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
Makerere University has today Wednesday, 9th June 2025 officially unveiled NCBA Bank Uganda as the Platinum Sponsor of the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF)’s flagship initiative – the Makerere University Marathon. Formerly known as a fun run, the initiative was rebranded on 27th March 2025 during the launch of its Fifth Edition. This year’s event, #MakRun2025, is slated for 17th August 2025 under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future”.
Addressing the Media at a press conference this afternoon, the MakEF Board Chairperson, Dr. Maggie Kigozi remarked, “We are deeply honoured and excited to unveil NCBA Bank Uganda as the Platinum Sponsor of #MakRun2025, with a landmark commitment of UGX 1.45 billion over the next five years.”
Dr. Kigozi further described the unveiling as “a strategic partnership built on shared values and a common vision for inclusive education and sustainable impact,” adding that it would “fast-track the establishment of a fully equipped Disability Support Unit for students living with disabilities, and to build a sustainable pool of funds to support Economically Disadvantaged Students.”
Appreciating the generous sponsorship, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe acknowledged that NCBA Bank had not only made history as the biggest corporate sponsor of #MakRun to date but also aligned with Makerere’s vision to improve the quality of student life. “This is a powerful gesture of trust in our mission and a demonstration of deep corporate citizenship”, he added.
Prof. Nawangwe further thanked NCBA for recognizing that an investment in Makerere University is an indirect investment in the future of Uganda. “The Makerere Marathon is not just a race. It is a movement to establish a fully-fledged Disability Support Unit for students living with various forms of disabilities, and to build a sustainable fund for Economically Disadvantaged Students.”
The Vice Chancellor therefore rallied staff, students, alumni, partners and friends of Makerere to match NCBA’s generous support with vigour and commitment, so as to make #MakRun2025 the most impactful edition since its founding.
The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mark Muyobo thanked Makerere University for giving NCBA Bank Uganda the opportunity to play its part in “shaping Uganda’s future one student, one community, one strength at a time,” adding that #MakRun is a symbol of hope for students living with disabilities as it speaks to Makerere’s core values of inclusion, equity, and excellence.
On a rhythmical note, Mr. Muyobo remarked that the #MakRun2025 theme is “not just about finishing lines, it is about opening doors; giving opportunities to those who are disabled. It is about promoting active lifestyle.”
#MakRun2025 will for the first time feature a full 42.2km marathon race with international accreditation and professional timing along a dedicated traffic-free route.
“These are not just upgrades, these are bold steps towards building a world-class international marathon right here in Kampala. We are proud to be the wings at your back as you take this leap because when Makerere University, the beacon of higher learning in Uganda grows stronger, the ripple effects are felt across the region and across the continent” Mr. Muyobo affirmed.
To officially seal the deal, a Memorandum of Understanding was officially signed between Makerere University and NCBA Bank Uganda, and thereafter, a dummy cheque of UGX 1.45 billion was presented to Dr. Maggie Kigozi as the Vice Chancellor, Members of Management and NCBA staff witnessed.
General
Directorate of Graduate Training Empowers PhD Supervisors with Academic Supervision Training
By Moses Lutaaya
The Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) in conjunction with CARTA’s Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (TERID) Research Hub and the East– Spark Project completed a two days Doctoral (PhD) academic supervisors training under the theme: “Empowering Academic Supervision Training in Eastern Africa: Sparking Potential, Advancing Research, and Knowledge (EAST-SPARK).”
The training took place between 2nd and 3rd July 2025 at the College of Business and Management Sciences’ (COBAMS) School of Business conference hall.
In his opening remarks, the Director of Graduate Training Prof. Julius Kikooma challenged the team to set clear and manageable objectives for graduate students under their supervision so that they can complete their doctoral studies on time.:
“Set expectations at the beginning of the research journey of PhD students under your supervision. Resist working with students that are not objective. Set a time frame with in which the student is able to do their research so that they are able to finish their doctoral studies on time.”
