General
Trustees Commended as MURBS Registers 17% Record Return on Investment
Countless commendations from Management, Scheme Members and the Regulator – Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority (URBRA) representatives poured in as the Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme (MURBS) gave details of the 17% rate of return on members’ opening balances as at 1st July 2017. This was at the 8th MURBS Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Wednesday, 24th October 2018 in the Main Hall.
“On behalf of the University Management and the Director Human Resources, I would like to appreciate the MURBS Board of Trustees (BoT) for a job well done. Last week, MURBS organised a Joint Press Conference with the University Leadership at which the Chairperson Council-Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem praised the Board of Trustees upon the stewardship that led to the declaration of 17% return on investment,” remarked Mrs. Dorothy Senoga-Zake.
Mrs. Senoga-Zake further remarked that the Human Resources Directorate was in constant receipt of positive reports from retirees whose benefits were processed on time. “I also thank MURBS for promptly updating member statements and as a member, I am constantly aware of the monies deposited on my account,” she added.
She however expressed surprise that only six hundred out of the approximately four thousand scheme members are registered on the online portal according to the MURBS Annual Report. She therefore urged the unregistered members to expressly approach the Scheme Office and take advantage of this service so as to receive notifications of deposits and quickly follow up on any unremitted funds.
Speaking on behalf of the Regulator – URBRA, Ms. Lisa Betty Oyella commended the MURBS Board of Trustees for once again putting up a tremendous performance leading to the declaration of a 17% sector high return. She also lauded MURBS’ commitment to implementing all URBRA recommendations and effecting policies that improve the Scheme’s efficiency.
“MURBS is a very cooperative team and we commend them for always sparing time to participate in URBRA activities. We held a Trustee Training earlier today, where we needed Trustee from an exemplary scheme in the sector to speak to participants and were happy when Dr. John Kitayimbwa agreed to make a presentation despite the short notice. Please note that his willingness to join us was in the midst of preparing for this AGM,” lauded Ms. Oyella.
She also thanked the scheme members for attending the 8th AGM, noting that the annual gatherings present a platform where the regulator can interact with them and take note of matters arising. These notes, she said, can then be used to make recommendations to the BoT to help improve scheme operations.
Upon registering for 8th AGM, members were handed a copy of the MURBS Annual Report for the year ended 30th June 2018. Prominently displayed on the cover page is a photograph of a beaming retiree, former Dean, and prolific publisher of the School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences (CHS), Prof. David Musoke Serwadda.
“I was completely stunned that I received my retirement benefits within two weeks of submitting my application. I immediately invested my money and I now earn a monthly income from it – EXCELLENT SERVICE!” reads a caption in the Annual Report attributed to Prof. Serwadda.
The Chairperson MURBS Board of Trustees, Mr. Wilber Grace Naigambi in his remarks shared that the scheme had paid out benefits amounting to UGX3.79billion to exiting members during the financial year ended 30th June 2018, compared to UGX3.22billion the previous year.
“Our target of paying out benefits to members under normal retirement is thirteen working days upon receipt of the application form and complete paperwork. I am glad to report that during the financial year 2017/2018, we paid out benefits on average within six days.
"I would also like to report that in the course of the last financial year, we paid out death benefits amounting to UGX132million in respect of ten members” said the Chairperson.
Mr. Naigambi also informed the AGM that MURBS had launched the Departmental Ambassadors Programme, which was another first of clear succession planning in Uganda’s Retirement Benefits sector. Officially launched on 27th February 2018, the Ambassadors Programme membership quickly grew to forty two as at 30th June 2018. Ambassadors have since appointment undergone training in the basics of managing retirement benefits schemes and been closely exposed to MURBS operations, through participation in Trustee meetings and Board activities.
“As part of strategies to secure the retirement of our members, MURBS has started awareness programmes to popularise the annuity payment option as a viable alternative to the current lump sum payment. We believe that the annuity option is a better way of ensuring that our members have a regular income after retiring from service, and our Departmental Ambassadors have been trained on the same” added the Chairperson.
