General
84th Guild Swears In, Pledges Leadership Based on Consultation
Students, staff, family friends and well-wishers convened in the Main Hall to witness their one and only Papa Were Salim being sworn in as the 84thGuild President of Makerere University for the Academic year 2018/2019. The President-elect was sworn in together with his Cabinet and GRCs on 22nd March 2018.
The colourful ceremony was overseen by the outgoing Guild Speaker Ms. Wagaba Brenda and was attended by the Acting Vice Chancellor-Dr. Eria Hisali, Dean of Students-Mr. Cyriaco Kabagambe, Deputy Dean of Students-Mr. Stephen Kateega, Chairperson of Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA)-Dr Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi, Chaplains and the Imam, Staff and an enthusiastic audience of students. Present also were members of the 83rd Guild Cabinet led by outgoing President H.E Kato Paul.
Ms. Brenda Wagaba congratulated the new Cabinet upon their successful election and urged them to never forget their ethics as leaders. In the same spirit she commended the outgoing Guild Cabinet for the achievements attained during their term of office. She encouraged the new Cabinet to observe and respect the Makerere University Guild Constitution during their leadership tenure.
The outgoing Guild President H.E Kato Paul congratulated H.E Papa Were Salim upon being elected the Guild President of Makerere University for the year 2018/2019. He also congratulated the 84th Cabinetand GRCs upon assuming their respectiveoffices.
H.E Kato thanked the Makerere Community for cooperating with his cabinet during his tenure. He also thanked the University Management for the support extended to the Guild ever since they assumed leadership, by ensuring that students’ issues are taken as priority during the decision-making processes.
Talking about his leadership journey, Kato was happy to note the tremendous improvement in the Management-Students relationship that has led to more benefits on the side of the latter. He described his tenure as one of the most peaceful, with few strikes and more roundtable talks and negotiations.
In the same spirit Kato appreciated the work of Wardens and Religious Leaders in nurturing students both spiritually and morally.In a special way, he thanked the Dean of Students and his team for the wonderful supervision.
He also thanked his Cabinet for the endurance and hard work exhibited during their tenure. “It has not been the powerful Vice Chancellor or leader who does not support violence; it is because we had responsible leaders who worked tirelessly to ensure that theimage of Makerere out there changes positively. We are grateful for all that transpired, for all that we have achieved and that we have left unfinished,” he said.
Kato advised the Incoming Guild President to remain himself and always seek guidance before he takes action. “First inquire, dialogue, and never neglect students because there are many out there who are so smart and intelligent. Interact with them and seek guidance,” he said.
The Incoming Guild President H.E Were Salim thanked the students’ fraternity for putting their trust in him by electing him Guild President. He appreciated the students’ love and care as demonstrated during the campaign and promised to put their issues at the forefront during his tenure.
“Great power comes with great responsibility. This is my new role, I promise to deliver. I come as a humble servant who is ready to discuss problems and find solutions. I am optimistic that with my team, we are going to doour best,” he said.
H.E Papa Were congratulated all the Ministers and GRCs upon their new positions but warned his Cabinet against laziness and tasked them to deliver.He promised a reign of hard work and impact on both the students and the administration.
“We should know that this is not a ceremonial role, Ministers who think that it is just a matter of occupying a position, remember that I appoint and disappoint. The GRCs and other student leaders who are thinking of becoming a small stone in our shoes, we shall remove the shoes and buy new ones. Time for politicking is over, it is now time to serve our students,” he resolutely said.
“To the administration, you should hold students interests as a priority. We shall seek dialogue, but where dialogue fails we shall not waste time. Action will prevail,” he added.
He thanked his parents for grooming him as a God-fearing person, an aspect that has made him stand as a man of valour. In the same spirit he thanked his campaign team for emerging the best team that brought the Guild President to power. He appreciated the work of the Electoral Commission and his supporters and pledged a leadership based on consultation.
