General
New MUASA Chairperson Swears In: Emphasises Association’s Financial Sustainability
The newly elected Chairperson of Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) Dr. Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi has vowed to use his term of office to create a MUASA SACCO with the aim of strengthening the financial position of the Association. Speaking to the joyful audience at the swearing in ceremony held on 15th January 2018, Dr. Kamunyu said that the New MUASA Executive is committed to resource mobilisation and strengthening the financial position of the Association beyond the current income generating activities.
To achieve this, he pledged to institute processes and procedures that are guided by approved operating manuals with an improved outlook to governance as well as increased trust in the Association‘s ability to handle finances and guide investments.
“This SACCO will increase our social cohesion, empower us financially and increase our love for the Association. MUASA SACCO will not compete with any available saving options in the university as many may anticipate, it will instead expand saving opportunities for members but this time with clear social development objective and governance structure. The two years which we have started today seem few but will endeavour to lay a foundation for most viable projects,” he said.
Dr. Kamunyu envisions a meaningful and stronger MUASA that focuses on not only uniting but also positively changing the lives of its members beyond salary enhancement and harmonisation. According to Dr. Kamunyu, his team is also ready to work with the University Management to improve governance and promote compliance to policies and regulations.
“We want consistent improvement in ethical standards especially in the handling of financial, administrative and academic matters. We want transparency in staff development and promotions policy and procedures, college financial management and improved budgeting and compliance budgets. We will continue to call for action towards a pro service delivery procurement system and one that guarantees good value for money,” he said.
After serving as the Association’s Public Relations Officer for two years, Dr. Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi was on Monday 11th December 2017, elected as the new Chairperson of MUASA replacing Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu-Musoke; his term officially starting on 5th January 2018. He pointed to the past two years of serving MUASA as a period of learning to; serve people selflessly, take MUASA’s position seriously, listen to others carefully and be open minded.
“I therefore believe that my victory as the MUASA Chairperson was not out of persuasive campaign but out of the trust that MUASA fraternity have in me. Even when I know that the tasks ahead are many and yet with no straight forward methods of accomplishing them, I will be reminded of your resolute trust in my ability and push forward,” he remarked.
Dr. Kamunyu Muhwezi who was in the company of his beloved wife Mrs. Mariam Kamunyu and children Charles and Rebecca Kamunyu thanked the Almighty God and the MUASA fraternity for allowing him to serve the Association as the Chairperson. He also thanked the outgoing Chairperson Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu-Musoke and his Executive for steering the Association for the last five years. “Your leadership has brought various staff welfare achievements such as salary enhancement and health insurance. Together with my team, I promise to build on from where you have stopped. We hope that you will be available for consultation where need arises especially when we move to tap from your wealth of experience as MUASA leader” he said.
“I also thank the MUASA Electoral Commission for delivering a credible election. The election you organised has never been held in the history of MUASA. We are glad and honoured to have taken these respectable positions with undisputed mandate which we believe you made possible. We are partners in strengthening your mandate because we are aware that at some point, bad elections were threatening to undermine MUASA,” he added.
The swearing in ceremony was presided over by the Commissioner of Oaths His Worship Mr. Lawrence Tweyanze and witnessed by Jolly J. Sonko representing the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Service, the Representative from the Ministry of Educ ation and Sports, Makerere University Management and staff among others.
The Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe congratulated the new Executive and looked forward to their cooperation with the Management. He encouraged the team to consider looking for more aid and funds to boost the institution’s research.
“Research is one of the biggest pillars of Makerere University. This means that it needs to be heavily funded. We also have to enforce our policies that can keep the intuition’s research at the highest rank that is why I suggest that every PhD and Masters Student must begin to publish at least one publication before they finish. This is what the best universities do,” said the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Nawangwe appreciated Dr. Kiggundu-Musoke and his Executive for employing diplomacy to win the negotiations on salary enhancement.