In accordance with the Board Charter; the performance of the MURBS BoT was evaluated for the period 1st July 2017 to 30th June 2018 by an independent consultant; J. Samuel Richards and Associates Certified Public Accountants. Reading the results of the evaluation on behalf of the consultant, Mr. Robert Katuntu, CPA, reported that the BoT demonstrates a high degree of competence, due skill and care in managing MURBS.
“MURBS operations are to a great extent compliant with applicable laws and regulations, as well as the Scheme’s governance policies and procedures and, majority of the Scheme’s members are satisfied with the Board’s performance” read Mr. Katuntu from part of the evaluation.
The Scheme’s Independent Auditors; KPMG Certified Public Accountants, also gave MURBS a clean bill of health. “In our opinion, the financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial position of Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme as at 30th June 2018, and of its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standars, the financial provisions of the Scheme Trust Deed and Rules and Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Act, 2011” read Mr. Wilson Kayindi on behalf of KPMG.
Prior to discussion of the Scheme’s financial reports, the 8th AGM’s emcees; MURBS’ Principal Pension Officer-Ms. Susan Khaitsa and Mr. David Ddumba Walakira recognised the presence of the Director Internal Audit-Mr. Walter Yorac Nono, Deputy University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, Chairperson Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA)-Dr. Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi, Chairperson Makerere University Administrative Staff Association (MASA)-Mr. Vincent Abigaba and University Imaam- Hajji Sam Ahmad Ssentongo. Also recognised were URBRA Officials Mr. Davis Mbuga and Ms. Janet Iremera.
Dr. Kitayimbwa kicked off his moderation of the discussion by recognising the presence of the Bank of Uganda’s Mr. Allan Betabe, CFA, who guides the MURBS BoT on Investments. Responding to one of the questions from the audience on the fate of some members’ unremitted funds in terms of benefiting from the 17% record return, he explained that investments made by MURBS are only on the basis of funds received, as per URBRA regulations.
“As mentioned by the Chairperson in his remarks, Court awarded the Scheme UGX23billion as unremitted In-House funds from the University in October 2017, together with an interest of 7% per annum effective 1st April 2009. We are hopeful that we shall secure these monies on behalf of our affected members and proceed to invest them,” explained Dr. Kitayimbwa.
Still on investments, another member questioned why a big percentage of the Scheme’s investments at 65% and 7.1% are allocated to Treasury bonds and Treasury bills respectively, and yet there were other investment vehicles into which funds could be diversified so as to earn higher returns for members. In his response, the Secretary, BoT appreciated the suggestion but reiterated that the spirit of the URBRA Act is to ensure that all Schemes in the sector invest members’ benefits safely.
“The UBRA Act limits asset categories by which schemes can invest funds. Additionally, all fund managers have to be licensed by URBRA. So whereas there are so many riskier but higher returning investment vehicles, MURBS cannot employ their services unless they are recognised as fund managers by the sector regulator URBRA” added the Secretary BoT.
The biggest commendation of the day to MURBS came from the eighty two year old former Professor of Biochemistry at Makerere University, Prof. Edward Kakonge. Speaking softly but authoritatively, Prof. Kakonge sincerely thanked the Board of Trustees for all the great work done in profitably investing members’ benefits, as well as the plans to recover all unremitted funds.
“I was so happy to see my name in the New Vision (published 19th October 2018) among those whose benefits were ready for collection from MURBS,” added Prof. Kakonge.
The Chairperson MURBS BoT thanked all scheme members for the huge turn up at the 8th AGM, and prayed for an even bigger audience at the 9th AGM. He thanked the University Management, URBRA representatives and all service providers for attending the meeting and contributing to the record 17% return.
The total MURBS fund value grew by 36% (UGX37billion), climbing from UGX104.5billion as at 30th June 2017 to UGX142billion as at 30th June 2018, representing the biggest fund growth over the last five years. The growth was mainly driven by; recovery in performance of the equity market, and increase in members’ salaries which in turn increased contributions to the scheme. Payment by the University of UGX10billion owed to the scheme and the vigilance of trustees in pursing an aggressive investment strategy were additional contributors to the growth.
