General
Makerere University Go Green Week 2018
On Monday 27th February to Saturday 3rd March 2018, the SustainabilityProgram-Makerere University in collaboration with the Students Sustainability Action group (SSAG) joined other students around the world to Implement its second annual Go Green Week under this year’s theme “Save Energy and Protect our Planet.”
The Sustainability Program coordinated by the Planning and Development Department led by Dr Florence Nakayiwa, launched the Go Green Week last year as part of its annual projects/events with support from its partners Bangor University Sustainability Lab and Bangor University Students Union(UNDEB), who have been part of the Go Green Week UK for many years. Coordinated by People and Planet in the UK and Ireland, the Go Green Week Initiative is aimed at raising awareness and demand stronger actions to tackle climate crisis.
The aim of this year’s theme,“Save Energy and Protect our Planet” was to create awareness about sustainable energy efficiency practices within the University and encourage behavioural change towards energy use and management. The activities of the Go Green Week and this year’s theme were working towards addressing Sustainable Development Goal 7 which states, “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.”
Coordinated by the Sustainability Program Coordinator Ms Pamela N Matovu, students took the lead to implement activities throughout the week that promoted sustainable energy efficiency practices as an action towards combating climate change. The activities were focused on 2 major aspects; Energy efficiency awareness and behavioural change towards energy use, and a campaign to use energy efficiency equipment in Makerere University. The awareness campaign was enhanced by the World-Wide Fund Uganda who actively participated and provided energy efficiency and environment advise to students during the think tank session.
Throughout the week, the following activities were implemented;
Day 1 was the Official Opening of Mak Go Green Week;“Save Energy and Protect our Planet”
This was officiated by the Eng. Christine Kakeeto, Director of Estates & Works Department and in attendance was the Mr. Emmanuel Aupal, Partnership and Fundraising Manager of World Wide Fund Uganda (WWF) and Ms. Flavia Ajambo, Public Relations, CREEC. This also involved students placing stickers with energy efficiency and behavioural change messages in various places within the University. Students also made pledges on what they will commit on doing within the University and community.
Day 2: Social Media Campaign
Students shared their views about energy efficiency on social media using the #GoGreenMak, #Carnifal (a Go Green event at Bangor University) and further shared their views on the Students for Sustainability at Makerere University Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/studentsforsustainabilitymak/
The views shared on social media attracted 3220views around the world and inspired discussion about energy efficiency by students and other people that engaged with the event online.
Day 3: Think Tank session
84 Students from the different disciplines, staff and a team from World Wide Fund- Uganda participated in the first Think Tank Session, which was aimed at bringing students together with staff and other stakeholders to discuss issues about how energy inefficiency affects the environment and wastes money, and then discuss practical solutions to improve energy efficiency within the University and within their communities. The Think Tank Session was led by Ms. Pamela N Matovu, the Coordinator of the Sustainability Program, and chaired by Ms. Rachael Nuwagaba Kapasi, Lecturer at School of Psychology. The presentation was developed by Aaron Acuda the leader of the Students Sustainability Action Group (SSAG) a student of Environmental Sciences and presented by Julian Bulyaba a student of Psychology and Osito Jacob a student of Environmental Sciences. The presentation focused on the cost of energy to the University and how poor energy use behaviours affect the environment and waste money that would otherwise to be used to meet other needs.
The presentations revealed how energy is managed in various buildings in the University and the cost of energy to the University per month was revealed which was a shock to everyone. These facts inspired a discussion to find practical solutions to improve energy efficiency within the University and in turn in their homes and communities. A team from the World-Wide Fund-Uganda provided more awareness about the issues of energy and environment and shared information about protecting the environment through energy efficient management and use of clean energy.
Days 4 and 5: Switch Off Campaign
Students participated in the SWITCH OFF CAMPAIGN by switching off any unused energy consumption equipment i.e. lights, computers, phones, TVs, kettles, radios among others.
Day 6: Briquette Training:
Students were trained in making briquettes with the aim of equipping them with hands on skills that can enable them start up their businesses or help them understand more about how they can deal with their organic waste in an environmentally friendly manner. This was organized by Makerere University Waste Research Association in partnership with Department of Environmental Management Students Association.
As a result of the Go Green Week, the Sustainability Program is going to work with students and relevant staff to review or study existing energy audits and explore more ways of complimenting it to ensure that there is sustainable efficiency and management within the university; and engage in awareness and behavioural change activities or campaigns targeting students and staff to promote efficient use and management of energy in the University.