The Acting Vice Chancellor who is also the Principal of College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS)-Dr. Eria Hisali congratulated H.E Papa Were Salim and His Cabinet upon their election and also thanked the outgoing Cabinet for the tremendous work they have done.He appealed to the new leadership to work collectively with the Management through dialogue.
“Makerere University Management operates on an open door policy and it welcomes ideas and interactions. As management we value students and that is why the university is coming up with programsthat are geared towards helping them,” said Dr. Hisali.
He encouraged the Guild leadership to focus on upholding the good reputation of the University by engaging students in activities such as sports, blood donations, and debates.
The Dean of Students Mr. Cyriaco Kabagambe condemned violence that plays out during election campaigns and called for peace and cooperation between camps.The Chairperson Electoral Commission Mr. Kenneth Isaac Isabirye thanked students for their participation in the Electoral process and urged the new leadership to reinforce civic education among students to enable their active participation in leadership activities such as voting.
At the same function, the outgoing Cabinet also handed over to the incoming Cabinet.
Article by Nabatte Proscovia; Public Relations Office
On 20th January 2025, the blazing afternoon sun was temporarily obscured by cloud cover as a convoy complete with VVIP security detail quietly made its way to the Main Building. As the convoy came to a stop at the Main Building’s Eastern staircase, all eyes were peeled to see who this VVIP was. As she emerged, there was no fanfare whatsoever as she proceeded to pleasantly greet the welcoming party. Princess Zahra Aga Khan, graceful by all standards, had arrived at Makerere University, an institution fondly talked about by her father His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.
It was indeed humbling that Princess Zahra Aga Khan, a Member of the Board of Directors of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and Trustee of the Aga Khan University (AKU) could include Makerere University on her itinerary. She had earlier on the same day paid a courtesy call on the President H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House Nakasero, and presided over the graduation of 120 students of the Aga Khan University-Kampala.
Princess Zahra who was received by the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi and the Dean Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze was thankful for the warm reception and Makerere’s unwavering legacy.
“My whole life, my father always told me that Makerere was the best University in Africa,” relayed Princess Zahra, before adding “And my whole life he told me how sad it was that tertiary level degrees had been de-funded and what fragility that bred in these countries.” She went on to explain that her father’s philosophy was that if a country cannot train its upper degrees, it cannot build a free, fair and successful economy.
Princess Zahra nevertheless expressed how glad she was to see that Makerere still remains a beacon of higher education, and that the Main Building that was gutted by fire was reconstructed to perfection. “So to come here and see it looking so amazing and beautiful is really good.”
She confessed that her itinerary, though involving many hops to preside over graduations in Kenya, Tanzania and finally Pakistan, was testimony of how much Aga Khan Institutions had evolved over the past twenty years. Princess Zahra explained that partnerships with Makerere and other universities, especially in the aftermath of events such as CoVID-19, were crucial in helping Aga Khan Institutions to adjust. “An institution can become far stronger and more resilient,” she explained.
In his welcome remarks, Prof. Buyinza thanked Princess Zahra for including Makerere on her eventful itinerary. “We are more than a century old and have greatly impacted the development and economy of this country, not on our own, but with the big network of our partners in many respects. Your coming reinforces the resolve that we must work together for the good of humanity.”
The Acting Vice Chancellor equally welcomed members of Princess Zahra’s delegation who included; her daughter Sarah Boyden, Mr. Zakir Mahmood-Chairman Board of Trustees AKU, Mr. Amin Mawji, OBE-Trustee AKDN, Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin-President and Vice Chancellor AKU, Dr. Tania Bubela-Provost and Vice President Academic AKU, Zeenat Shahabuddin-Regional CEO for Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) in East Africa, and Joseph Mwizerwa-Associate Vice Provost AKU-Uganda.
Contributing to the day’s discussion, Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin the President and Vice Chancellor AKU who has been in Kampala for the last twenty years, admitted that the new campus in Nakawa heralds a new era of growth as they commence student activities in June 2025.
“Makerere has been and is a distinguished University in Africa. We look forward to engaging and discussing how best we can come up with programmes that can benefit Uganda and Ugandans” he remarked.
