General
Committee Investigating Sexual Harassment at Makerere University Presents the Report to Stakeholders for Validation
On 2nd March 2018, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe appointed a five member committee headed by Prof. Sylvia Tamale to investigate the causes of the increasing cases of sexual harassment, review the Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment and make recommendations for its improvement, and receive submissions on sexual harassment at Makerere University. Consisting of Dr. Betty Ezati, Dr. Consolata Kabonesa, Dr. Christopher Mbazira and Dr. Aaron Mushengyezi and Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, the committee presented its first report to stakeholders for validation on 18th May 2018 in Makerere University Main Hall.
The Chairperson of the Committee Prof. Sylvia Tamale presented the report to students, staff, public and private partners of Makerere University. According to Prof. Tamale, the report provided preliminary findings of the committee on causes of sexual harassment at Makerere University, insights on the weakness and gaps in the Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment and suggested recommendations.
Some of the recommendations proposed by the Committee was the review of the Makerere University Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment and the following were suggested;
- The revised document should clearly demarcate policy statement and procedural guidelines, the procedural guidelines should clearly enumerate the requirements that Adhoc committees must follow in hearing the cases.
- It must emphasise that committees are quasai judicial which means that the basic principals of national justice must be observed, these include representation by Council. However, it should be clear that the committee is not a fully-fledged court, it enjoys greater flexibility, informality and freedom from strict rule of law and procedure.
- The definition of students should be broadened to include former students of Makerere University.
- The scope of the Policy should extend to suppliers and service providers of Makerere University.
- Clause 7 which enumerates examples of sexual harassment should include examples of cyber-sex harassment such as coning through tweets, sex-texting and rape.
- The Policy should not allow women attires to be imposed as a defence by perpetrators for extending away their sexually harassing behaviours.
- Academic and administrative staff should fully disclose the extent and timing of their relationship whether they are marital, intimates with students and other staff members whom they are required to directly evaluate or assess.
- Intimate relationship between students and university employees cannot and should not be prohibited. However, they should be strongly discouraged as they involve complications. The Policy should adopt the principal of mandatory supporting in which academic and administrative staff actively listen and be compassionate to the survivor of sexual harassment.
- The Policy should not compel anyone particularly victims to report cases of sexual harassment and abuse. It is important that the decision to lodge a formal complaint is fully vested in the victim.
- A penalty should be imposed on persons who take no action when a case of sexual harassment is reported to them.
- Counselling and medical support to victims of sexual harassment is critical. The resources of the University Counselling and Guidance Centre should be enhanced to effectively handle the victims of sexual abuse.
- The Penalties and disciplinary actions should be revisited to make them more comprehensive and should take into account the interest of the victim.
- The Policy should provide for anonymous complaints, noting that such complaints are more difficult to investigate and results may be less satisfactory. The Committee noted that anonymous allegations are complicated but they should not be ignored. The University zero tolerance policy requires that we take all allegations seriously. Depending on the circumstances of each case for example how much information is provided? the university should investigate the merit of the circumstantial evidence and consider or not to pursue the case.
- Makerere University should propose to parliament to amend the Education (Pre-primary Primary and Post Primary) Acts of 2008 as well as the Universities and other Tertiary Institution Amendment Act of 2006 incorporating issues of sexual harassment in educational institutions. Parliament should be advised to strengthen the Sexual Harassment Act in the Employment Act of 2006.in particular, to deal with the wrongful assumption that sexual harassment occurs only in workplaces with more than 25 employees or that it is only employers and their representatives who are capable of harassing.
Other recommendations included, the need to deeply investigate cases, providing a favourable campus environment to students and staff, awareness raising and training students and staff on sexual harassment issues.
“We are concluding the work we were assigned to do. We would like stakeholders to review the report and suggest important feedback. While handling the task, we were guided by a qualitative research method and also employed a random sampling approach. We were able to conduct 234 interviews but we deliberately interviewed more women compared to men. This is because we realised that ladies were more vulnerable to sexual harassment compared to men therefore, women comprised 59% of our respondents,” she said.