In his closing prayer, University Imam Hajji Ssentongo thanked the Almighty God for according us a bounty of peace and tranquillity during the course of the 8th AGM. He also prayed for divine enablement that the leaders and members of MURBS may be able to achieve the vision, mission and values of the Scheme.
Article by Public Relations Office
Related article
MURBS Declares 17% Return to Members Ahead of 8th AGM
By Moses Lutaaya
Makerere University has challenged newly admitted postgraduate diploma and master’s students to take ownership of their academic journey, produce knowledge that addresses Africa’s challenges and use their training to create opportunities for society.
The call was made on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during the orientation of postgraduate diploma and master’s students held at the Main Hall, Main Building, Makerere University. The orientation was conducted under the theme “Harnessing the Power of Graduate Training to Transform Africa’s Research Trajectory.”
Addressing the students, Prof. Sarah Ssali, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, said admission to postgraduate education marked an important transition from undergraduate study and should come with greater independence, critical thinking and responsibility.
“Postgraduate study is not just the accumulation of knowledge. You are now active researchers, critical thinkers and creators of your own knowledge,” Prof. Ssali said.
She said postgraduate training should enable students to deepen their expertise, strengthen their analytical abilities and develop solutions to real-world problems.
“Through your projects, dissertations, innovations and professional practice, you have the opportunity to contribute knowledge that can influence policies, improve services and transform lives. Your research matters, and your contribution matters,” she said.
Prof. Ssali urged students to see their studies beyond the pursuit of a degree, encouraging them to ask themselves why they had chosen postgraduate education and what contribution they intended to make to their communities and professions.
“See your coursework as an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills that will help you propose new solutions to real-world challenges,” she said.
She also encouraged students to embrace collaboration with communities and non-academic partners, saying many of them were already coming to the University with professional and community experiences that could enrich their research.
“Don’t think that your scholarship is only for those who look academic. Embrace community, embrace networks,” she said.
Prof. Ssali further cautioned the students against wasting time, noting that many postgraduate students have employment, family and other responsibilities alongside their studies.
“Make the most of your time and don’t waste it,” she said, urging students to use available study time productively even when there are changes in their lecture schedules.
She also emphasised the need for students to take responsibility for their progress instead of waiting for lecturers or supervisors to push them.
“Postgraduate education requires independence, independent inquiry, independent research, independent interrogation and also active participation,” Prof. Ssali said.
Prof. Julius Kikooma, Director of Graduate Training, told the students that their admission was a significant achievement given the large number of applicants seeking postgraduate opportunities at Makerere.
“We received over 12,000 applications to our postgraduate programmes, but we are only able to take just a small percentage of that. That means you are just the few people who are able to do this,” Prof. Kikooma said.
He urged the new students to appreciate the opportunity and understand that graduate education carries responsibilities beyond attending lectures and completing examinations.
According to Prof. Kikooma, Uganda and Africa require highly trained human capital capable of driving national and continental development priorities.
“The country needs more highly trained people if it is going to achieve its aspirations and priorities for national development,” he said.
He challenged the students to consider what Uganda and Africa would look like in the coming decades and to question whether the continent would continue relying on ideas, innovations and creations generated elsewhere.
“Will it still be a country that always depends on ideas, innovations and creations that come from outside?” he asked, before urging the students to become part of the generation that develops home-grown solutions.
Prof. Kikooma said much of what Uganda would need in the future would depend on what the country invests in today, particularly in human capital and research.
He also explained that the Directorate of Graduate Training works with colleges, schools, departments and central University units to strengthen the quality of graduate education.
“We want to make sure that what you are taking away from here is of a certain quality,” he said, adding that the University has established policies, standards and systems intended to create an environment in which postgraduate students can succeed.
However, Prof. Kikooma stressed that the University cannot take responsibility for the entire academic journey on behalf of students.