He added, “The issue of supervising graduate research is very vital because there needs to be seamless progression of the graduate students.”
Prof. Kikooma further highlighted that the target in the strategic plan is to have 30% graduate students enrolled in the next five years. Currently, it is about 17%.
“We need to get everything right in this training. Our biggest issues are in the supervision process flow of the graduate students. Graduate supervisors need to listen to students and equally the students need to listen to the supervisors. The graduate supervision journey is simple with open communication and immediate feedback between the two parties.”
This will help us in creating a new breed of academia and researchers that Makerere university and the country as a whole need.”
Prof. Kikooma further added “Take the excellence you have to represent the university. Ensure you have all they policies on your fingertips so that you guide the students well.”
In his remarks, Prof. Ibrahim Okumu (representing the Principal, COBAMS) said that such a training was necessary and it was a right move towards standardization of doctoral training in the region.
“What does it take to standardize doctoral and graduate studies? We need to create unison in the region and learn by doing. Doctoral studies are vital and cannot be taken for granted. We need to continue creating critical thinkers ready to nature research programs. These trainings are enablers in this journey.”
He added, “Let us blend the old and young birds in this training so that we share knowledge and experience to nature and grow the dreams of the doctoral students. Nature the inner person, not imposing yourself on to the student. Enable them to open up while doing their research and they will have a good and seamless doctoral academic journey.”
Dr. Drago Kato Charles, a trainer and a senior Lecturer at the Department of Biomedical Laboratory Technology at CoVAB said, “These trainings are continuous professional development programs aimed at refreshing doctoral supervisors every now and then. They are vital and needed by the mixture of the young, intermediate and senior supervisors.”
He added, “These senior supervisors share knowledge and experience on what is going on in the world of education. The young come to learn from old supervisors. The goal is to increase completion and quality of the PhD output. In totality, such a training aims to improve quality and mentorship on how to facilitate and handle graduate student supervision.”
He added that the trainees were taking the obtained skills to their schools and colleges to produce more quality doctoral and graduate students which would lead to growth of economies since every country needs PhD researchers to drive economic transformation and policy developments as well as implementation.
Dr. Peter Ssenkusu, a senior lecturer in the Department of Foundations and Curriculum studies in the School of Education said, “The training modules are extensively researched. The areas covered are very pertinent for doctoral supervision.”
Dr. Stephen Ojiambo Wandera, a facilitator and a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Population Studies in the School of Statistics and Planning at COBAMS added, “The vision for Makerere University is to be a research led institution. To be research- led university, we need to promote graduate teaching and learning. To achieve this, graduate students need supervisors that are well trained and skilled. We will also continue to do retooling for experienced supervisors.”
Dr. Byaruhanga Micheal Bruce from the Department of Biochemistry and Tourism, a lecturer and a participant said, “Whoever thought about this training did something very important. I thought all I was doing in supervision was normal until this training came. I did not know that some issues I knew would let the students off the course while others would keep them on. I want to ensure that all I have learnt is put into action. The modules have been very enriching. We need more of such trainings, probably for more than two days.”
Dr. Tukae Mbegalo, a guest trainer from Mzumbe University in Tanzania said, “The training is very relevant considering the diversity of the participants which include the young and senior researchers because of sharing the experiences which include delays and the relationships between supervisors and supervisees.” He added, “As supervisors, our emphasis is on scientific writing which we should instill in the students. Scientific writing leads to consistency right from problem setting, objectives, methodology and aligning it to the results so that we improve the quality of the doctoral outputs.”
-
Education7 days agoAdmission List to Bachelor of Education External (BED) 2025/26 -Private Sponsorship
-
General1 week agoUndergraduate Admission List Self Sponsorship Scheme 2025/2026
-
General2 weeks agoMature Age Scheme Exam Results for 2025/2026
-
General3 days agoRe-advert: Admission to Undergraduate Programmes 2025/2026
-
General1 week agoAdmission Lists for – Bachelor of Laws 2025-26