Partners of the Go Green Week
The Go Green Week at Makerere was organized by the Sustainability Program- coordinated by the Planning and Development Department, in collaboration with the Estates & Works Department, Students Sustainability Action Group, Students Guild-83rd Guild, Ministry of Estates & Environment; and supported by Sustainability Lab- Bangor University, UNDEB- Student Union Bangor and World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Uganda.
Authored By: Pamela N Matovu, Coordinator- Sustainability Program, Makerere University.
The Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has today, Friday, 26th June 2026 handed over the CCE (Complex) Hall of Residence Site to National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) Managing Director and CEO, Lieutenant General James Mugira for renovation and overhaul works. The UGX 12billion Government of Uganda-funded works, expected to be completed within a year, are the fourth project to be undertaken by NEC. They were preceded by; construction of the University Perimeter Wall, Renovation of Lumumba Hall, and Renovation of Mary Stuart Hall.
NEC’s Record Lauded
Prof. Nawangwe in his remarks at the handover ceremony lauded these projects. “The quality of work done by NEC makes us proud because we can finally say that we have Ugandans who can do the things, which we previously depended on foreigners to do.” He therefore thanked the Government of Uganda for fully funding the projects and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Museveni, whose visit set the renovation projects in motion.
The Vice Chancellor added that as the Alma mater for most members of both the Contractor and Project Management Teams, this was a moment of great pride as their expertise and skills have saved the country billions of taxpayers’ money. “Thank you for being patriotic”, he commended.
Prof. Nawangwe concluded by noting that CCE Hall, by virtue of its location, provides a first impression of Makerere University as a whole. He therefore urged the contractor to ensure that upon renovation, CCE Hall would create a memorable and lasting first impression, exceeding even that of the renovated Mary Stuart Hall.
A Project Fueled by Nostalgia
Speaking of impressions, Lt. Gen. Mugira, with nostalgia recalled that close to 42 years ago, he not only attended his first lectures in Hall 1 of the CCE Complex but also, on a more personal note added, “my wife was a resident, and so I have every motivation to put in a lot of effort and make sure that I deliver more than was done with Mary Stuart and Lumumba.”
He therefore extended heartfelt appreciation to his Alma mater Makerere University for the trust and confidence bestowed in NEC, which underscored their ability to deliver. “Trust is earned through performance, through integrity and consistency, and your decision to engage us motivates us to work even harder to exceed your expectations.”
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) Prof. Henry Alinaitwe reechoed the need to ensure that the project is executed with adherence to the cost, quality, specifications and safety related issues as earlier shared by the Acting (Ag.) Chief Engineer of Estates and Works, Eng. Ezra Sekadde.
“NEC has already demonstrated this (with previous projects), and that is why we have all the confidence that you can deliver this project within 12 months” remarked Prof. Alinaitwe. He equally lauded the Project Management Team (PMT) led by Arch. Dr. Kenneth Ssemwogerere whose supervision ensures timely project completion.
Relatedly, Arch. Dr. Semwogerere was on 25th June 2026, the eve of the handover, promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, a milestone Prof. Alinaitwe attributed to his track record as Head of PMT. He therefore, on a light note, urged him to keep up the good work as this could equally contribute to his promotion to the rank of full Professor.
Also present at the handover ceremony was the Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES) Prof. Anthony Mugagga, whose unit will be greatly affected by the renovations. He nevertheless welcomed and reiterated his full support for the project, noting that just as renovation of Lumumba and Mary Stuart Halls had resulted in many alumni revisiting, the CCE Complex would upon renovation attract former residents and teaching professionals to give back or forge new partnerships.
Student Welfare at the Forefront
On her part, the Dean of Students Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli lauded the renovations of Halls of Residence as a clear demonstration of Government’s dedication to the improvement of student welfare, and creating an environment conducive for nurturing responsible citizens who can contribute to national development. She pledged her Office’s and the Student Leadership’s readiness to ensure that the renovated facilities used responsibly for the benefit of future generations.
As a resident of the recently renovated Mary Stuart Hall, 92nd Guild President H.E. Kadondi Gracious could not help but appreciate how impactful the renovation of CCE Hall would be to student welfare. “The female students will be very excited (to occupy CCE Hall) but the male students will be left complaining – so we shall be expecting more renovations, not just for the female but also the male students,” she amiably concluded.
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