General
MURBS Declares 17% Return to Members Ahead of 8th AGM
The Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme (MURBS) has declared a rate of 17% return to Makerere University Staff members which was above their target by three points. This was revealed during a press conference held on Tuesday, 16th October 2018 in the Quality Assurance Tele-presence Centre, Senate Building, Makerere University.
Between 1996 and June 2005, Makerere University operated a Deposit Administration Plan (DAP) with National Insurance Corporation (NIC) with the sole purpose of providing financial security to its staff after retirement. During that time it was discovered that benefits under DAP were not able to provide a decent life to members of staff upon retirement. MURBS was formally constituted and began operations in July 2010. Since inception, MURBS has been audited by leading Audit firms eight times, and is going to have its 8th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, 24th October 2018.
According to Mr. Wilber Grace Naigambi, the Chairperson MURBS Board of Trustees, during the financial year 2017/2018, the scheme paid out benefits amounting to UGX 3.79 billion to 99 existing members compared to UGX 3.22billion in the previous year.
“I am glad to report that during the financial year 2017/2018, we paid out benefits on average within six days. I note with much pleasure the significant progress made by MURBS in the various aspects of its governance and management,” said Mr. Naigambi.
He revealed that rating by the Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority (URBRA) after a thorough evaluation indicated that the MURBS Board of Trustees is performing well. “URBRA rated MURBS as the 4th biggest scheme (in terms of assets) in Uganda after NSSF, Bank of Uganda and the Parliamentary Pension Scheme.”
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe said that Makerere University Management recognizes the importance of MURBS in the running of the University as it provides employees with an opportunity to assess their financial position in their working life.
“I am happy to learn that some of our staff currently have retirement benefits in excess of Uganda Shillings 200million. This has made the work of the University management easier,” said Prof. Nawangwe.
Prof. Nawangwe pledged that the University Management will continue working with MURBS to further consolidate all these achievements and reassure staff that Makerere University takes good care of its own upon retirement.
Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem, the Chairperson Makerere University Council said that Makerere University is building for a vibrant future retirement benefits sector through MURBS. He added that the 17% return MURBS has awarded to its members is going to translate into enhanced savings of Makerere University staff upon their retirement.
“Retiring staff now have a far higher financial security than it was previously. I wish to thank the University Management for nurturing this scheme and ensuring that monthly contributions are remitted promptly,” remarked Eng. Dr. Wana-Etyem.
The Secretary Board of Trustees, Dr. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa, noted that all permanent staff are eligible members of the scheme, and MURBS has 15 policy documents that guide the flow of work, thus ensuring good governance. He revealed that the scheme is embarking on training Makerere University staff on how to appropriately use their retirement benefits.
MURBS is run as a fully transparent retirement benefits scheme that is fully compliant with all regulatory requirements. It intends to uphold this by laying a firm institutional foundation for its governance and management systems. In so doing, MURBS has raised the bar on transparency in Uganda’s retirement benefits sector.
Article by: Angom Pauline, Rachael Kanyi and Esther Joyce Nakibombo, Communication Volunteers-PR 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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