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
The Makerere University Council and Top Management have today convened at Speke Resort Munyonyo to deliberate on the University’s Strategic Plan 2025/2026 – 2029/2030. The retreat seeks to align Makerere’s priorities with the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and ensure that all key stakeholders contribute to shaping the institution’s next five years.
Opening the discussions, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, underscored the centrality of planning in the University’s growth trajectory. He called on members of management to actively participate in the drafting of the new strategic plan. Prof. Nawangwe highlighted Makerere’s progress in recent years, noting that the University has drawn a roadmap to becoming a research-led institution, with publications rising from 700 five years ago to 2,000 currently.
He further pointed out the revision of research policies to align with the University’s research agenda, as well as the establishment of innovation hubs that support product development, commercialisation, and intellectual property management. Commending staff for their resilience and success, Prof. Nawangwe congratulated them on winning significant individual grants, some of which now surpass institutional grants. “NDP IV is intended to grow the country tenfold, and I am confident Makerere will make a huge contribution,” he remarked.
In her keynote remarks, the Chairperson of the University Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara, described the retreat as a defining moment for Makerere’s role in Uganda’s transformation. She urged the University to move beyond traditional teaching and research, positioning itself as a central driver of national development.
“Our mandate extends beyond academia. The knowledge we generate, the leaders we shape, and the innovations we deliver must directly fuel Uganda’s growth,” Mrs. Magara stated.
She outlined priority national development areas— agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral-based development, and advances in science and technology—where Makerere’s expertise can make a decisive impact. Emphasising the urgency of challenges such as youth unemployment, climate change, food insecurity, and fragile health systems, she noted that within these lie opportunities for Makerere to lead in testing and scaling solutions.
“This retreat is about discipline and focus. Our strategy cannot be a wish list; it must be a blueprint for measurable national impact,” she said, challenging participants to critically reflect on how Makerere can anchor Uganda’s food security, nurture digital innovators, strengthen health resilience, and raise transformative leaders.
She concluded with a call for boldness and clarity in execution: “The next five years are decisive. Makerere must shift from being a participant in national development to being its strongest driver. What we agree here must position Makerere not only as Uganda’s premier university but also as a trusted national partner and a beacon of Africa’s transformation.”
The retreat involved detailed discussions and contributions from University leaders, aimed at developing a practical and impact-driven strategic plan that cements Makerere’s role in advancing Uganda’s development agenda.
Education
Makerere University signs Memorandum of Understanding with International Rescue Committee to Advance Research, Innovation and Partnerships
Makerere University has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Rescue Committee to formalize undertakings in research, innovation & partnerships.
Signed in September 2025 by the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and the Country Director, International Rescue Committee, Mr. Elijah Okeyo, the MoU provides a framework to implement research intensive programmes, promote innovative teaching and learning, internationalization, and contribute to societal transformation.
According to Mr. Okeyo, the MoU re-affirms Makerere University as the academic partner of the International Rescue Committee (IRC). “This MoU formalizes IRC’s working relationship with Makerere University. This framework empowers both institutions to tap into opportunities together. We believe in equal partnership. Makerere University commits to being our partner in research to contribute to evidence based humanitarian undertakings,” he said.
Under this collaboration, Makerere University and IRC will work on developing child-centered learning resources, innovative curricula, and policy-relevant research to enhance the quality of education in crisis-affected regions.
At Makerere University, the MoU brings on board, the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), Makerere University Institute of Teacher Education and Research (MITER), and the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Research Centre.
To concretize the MoU, the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga convened a partnership meeting on Friday 12th September 2025 involving a delegation from the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Dr. David Kabugo, the Deputy Director of Makerere University Institute of Teacher Education and Research (MITER), and Ms. Ritah Namisango, the Principal Communication Officer.
The delegation from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) consisted of the following: Mr. Elijah Okeyo-Country Director, Mr. Vincent Wanyama-Senior Program Development and Quality Coordinator, Mr. Richard Omasete-Policy and Advocacy PlayMatters, and Ms. Janet Nambuya-Grants and Partnerships Coordinator.
The MoU focuses on the following areas of interest: Early Childhood Development, joint research and capacity building in education, the plight of refugees and the host communities, humanitarian aid, as well as, evidence based research to inform the education policy.
In line with its mandate, IRC brings onboard, its unmatched expertise in helping children in crisis-affected areas. The MoU therefore positions both institutions to undertake a leading role in the protection of children and families through evidence based research, access to education, and humanitarian undertakings.
Dr. Kabugo, the Deputy Director MITER, noted that the MoU opens new opportunities for joint efforts in research, training, and policy. He said: “We are committed to co-designing practitioner research, engaging in professional development, and generating evidence to guide the education policy in Uganda and beyond.” Dr. Kabugo explained that this partnership builds on years of cooperation between CEES and IRC, especially in child-centered methods such as play-based learning.
Prof. Mugagga described the MOU as a practical framework that connects Makerere University’s research with IRC’s field experiences. He stated that the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) conducts programmes focused on the future of the young people through training and empowering students/teachers. He articulated that the College significantly impacts on the education sector through delivery of quality academic programmes and research under the School of Education, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning, and the East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development.
“Our strongest synergy is education and early child-focused care,” Prof. Mugagga emphasized. He revealed that the collaboration presents CEES with a strong and reliable partner (IRC), which stands for protection and the well-being of children and families. “Through this MoU, both CEES and IRC, will significantly contribute to improving education for children, families, and communities impacted by conflict and crisis.”