In the same spirit the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) Prof. William Bazeyo thanked the outgoing Executive for the tireless efforts to defend the rights of teaching staff. Prof. Bazeyo congratulated the incoming Executive and urged them to be that strong bridge between MUASA and Management so as to foster positive change at Makerere University.
He challenged the MUASA Executive to explore the available opportunities within the university so as to improve their finances.
The outgoing Chairperson Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu-Musoke congratulated Dr. Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi and his team upon being elected as the new MUASA Executive. He advised the new leadership to always use the appropriate solution for the situation at hand for the good of the people. “Leadership is not about doing a lot of talking, writing, striking, dialoguing, tweeting, whatsapping and mailing. It is about appropriate judgement that suits an environment to deliver services that promote the good of the community,” said Dr. Kiggundu-Musoke.
He urged the new leadership to create a close working relationship with the Government of Uganda and always engage Management when finding solutions to issues concerning the University.
“Makerere University is a Public Institution that demands close working relationship with the Government. Therefore, take this as important because the Government has a great stake…. In addition Management should not be treated as enemies but as a team that requires effective engagement. Both Academic and Non-Academic staff are great stakeholders and also require maximum respect as you deliver your services. Students are indispensable and they are the reason we exist,” he said.
He thanked the University Management, Council and members of staff for the support they have rendered to his Executive during the five years of his service. In a special way, Dr. Kiggundu-Musoke thanked the Government of Uganda, specifically H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his decision to enhance staff salaries.
“I thank the IGP Kale Kayihura for ensuring peace and stability at Makerere University and for his support that enabled us to meet the President on the salary issue. We thank the Ministry of Education and Sports for both moral and financial support towards our staff. I thank our fellow associations; Makerere University Administrative Staff Association, Non-Teaching Fraternity and NUEI for the generous support when we pushed the university and the Government to work on our demands,” he nostalgically said.
The newly elected MUASA Executive will be led by the Dr. Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi, the Chairperson and other remembers include:
• Assoc. Prof. Edward Nector Mwavu (Vice Chairman),
• Dr. Michael Walimbwa (General Secretary),
• Dr. Geoffrey Nuwagaba (Deputy General Secretary),
• Mr. Hussein Oria (Treasurer),
• Dr. Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala (Academic & Research),
• Mr. Arthur Mugisha (Welfare),
• Mr. Allan Ochieng (Public & External Relations),
• Assoc. Prof. John Bosco Lamoris Okullo (CAES college representative),
• Mr. Milton Wabyona (CHUSS college representative),
• Dr. Anthony Tibaingana (CoBAMS college representative),
• Dr. Andrew Tamale (CoVAB college representative),
• Dr. Amin Kiggundu Tamale (CEDAT college representative),
• Dr. Erem Geoffrey (CHS college representative) and
• Mr. Mwanje Aloysius Desire (COCIS college representative).
Article by Public Relations Office
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on 20th April 2026 inaugurated the Second Makerere University Health User Committee (Mak-HUC). The Committee was established by the Vice Chancellor in 2022 as part of his strategic mandate to strengthen and oversee the University Hospital services delivery.
Chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Mak-HUC has as its members; Prof. Josaphat K. Byamugisha-Director Makerere University Health Services (MakHS) and Dr. Daniel Ronald Ruhweza-Department of Law and Jurisprudence, School of Law.
Other members include; Dr. Arthur Kwizera-Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, College of Health Sciences (CHS) and Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) Representative, Dr. Lillian Tukahirwa-Makerere University Administrative Staff Association (MASA) Representative, Mr. Godfrey Othieno- National Union of Educational Institutions (NUEI) Representative, and as Secretariat, Ms. Kevin M. Nabiryo-Directorate of Human Resources.
