General
MURBS Lauded for Initiating Charter and Ambassadors Programme
The Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme (MURBS) has been lauded by the regulator; Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority (URBRA) for coming up with the Customer Service Charter and Departmental Ambassadors Programme. The two initiatives were launched by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe at a well-attended ceremony held on 27th February 2018 in the Tele-presence Centre, Senate Building, Makerere University.
Speaking as Chief Guest at the launch, Prof. Nawangwe thanked the MURBS Board of Trustees for the invitation and great job done so far in managing and growing Members’ savings. He noted that the Departmental Ambassadors Programme was a great initiative in building a solid governance structure for MURBS and the Customer Service Charter was another feather in the cap of an already great performance in as far as reaching out to Members of the scheme was concerned.
“I have already heard of standards that the MURBS Board of Trustees has set in as far as paying Members benefits upon retirement in a record 5 days! I pray that you will continue to uphold this record, which Makerere as the sponsor is keen to emulate,” pronounced the Vice Chancellor amidst bouts of thunderous applause and laughter from the audience.
Prof. Nawangwe however reassured his audience that the University Management was working hard to change the situation of delayed payment of retiree benefits. “I would like to thank the Government for the renewed responsiveness in as far as settling all outstanding arrears with Makerere University is concerned. We are hopeful that the situation is going to improve even further so that people who have diligently served this University for decades can receive their benefits on time.”
He challenged the audience to ponder on the fact that whereas the University’s annual wage bill is approximately UGX130billion, the MURBS fund value is about to hit the UGX120billion mark. This, he noted, should set off a light bulb on our collective potential as university employees to come up with a powerful financial institution, should we choose to save percentages of our earnings way above the mandatory monthly obligations.
The Vice Chancellor also expressed optimism that the MURBS fund value would soon hit the UGX150billion mark, especially as the remuneration for staff continues to improve. He concluded his remarks by congratulating all Departmental Ambassadors upon their nomination and declared the MURBS Customer Service Charter and Departmental Ambassadors Programme duly launched.
In any industry where high standards of compliance are a minimum requirement, it is a rare occurrence for the regulator to publicly commend one of the players. However, there is an exception to this rule for a highly complaint scheme such as MURBS. Speaking on behalf of URBRA the Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Martin Nsubuga noted that MURBS is one of the players that the Authority takes great pride in.
“MURBS has upheld all the good principles of governance required of schemes in the retirement benefits sector. They have also always sent participants to the trainings organised by the Authority and their audited financial accounts for the year 2017 were excellent” said Mr. Nsubuga.
Mr. Nsubuga then thanked the University Management through the Vice Chancellor for complying with the requirement to submit outstanding arrears owed to the scheme, which resulted in the recovery of UGX7.5billion by MURBS. He also commended MURBS for launching the Departmental Ambassadors Programme, noting that this would go a long way in grooming future Trustees for the tasks ahead.
“Anybody who would have served as a Trustee will have a great addition to their CV due to the rigorous training that they must undergo prior to being confirmed and during their service as members of the Board. We believe that the launch of this programme will not only enhance the performance of MURBS but will also be emulated by other players in the sector,” concluded Mr. Nsubuga.
Some of the constituencies that make up the MURBS Board of Trustees are the staff associations namely; Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), Makerere University Administrative Staff Association (MASA) and the National Union of Education Institutions (NUEI). Speaking on behalf of his fellow leaders, the Chairperson MASA, Mr. Vincent Abigaba commended MURBS for the great services offered to the staff of Makerere University.
“The launch of the Departmental Ambassadors Programme is an indicator that you are practicing good corporate governance. I have no doubt that you will deliver to the expectations of the members. I thank you for engaging us and inviting members to participate in the management of MURBS activities,” said Mr. Abigaba.
To the ordinary man, the world of Capital Markets and its myriad of associated jargon can be quite a puzzle. It was therefore only befitting that at this double launch, a professional with a wealth of experience in the field and an eye on the state of the national and regional market be invited to give a keynote address. Enter in Mr. Stephen Kaboyo, Managing Director, Alpha Capital Partners.
A trained professional with a wealth of experience spanning over 20 years in Financial Markets, Mr. Kaboyo kicked off his keynote address by congratulating MURBS for pursuing a professional approach to financial reporting and governance. He admitted that retirement benefits; although an interesting topic and venture, was very complicated to understand and had its fair share of jargon.
He however challenged the Members to hold their Trustees accountable by seeking explanations for any matter they didn’t understand. “You pay the Trustees so call them up and ask them questions pertaining to your retirement benefits. It is important that you understand how your benefits are managed. You have to understand your role as a member and that of all the service providers involved” said Mr. Kaboyo, before adding “knowing how your investments perform is critical to understanding the risks involved in managing your benefits and how much you take home at the end of the day.”
Mr. Kaboyo urged the members to always attend MURBS meetings and seek to understand the scheme from the basics. He however noted the need to introduce a comprehensive financial wellness programme that holistically looks at how to set financial goals, carry out financial planning and a host of other activities that can inform retirement benefits education.
