention of NCDs.”
“Ugandans should develop a culture of early screening to detect and treat the diseases in infancy stages. We need to make it a rule or a policy that there must be early screening in schools, organisations, institutions and also screening among family members,” he added.
The 1st International Non Communicable Diseases Symposium will take place from 12th -15th February 2018 at Speke Resort Munyonyo. Organised by Makerere University College of Health Sciences and St Augustine International University under a theme: “Building momentum to address the epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases in Africa,” the symposium focuses on creating attention to the NCDs epidemic in Uganda and the region among general public, business community, researchers, clinicians, funders, and policy makers that will result into a formidable multi-disciplinary response to stop the epidemic. It also aims at creating networks and consortium that will generate data and design interventions for prevention, early detection and treatment of NCDs as well as creating national policies, frameworks and multi-disciplinary health systems to curb the ill health and early deaths from the Diseases.
According to the Chairperson of the National Organising Committee, Prof. Fred Wabwire, the symposium will inform research focused on finding innovative solutions to epidemic and endemic diseases.
In a presentation, the Principal of College of Health Sciences, Prof. Charles Ibingira said that the minimal response to the NCDs by Ugandans has been due to low public awareness, and weak health systems that are aligned to only communicable diseases and limited data to support the design of presentation and intervention.
“Many Ugandans have died due to lack of knowledge about the diseases. So many of them have gone to hospitals only to be diagnosed of cancer in its advanced stages. Another issues is that we have weak and poorly facilitated health centres with no screening equipment,” he said.
He encouraged the public to support the awareness drive that the College of Health Sciences together with St Augustine International University is organising to enable the society understand the preventative measures for Non-Communicable Diseases. Prof. Ibingira urged Government to support health centres with equipment and necessary facilitation in line with Non Communicable Disease prevention and awareness.
The Makerere University Fundraising Dinner was graced by the Managing Director of Bank of Baroda Mr. Ashwini Kumar, Chairman Crown Beverages Ltd (Franchise holder for Pepsi in Uganda) Mr Amos Nzeyi, the Director, Directorate of Socio-Economic Monitoring and Research (DSEMR) in the Office of the President Hon. Vincent Tumusiime, representatives from DFCU Bank, Stanbic Bank, Victoria Motors, Uganda Health Marketing Group (UHMG), Aga Khan Hospital among others.
Article by: MAK Public Relations Office
Waste Management efforts at Makerere University have been boosted by a donation of 30 waste bins by Centenary Bank’s Makerere Branch. The bins received on Monday 11th May 2026 in the Freedom Square by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in the company of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Ssali, Deputy University Secretary, Mr. Simon Kizito and other officials were handed over by the Branch Manager, Mr. Sunday Julius.
Appreciating the donation from Centenary Bank on behalf of University Management, Prof. Nawangwe noted that Makerere University strives to maintain “the cleanest environment in Kampala”, especially as a good example to future leaders, the students.
Acknowledging earlier donations to the Halls of Residence by Centenary Bank, Prof. Nawangwe described the ceremony as “the beginning of a long journey of collaboration in environmental stewardship,” with separation of plastics from biodegradable waste earmarked as the next step in user education.
In his remarks, Mr. Sunday noted that the donation was in line with the Bank’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives, particularly the Social component, where supporting institutions with waste management facilities to enhance hygiene is key. “It is important for Centenary Bank to give back to the society where it makes money”, he emphasized.
Describing Makerere University as the “main institution that Centenary Bank operates a branch”, Mr. Sunday recognised the donation as a step in the right direction with a valuable partner.
The newly-donated bins will be placed in various public locations under supervision of the Estates and Works Directorate.
Makerere University and the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (ND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University and Rev. Robert A. Dowd, the 18th President signed on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony, which was held at the University of Notre Dame campus at South Bend, Indiana was witnessed by Dr. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Council of Makerere University, who led the Mak delegation.
Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.
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