Prof. Mugagga commended IRC for the earlier support and expertise extended to the College in the development of the early childhood centre, and working together to provide valuable input during the Ministry of Education and Sports’ consultative process that led to the Early Childhood development policy.
Reflecting on the increasing number of refugees enrolling for studies at Makerere University, Prof. Mugagga said: “ IRC has come at the right time. The College will tap into the IRC expertise to teach our staff and learners components in refugee education. They will equip our students and teachers with knowledge and skills in refugee education. Some of our students will cooperate with IRC to undertake research in refugee settlement and host communities.”
Prof. Mugagga implored both MITER and IRC to undertake research and develop modules on refugee education, parenting, re-tooling street children, integration of a health component into the curriculum, and management of truamatised students/learners who come from areas affected by war, conflict and crisis.
On the issue of play materials, Prof. Mugagga stressed that already made play materials derial creativing. “Both CEES and IRC should work towards a context that empowers children and learners to ignite their creative potential by developing home-made play materials,” he submitted.
About IRC
Stating a brief profile history about IRC, Mr. Okeyo explained that IRC is a global non-profit organisation that provides humanitarian aid and assistance to people affected by conflict and disaster. IRC has been active in Uganda since 1998, originally assisting displaced populations in Northern Uganda and later expanding its efforts to refugee settlements and urban areas.. Currently, IRC operates more than 35 health facilities in refugee settlements and runs a variety of programs in health, education, protection, and economic recovery. IRC also undertakes projects focusing on early childhood development, prevention of gender-based violence, and protection of refugees and families.
General
Mastercard Foundation Scholars at Makerere University encouraged to participate in philanthropy work
By Carol Kasujja Adii and Bernard Buteera
Mastercard Foundation Scholars at Makerere University have been encouraged to embrace the spirit of philanthropy as a vital foundation for fostering stronger and more resilient communities. This inspiring call to action took place during the 2025 Community Open Day at the Freedom Square on Saturday, September 6, 2025, where hundreds of Mastercard Scholars, Scholar-alumni, and partners of the Scholars Program gathered to initiate a fundraising drive for the signature Annual Scholars Day of Service.
The Annual Scholars Day of Service stands as a hallmark event through which the Scholars give back to the community in impactful and sustainable ways. During a keynote address titled “How Philanthropy Shapes Resilient Communities,” Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration, emphasised that while local philanthropy is not a new concept in Uganda, a more intentional mobilisation of this giving back power is necessary to address broader social challenges.
“Communities that mobilise their own resources—financial, human, and material—are empowered to take ownership of their development. Ownership naturally leads to sustainability, ensuring that solutions emerge from local knowledge, context, and values rather than being imposed from the outside. This approach is essential for effectively tackling our social challenges,” Prof. Ireeta stated.
In his remarks delivered by Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, the Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Ireeta highlighted the importance of nurturing the inherent power of local giving. He urged the celebration of current local philanthropic efforts, which can be initiated at the individual, religious, and community levels.
“To foster a culture of giving, we need to create platforms that promote structured, transparent, and impactful contributions,” he argued. “It’s crucial to strengthen our generosity, particularly among the youth, and cultivate a society where giving is valued as a core aspect of leadership and citizenship.”
Prof. Ireeta further noted, “The future of our Communities’ strength lies not in distant promises but in our own hands and collective actions. By fostering local philanthropy, we can build a society that is not only fairer but also more resilient and united.
In his welcoming remarks, Mr. John Osuna, Transition Lead for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, who spoke on behalf of the Program Director, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, expressed gratitude to the Scholars for their collaborative efforts in turning the idea of giving back into reality.
“Let us embody humility, kindness, and compassion through actionable philanthropy. By doing so, we can create lasting impacts, enhancing our reputation as a community that genuinely cares,” Mr. Osuna stated.
The Community Open Day was organised under the inspiring theme: “Nurturing Philanthropy for Resilient Communities,” paving the way for future initiatives that strengthen community bonds through collective generosity.
“We believe that through nurturing philanthropy for resilient communities, our communities shall be able to organise themselves to build resilience beyond what we shall give back,” Mr. Osuna explained.
The vibrant event saw Scholars and Scholar-alumni actively participating by bringing items for auction and buying tickets for the raffle draw as a means of mobilising resources for the construction of a ventilated pit latrine, renovation of two classroom blocks and providing tanks for harvesting clean water for Bwera Primary School in Kabale District.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Agnes Katumba, the Director of Katumba Estates, one of the long-standing partners of the Scholars Program at Makerere University, tasked the Scholars to embrace the heart of giving back without expecting something in return.
“I thank the Mastercard Foundation; they not only provide scholarships but also give back to the community. I have been able to grow because of them. For scholars, you do not have to wait to be wealthy to give back; every coin counts,” Mrs. Katumba said.
Katumba Estates Ltd contributed three million shillings to the Scholars Give Back project. Another long-standing partner, DFCU Bank, pledged over sh10 million towards the Scholars’ building project.
In her presentation, Ms. Malvin Akwara, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar-alumna, urged current Scholars to contribute to their communities in various ways, including mentorship and guiding young people.
“We are all here because someone chose to give. During my first year at Makerere, I contributed to some young man’s school fees back home in my community. The young man is now in his second year at Makerere. You don’t have to be wealthy to make an impact; be intentional in your giving, and you will witness the difference it makes. There is no greater fulfilment than helping someone in need,” Akwara stated.
The event was punctuated with a number of activities that ranged from auctioning items, raffle draws, exhibitions, quizzes and a lot of games and fun.
Carol Kasujja and Bernard Buteera form the communications team for the Scholars Programme at Makerere University.
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