With regard to the market trends, Mr. Kaboyo begrudgingly noted that the Ugandan capital markets were neither deep nor well developed. He observed that the Government Bond market offered the best options and there were no corporate bond markets worth talking about. Additionally, the capital markets have not registered any new listing in the last seven years.
He therefore advised the scheme managers to adopt diversification as an approach to investment and avoid concentrated investment in one portfolio. “I urge you to shift from fixed income portfolio and look at things like real estate. With regard to geographical diversification, I urge URBRA through Mr. Nsubuga to provide MURBS and other players in the market with the regulatory guidance to invest in diverse geographical locations” added Mr. Kaboyo.
Treading lightly lest he threw a spanner in the works of service providers, Mr. Kaboyo touched on the need to consider in-house management versus external management of scheme assets. “I encourage Trustees to look beyond the return on investment to the return on cost. Consider retaining some activities under in-house management if the return on cost is high. However, I must warn that this approach calls for the recruitment and retention of a robust in-house investment team,” he advised.
Mr. Kaboyo concluded his keynote by urging MURBS management to continue upholding good governance practices such as openness and transparency. “A strong governance structure is key to managing conflict of interest, which will always creep up on you at the least expected time.”
The Secretary to the Board of Trustees-Dr. John Kitayimbwa in moving a vote of thanks praised Mr. Kaboyo for agreeing to deliver the keynote. He also expressed appreciation for the advice and tips freely dispensed during the delivery of the keynote. He acknowledged the need to incorporate an investment chart in the next financial report, which will help members understand the flow of their savings right from deduction to investment. “We shall also share the MURBS real estate property model with members at the next opportune time,” he added.
Reacting to some of the responses from the audience, Dr. Kitayimbwa noted that the Departmental Ambassadors had their work cut out in as far as taking MURBS services closer to their units. Whereas the Trustee deed specifies that anyone above 50 years is ineligible to join the scheme, there exists a niche of potential members who upon hitting 55years are eligible to receive their retirement benefits from the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) but are ineligible to save with MURBS until their retirement at 60years. Dr. Kityimbwa therefore tasked the Departmental Ambassadors to seek their constituents’ opinions on this matter as their first assignment.
Giving the closing remarks at the launch, Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Mr. Wilber Grace Naigambi thanked all present for taking time to attend the event. Earlier he had shared that MURBS Departmental Ambassadors are members who will volunteer to endorse and promote MURBS’ values, beliefs and mission at the University Departmental levels.
“The scheme growth and sustainability of MURBS benefits all of us. Let us therefore work together to strengthen the governance and management of MURBS” concluded Mr. Naigambi.
Article by Public Relations Office
By Monica Meeme, Cynthia Ayaa Komakec and Eric Tumwesigye
Makerere University, through its Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Embassy of Sweden, UNESCO O3 Plus have successfully trained 250 Student Peer Trainers (SPTs) to strengthen student-led efforts in promoting gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence.
The three-day capacity-building workshop, held from 5th to 7th May 2026, brought together selected student leaders from across the University and formed part of Makerere University’s commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and gender responsive learning environment. The training equipped participants with practical knowledge and skills to serve as peer educators, advocates, mentors, and referral points for students requiring support on gender-related issues.
The workshop covered a wide range of thematic areas, including the Makerere University Gender Equality Policy, the Policy and Regulations Against Sexual Harassment (PRASH), international, regional and national legal frameworks on gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), leadership development, effective communication, and student-led advocacy and action planning.
Facilitators included Susan Mbabazi, Principal Gender Officer; Eric Tumwesigye, Principal Gender Officer; Carol Abilat Gender Officer; Cynthia Ayaa Komakec Gender Officer; Dr. Richard Mwesigwa of UNFPA; Dr. Lilian Tukahira Assistant Administrator; and Judith Kiconco, Gender Officer.
Day One: Building Foundations for Gender Equality and Inclusion
The opening day commenced with welcome and opening remarks delivered by Ms. Susan Mbabazi, Acting Chief Gender Mainstreaming Officer; Ms. Laura Criado Lafuente, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); and Dr. Rodney Rugyema, Office of the Dean of Students, who represented the Vice Chancellor.
Speaking on behalf of UNFPA, Ms. Laura Criado Lafuente described the training as more than a workshop, characterising it as a movement designed to empower students to influence attitudes, behaviours, and social norms within their communities. She encouraged participants to challenge harmful practices, support survivors of gender-based violence, and serve as catalysts for positive change both within and beyond the University.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Rodney Rugyema emphasised that Makerere University’s mandate extends beyond academic excellence to ensuring the safety, well-being, and holistic development of its students. He urged participants to avoid harmful relationships, prioritise personal safety, and actively contribute to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive campus environment.
Dr. Rugyema further described Student Peer Trainers as the “eyes and ears” of the University community, underscoring their vital role in raising awareness, identifying emerging challenges, and mobilising collective action to prevent and address gender-based violence.