She thanked management, staff, students and other stakeholders for supporting the Committee to ensure that it finalises its work on time. Prof. Sylvia Tamale acknowledged the tremendous role of respondents during the investigations. “I appreciate your cooperation and the information you provided made our work easier,” she said. .
In the same spirit she acknowledged the role of media when she said, “the high profile cases that were reported in the media helped to create a spotlight on the evils of sexual harassment hence increasing awareness on the issue.”
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended the work done by the Committee. In the same spirit he appreciated the support from partners to ensure that Makerere University is free from sexual harassment.
“Makerere University is the epitome of knowledge. The university is tasked to nurture and impart knowledge to people. It is expected that the people to whom we impart knowledge must be free from any impediment to learn. They should be free from any form of harassment. It is hard for a person to learn while facing sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is not only criminal but it is against human moral. It is the worst form of abuse against human dignity,” said the Vice Chancellor.
In line with the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda that guarantees all Ugandans equality, dignity and non-discrimination, Makerere University reaffirms its zero tolerance for sexual harassment and is committed to creating an environment that respects and protects the rights of all its members, male and female.
The Makerere University Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment applies to students, academic staff, administrative staff, and support staff of Makerere University as well as to others who participate in Makerere programmes, activities and employment in both on-and off-campus settings.
“I would like to reiterate the University Council’s decision that anyone facing allegations of sexual harassment should be suspended and investigations expedited. We are extremely clear that we shall not tolerate any form of sexual harassment by anyone to anyone,” he emphasized.
During the interactive session chaired by the Dean School of Women and Gender Studies, Makerere University Dr. Sarah Ssali, selected prominent panellists discussed the draft findings presented by the chairperson of the Investigation Committee. These included the Vice Chairperson of Makerere University Council who is also the Executive Director of FIDA-Uganda Hon. Irene Ovonji Odida; Makerere University Guild President, H.E Papa Were Salim; Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Prof. Edward Kirumira and the Director for Gender and Community Development in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development Ms Jane Mpagi. Drawing from their constituency representations and personal experiences, the panellists discussed the details of the report in relation to the institution’s stand against sexual harassment and provided further input.
According to Hon. Irene Ovonji Odida, Makerere University leadership should take full responsibility of averting sexual harassment in the university. “We should be responsible for this at all levels of leadership with the top management inclusive,” she said.
Ms Jane Mpagi, in her response to the findings revealed that there are so many sexual harassment cases reported not only from Makerere University but also in other societies. “Sexual harassment has not just started today. We also experienced it in our years though by that time the culture of silence was too much. Today we are receiving so many reports on sexual harassment not because the vice has escalated. It might be the limelight given to the issue,” she said.
Ms. Mpagi thanked the Government of Uganda for providing a conducive environment that has enabled women and girls to be bold and speak on issues of sexual harassment. She also appreciated Makerere University for always being at the fore front when it comes to issues concerning academics in the country. “You were the first to come up with the policy on sexual harassment, then you established the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate and now you have championed the investigations against sexual harassment, thank you so much,” she appreciated.
Prof. Edward Kirumira encouraged the University to implement a process of de-hierarcharisation to reduce on the bureaucratic nature of the institution. “We should find an easier way of moving institutional procedures in areas such as registration, marking, and activities in the examination period, clearance and reporting mechanism without using the long processes,” he said.
“On top of creating awareness and sensitizing students on sexual harassment and the Policy, students should be confident that when they report their cases, the University leadership will take action. The Guild reaffirms its zero tolerance for sexual harassment and is taking awareness campaigns on sexual harassment a priority,” said the H.E Papa Were Salim, Makerere University Guild President.
Article by Nabatte Proscovia, Mak- PR Office and Gender Mainstreaming Directorate
School Managers have been urged to incorporate entrepreneurship as an innovative solution aimed at addressing the existing problems in Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools.
Studies indicate that in most UPE Schools in Uganda, learners still lack parental support, mid-day meals, scholastic materials, clean water, and are often unattended to by teachers, which undermines children’s desire to learn or stay in school because hunger impairs their ability to concentrate and learn effectively.
