General
Mak- FSF Alumni Breakfast Meeting: Scholars are ready to drop a coin and change a life
Since 2001, the Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate in partnership with the Carnegie Cooperation of New York, has supported academically bright girls from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds to access university education at Makerere University, thus contributing to the increased undergraduate female students’ enrolment at the University.
In 2012, in addition to the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate got new partners to fund the FSF such as the MS JD Global Education Fund, DFCU Bank, Standard Chartered Bank Limited, Joshua Mugenyi Foundation, some Local Government Districts of Uganda and Individuals of Good Will.
Through this support, over 900 female scholars have graduated and are selflessly serving mother Uganda as Lawyers, Chief Executive Directors, Programme Mangers, Bankers, Lecturers, Teachers, Medical Doctors, Church Ministers, Mothers, Big sisters, Social workers and many others. These ladies are clearly the testimony of what Uganda as a country, Africa as a Continent and they would lose if these girls had failed to access University education due to lack of fees and other support that the Makerere University Female Scholarship Foundation has offered since the year 2001.
Numerous bright but socio-economically disadvantaged girls in Uganda still face challenges in accessing higher education. Many girls from less privileged, geographically disadvantaged districts and locations, girls from refugee/displaced communities, ethnic minority groups and girls with various disabilities still face financial challenges in accessing university education.
On 10th March 2018, over 250 alumni of Makerere University Female Scholarship Foundation (FSF) turned up for the First Breakfast Meeting to develop a sustainability approach towards the Female Scholarship Foundation as well as propose a way forward on how they can support their fellow socio-economically needy bright girls to attain higher education at Makerere University.
The FSF Alumni Breakfast meetings are among several activities that will be organised prior to an official launch of the Resource Mobilization Campaign dubbed “Drop a Coin and Forever Change a Life”. These meetings are geared towards instilling the spirit of philanthropy among the FSF alumni, maintaining an active and periodical engagement of the FSF alumni, tracking alumni progress and status through database updates, encouraging FSF Alumni voluntary commitments to contribute towards the FSF, encouraging FSF Alumni to mobilize people in their networks and reach out to institutions and organisations which can financially support the Foundation towards sustainability.
During the interactive sessions that were held in the Makerere University Main Hall, the FSF Alumni selected an FSF Alumni Executive Committee, chaired by Ms.Adong Agnes who is an FSF Alumni, to oversee the Alumni participation throughout the processes and procedures of realizing the objectives of the Resource Mobilization Campaign in conjunction with the Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate.
This Committee is also responsible for engaging the FSF Alumni in activities that are focused on developing the FSF Alumni Association. In the same meeting, FSF Alumni also proposed various ways that could be utilised to mobilize for resources among which included;
• Revitalising the FSF Alumni Association with specific annual subscription fees
• Making individual FSF Alumni honour pledges
• Instituting mobile telephone lines linked to a bank product for convenient financial donations
• Printing and distribution of flyers and other appropriate information packs about the FSF
• Publication of testimonies of the FSF Alumni
• Mobilizing and reaching out to fellow FSF alumni through cohort-specific leaders
• Encouraging fulfilling individual pledges on either daily, monthly and annually towards the Foundation
• Reaching out to potential funders, sponsors and partners at the local, national regional and international levels
• Upholding accountability and transparency
According to the Ag. Director of the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, Dr.Euzobia Mugisha Baine, in 2017, the Carnegie Corporation of New York together with the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate agreed to develop a strategy for mobilizing resources to sustain the scholarships with the involvement of the FSF Alumni to support additional girls from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds to access university education at Makerere University.
“We looked at how the project can sustain itself and we decided to come up with the resource mobilization campaign. I believe we have the numbers from the FSF Alumni and this is one of our greatest strength. We are loved and this equally is strength for us. We have a family and this is gold. Coming together as a family, nothing can fail us. If we decide to take this initiative by the horn as a family we shall succeed. Let us give what we have and support a life. I know each one of us has moved up the ladder but at one point someone somewhere gave a hand. Let us join our hands together for the betterment of our disadvantaged girls,” she said.
