General
MUASA Awards Outstanding Members
The Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) has awarded outstanding members and key stakeholders for supporting its agenda, activities/programmes and vibrancy.
This was during the MUASA end of year party held on Friday, 14th December 2018 at the Senior Staff Canteen, Makerere University.
MUASA recognised the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe as the outstanding personality towards supporting MUASA activities.
Prof. William Bazeyo, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) was recognised for the excellent service as the most globally decorated member for the Year 2018.
Dr. Sarah Ssali was awarded as the most active senior female MUASA member. Dr. Ssali is the Dean of the School of Women and Gender Studies at Makerere University. She has served as the MUASA representative to the University Council for 8 years.
Dr. Paddy Musana received an award in appreciation of his efforts as the male long serving MUASA member. Dr. Alice Merab Kagoda received the award in recognition of her efforts as the female long serving member.
Receiving the award, Dr. Kagoda said: “I urge all of you to emulate me and work hard for the betterment of both MUASA and Makerere University.”
Mr. Keith Muhakanizi was awarded for supporting higher education in Uganda. The award in recognition of the young star that is supportive of MUASA activities was given to Ms. Lilian Mbabazi.
Speaking at the party, the Chairperson MUASA, Dr. Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi appreciated MUASA members for their cooperation and called upon them to continue with the hard work to ensure that students at Makerere University get high quality education.
“Our children must have the best education that is why we must work hand in hand with the Vice Chancellor, Principals, Deans and Heads of Department to produce the best graduates worldwide,” said Dr. Kamunyu Muhwezi.
He highlighted some of the MUASA achievements for the year 2018 as follows: The Vice Chancellor setting up a Common Good Committee to discuss the Common Good Allowances, setting up of the MUASA book bank, as well as an operational MUASA SACCO.
Dr. Kamunyu Muhwezi called upon the academic staff to bring their books to the MUASA book bank for sale and wished them a merry Christmas and a happy new year 2019.
Dr. Paul Muyinda, the Deputy Principal College of Education and External Studies (CEES) who was also the Master of Ceremony expressed gratitude to the MUASA committee for organising the end of year party which created an opportunity for them to meet as a family.
Article by: Mak Public Relations Office
Makerere University staff have been urged to embrace servant leadership, integrity and compassion as they prepare to welcome students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The call was made during the Makerere University Staff Prayer Breakfast held on 31st July 2026 at St. Francis Students Centre Upper Hall under the theme “Faithful Stewards: A Servant Heart with Integrity and Wisdom,” drawn from Colossians 3:23–24 and Mark 10:35–45.
The prayer breakfast brought together members of Council, University Management, academic and administrative staff to dedicate the new academic year to God while reflecting on their responsibility of serving students with excellence, humility and integrity.
A Call to Seek God’s Wisdom
Host Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa reminded staff that no amount of professional experience or academic expertise can replace God’s guidance.
She noted that the University’s mission can only be fulfilled when staff continually seek God’s wisdom in serving students and one another.
“There is no amount of experience or expertise that can replace God’s wisdom.”
Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed that students remain the reason universities exist and challenged staff to approach their work as a calling rather than merely employment.
“Without students, there is no university,” she said, encouraging members of staff to remain united, avoid unhealthy competition and trust God as they begin another academic year.
She further urged staff to become faithful stewards who work together in harmony which she started as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research.
Speaking on behalf of students, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson and the Deputy Vice Chancellor to the breakfast, and reminded staff that a university’s value cannot be measured by research and innovation alone.
She described Makerere as a community held together by the wellbeing of its people, spiritual as much as academic, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
A Season to Draw Inspiration From.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who sent his greetings but could not attend in person, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Sarah Ssali told staff that this year’s breakfast carried special significance.
“This is the first prayer breakfast we are having ever since we launched our strategic plan,” she said, referring to the University’s new Strategic Plan, launched on 2nd July 2026.
She encouraged staff to hold on to the morning’s reflections as a guide for implementing the plan over the next five years, describing Makerere as an institution many families choose above all others for the vision and training it offers their children. She urged staff to see themselves as stewards of that trust rather than simply employees carrying out a job.
Compassion and Discipline Must Go Together.
Delivering her remarks, Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara challenged staff to strike a balance between compassion and discipline when dealing with students.
She observed that many students face different personal and academic challenges, making encouragement and timely support essential throughout their university journey.
“A word of encouragement can restore hope and prevent costly mistakes,” she noted.
Dr. Lorna encouraged lecturers and administrators to respond promptly to students’ concerns, explaining that delays, insensitive decisions and abuse of authority can discourage students and negatively affect their academic experience.
She reminded staff that students often remember how they were treated long after they have forgotten what was taught in class.
“Students may eventually forget what we teach them, but they will always remember how we treated them.”
She added that education goes beyond transferring knowledge.
“Education is more than knowledge. We communicate life, character and values.”
Quoting Mark 10, Dr. Lorna called upon staff to embrace servant leadership by exercising authority with humility, integrity and accountability.
She encouraged members of staff to ask themselves whether they would treat every student the same way they would treat their own child.
“We may not always have all the answers,” she said, “but we can communicate honestly, take responsibility and treat every student with dignity.”
She concluded by urging different colleges and administrative units to work together instead of operating in isolation, noting that unity strengthens the University community.
Referring to Galatians 6:2, she reminded staff to carry one another’s burdens and remain faithful stewards of the responsibility entrusted to them.
Servant Leadership Begins with Faithfulness.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. James Magara, husband to the Chairperson of the University Council, Dr. Lorna Magara, called on members of staff to embrace servant leadership grounded in humility, faithfulness and service to others.
Drawing from Mark 10:35–45, Dr. Magara reflected on the account in which James and John asked Jesus for positions of honour in His kingdom, prompting discontent among the other disciples. He observed that despite walking closely with Christ, the disciples continued to struggle with the desire for status and recognition. He noted that such competition remained evident even during the Last Supper, where concerns over positions and prominence persisted.
Dr. Magara said that Jesus responded to these human tendencies by redefining leadership through service rather than authority. He described Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet as the ultimate demonstration of servant leadership, explaining that genuine leaders are willing to undertake even the humblest responsibilities in service of others.
Referencing Philippians 2, he urged staff to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness, contrasting it with the pride and self-exaltation illustrated in Isaiah 14. He emphasised that lasting influence and greatness are not measured by titles, positions or recognition, but by one’s willingness to serve faithfully and put the needs of others before personal ambition.
Drawing on his own leadership journey spanning several decades, Dr. Magara challenged leaders across the University to cultivate humility, integrity and a servant heart in the execution of their responsibilities. He cautioned that leadership driven by pride and personal ambition undermines both individual effectiveness and institutional progress, whereas servant leadership strengthens organisations and fosters lasting impact.
The prayer breakfast concluded with a call for unity and collective commitment as Makerere University prepares to begin a new academic year. Organisers noted that the reflections on stewardship, integrity and servant leadership would provide a strong foundation for the University community as it advances the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
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