Constrained by resources, UPE schools are unable to offer decent feeding, sanitary facilities and clean water. The situation is perpetuated by the inability of the School management to optimize potential benefits of UPE schools such as the available land, space, human resources, public goodwill to experiment with innovative solutions to address existing problems.
“If UPE schools incorporate entrepreneurship, it can make a very big difference,” said Prof. Christopher Mugimu based at the College of Education and External Studies at Makerere University. Prof. Mugimu is the Project Principal Investigator, Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative for UPE schools.
This proposal is informed by a one-year study conducted by the project research team consisting of staff from the College of Education and External Studies namely Prof. Christopher Mugimu, Dr. Badru Musisi, Dr. Victoria Tamale, Dr. Justine Namaganda and Dr. Joyce Bukirwa from Muni University
As an intervention, the project research team proposes an Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative for UPE schools to reboot, retool and re-orient school management. “This is a timely, strategic and innovative empowerment initiative purposively designed to transform UPE Schools managers’ mindset from a traditional managerial role to an enterprising leadership role,” said Prof. Mugimu.
The project aims at promoting entrepreneurial leadership in UPE schools by training and equipping school leaders and teachers with entrepreneurial skills.
He said: “With this project, we are confident that UPE schools can overcome the challenges that have held them back for so long and unlock a brighter future for their learners.”
Funded by the Government of Uganda through Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (MakRIF), the project seeks to address the perennial challenges of low learning outcomes in UPE schools.
During the dissemination workshop held on 20th March 2025 at the College of Education and External Studies, Prof. Mugimu informed the different stakeholders that in most UPE schools, the leaders are not free to take on new ideas.
Presenting the results of the baseline survey, Prof. Mugimu underscored that the findings proved very low entrepreneurial orientation levels with less than 20% of UPE school leadership in terms of autonomy, pro-activeness, innovativeness, competitiveness and risk-taking.
Prof. Mugimu emphasized that the Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative framework is ideal for UPE school leadership to identify and utilize opportunities to start-up and scale-up UPE School learning environment improvement initiatives.
On the issue of utilization of resources in UPE schools, the survey indicated that most UPE schools possess resources, most of which are unrecognized, unutilized and underutilized.
“If the School managers implement the entrepreneurial leadership initiative, these resources could be leveraged to improve the quality of education and transform the lives of learners,” he said.
Prof. Mugimu stated that some UPE schools have 10 acres of land, which could be a valuable resource to undertake school gardening to produce food stuff for school meals or bee-keeping for production of honey. He suggested that Schools could utilize biogas material from waste to support cooking and lighting, talent clubs should be ‘re-awakened’ to train and empower learners gifted in Music, Dance and Drama to come up with performances that generate income. The schools should rejuvenate art and crafts so that materials produced by the learners are sold to generate income.
According to Prof. Kagimu, entrepreneurial leadership builds and promotes an entrepreneurial mindset and culture bringing on board both the teachers and learners. He explained that if the school leadership creates an entrepreneurial culture in UPE schools, this would not only involve the teachers and learners in the activities, but also contribute to the ultimate goal of empowering learners with skills and knowledge as well as making learning attractive and interesting.
The Acting Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, Prof. Ronald Bisaso commended the project team for coming up with an intervention aimed at integrating entrepreneurship in UPE schools. He added that the Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative in UPE schools would add value to learners in line with the new competence-based education curriculum.
“This intervention (the Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative) is timely. Its implementation will contribute to the transformation of the education sector. It adds value to schools and significantly benefits the learners who are our focus. Teachers with an entrepreneurial mindset will train and equip learners with entrepreneurial skills,” said Prof. Bisaso, who is the substantive Deputy Principal.
He shared that the initiative will have a ripple effect on the entire education system, with benefits extending beyond the schools to the boarder community.
“By promoting entrepreneurial thinking and self-reliance amongst UPE teachers, we hope to create a new generation of educators and learners who are equipped to drive innovation and progress in the entire education sector,” he remarked.
Dr. Kulthum Nabunya, Officer Education Services at Kampala City Authority (KCCA) highlighted that the implementation of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative at the respective UPE schools would follow a committee approach to ensure continuity and sustainability.