So impressed with the immense turn up of the Alumni, the Ag. Director, encouraged scholars to take the lead in the Resource Mobilization Campaign activities when she said, “Your coming is a demonstration of our own strength, we need your support and we need your ideas. However little it is we can make a change. Mobilize resources and give to the cause because you are a living testimony."
Dr.Baine revealed to the scholars that the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate is working on a bank product that can easily be accessed by everyone on their mobile phones from anywhere in the world and be able to fulfil their commitments. She assured the Female Scholarship Foundation Alumni of the University’s commitment to take the project to greater heights. On behalf of the Directorate, Dr.Baine pledged to engage different partners and sponsors.
The Deputy Director (Teaching, Learning/ Research & Innovations) in the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, Ms. Frances Nyachwo appreciated the Alumni for showing interest in brightening the future of their fellow womenfolk. She thanked the FSF Alumni Executive Committee Members for dedicating their time to voluntarily serve the FSF Alumni Association to ensure successful results during the resource mobilization campaign period.
Quoting the famous words of Dr. Loretta Scott, Mr. Eric Tumwesigye noted, ‘‘we cannot help everyone but everyone can help someone”. This initiative starts with us. Before we call for help from someone, lets us have as starting point. We need people to realize that there is a gap when we have at least done something. We therefore invited you as champions of this drive and we trust that you can make an impact that will live in people’s hearts for long,” said Mr. Eric Tumwesigye the Female Scholarship Foundation Desk Officer in the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate.
The fruitful Breakfast Meeting saw the Female Scholarship Foundation Alumni raise over Ug. Shs 37,833,700 Million from individual cash money contributions, pledges, sale of T-Shirts echoing the Resource Mobilisation campaign message, and from auction of a Karimojong item donated by Ms. Lydia Moru an FSF Alumni. In addition, Ms.Kayezu Evelyn pledged to pay full tuition for one academically bright girl from a disadvantaged socio-economic background to access university education at Makerere University for her entire period of study. Ms. Lydia Moru also a Female Scholarship Foundation Alumni pledged to mobilize all the Makerere University Female Scholarship Foundation Alumni from the Karamoja Sub-Region, located in Eastern Uganda.
Among the over 250 Female Scholarship Foundation Alumni that turned up for the breakfast meeting, 162 made on spot financial commitments between ranging from Ug. Shs. 60,000 – Ug. Shs. 2,400,000 annual contributions to the Makerere University Female Scholarship Foundation.
Article by: Makerere University- Public Relations Office and Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate.
General
Hands-On RIMS Training Equips Makerere University College Registrars to Power Graduate Success and Research Excellence
By Moses Lutaaya
Kampala, April 10, 2026 — College Registrars and Senior IT Technicians at Makerere University have undergone intensive, hands-on training in the Research Information Management System (RIMS), in a move aimed at strengthening graduate training, improving completion rates, and advancing the university’s research agenda.
The training, held on Friday at the CFT 2 Building, Lecture Room 4.1 Computer Lab, brought together key custodians of academic records to gain practical skills in using the system that university leadership says will transform graduate education management.
In his opening remarks, the Director of Graduate Training, Julius Kikooma, underscored the strategic importance of RIMS, linking it directly to the university’s long-standing challenges in tracking graduate students and supporting research progression.
“Graduate training is central to the research mission of this university,” Prof. Kikooma told participants. “Yet for years, we have struggled to answer simple but critical questions, where exactly are our graduate students in their academic journey, and why are many not completing on time?”
He pointed out that the issue has consistently drawn concern from top university leadership, including Council, particularly as Makerere rolls out its new five-year strategic plan. “One of the key priorities identified is improving graduate completion rates,” he said. “But we cannot improve what we cannot measure.”
Prof. Kikooma explained that unlike undergraduate programmes, graduate studies are largely research-driven and therefore more complex to monitor. “The research component of graduate programmes has not been adequately captured in any system,” he noted. “That is why it has been difficult to track progress, supervise effectively, and provide accurate reports.”
