General
Pedagogical Skills Training for Mak Assistant Lecturers kicks off
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has urged lecturers to observe the professional ethics in their line of duty. This was during the official opening of the Pedagogical Skills Training for Assistant Lecturers on 23rd July 2018 at Makerere University Telepresence Centre. The Pedagogical Skills training, was organised by the Directorate of Human Resources together with the College of Education and External Studies to equip Makerere University Assistant Lecturers with skills and techniques that will enhance their teaching ability and improve the quality of teaching at Makerere University.
The training was geared towards sensitizing the Assistant Lecturers on how to generally share ideals of Makerere University and advance the students and customer experience through improved teaching and learning.
According to the Director of Human Resources Mr. Andrew Abunyang, the training that officially started on 23rd July 2018 will end in March 2019 with more than 300 participants trained. “We have restructured this training in a way that, we shall have a session every after two weeks. In each session we expect 35 participants from the selected Colleges to undertake the training for three days,” he explained.
35 Assistant Lecturers from the College of Natural Sciences, College of Business and Management Sciences and College of Computing and Information Sciences are participating in the first session of the Pedagogical Skills Training that is running from 23rd-25th July 2018.
“Pedagogical Skills Training is so special and it impacts competence among people. We all know that universities are regarded as engines of growth in a country. Those who teach, are supposed to efficiently do the work. Remember, we are expected to spur development,” said Dr. David Onen, a Coordinator, at the East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development.
In a speech read by the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences Dr. Eria Hisali, the Vice Chancellor thanked the Directorate of Human Resources for taking the lead in the Pedagogical Skills Training workshop.
“I am impressed that you have worked had to deliver the training. It is my hope that you will create time to discuss the possibilities of how to mainstream students’ mentoring in our activities. I hope this will form the basis for annual refresher training and capacity building on selected pertinent areas to continuously improve our performance,” he said.
He urged participants to take the Pedagogical Skills Training seriously and encouraged them to put into practice what they would have learnt during the three days training. He challenged participants to build strong networks that will inform future collaborations in areas such as joint supervisions of dissertation, research and grant proposal development.
“I want to remind you that Makerere University belongs to all of us and we will be happy to receive feedback through the workshop evaluation that you should undertake to give us baseline data for future interventions,” said the Vice Chancellor.
Representing Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi, the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, the Deputy Principal, Dr. Paul Birevu Muyinda thanked the Directorate of Human Resources for ensuring that Lecturers receive a skill that will help them perform their tasks professionally.
Reiterating the importance of the training, the Dean of the East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development Dr. Ronald Bisaso urged all lecturers and teachers to undertake the Pedagogical Skills Training. “knowing something and passing on the knowledge to someone are two different things. You will always need to be trained on how to properly and efficiently pass on that knowledge to the intended person.”
Some of the topics to be discussed during the three days training include;
- Higher education (its environment and dynamics)
- Learning theories, style and changing philosophy of learning
- Learning goals and learning outcomes
- Pedagogical Design
- Assessment of and information learning
- Student support
Article by; Racheal Kanyi, Volunteer- Mak Public Relations Office
Makerere University and the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (ND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University and Rev. Robert A. Dowd, the 18th President signed on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony, which was held at the University of Notre Dame campus at South Bend, Indiana was witnessed by Dr. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Council of Makerere University, who led the Mak delegation.
Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.
General
Press Release: Government of Uganda and Partners Launch SAY Plus+ to Scale Youth Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) Impact in Underserved Regions
USD 50 million national programme moves into full implementation, strengthening
adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to youth-responsive
services in 13 districts across five sub-regions
KAMPALA, 7 MAY 2026: The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda’s underserved regions.
The launch, held at Makerere University‘s Freedom Square under the theme “My Voice Matters: Youth Voices for SAY Plus+” and the tagline “Nothing for us, without us”, marks the programme’s transition into full implementation.
SAY Plus+, formerly known as Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment: Scaling Impact, is led by the Ministry of Health, in coordination with other Ministries, with UNFPA Uganda serving as the Managing and Technical Agency.
Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the initiative is scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. It is currently being rolled out across thirteen districts within five sub-regions, providing targeted assistance to regional referral hospitals in Jinja, Mbale, Moroto, Yumbe, Arua, and Gulu. Furthermore, the programme supports the Human Capital Development goals established in Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
“SAY Plus+ represents a shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated national effort that meaningfully places young people at the centre of both design and delivery. Through our partnership with the Government of Uganda, development partners, and implementing partners, we are investing not only in services, but in the systems, communities, and environments that enable adolescents and young people to thrive not only today but also in the future,” said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, Representative – UNFPA Uganda.
Officially launched by the Minister of State for Health Hon. Margaret Muhanga, the SAY Plus+ programme targets adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 years, with particular focus on adolescent girls and young women, refugees and host-community youth, out-of-school young people, those not in employment, education or training, adolescents with disabilities, and young people in humanitarian and post-conflict settings.
“For many of us, things like this one are designed without listening to what we go through every day, think or even feel. SAY Plus+ feels different because it starts with our voices and gives us a real role in shaping solutions. It is not just about information, it is about being supported to make decisions, access services, and build the future we want.” – Jovia Dranzoa, Young person.
SAY Plus+ operates through three pillars. First, it empowers youth to exercise their rights and make informed choices. Second, it engages families, communities, and leaders to address harmful social norms. Third, it strengthens youth-responsive SRHR, HIV, and gender-based violence services via health facilities and community platforms, aiming to reach over 2.3 million direct and indirect beneficiaries.
The SAY Plus+ initiative stands as a model of international cooperation and multi-sectoral synergy. Through the combined support of the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and the technical leadership of UNFPA, Uganda is now equipped to scale-up critical interventions in HIV prevention, gender-based violence response, and reproductive health. With implementation now in high gear through 2030, the programme is poised to make a lasting contribution to the nation’s human capital development goals.
— ENDS —
Photos from the event
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