General
Chancellor Urges African Leaders to Solve Unemployment by Supporting Domestic Enterprises
The Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Ezra Suruma has challenged African Governments to evaluate the effect of entrusting their respective economies to foreigners as a way of solving unemployment among their populations. Speaking during the second session of the 69th Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday, 16th January 2019, Prof. Ezra Suruma said that African governments have withdrawn from investing and supporting domestic enterprises hence permitting foreigners to dominate the economy and operate on private basis.
“Selling government enterprises to foreign owners in the name of privatization cannot solve the problem of unemployment. The problem is now bigger than ever before partly of course because of high rates of population growth. I do not believe that there is any serious government in the world that expects foreigners to solve its employment problem. At best they can contribute but they cannot substitute for domestic investment and domestic enterprise,” he said.
According to Prof. Suruma, Africa in the past faced global ideological contradictions concerning the choice between liberal capitalism and a planned economy. He noted that the world has since the 1980s changed and the second and fastest growing economy in the world today is a planned economy. In his humble opinion, the idea that government withdrawal from investing in and supporting domestic enterprises solves the employment problem is a cruel joke.
“Even the capitalists themselves have abandoned this extremist ideology in favor of more complex activist government policies. In the circumstances in which we found ourselves in the 1980s and 1990s we opted to accept conditionality from global lenders that virtually required us to eliminate government enterprises in favor of foreign enterprise,” he explained.
The Chancellor added that the performance of the Chinese economy in the past three decades has demonstrated beyond doubt that private enterprise requires systematic and deliberate support from Government. Prof. Suruma, therefore said that it is the duty of government to ensure that domestic entrepreneurs have access to capital on terms that will enable domestic enterprises to compete with foreign enterprises in the sale of their goods at home as well as in regional and domestic markets.
“As we move to sell our oil resources in the near future, I hope that some of the oil revenues will be channeled into capital to finance domestic enterprises owned by Ugandans so that we are no longer dependent on foreign enterprises to create full employment. If you wish to find out more about these ideas please read my book, Advancing the Ugandan Economy: A Personal Account (published by Brookings Press, Washington DC, 2014),” he remarked.
During the second session of the 69th Graduation Ceremony, graduands from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-Security (CoVAB) and the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) were conferred upon degrees and awarded diplomas of Makerere University.
The Chancellor congratulated the overjoyed graduands upon their academic achievement. He extended sincere gratitude to the parents, guardians, teachers, mentors and peers for the help and counsel accorded the graduands over the years.
Speaking about ethical uprightness, Prof. Suruma said, “It is simply unacceptable to compromise on the moral integrity of the university. When that happens everyone suffers. We begin to doubt the value of every degree coming from Makerere University. Those who have worked hard to earn their marks become victims of those who have cheated. Anyone who participates in any way in casting a shadow over the academic records of the university is an enemy and must be treated as such.”
He therefore urged students, parents, faculty, alumni, government, the media and public at large to fight all forms of immorality and to say an irrevocable NO to all forms of corruption in the university.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe applauded members of staff that graduated in their respective academic disciplines. “Your dedication to improve yourselves academically as well as our students is commendable. I am certain this will boost the Makerere University academic profile,” he said.
He thanked the President of Uganda H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni for the unwavering support to Makerere University to consolidate her position as a modern 21st Century University. In the same spirit, the Vice Chancellor thanked the development partners for supporting Makerere University’s mutually beneficial development programmes.
“Our visibility as an institution continues to improve with your support, and we are constantly exploring ways to incorporate the sustainability component in all our activities. Makerere University has continued to rank among the top five universities in Africa and among the top 400 globally. Makerere is also considered the best black university on earth. We welcome more development partners to support us in further strengthening teaching and learning as well as research and innovation,” he said.
During the second session, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Uganda recognized the best performing student in Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Option) at Makerere University. The Chancellor together with the Association’s representative presented the ACCA Award to Ms. Tumukunde Elizabeth amidst thunderous applause from the congregation.
On the same day, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at Makerere University recognized its best student of the year 2019; Mr. Katuramu Charles who scored a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.58, earning himself a First Class Honours degree.
Article by Mak Public Relations Office
Hundreds of mourners gathered at St. Augustine Chapel, Makerere University on May 30, 2026 to pray for the soul of Mr. Sylas Ruhweza, the first President of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Community at Makerere University.
