On 6th July 2018, Seventeen (17) delegates from the Institute of Security Studies Abuja, Nigeria visited Makerere University. The historical visit aimed at benchmarking the best practices of Makerere University as one of the premier and oldest Universities in Africa. The visit in line with deepening Uganda and Nigeria relations also focused on introducing the delegates to Makerere University’s research and innovation masterpieces in order to have a deeper understanding of the University as one of the leading institutions of higher learning.
In a Meeting with the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the team also discussed further collaborations between Makerere University and Institute of Security Studies that will culminate in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
Prof. Nawangwe welcomed the delegates to Makerere University, a renowned hub of research and innovations. In a special way, he thanked the delegates for choosing to benchmark Makerere University during their visit.
“We are happy that you recognise the great work Makerere University is doing in nurturing, grooming and mentoring leaders. Choosing Makerere University as your benchmarking institution was the best decision ever. We welcome you to Makerere University and we shall be happy to positively influence your research prospects. Makerere University believes in partnerships and networks. We are therefore looking forward to collaborating with the Institute of Security Studies and many other universities in Nigeria,” he said.
The Head of Delegation, Mrs. Angela Oleseni appreciated the warm welcome the team received at Makerere University and thanked the Principals and other Makerere University Staff for leading the Delegates during their tour. She highly commended the great work Makerere University is doing in producing the best human resource capital as well as being the helm of research on the Africa continent.
“Our students who have studied here, have testified the standard and quality of this institution. We are happy that you have nurtured some of the Nigerian students and we humbly request that this kind of relationship continues,” she said.
During the historical visit, delegates toured Makerere University Agricultural Research Centre, Kabanyolo. Led by the Principal of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Prof. Bernard Bashaasha, the team was able to interact with Prof. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa, a plant breeder and the brain behind the breeding and development of new soybean variety that is resistant to soybean rust disease, harsh conditions, lodging and pod shuttering. The team also toured the Diary and the Coffee value chains.
At Makerere University Skilling and Incubation Centre- Nakyesasa which is under the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security, the delegates were welcomed by the Principal Prof. David Kabasa. They visited the feeds farm and the feed processing area; the leather and the dairy processing industries. Prof. David Kabasa who is also the Principal Investigator of AFRISA, introduced the delegates to the Household Economic Transformation Initiative (HETI); a mobile training unit that is ready to take Makerere University to the community.
“This mobile training unit helps the institution to provide the missing link between traditional and Morden ways of attaining skills. With HETI, the university is able to interact with the community in a formal setting with trainers and organised classes where knowledge is perforated to community members,” he said.
From Makerere University Skilling and Incubation Centre- Nakyesasa, delegates also visited the College of Natural Sciences. They were recievedd by the Principal of the College represented by the Deputy Principal, Prof. Fredrick Muyodi and introduced the delegates to the College.
In a presentation, the Director Quality Assurance Dr. Vincent Ssembatya highlighted the Makerere University strategic goals and research agenda. His presentation was backed by a brief on Makerere University objectivies by the Deputy Registrar (Undergraduate Admissions and Records Division) Mr. Charles Ssentongo and the Principal of College of Business and Management Sciences Dr. Eria Hisali.
The Institute of Security Studies was established in 2004 and registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, as an independent, non-governmental, non-for-profit professional organization. Its main objective is to provide a forum for security and safety practitioners in both the private and public sectors to exchange ideas and share experience in the art and science of security. Since its establishment, it has developed considerable both in size and stature and achieves an influential status in security education. The institute was established to undertake research, teaching & professional training in the study of public disorder, crime control and prevention, security and risk, crises and disaster.
The results for the 2025/2026 special entry examination for the Diploma in Performing Arts held on Saturday 17th May, 2025. Candidates who scored a final mark of 50% and above passed the Examination and have been recommended to the university’s Admissions Committee for consideration.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released full results for the Mature Age Entry Scheme Examinations for the Academic Year 2025/2026 held on Saturday 14th December, 2024.
The Candidates who scored a final mark of 50% and above passed the examination and have been recommended by the Pre-Entry & Mature Age Committee to the University’s Admissions Board for Consideration.
The Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) has in collaboration with Centre for Teaching and Learning completed the training of the first cohort of Graduate Supervisors.
Participants were academic staff from two colleges namely, College of Engineering, Art and Design (CEDAT) and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).
The three-day training that took place at the Telepresence Centre, Senate Building ended on Friday 20thJune 2025.
In his closing remarks to the participants, the Director of Graduate Training Prof. Julius Kikooma said, “This is the first cohort we are working together with the Center for Teaching and Learning to put together continuous professional development Program so that we are able to enforce the new teaching and learning policy.”
He said that before lecturers are allocated students for supervision, they must first go through this form of formal teaching and learning training to equip them thoroughly with certification required of supervision of graduate students.
“We are coming up with process to ensure that the certificates earned by participants allow you to supervise graduate students. This is the direction of the university and we must ensure that such trainings are concluded and completed successfully by all participants”, Prof. Kikooma.
Prof. Julius Kikooma – Director of Graduate Training
“We can only have you certified upon completing all the exercises in the training process. This is when you will be eligible to receive the work load for supervision”, He added.
“This training of Supervisors is going to be continuous so that all academic staff in colleges and schools are equipped. This first cohort is going to be our building block to the future trainings in the colleges.”
With such capacity building trainings, Prof. Kikooma said that the university is on the right path to achieving its targets in the new strategic plan of increasing the number of graduate students while progressively reducing the under graduate students.
He further hinted that, “We are in the process of writing a curriculum on this, which will be presented for approval before it is rolled out.”
He echoed all participants to share the knowledge they have acquired adding, “Share all you have learnt, do not keep it. Be open minded, have proper communication channels and the sky will be the limit for you.”
Dr. Robinah N. Kulabako, The Head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at CEDAT welcomed the training adding, “This training is very pertinent. I have had the opportunity to supervise Masters and PhD students for over 15 years and I must say that the need to be subjected to this training cannot be over emphasized because there is need to learn, unlearn and relearn many aspects involved in the supervision process.”
She added, “We are moving towards knowledge-based supervision rather than experience-based supervision. This means we must be informed and equipped to be able to advise, guide and mentor to be able to lead a successful supervision journey for both supervisor and supervisee.”
Dr. Andrew Gilbert Were – a lecturer at CEDAT and a participant said, “It is important that all supervisors of graduate students receive this certification from Makerere University through a systematic training process that enables them to attain diverse skills to facilitate learning of graduate students from diverse cultures and with unique set of circumstances.”
“This training is long overdue. In fact, it was an oversight that we could be allowed to supervise students without undergoing supervisors’ training.”
Dr. Dorothy Ssebowa, The Director Centre for Teaching and Learning support- CEES said, “The training this time round has had a mix of early career professionals including Lecturers, Supervisors and Professors share experiences. We have learnt a lot more from experienced supervisors who have shared practices on how they have done supervision over the years.”
“The knowledge and experience-based approaches have made this collaboration very active, interactive and learner centered which has resulted into a collaborative learning from the interdisciplinarity of staff from CEDAT and CAES. The issue now is to continue with professional development across all levels.” She added.
The Makerere University Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) in collaboration with the Centre for Teaching and Learning completed the training of the first cohort of Graduate Supervisors. This activity was supported by the iCARTA – Institutionalization of Advanced Research Training in Africa, a NORHED II Project at Makerere University.