“We will not replace your programme. We will not replace your lecturers. We will not replace your supervisors. Each of those has a different role to play along your journey,” he said.
He encouraged students to be proactive by understanding their programmes, colleges and the various support services available to them.
“Successful graduates tend to be proactive rather than reactive. So don’t wait until you have a problem, then you start running from it,” Prof. Kikooma said.
He further urged the students to work within the stipulated programme period, noting that most master’s programmes take about two years while postgraduate diploma programmes generally take one year.
Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships, urged the newly admitted students to use their graduate training to produce knowledge capable of addressing challenges facing their communities, Uganda and Africa.
He challenged them to move beyond consuming knowledge generated elsewhere and instead become producers of knowledge and solutions.
Prof. Wamala emphasised the importance of connecting research to society, innovation and professional practice, encouraging students to identify problems within their workplaces and communities that could become areas for meaningful research.
He said Africa needed researchers capable of generating evidence, innovations and practical solutions to support development rather than simply importing solutions from other parts of the world.
The Director encouraged the students to build collaborative networks during their studies and to regard the University as an ecosystem in which researchers, professionals, communities and other partners can work together.
Dr. Kizito Ongaya, Deputy University Librarian, introduced the students to Makerere’s extensive library and information resources, urging them to make the library a central part of their postgraduate studies.
He said the University Library operates a hybrid system combining physical collections with electronic resources.
“We have over 200,000 types of books in our library, with 45 e-journal databases,” Dr. Ongaya said.
He encouraged students to make use of the University’s electronic databases, noting that substantial resources are invested in providing access to scholarly journals.
“If you don’t use e-journals, you are unacceptable,” he told the students, emphasising that postgraduate research requires extensive engagement with scholarly literature.
Dr. Ongaya also highlighted the University’s archival collections, specialised libraries and information centres located across its colleges.
He said students would be guided on how to access both physical and electronic resources and encouraged them to explore specialised collections that could support their individual research areas.
Dr. Mike Barongo, Team Leader ICT, Department of the Academic Registrar, told the new students that Makerere had increasingly digitised its academic and administrative processes and urged them to complete their online registration as an immediate priority.
He said students could access their provisional admission letters through the online application system and use the student number provided to activate their student portals.
“The student portal is very, very critical,” Dr. Barongo said.
He explained that students must enrol and register in order to access key University services, including institutional email and Wi-Fi.
“Once you enroll, you create an institutional email address. That institutional email address is the gateway for you to access so many things, like Wi-Fi,” he said.
Dr. Barongo also informed students that ICT support centres were available to assist those experiencing challenges with enrolment, registration or access to digital services.
He urged students to ensure they enrol and register every semester so that the University systems can accurately capture their academic and financial information.
Others senior members in attendance include the Deputy University Bursar Mr. George Mugabi Turyamureeba and Mr. Henry Nsubuga, the Manager Makerere University Counselling and Guidance Centre.
By Moses Lutaaya
Makerere University has challenged its newly admitted PhD students to go beyond pursuing academic qualifications and become independent scholars capable of generating knowledge, solving societal problems and contributing to Africa’s transformation.
The call was made by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, during the orientation of the 2026/2027 PhD cohort at Makerere University’s Main Hall in the Main Building on 10th August 2026.
Prof. Ssali told the new scholars that a PhD marks a fundamental shift from previous levels of education, requiring students to take greater responsibility for their academic progress rather than depending entirely on lecturers and supervisors.
“You will have to push yourself and also push your supervisor to move with you,” Prof. Ssali said, urging the students to take ownership of their doctoral journey.
She acknowledged that many PhD students have to balance their studies with employment, family responsibilities and community leadership, making doctoral training demanding. However, she urged them to remain focused on completing their programmes within the prescribed three, four or five years.
Prof. Ssali said Makerere expects its doctoral training to produce scholars who can create knowledge, challenge existing ideas and develop solutions to societal problems.
