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Mak launches the Second Annual Waste Management Awareness Week

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The Sustainability Program team at Makerere University is organizing the 2nd Annual Waste Awareness Week (1st-5th October 2018), under a theme: Improving plastic waste management through awareness of sustainable plastic collection, disposal, re-use, reduce and recycling.  Officially launched by Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe who was represented by the Deputy University Secretary Mr. Yusufu Kiranda, the Waste Awareness Week is engaging students to take lead in implementing the different activities that are geared towards promoting sustainable waste management within the University.  

“We are set to have a think tank session, community outreach, social media campaigns on sustainable plastic collection, disposal, reuse, reduce and recycling. We have also organized a give back activity with MasterCard Foundation Scholars and Alumni Association at Makerere University Primary school,” said Ms. Pamela Matovu, the Coordinator of the Sustainability Program at Makerere University.

The Waste Management Awareness Week is a sustainability program that is stipulated in the Makerere University-Bangor University collaborative partnership. Coordinated by Makerere University Students Sustainability Action Group under the Planning & Development Department in collaboration with Estates & Works Department, the program engages university community in four major aspects of prevention, reduction, reuse and recycling of waste to reduce waste generation at Makerere University.

This year, Coca Cola Beverages Africa has come on board to support the Waste Awareness Week activities at Makerere University by donating 500 bins, stickers and street pole banners with waste management messages. The company is also set to enter into a partnership with Makerere University to construct a plastic collection Centre as a way of improving plastic waste management.

Makerere University has attained its position on waste management through a number of activities undertaken by students and staff. The Institution has also embarked on innovation and research developments to combat unnecessary waste disposal through recycling.

At the official launch of the Waste Awareness Week on 28th September 2018, Dr. Venny Nakazibwe together with a team of vibrant students from the College of Engineering, Design Art and Technology, presented their locally made DIY plastic compressing Machine used for compressing and threshing plastics into refined materials for recycling. The team also unveiled the LCB unit (Low cost and Sustainable building unit); a modern structural building components produced from plastics, steel slag and sand.

“In 2017, Makerere University opened the first Centre of Excellence in Waste Management. Located at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyoro (MUARIK), the worth $USD 48,000 Centre trains farmers on how to sort, decompose, make biogas and set up demonstration plots on using agricultural waste. The Centre hosts incubators that help in culturing samples under controlled temperatures; an oven for drying samples, a bio gas analyzer for analyzing components in biogas and a microscope for specimen observation,” said the Vice Chancellor in a speech read by Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 

“The Centre also host centrifuges that aid separation of liquid samples, a spectrophotometer for analyzing micronutrients in soil and water, a laboratory balance for weighing samples; PH meter for determining acidity and alkalinity of different samples of soil and water; a cooled incubator for culturing and can vary temperature-low system organisms and a portable solar biogas digester,” he added.

Prof. Nawangwe, thanked the Sustainability Lab-Bangor University for the continued relationship with Makerere University.  In a special way, he appreciated the support of the Coca-Cola Beverage Africa, towards the 2018 Waste Management Week.  He commended the Organizing Committee; the Estates and Works Department, Planning and Development Department, the Students’ Guild-Ministry of Estates and Environment and MasterCard Foundation Scholars and Alumni Association for their tireless efforts to ensure that the five days’ campaign is a success.

Mr. Kalenzi Edward Ivan from Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, commended Makerere University for its tremendous research that has developed solutions to the African challenges. He applauded Makerere University students for the plastic- recycle- innovations that are geared towards re-using plastics to reduce waste disposal in the community.  He thanked Makerere University Management for accepting to partner with Coca-Cola Beverages Africa to construct a plastic collection Centre at the legendary university.  

Job Namara, the Minister of Estates and Environment (84th Guild) called upon the entire Makerere University fraternity to embrace the campaign and ensure that waste is properly managed in the University.

Other members that graced the occasion included; the Director of Estates and Works Department Eng. Christina Kakeeto, the Director for Planning and Development Department Dr. Florence Nakayiwa, the Dean of Students Mr. Cyriaco Kabagambe, Mr. Nsereko Raymond, a Lecturer at the College of Engineering Design Art and Technology and Eng. Mugisha Rogers from Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.

Article by Makerere University Public Relations Office

Proscovia Nabatte

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Celebrating Women in Science at Makerere University

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A female student conducts an experiement in one of the Science Labs, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

Today, on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate the incredible women scientists at Makerere University who are driving innovation, advancing research, and shaping the future of science in Uganda and beyond.

Your dedication, resilience, and groundbreaking contributions continue to inspire generations. As you break barriers and push the frontiers of knowledge, remember that your work is not only transforming communities but also paving the way for more young women to embrace science.

We honor your achievements and reaffirm our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where women in science can thrive. Keep leading, innovating, and inspiring!

Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science!