As a rejoinder, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze admitted that AKU’s and Makerere’s academic programmes present a number of potential synergies both in training and research. “Cancer clinical care and research is a big issue for us here; the burden is growing and we need to do more work to be able to characterize exposures and what it is that’s driving it.”
Other areas singled out in the discussion as potential for collaboration included; the environment, climate change and its linkage with health and other issues, and harnessing of the potential Electronic Medical Records (EMR). Makerere University currently partners with the Ministry of Health to roll out EMR systems nationwide, so as to optimize health service delivery in line with the Uganda Vision 2040.
“We have already done quite a number of facilities across the country for HIV, probably more than 1,000, but right now we are moving towards having an integrated electronic system for all care, the interoperability of multiple systems that exist, and being able to scale that up” complemented Prof. Wanyenze.
Prof. Buyinza who brought the lively discussion to a close concurred that a lot of potential areas for collaboration exist between the two partners and reassured Princess Zahra Aga Khan and her delegation of the Makerere’s readiness to undertake joint activities for the good of humanity. He also used the occasion to observe a moment of silence in honour of His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, who passed away on 4th February 2025.
Following the signing of the Vice Chancellor’s Visitors Book, Princess Zahra Aga Khan and her delegation proceeded to the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak UniPod), where they received a guided tour from Dr. Cathy Ikiror Mbidde, the Director.
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe on 20th February 2025 officially handed over the Office of Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-DVCFA to Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta at a ceremony presided over by the Acting (Ag.) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi. The handover was witnessed by the University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, Chief Human Resources-Mr. Deus Tayari Mujuni, Chief Internal Audit-Mr. Patrick Akonyet, University Bursar-Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha and Chief Legal Affairs-Ms. Nanyondo Sumaiyah Sebuta.
Equally present to witness the ceremony were the Chief Estates and Works- Eng. Okuk Geoffrey, Dean of Students-Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, Deputy University Secretary-Mr. Simon Kizito, Mr. Juma Katongole-Representing Director ICT Support, Ms. Susan Mbabazi-Representing Director Gender Mainstreaming, Ag. Manager of Planning and Development-Mr. Emmanuel Kitamirike as well as staff from the Vice Chancellor’s and Deputy Vice Chancellors’ Offices.
Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi in his remarks thanked Prof. Alinaitwe for the effort and support rendered to the University through the DVCFA’s Office and prayed that Makerere could continue tapping into his knowledge.
“As colleagues we have a shared agenda and a common destination as we do the best for Makerere. I thank Prof. Henry Alinaitwe for being a hardworking colleague of great humility, collegiality, and being open-heartedly committed to the principle of trust” remarked Prof. Buyinza, who also expressed belief that God has bigger plans for him as he exits office.
In the same breath, Prof. Buyinza congratulated Prof. Ireeta on his new role, admitting that he has what it takes to carry on from where his predecessor left off. “Thank you for accepting to take on this appointment; it takes a person of great responsibility to accept the huge mandate of this office.”
The Chief Human Resources Officer, Mr. Mujuni thanked Prof. Alinaitwe for steering the Office of the DVCFA and pledged to correspondingly support his new supervisor, Prof. Ireeta. The University Secretary, Mr. Kiranda equally thanked Prof. Alinaitwe for the guidance, support, and flexibility accorded to his office to fulfil its mandate.
“Although it is difficult for us to sit here and witness this handover, we are comforted to have previously worked with Prof. Ireeta and look forward to the continuity in service that his experience presents” added Mr. Kiranda.
The Chief Internal Audit Officer, Mr. Akonyet in his tribute thanked Prof. Henry Alinaitwe for his guidance as immediate supervisor, which helped shape the internal audit function. Like Mr. Kiranda, Mr. Akonyet thanked Prof. Ireeta for his support as a member of the University Council’s Audit Committee and expressed confidence that his passion for service would greatly benefit the University in his new role.