The first day of the workshop also introduced participants to the principles of gender equality, gender mainstreaming, and the institutional frameworks that guide Makerere University’s efforts to promote inclusion, equity, and student welfare.
Ms. Susan Mbabazi provided a historical overview of the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate and highlighted the University’s sustained commitment to creating an equitable and supportive academic environment. She also guided participants through the key provisions of the Policy and Regulations Against Sexual Harassment (PRASH), emphasising the University’s zero-tolerance stance on sexual harassment and all forms of gender-based violence.
Mr.Eric Tumwesigye facilitated a session on foundational gender concepts, enabling participants to deepen their understanding of gender dynamics, stereotypes, power relations, and the importance of promoting equality and inclusivity within university spaces.
A key highlight of the day was a presentation by Ms. Carol Abilat on the Makerere University Gender Equality Policy. She emphasised that gender equality is fundamentally rooted in fairness, dignity, and equal opportunity for all members of the University community, including marginalised groups and persons with disabilities.
Ms. Abilat further explained that the policy aligns with national development priorities and international commitments, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality. Participants were introduced to critical concepts such as consent, sexual harassment, discrimination, gender blindness, and inclusive approaches to teaching, learning, leadership, and institutional management.
Day Two: Understanding Legal Frameworks and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights
The second day focused on strengthening participants’ understanding of legal and policy frameworks that promote gender equality and protect individuals from discrimination, sexual harassment, and gender-based violence.
Facilitating the session on international, regional, and national legal frameworks, Cynthia Ayaa Komakec provided participants with a comprehensive overview of key human rights instruments and gender equality commitments.
At the international level, participants examined frameworks such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Discussions highlighted how these instruments have shaped global efforts to eliminate discrimination and advance the rights and empowerment of women and girls.
The regional discussion focused on the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), which provide important protections and promote women’s participation in social, economic, and political development across the continent.
The session also examined Uganda’s national legal and policy framework, including the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (1995), the Uganda Gender Policy, and relevant provisions of the Penal Code Act.
A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the implementation gap that often exists between legal protections and actual practice. Participants explored the importance of accountability, institutional commitment, awareness creation, and community engagement in translating legal frameworks into meaningful outcomes.
The day also featured a session on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) facilitated by Dr. Richard Mwesigwa from UNFPA.
Dr. Mwesigwa introduced participants to UNFPA’s mandate and mission before guiding them through key concepts relating to sexual health, reproductive health, rights, and access to services. The session addressed the importance of informed decision-making, consent, healthy relationships, prevention of gender-based violence, and available support mechanisms for students experiencing harassment or abuse.
Participants were also equipped with practical guidance on how Student Peer Trainers can provide information, make referrals, and support fellow students in accessing appropriate services and assistance.
Throughout the day, facilitators emphasised the need to position students as active change agents capable of promoting positive behavioural change within colleges, halls of residence, and wider communities.
Day Three: Partnerships, Leadership and Action Planning
The final day focused on strengthening peer leadership skills and equipping participants with practical tools for developing and implementing student-led initiatives.
Representatives from development partners reaffirmed the importance of youth leadership and collaborative action in addressing gender inequalities and preventing gender-based violence.
Addressing participants, Jessica Pellrud from the Embassy of Sweden emphasised that gender equality remains a critical pillar of sustainable development. She encouraged students to become long-term advocates for social transformation by challenging harmful norms, supporting survivors, and promoting inclusive participation among both women and men.
Eric Tumwesigye reflected on the growth of the Student Peer Trainers programme noting that the initiative has expanded from training 50 students annually to 250 peer educators. The expansion is intended to strengthen outreach and increase access to peer support services across the University.
He encouraged participants to integrate gender awareness into broader discussions on mental health, academic achievement, healthy relationships, and responsible digital engagement.
Facilitating the action-planning session, Dr. Lilian Tukahirwa guided participants through the process of designing practical and achievable interventions for their respective colleges. She emphasised the importance of creativity, flexibility, teamwork, and collaboration with academic staff and College leadership to ensure sustainable impact.
The workshop concluded with participants developing action plans aimed at promoting gender equality, preventing sexual harassment, and strengthening awareness and support mechanisms within their academic units.
Renewed Commitment to Student-Led Change
In his closing remarks, Eric Tumwesigye commended participants for their commitment, discipline, and active engagement throughout the three-day training programme. He also acknowledged the valuable contributions of facilitators and development partners, including UNFPA, and the Embassy of Sweden.
He announced that participants would undertake online evaluations and receive support in developing concept papers for college-based initiatives designed to promote gender equality and prevent sexual harassment.
Tumwesigye emphasised that while institutional support remains critical, the long-term success of the programme depends on sustained student leadership, ownership, and commitment.
The workshop concluded with a renewed pledge from the newly trained Student Peer Trainers to champion gender equality, support vulnerable students, and contribute to building a safer, more inclusive, and gender-responsive Makerere University community.
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