Dr. Nabunya also acknowledged the project research team for the timely intervention. “With the ongoing implementation of the Competence-based education curriculum, schools have no option, but to embrace the innovative approaches such as the Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative,” she said.
She was optimistic that if the Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative is effectively implemented, UPE learners would be in position to adapt to the secondary competence-based curriculum.
Contributing to the discussion, Dr. Nicholas Itaaga, an Associate Professor at the College of Education and External Studies said the implementation of the entrepreneurial leadership initiative would significantly benefit staff in UPE schools through skills acquisition, empowerment and involvement in school activities.
Wrapping up, the stakeholders who participated in the dissemination workshop stressed the need for mindset change programs in UPE schools, incorporating entrepreneurship into the curriculum, and undertaking community-school working strategies that bring on board politicians and community leaders.
Project Summary:
UPE was introduced in 1997 to cater for poor households in Uganda. Hence, UPE schools’ management was mandated to create inclusive and enabling learning environment for upward social mobility of deprived children. However, 23 years later, UPE schools are typified by a tangible state of teacher, parental and community detachment; which leads to learner letdown. As an intervention, we propose an Entrepreneurial Leadership Initiative for UPE schools to reboot, retool and re-orient school management from mechanically implementing prescribed solutions; to encounter school management challenges and dilemmas in a sustainably creative, innovative and adaptive ways. The Initiative is consistent with the Ministry of Education and Sports’ mission to deliver quality education to all Ugandans and to SDG 4 Target 1, seeking all children to complete free, equitable and quality basic education by 2030.
On March 21, the Makerere University community welcomed a new era of student leadership as Ssentamu Churchill James was inaugurated as the 91st Guild President. The ceremony gathered students, faculty, parents, and dignitaries, marking a significant moment in the university’s history.
In his inaugural address, Ssentamu expressed gratitude, stating, “It’s been God’s grace all through.” He acknowledged the vital support of his family and mentors, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in leadership. “We have been entrusted with the responsibility to bring political, social, and academic salvation,” he declared, emphasizing his commitment to restoring Makerere’s status as Africa’s premier higher education institution.
Reflecting on his campaign, Churchill credited his team, stating, “I am no one without my team,” and dedicated his victory to every student aspiring for a better Makerere. He underscored that students are the foundation of his cabinet, stating, “Those students are our bosses,” and called for unity and resilience among fellow leaders as they prepare to tackle challenges ahead.
The ceremony also included the swearing-in of Guild Representative Councilors from various colleges and Halls of Residence, culminating in the inauguration of Ssentamu and the Vice Guild President.
The outgoing Guild President, H.E. Lubega Vincent Nsamba, shared insights from his tenure, highlighting the importance of building harmonious relationships and the value of collaboration in solving challenges. He quoted theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer on the dangers of ignorance and urged new leaders to actively engage with the university’s governance structures.
Nsamba linked his faith to leadership, encouraging his successors to seek divine guidance and reflecting on his administration’s efforts to foster a good working relationship with university management. He congratulated Churchill and wished him success in his term.
Professor Buyinza Mukadasi, speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, expressed joy in welcoming the new leadership and emphasized that this was the time to chart a new leadership journey. He acknowledged all election participants and praised the peaceful transition of leadership, encouraging the new guild members to embrace dedication, humility, and adherence to university regulations.
“As students of Makerere University first and foremost, aim for academic excellence,” Mukadasi advised, highlighting the importance of dialogue with university management. He officially commissioned the new government, expressing optimism for their future contributions and collaboration. He called on them to embrace dialogue with the university administration.
Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, Dean of Students acknowledged the departing President, Vincent Lubega Nsamba, for his efforts in enhancing student life and congratulated Churchill on his election, encouraging him to uphold values of inclusivity and diversity.
“As we celebrate this transition, let us reaffirm our commitment to fostering a supportive campus environment,” Kabumbuli urged, emphasizing the need for collaboration in creating a conducive learning atmosphere.
As the inauguration drew to a close, the Makerere University community looked forward to a promising future under President Ssentamu’s leadership.
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