Presenting his handover report, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe reflected on a number of achievements such as: Mobilising resources for the Makerere@100 Celebrations and other activities; establishing the Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU); realigning Makerere’s Ten-Year Strategic Plan to the Five-Year NDP-recommended interval; Payment of outstanding In-house Benefits; Harmonization of staff salaries; as well as Recruitment, Promotion and Training of staff.
Prof. Alinaitwe equally highlighted achievements such as: Formulation of the ICT Policy and purchase of related equipment; Developing a Security Masterplan and enhancing surveillance, personnel numbers and equipment; Support to Student Affairs Management and Governance including overseeing the Emerging Leaders Program; Renovation of Student Halls of Residence; Establishment of the Disability Support Centre; Leading the Design Team for the Reconstruction of the Main Building; Improving Competitiveness of the Staff Housing Policy; Improving the University Fleet and Vehicle Access Control; Improving the Budgeting Process through Unit Ledgers and Accounts; among others.
He concluded by thanking the University Council and the Vice Chancellor for entrusting him with the role of DVCFA as well as all the support rendered to his office in the execution of his duties. “Whereas I have read out all these various achievements, they have largely been due to all your respective contributions and I thank you for that.”
In his acceptance remarks, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta similarly thanked the University Council and Vice Chancellor for entrusting him with the responsibility of overseeing the Office of the DVCFA. He acknowledged that despite the fact that he was taking over from Prof. Alinaitwe on whose behalf he had acted a number of times, he still has big shoes to fill. “However, with my God, all things will work out” he prayed.
The incoming DVCFA requested Prof. Alinaitwe to always accept consultation on matters relating to the office and pledged to be as results-oriented as his predecessors. “Let’s all work together for the good of our University” he concluded.
Following the Handover Ceremony, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi on behalf of Members of Management presented a plaque to Prof. Henry Alinaitwe in appreciation of his dedicated service as Ag. DVCFA from 16th November 2021 to 19th February 2025.
In a pivotal meeting held earlier this morning, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, met with project implementation partners from the Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS) and the Korea National Open University (KNOU) to discuss the upcoming Project for Enhancing the Distance Education Environment at Makerere University in Uganda (2024-2028). This collaboration, set to launch on February 27, 2025, is poised to revolutionize the university’s distance learning initiatives.
The project, which is generously funded by the Korean Government through KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency), will receive a substantial investment of USD 12.2 million. It aims to address critical areas in e-learning at Makerere University, with key components focusing on the development of a comprehensive e-learning master plan, capacity building for staff in Open and Distance eLearning (ODeL), equipping two state-of-the-art content development studios, and the development of necessary infrastructure.
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “This project marks a significant milestone for Makerere University as we strive to enhance our distance learning capabilities. The integration of advanced technology and capacity building will not only improve the quality of education but also ensure greater accessibility for learners across the region. We are grateful for the generous support from the Korean Government and look forward to the successful implementation of the project.”
The delegation from Korea, led by Prof. Chun Se yeoung, also expressed their commitment to the success of the project. Prof. Chun Se yeoung remarked, “We are excited to partner with Makerere University on this transformative project. We believe that by enhancing the distance education environment at Makerere, we will not only benefit the university but contribute to the development of higher education in Uganda and the broader East African region. Our goal is to build a sustainable and scalable model that empowers educators and students alike.”
The project is expected to have a lasting impact, significantly strengthening Makerere University’s capacity to offer high-quality education remotely, thereby increasing access to learning opportunities for students across Uganda and beyond.
-
Agriculture & Environment2 weeks agoMak, CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform drive equitable & inclusive agricultural development through enhanced gender & agriculture curricula
-
Engineering, Art & Tech5 days agoCall for applications: Master’s Scholarship for Exchange Semester at TUM for Winter Semester 2025/26, 1 Oct 2025 – 31 March 2026
-
Engineering, Art & Tech3 days agoCall for Applications; Makerere University – University of Groningen Erasmus+ Programme (2021 – 2027)
-
Agriculture & Environment1 week agoAdvanced training course in Deforestation-Free Supply Chain Management
-
General2 weeks agoCelebrating Women in Science at Makerere University