Positioning RIMS as a transformative solution, he emphasized its role in bridging this gap. “RIMS is not just a system, it is the backbone of how we are going to support graduate students and research going forward,” he said. “With it, we can track every stage, from concept development to proposal, to thesis completion in real time.”
He stressed that the system will enhance both efficiency and accountability across the university. “This is the tool that will enable us to confidently assure Council and management that we know the status of every graduate student at any given time,” he said.
However, Prof. Kikooma made it clear that the success of RIMS depends heavily on the commitment of college registrars. “You are the custodians of graduate records. You are central to this process,” he said. “If RIMS succeeds, it will be because of your efforts. If it fails, it will be because you did not play your part.”
He revealed that registrars will now form part of the steering committees overseeing the full implementation of RIMS across university units. “You are not just users of this system, you are its drivers at the college level,” he emphasized.
Calling for seriousness and full participation, Prof. Kikooma set clear expectations for the training. “No one should leave this room without knowing how to use RIMS in their daily work,” he said. “You must understand the kind of data required, the information on students, supervisors, and every stage of the research process.”
He added that incomplete data has already limited the system’s effectiveness in some units. “Graduate students are already on the system, but some of the critical information is missing,” he noted. “That gap must be closed by you.”
In his technical presentation, Juma Katongole, the Manager Information Systems, highlighted the limitations of existing systems and how RIMS is designed to address them.
“We can only produce accurate statistics for students on coursework,” he said. “But we cannot tell how many graduate students are at proposal level, concept level, or thesis level. That is a major gap.”
He explained that RIMS will provide comprehensive, real-time tracking of graduate students throughout their academic journey. “This system will enable us to produce accurate reports of which student is where,” Katongole said. “It will help us identify delays and take action.”
On the issue of prolonged completion times, he added, “With reliable data, we can see where students are getting stuck and introduce administrative or strategic measures to address those bottlenecks.”
Describing the system as a turning point, Katongole noted, “We are moving towards having valid statistical information at our fingertips, which is critical for a research-led institution.”
From the administrative perspective, Eleanor Nandutu, Senior Assistant Registrar from MISR, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a practical solution to long-standing inefficiencies.
“RIMS will ease the tracking process and help us know exactly where each student is and how long they take at each stage,” she said. “It will also help us understand where the challenges are and how to better support students.”
She emphasized that the system will improve completion rates by identifying bottlenecks early. “We shall be able to see where we are stuck and take corrective action in time,” she noted.
Addressing concerns about possible conflict of interest between supervisors and students, Nandutu clarified that the system is designed to enhance transparency, not create tension. “This is about ensuring that processes are followed and that students succeed,” she said. “It brings everyone, administrators, supervisors, and coordinators onto one platform.”
She added that the system will even improve interaction between students and supervisors. “It will make follow-ups easier and ensure timely feedback, which is critical for research progress,” she said.
As the university intensifies efforts to strengthen its research output and graduate training, the hands-on RIMS training marks a significant step toward a more efficient, transparent, and data-driven academic environment, one that leaders believe will finally address the long-standing challenge of delayed graduate completion.
Pupils, parents and authorities at Bwera Primary School in Kabale District were filled with joy as the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, in partnership with dfcu Bank, handed over a four-classroom block to the school.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, one of the parents, Saison Tumukuratire, expressed gratitude for the support.
“We thank God for this gesture. Our children can now attend classes without interruptions caused by rain. Previously, whenever it rained, lessons would stop. The old building was on the verge of collapsing, had no windows, and the floor was dusty,” she said.
Uganda has made significant progress in expanding access to education through Universal Primary Education (UPE); bringing millions of children into school. However, in hard-to-reach communities, physical access and the quality of learning environments continue to shape how effectively that opportunity translates into consistent attendance and meaningful outcomes.
Bwera Primary School, a government-aided institution located in the remote and hard to reach village in Kahama Sub-County, has an enrollment of 275 pupils. For decades, the school has faced significant challenges related to access and infrastructure.
