General
Graduates Advised to Adopt Soft Skills to Supplement their Professions
The Executive Secretary of Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB), Mr. Oyesigye Onesmus (CPA), has advised graduates to adopt soft skills to supplement their professional experience. According to Mr. Oyesigye skills such as truthfulness, patience, time management, trustworthiness and honesty are some of the traits a person who would like to get a job and sustain it should exhibit.
“Employers find it difficult to let go of the few trustworthy workers. They also fear to employ unmanageable workers who are liars, impatient and dishonest,” he said.
Presiding over the Award Ceremony for Diploma and Certificate Students of the Centre for Lifelong Learning, College of Education and External Studies (CEES), Makerere University on Saturday, 19th January 2019, Mr. Oyesigye advised parents to always guide and support the interests of their children when it comes to academic journeys.
“On so many occasions, parents have forced their children to undertake certain courses and the results have not been good. You want your children to fulfil your dreams. Let the children determine their academic journeys and professional paths. You duty is to guide not to make for them decisions. Let them create their own career paths” he said.
He encouraged students to make use of the Government loan scheme to advance their level of education.
The National Coordinator of the Centre for Life Long Learning Mrs. Rose Atugonza, emphasized discipline and hard work among students when she said, “Discipline is the key to success in one’s life. With discipline and hard work you are ready to succeed in this competitive world,” she advised.
The Centre for Life Long Learning was the first Centre at Makerere University in 1922; under the Centre for Continuing Education. The Centre focuses on bridging the gap between individuals who are unable to come to the University through the intra-mural programmes with the University community. It helps in making University learning relevant to the community through identifying their learning needs and designing as well as offering problem-solving programmes in a flexible and non-formal manner; and promoting partnerships and collaborations with development agencies for technology/knowledge transfer.
Addressing the graduands, the Deputy Principal CEES, Assoc. Prof. Paul Birevu Muyinda tipped the new Diploma and Certificate holders on how to prepare for the job market in the competitive world.
“Be flexible in life and to always adjust when the need arises. Be productive and accountable. And if you remember to observe the traits of a good leader, the world will be an easy place for you to enjoy,” he counseled.
Representing the Dean, School of Distance and Life Long Learning-Dr. Alex Okot, Dr. Ronald Mukuye congratulated the graduands upon the great achievement in their lives. He advised them to enrol for further studies and to widen their networks.
Article by Rachael Kanyi, Volunteer, Mak Public Relations Office
The Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has today, Friday, 26th June 2026 handed over the CCE (Complex) Hall of Residence Site to National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) Managing Director and CEO, Lieutenant General James Mugira for renovation and overhaul works. The UGX 12billion Government of Uganda-funded works, expected to be completed within a year, are the fourth project to be undertaken by NEC. They were preceded by; construction of the University Perimeter Wall, Renovation of Lumumba Hall, and Renovation of Mary Stuart Hall.
NEC’s Record Lauded
Prof. Nawangwe in his remarks at the handover ceremony lauded these projects. “The quality of work done by NEC makes us proud because we can finally say that we have Ugandans who can do the things, which we previously depended on foreigners to do.” He therefore thanked the Government of Uganda for fully funding the projects and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Museveni, whose visit set the renovation projects in motion.
The Vice Chancellor added that as the Alma mater for most members of both the Contractor and Project Management Teams, this was a moment of great pride as their expertise and skills have saved the country billions of taxpayers’ money. “Thank you for being patriotic”, he commended.
Prof. Nawangwe concluded by noting that CCE Hall, by virtue of its location, provides a first impression of Makerere University as a whole. He therefore urged the contractor to ensure that upon renovation, CCE Hall would create a memorable and lasting first impression, exceeding even that of the renovated Mary Stuart Hall.
A Project Fueled by Nostalgia
Speaking of impressions, Lt. Gen. Mugira, with nostalgia recalled that close to 42 years ago, he not only attended his first lectures in Hall 1 of the CCE Complex but also, on a more personal note added, “my wife was a resident, and so I have every motivation to put in a lot of effort and make sure that I deliver more than was done with Mary Stuart and Lumumba.”
He therefore extended heartfelt appreciation to his Alma mater Makerere University for the trust and confidence bestowed in NEC, which underscored their ability to deliver. “Trust is earned through performance, through integrity and consistency, and your decision to engage us motivates us to work even harder to exceed your expectations.”
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) Prof. Henry Alinaitwe reechoed the need to ensure that the project is executed with adherence to the cost, quality, specifications and safety related issues as earlier shared by the Acting (Ag.) Chief Engineer of Estates and Works, Eng. Ezra Sekadde.
“NEC has already demonstrated this (with previous projects), and that is why we have all the confidence that you can deliver this project within 12 months” remarked Prof. Alinaitwe. He equally lauded the Project Management Team (PMT) led by Arch. Dr. Kenneth Ssemwogerere whose supervision ensures timely project completion.
Relatedly, Arch. Dr. Semwogerere was on 25th June 2026, the eve of the handover, promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, a milestone Prof. Alinaitwe attributed to his track record as Head of PMT. He therefore, on a light note, urged him to keep up the good work as this could equally contribute to his promotion to the rank of full Professor.
Also present at the handover ceremony was the Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES) Prof. Anthony Mugagga, whose unit will be greatly affected by the renovations. He nevertheless welcomed and reiterated his full support for the project, noting that just as renovation of Lumumba and Mary Stuart Halls had resulted in many alumni revisiting, the CCE Complex would upon renovation attract former residents and teaching professionals to give back or forge new partnerships.
Student Welfare at the Forefront
On her part, the Dean of Students Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli lauded the renovations of Halls of Residence as a clear demonstration of Government’s dedication to the improvement of student welfare, and creating an environment conducive for nurturing responsible citizens who can contribute to national development. She pledged her Office’s and the Student Leadership’s readiness to ensure that the renovated facilities used responsibly for the benefit of future generations.
As a resident of the recently renovated Mary Stuart Hall, 92nd Guild President H.E. Kadondi Gracious could not help but appreciate how impactful the renovation of CCE Hall would be to student welfare. “The female students will be very excited (to occupy CCE Hall) but the male students will be left complaining – so we shall be expecting more renovations, not just for the female but also the male students,” she amiably concluded.
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