The requiem mass was filled with emotional tributes celebrating Ruhweza’s life of service, leadership and dedication to community causes. Ruhweza passed away on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Mildmay Uganda Hospital.
Speaker after speaker described him as a humble and visionary leader who was passionate about uplifting others and deeply committed to excellence.
“We thank God for the life of Sylas, for the years he granted him among us, and for the impact he made on countless lives. He carried himself with humility and grace, and wherever he went, he built friendships, inspired confidence, and left people better than he found them,” Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, said during the Mass.
Mr. Rwomiire urged mourners to honour Ruhweza’s legacy by embracing the values he stood for, including integrity, compassion, hard work, service to community, and his unwavering love for Tooro Kingdom.
The main celebrant, Rev. Fr. Charles Lwanga Makoboza, echoed the message in his homily, reminding Christians to remain rooted in Jesus Christ throughout their lives.
“Sylas has gone to be with God, in a place where there is no pain, missed calls, struggle, corruption, betrayal, jealousy and tears. He is in a place with absolute peace. So, in life, never be the cause of someone’s tears, and if you do, seek reconciliation,” Fr. Lwanga, said.
Fr. Lwanga also reminded mourners that what Ruhweza needs most are prayers, not wreaths.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Ms. Grace Kabasita, Ruhweza’s maternal aunt, described him as a loving and dedicated young man whose life touched many people.
“Sylas was a counsellor, teacher, and a brilliant, loveable young man who fitted into every society. His life was marked by service, friendship, dedication, and commitment to the wellbeing of others and his culture,” she said.
Addressing mourners, Prof Justine Namaalwa, the Coordinator of the Mastercard Foundation Initiatives at Makerere University, noted that though Sylas’s life was cut short, he leaves behind a lasting legacy of service, leadership and impact on the communities he served.
“Sylas, you have gone too soon. But it is well with our souls. May your legacy of Transformative Leadership live on,” Prof. Namaalwa, said.
She thanked the Mastercard Foundation for supporting his education through BRAC Uganda, supporting his university education through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, and nurturing his leadership journey through the Youth Advisory Board.
Ruhweeza at glance
Born on 19th July 1994 to the late Mr. Paul Tinkasimire Paul Adyeeri and Ms. Ategeka Margret Abwooli of Bunyangabu District.
The ninth born of eleven children attended Kaboyo Primary School for his Primary Education, and later joined Fort Portal Secondary School where he sat for his O-Level. He then proceeded to A-Level at Hannah International School.
He joined Makerere University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geoscience and Production in 2022, supported by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at Makerere University.
At the time of his passing, he was pursuing a Master’s degree at Victoria University.
Leadership, Service and Professional Contributions
Mr. Ruhweza served as Chairperson of the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network at BRAC from 2020 to 2022, demonstrating transformative leadership and commitment to social change.
He later became the President of the Makerere AlumNet Foundation, an umbrella organization that brings together the Scholars Makerere Alumni chapter.
He worked as an eLearning Support Officer at the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) under the e-learning initiative at Makerere University.
He was a member of the Steering Committee of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, representing the Scholars Makerere Alumni chapter.
At the time of his passing, he was serving as the Minister of Information in the Tooro Kingdom, Strategy and Engagement Lead for the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network-Uganda Chapter, and Programme Associate at the Africa Climate Collaborative, one of the Mastercard Foundation initiatives at Makerere University.
Legacy
Ruhweza is remembered for his dedication to education, leadership, mentorship, and community service. He passionately championed youth empowerment, collaboration, and social responsibility.
His life reflected the transformative power of education, servant leadership, and a commitment to uplifting others.
May Sylas’s soul rest in eternal peace.
General
Makerere University Pushes for Stronger Support for Research Ethics Committees amid Growing Research Demands
By Moses Lutaaya
Makerere University has intensified efforts to strengthen research governance and ethical oversight, with university leaders calling for greater institutional support for Research Ethics Committees (RECs), whose role has become increasingly central to the institution’s research-led agenda.
The call was made during a high-level meeting between University Management and Chairpersons of Research Ethics Committees held at the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom at the Makerere University Main Building on May 25, 2026.
Opening the meeting, the Director of Research Innovations and Partnerships (DRIP), Prof. Robert Wamala, highlighted a number of operational and administrative challenges affecting the effectiveness of RECs at Makerere University.
Prof. Wamala observed that RECs continue to operate with gaps in institutional framework outlining their position within the university governance structure, a gap he said has affected institutional support and long-term sustainability.