With no road access and limited infrastructure, the school has long struggled to provide a conducive environment for learning. Efforts to improve facilities have often been constrained by high transportation costs and logistical barriers; with some contractors previously declining to take on construction work due to the difficulty of accessing the site.
“The school structures are not sufficient for our learners, and we do not have a single staff house. We are deeply grateful to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and dfcu Bank for coming to our rescue after the school’s plight was highlighted in the media,” Edson Bikorwomuhangi, the headteacher, said.
On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University and dfcu Bank officially handed over the new facilities. These include a four-classroom block equipped with 60 bench desks, a four-stance modern pit latrine, and a 10,000-litre rainwater harvesting system.
The new infrastructure is expected to significantly improve the learning environment and support better educational outcomes for the pupils.
Since 2014, Mastercard Foundation Scholars at Makerere University and alumni have contributed to communities across Uganda by constructing classrooms, providing clean water and supporting vulnerable communities.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Nelson Dumba, the Chairperson of the Scholars giveback Committee, noted that the event was not about commissioning structures, it is about celebrating impact, partnership and the power of giving back.
“As scholars we are deeply aware that we are beneficiaries of opportunity, and because we have been given a chance, we carry a responsibility to extend that opportunity to others and contribute meaningfully to the communities that shape us,” Mr. Dumba, said.
Mr. Dumba called upon the Bwera community to take ownership, protect the property, and ensure that it continues to serve generations to come.
“To the pupils of Bwera Primary, this investment is for you, use it well, take care of it and believe in your dreams. You are capable of achieving better outcomes,” Mr. Ddumba, said.
One of the central pillar of the Scholars Program is community service and giveback, grounded in the belief that leadership is best demonstrated through service to others.The Scholars Program is not only about access to education, it is about transformation and impact.
In her speech, Ms. Jolly Okumu, the Program Operation Lead of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, noted that through mentorship and structured engagement, Mastercard Foundation Scholars are encouraged to initiate community-driven projects, improve livelihoods, promote inclusion and foster sustainable development.
“Today is not just about handing over infrastructure, it is a celebration of partnership, shared purpose and our collective commitment to improving learning environment for young people. It reflects our belief that when institutions and communities come together, we can create lasting impact and open up greater possibilities for the next generation,” Ms Okumu, said.
Ms Okumu extended special appreciation to the Jane Goodall Institute for providing a 10,000 litre water tank and dfcu Bank for a financial contribution of UGX 20Million used to renovate two classrooms and purchase desks.
“As we officially hand over this project, we hope these improved facilities will provide a safe environment and a space conducive for learning. Our Scholars are not just beneficiaries, they are committed to building a stronger and more inclusive communities,” Ms. Okumu, noted.
Speaking on behalf of dfcu Bank, Ms Helena Mayanja, the Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, noted that the giveback project reflects the Bank’s commitment to elevate education, financial literacy and health in intended communities.
“The journey to the school itself reflects the realities these children face every day. Improving infrastructure in such communities is essential to ensuring that access to education translates into real learning outcomes,” she said.
dfcu Bank has various partnerships and programs targeting vulnerable and hard to reach communities which are aimed at elevating financial literacy, health and education.
Kabale District Education Officer, Mr. Moses Tumwijukye Bwengye welcomed the development, noting that previous efforts to upgrade the school had failed due to inaccessibility.
“We thank our partners for renovating this classroom, with these projects, results are going to change because now the learning is conducive. Before contractors were unable to take on the work because of the terrain. Partnerships like this are important in unlocking development in hard-to-reach communities and improving education outcomes,” Mr. Tumwijukye, said.
Parents speak out
Evidence Tumwebaza, who has a child in Primary One noted that the infrastructures are going to help them improve the school’s sanitation.
“The tank is big and I am happy that my child will now study in a conducive environment and will have clean water for drinking,” Tumwebaza, said.
Ann Turyasima, a parent and former pupil said that the project is going to help pupils to stop carrying water from a long distance.
“These pupils have been moving from down the valley to go and fetch water for the school but now everything is here. They can now concentrate in school.”
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