Mak Editor

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91st Electoral Commission Promises a free and fair Electoral Process

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By Nickson Maberi

The swearing-in-ceremony for the 91st Students’ Guild Electoral Commission was held on Friday 31st January 2025.  Mr. Joseph Murungi, a commissioner from the College of Health Sciences (CHS) was unanimously chosen as the chairperson of the commision.

Mr. Murungi thanked the good Lord and students for entrusting him with the position and promised to deliver a free and fair electoral process and head a commission that is impartial.

The Dean of Students, Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli urged the new commission to execute its duties in line with the Guild statute and Constitution.

“You must execute your duties in line with the Guild statute and Constitution, anything outside that is invalid. I wish you the best and I am looking forward to working with you,” she said.

Ms. Ruth Iteu, the Head of the Online voting team, urged the commission to avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law as it will lead to severe consequences.

Rev. Fr. Josephat Ddungu, the Chaplain of Makerere University St. Augustine Chapel said they will continue to pray for the commission to have a peaceful and successful.

“The Electoral Commission is a very important body and the success of the electoral process depends on you. Please concentrate on doing what is right before the Lord. As your spiritual leaders, our duty is to pray. We are therefore praying for you to have a peaceful and successful election,” he said.

Administrator who urged the commission to always do the right at the right time.

Mr.  Nickson Maberi encouraged the new commission to follow the law and avoid tarnishing the image of the university.

Mr. Joseph Murungi, Commissioner from the College of Health Sciences (CHS) swearing in as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission for the 91st Guild Elections.

“Makerere University elections attract national attention. Please follow the law and be people of integrity to avoid tarnishing the image of the university,” he guided.

Mr. Aston Tayebwa from the College of Natural Sciences was elected as the commission’s General Secretary while Ms Sharon Nyonyozi from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences was elected as the commission’s Vice Chairperson.

Other commissioners include: Mr. Ijoot William from the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Mr. Ntambi Moses from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB), Mr. Perez William Mwesigwa from the School of Law (SoL), Alyosius Mutagubya from the College of Computing and Information Science (CoCIS) and Mr. Mugisha Hamidu from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).

Mak Editor

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KobWeb: RENU’s Community Magazine – 2024 Edition

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Cover page of KobWeb: RENU's Community Magazine, 2024 Edition. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU) is a community-driven, non-profit organization with a major focus on nurturing collaboration among member institutions (i.e. research and education institutions), and global partners. Founded in 2006, RENU has grown from a small National Research and Education Network (NREN) that focused on just connectivity needs of universities and research organisations, to a fast-growing specialized ICT solutions provider for the entire Research and Education (R&E) community including schools, colleges, other tertiary institutions, hospitals, and their end users. RENU is located at House No. 31, The Edge, Makerere University and on Plot 6B, Mabua Road, Kololo, Kampala.

Highlights from the 2024 Edition featuring Makerere:

  • Universities Launch Global Coalition to Support Refugee Education at Scale
    • 16 universities from across the globe have come together to improve and increase access to higher education for refugees and their communities, where they reside. Universities based in Africa, Europe, and North America formed the Global University Academy (GUA) following a workshop hosted by the University of Oslo in June 2024.
    • The GUA is currently looking into the possibility to pilot the initiative in Uganda. Key partners in this work are Makerere University and Gulu University, who are already actively engaged in providing access to higher education for refugees, and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Uganda.
  • Advancing Child Welfare The AfriChild Centre’s Inter-University Programme
    • The Inter-University Programme, spearheaded by the Centre of Excellence for the Study of the African Child (AfriChild Centre), is a landmark initiative focused on equipping researchers with the essential skills needed to conduct high-quality child-focused research. The success of the Inter-University Programme is built on the strong partnerships the AfriChild Centre has established with universities including Makerere University.
  • Liberate your Mind from the Present and Dream Big to Provide Meaningful ICT Solutions for Research and Education!
    • At the 2024 RENU ICT Directors Forum, Dr. Francis F. “Tusu” Tusubira, the Chief Guest, delivered an electrifying address urging ICT leaders to dream beyond the present and shape the future of research and education. Reflecting on his time at Makerere University, he shared his philosophy of granting autonomy to team members and supporting them unconditionally. “Allow your team to make decisions and mistakes, especially in the current environment, which presents opportunities for learning. Protect them when they make mistakes. Once you do this, your team will build your dream.”
  • Advancing Open Science and Open Access in Africa, with a Focus on Uganda
    • Open Science and Open Access have emerged as transformative movements in the global academic and research community. Their principles—sharing knowledge freely, fostering collaboration, and driving practical solutions to societal challenges—are especially resonant in Africa, where equitable access to resources and innovative solutions are essential for sustainable development. Institutions like Makerere University are driving Open Science efforts by encouraging researchers to adopt open frameworks.

Visit RENU to download full edition

Mark Wamai

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