The 2nd Mak-HUC has been appointed for a period of four years effective 1st January 2026 with a mandate to: Guide, monitor and oversee delivery of health services by MakHS; Represent the interests and concerns of staff and students that use MakHS; Advise on alignment with sustainable health financing and insurance models; Strengthen systems for fraud prevention, digital transformation and access to specialized treatment, among other responsibilities.
The 1st Mak-HUC was chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi and had as members; Prof. Josaphat Byamugisha, Dr. Fred Mayambala, Dr. Zahara Nampewo, Mr. Othieno Godfrey, Mr. Apunyo Paul Okiria and Ms. Ikiriza Racheal. Milestones during the first era included; Outpatient Department visits growth from 4,802 (2022) to 7,388 (Nov 2025) for staff and 14,641 (2022) to 19,069 (Nov 2025) for students.
Others milestones included; Commissioning of a fully equipped Operating Theatre, Establishment of a modern Imaging Hub, Development of a fully functional Audiology Unit, Expansion of the Temporal Bone Laboratory, Launch of the Olink Proteomics Platform and Enhancement of the Dental Unit with 32 dental chairs and experienced personnel.
Related article: https://news.mak.ac.ug/2025/12/three-years-of-impact-makerere-university-health-user-committee-presents-status-report/
By Gerald Ochwo
On Monday, 20th April 2026, the Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi and his Senior Management Team (SMT) convened to witness the official handover of office within the Senate Division. The ceremony, attended by representatives from the Directorate of Internal Audit, marked an important moment of transition and continuity in the University’s academic administration. The outgoing Deputy Academic Registrar in charge of the Senate Division, Mrs. Patience Mushengyezi, formally handed over office to Ms. Gladys Khamili, who assumes the role in an acting capacity.
In his remarks, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi underscored the significance of the transition, situating it within a broader institutional context. He observed that the Department of the Academic Registrar has, over the years, experienced a steady wave of retirements, particularly among senior staff. He noted that this trend is expected to continue, with a considerable number of experienced personnel due to retire within the next two years.
While acknowledging the institutional gaps created by these departures, he reassured staff that the University is actively addressing the situation to ensure the continued efficiency of the Department.
“You will agree with me that the Department has, over the years, witnessed the retirement of many senior colleagues. Their departure leaves behind a significant institutional gap. However, the University is fully aware and will address it through targeted recruitment,” he stated.
In her detailed handover report, which she delivered verbatim, Mrs. Patience Mushengyezi reflected on her tenure with gratitude and a deep sense of fulfillment. She paid tribute to the Vice-Chancellor, in his capacity as Chairperson of the University Senate, for his steadfast guidance and support throughout her service. She also expressed sincere appreciation to the Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, for his pragmatic and results-oriented leadership.
“I remain deeply grateful for the support from the Vice-Chancellor and all members of Senate for the trust they accorded me. I equally thank the Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza, for his results-oriented approach to administration. His support enabled us to achieve remarkable progress under the DARP (Digitalization of Academic Records and Processes) Project, including the successful digitalization of Senate minutes, some dating as far back as the 1990s, which are now easily retrievable,” she noted.
Her remarks painted a picture of dedication, progress, and institutional strengthening, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to benefit the University.
In her acceptance remarks, Ms. Gladys Khamili expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Academic Registrar for the confidence placed in her. She acknowledged the weight of responsibility that comes with the role and pledged her commitment to upholding the standards and gains established by her predecessor.
She paid glowing tribute to Mrs. Mushengyezi’s exceptional service, noting that her impact within the Senate Division is both profound and enduring.
“I am truly honored by the trust bestowed upon me. I am committed to building on the strong foundation laid by Mrs. Mushengyezi, whose remarkable contribution and dedication will continue to inspire us all,” she said.
The ceremony not only marked the end of a distinguished era in the Department of the Academic Registrar, but also the beginning of a new phase, underscored by continuity, renewal, and a shared commitment to excellence in academic administration at Makerere University.
Gerald Ochwo is the Liaison and Communication Officer, Office of the Academic Registrar
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