She encouraged the students to embrace ambiguity and become comfortable questioning what they already know, noting that doctoral education requires scholars to identify important questions, investigate them and generate answers that advance knowledge.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor also urged the students to develop interdisciplinary collaborations and scholarly networks rather than confining their research to their individual disciplines.
She said the success of doctoral education should not be measured merely by the number of dissertations completed or papers published, but by the extent to which research contributes to society.
With Africa facing complex challenges, including climate change, disease, population growth and development pressures, Prof. Ssali said PhD scholars have a responsibility to generate evidence that can influence policy, strengthen institutions and advance innovation.
She challenged each scholar to continually ask what problem their research addresses, what solution it advances and whether that solution can create sustainable value.
The Director of Graduate Training, Prof. Julius Kikooma, said the new cohort was joining Makerere at a time when the University is implementing reforms aimed at strengthening graduate education and improving completion rates.
Prof. Kikooma revealed that Makerere received close to 12,000 applications across its master’s, postgraduate and PhD programmes but admitted about 6,000 students.
He said graduate education has been placed at the centre of the University’s efforts to strengthen research capacity and prepare scholars to contribute to knowledge production and innovation.
Under the reforms, PhD students will undertake compulsory cross-cutting courses designed to provide foundational knowledge and skills for doctoral research. They will also be required to undertake teaching in either their second or third year under the guidance of their supervisors.
In addition to completing their theses, students will be required to produce at least two publications before graduation, a requirement intended to prepare them to become the next generation of researchers, innovators, inventors and creators.
Makerere has also introduced a digital system to monitor the progress of every PhD student each semester. The system is intended to enable students, supervisors and university officials to identify challenges early and intervene in real time.
Prof. Kikooma urged the scholars to write regularly, think critically, maintain open and constructive relationships with their supervisors and protect their academic integrity and professional reputation.
He also encouraged them to build scholarly networks and remain resilient, noting that rejected papers, disappointing data and unexpected challenges are normal aspects of doctoral training.
The Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships, Prof. Robert Wamala, challenged the scholars to ensure that the knowledge they produce is trustworthy, responsible and ethically sound.
Prof. Wamala emphasized the importance of respecting the dignity, rights, safety and autonomy of research participants, particularly where studies involve individuals, communities and personal information.
He highlighted informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, justice and accountability as critical principles of ethical research and urged students to maintain transparency throughout the research process, from developing research questions and collecting data to analyzing and reporting findings.
Prof. Wamala also cautioned the students on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in research.
He said although AI can assist researchers with activities such as language improvement, it does not remove the researcher’s responsibility for the final product.
Researchers, he said, must verify AI-generated information and remain accountable for inaccurate statements, misleading interpretations and incorrect references.
He further urged students involved in international and other research collaborations to establish clear agreements on roles, authorship, data ownership, access and intellectual property before commencing their research.
The Deputy University Librarian, Dr. Kizito Ongaya, meanwhile, urged the new scholars to make full use of Makerere’s library and information resources throughout their doctoral journey.
Dr. Ongaya said the University operates a hybrid library system combining physical and electronic resources, with more than 200,000 books, 45 e-journal databases and over 16,000 archival materials available to researchers.
He encouraged the students to participate in library training to learn how to access and effectively use electronic resources and to explore specialized libraries and information centers across the University’s colleges.
These include resources covering natural sciences, agriculture, veterinary medicine, health sciences, education and humanities, as well as museums, botanical gardens, specialized collections and other research facilities.
The newly admitted doctoral students were also addressed by Mr. Henry Nsubuga, the Manager Makerere University Counselling and Guidance Centre, Mr. George Mugabi Turyamureeba, the Deputy University Bursar and members of Makerere University Convocation.
-
General2 days agoUndergraduate Admission Lists 2026/2027
-
General1 week agoFreshers’ Joining Instructions 2026/2027
-
General1 week agoAdmission Lists for Postgraduate Programmes 2026/27
-
General1 week agoMakerere University Welcomes 2026/2027 Freshers
-
General1 week agoProf. Ssali makes strong case for Minutes Writing as MakWC Holds Staff Training