According to Prof. Wamala, inadequate facilitation continues to affect the operations of several committees, especially in areas of staffing, administrative coordination, and remuneration for REC administrators.
He also pointed to challenges arising from new regulatory requirements governing the appointment of REC members, particularly the need for appointment letters to be authorized or signed by the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Wamala further raised concern over the high cost of mandatory accreditation and training processes required by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), especially the Good Research Regulatory Practice (GRRP) training undertaken every three years. “Payment for training is too high for individual RECs to cover,” he noted, adding that many committees are struggling to independently raise the money to undertake the training for all their members.
He also emphasized the need for stronger institutional monitoring systems to support timely submission of accreditation renewal applications, oversight of approved research activities, and coordination of REC operations across the university.
In her remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, commended the growing contribution of RECs in advancing Makerere University’s research agenda and acknowledged the concerns raised by Prof. Wamala and committee members.
“There were not very many RECs,” Prof. Ssali said. “So now that we are 10, it is really impressive because it speaks to our cause for a research-led university.” She admitted that despite their importance, many RECs still operate outside the formal university establishment, making staffing and operational support difficult.
“The only challenge that I see is that they are not fully institutionalized. So it is upon units to start them or not to start them,” she explained. Prof. Ssali added that because RECs are not fully integrated into the public service structure of the university, recruiting and remunerating staff through conventional university systems remains complicated. “Hiring for them staff will be a little bit cumbersome because the university will say they are not part of our structure,” she said.
She nevertheless emphasized that university management recognizes the strategic importance of RECs in strengthening ethical research oversight and supporting Makerere’s position as a research-led institution. “RECs are doing a great job of furthering our strategic agenda of being a research-led university,” she noted.
Prof. Ssali explained that the growing reliance on institutional RECs by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology demonstrates the trust placed in Makerere University’s ethical review systems.
Addressing concerns about the cost and frequency of mandatory training, Prof. Ssali acknowledged the financial burden on RECs but explained that many of the requirements are set by national regulators. “Many of the things you have raised are with National Council, they are not with us,” she said. “We can only pledge to lobby.”
To address logistical challenges associated with training senior academics, she proposed more flexible scheduling arrangements. “For a professor to give you a whole day is going to be a challenge,” she said. “Maybe you can do half days throughout the week.”
Prof. Ssali also encouraged colleges and schools to allocate part of their enhanced research budgets toward supporting REC activities, including staffing, training, and operational facilitation.
She suggested that colleges and schools hosting RECs should directly take responsibility for sustaining them. “For me, that’s the way out — to ensure that the colleges and schools that have RECs take them as their responsibility,” she noted.
The DVC-AA also addressed concerns related to intellectual property rights, Material Transfer Agreements (MTA), and the need for researchers to formally communicate scientific discoveries and innovations to the university to ensure institutional protection and benefit-sharing. “All you are saying is true, but it depends on you as researchers informing the institution that we have made this discovery,” she said.
Prof. Ssali reiterated Makerere University’s commitment to strengthening research governance systems and pledged continued engagement with both university management and national regulatory bodies to address the concerns raised by REC members. “Where they are, they enable research, publication and growth,” she said of the RECs. “Most importantly, they enable us to be ethical with the way we do our things.”
The meeting was attended by chairpersons of the various Research Ethics Committees across Makerere University and affiliated institutions. These included Dr. Ponsiano Ochama from the School of Medicine Research Ethics Committee (SOM-REC), Dr. Moses Ocan from the School of Biomedical Sciences Research Ethics Committee (SBS-REC), Dr. Paul Kutyabami from the School of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee, Dr. David Kyaddondo from the Uganda Cancer Institute Research Ethics Committee, Dr. Stella Neema from the School of Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee (MAKSS-REC), Dr. Joseph Kagayi from the School of Public Health Research Ethics Committee, Dr. Joseph Kateete from the Infectious Diseases Institute Research Ethics Committee, Dr. Fred Okuku from the Uganda Heart Institute Research Ethics Committee, Dr. Kassim Sadik from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Research Ethics Committee, and Dr. Eddy Walakira from the College of Business and Management Sciences Research Ethics Committee.
The discussions reflected Makerere University’s broader ambition to consolidate its position as a leading research-intensive institution while ensuring that ethical standards, accountability, and innovation protection remain central to its academic mission.
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