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Prof. Mnason Tweheyo Hands Over Office to New Dean, School of Forestry
• Don’s biggest success in two 4-year terms was improving students’ morals and curbing strikes
• Tweheyo pledges to uphold good stewardship of students and university property and to oppose anyone who puts personal interests before the university’s
• Staff hail Prof. Tweheyo for integrity, generosity and sacrificial service to the university
Prof. Mnason Tweheyo has officially handed over duties of the Deanship, School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences (SFEGS) to Assoc. Prof. Fred Babweteera after serving for two terms (2011 -2018). Babweteera was appointed un-opposed.
The handover ceremony was presided over by the Principal College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) Prof. Bernard Bashaasha who declared the end of term and appointment of the new Dean on 11th January 2019 at the School’s Conference hall.
The ceremony was witnessed by the College Auditor on behalf of the university, and staff from the school and the college.
Citing the Bible in Ecclesiastes 3:1, the outgoing Dean said, there is time for everything, and a season for every activity under heavens, and thus, this was the time to hand over the Dean’s office after eight years of service.
“To me, it is a day of joy and to some extent a new beginning and I greatly welcome it. There is no doubt that the last eight years as Dean have had their highs and lows ranging from hard labour to times of joy.
“To the new Dean, Assoc. Prof. Fred Babweteera, I wholeheartedly congratulate you and wish you the best in office. May the Lord give you wisdom and that you also yield to His wisdom as you manage the office of Dean,” Prof. Tweheyo stated.
Prof. Tweheyo appreciated the three Heads of Department and the entire School staff for their support and for giving him an opportunity to serve as Dean. Tweheyo also thanked the CAES Principal and management for the support and cooperation and the Makerere University leadership for employing and nurturing him into all that he is today, in terms career and administrative growth.
The outgoing Dean pledged his allegiance to the university saying, he will always be on the side of everyone who wants Makerere to grow even as an ordinary classroom Professor.
“I will continue to do what is in my means to ensure that Makerere University produces quality graduates. Further still, I will oppose anyone who puts self-interest over this university. Handing over Deanship does not mean losing interest in this university.
Therefore, I will uphold good stewardship of students and university property and whatever will be in my care. For this noble cause, I call upon all like-minded staff to do likewise”, Tweheyo said.
Prof. Tweheyo described his tenure as successful. Notably, he did not lose any staff due to conflict and the School experienced increased harmony and unification despite the mergers during the formation of colleges. Other achievements include successful review of the curriculum, improvement in the school structures and successes in sharing the little financial resources allocated to the School’s operations.
“To me the greatest success of all is improvement in student’s morals. We did all we could to put students in right order. In 2011 we inherited a literary wild student community especially. We used to experience three to four strikes including breaking windows and doors every semester from 2011-2015 but from 2016 the school has not experienced any loss of property due to strikes”, Prof. Tweheyo said.
The outgoing Dean however reported that the school has not registered full progress in getting senior staff to be active in school activities.
“The current administration should work hard to make sure that senior staff become good examples to junior ones. By senior staff, I mean, Senior lecturers, Associate Professors and Professors. It is my opinion that this category needs to sacrifice more of their time to the university. The university needs them.” Tweheyo advised.
Prof. Tweheyo urged the new administration to continue with the good achieved and even do better to leave good memories. He assured staff that whatever success registered during his tenure was not his own but for all.
“Whatever failure, I take responsibility and ask for forgiveness. Overall I am really very grateful to have served you as a school Dean for the last eight years. I am deeply grateful to Makerere University and I pray to my Lord that this institution will grow to greater heights and progress in every aspect to support the nation, region and that its fruits will have greater global impact”. The professor prayed.
Prof. Tweheyo handed over the instruments of authority and briefed the incoming dean on the duties of the dean, the school property, financial status, and the upcoming/pending tasks and responsibilities, work for urgent attention and summary of the proposed budget.
Incoming Dean Assoc. Prof. Fred Babweteera thanked staff for entrusting him with the responsibility and pledged to work to the best of his ability to honor the responsibility given.
Dr. Babweteera thanked the outgoing dean for demonstrating selflessness and exemplary leadership while executing his duties adding that, he is leaving a challenge to emulate what he has done.
Babweteera thanked the Principal and management of CAES for the support accorded to the school during the tenure of Prof. Tweheyo and urged them to step up the support.
“I am proud to be part of the SFEGS because the school stands for integrity. I thank the outgoing Dean for his character in terms of integrity and saying no to wrong practice. I hope together we can achieve greater heights”. Assoc. Prof. Babweteera noted.
Babweteera enumerated some of the key priority areas for the school including rallying behind the University Chancellor’s call for making Makerere a research-led university through utilization of the diversity and professionalism, creating research teams, mentoring junior staff to improve the quality of research and supporting graduate students.
He also proposed sharing of groundbreaking research and innovations through monthly seminars, full participation of senior staff in school activities and meetings to improve teaching, build confidence and love in the school programs among the students.
Prof. Babweteera commended the outgoing Dean for improving the students’ morals, something he was personally proud of. He expressed the need to build strong alumni association, update the websites and have a section to link up and track the alumni so as to engage them in fundraising for school activities.
The other, he said, was the need to strengthen the staff-student relationship noting there was a big gap to bridge and more need to mentor students. The other key area the incoming dean noted was the need to improve School infrastructure.
He reasoned that the school has excellent faculty with diverse opportunities to tap into like offering consultancy, engaging and guiding the tourism and hotel sectors to be more relevant to the nation and region.
The professor also noted the school had good quality and outstanding staff and expressed the need for simple recognition ceremonies to award outstanding performers as a means of motivation.
Babweteera also tabled the need to develop partnerships in terms research and internship placements, adding that some institutions were willing to take up students for six months after graduation.
He called on staff to uphold integrity, saying he was looking forward to working with them.
“As I conclude, in the bible verse Joshua 1:5, while leading Israelites to the promised land, God promised Joshua that as I was with Moses, I will be with you’, that is what I believe that the same God who was with Prof. Tweheyo will be with me. Joshua 7; followed the law and my law is the core values of the university –integrity, professionalism and commitment.”
Speaker after speaker hailed the outgoing dean for his generosity and exemplary service characterized by humility, selflessness, finance and image sacrifice, parental love and guidance.
“Thank you for serving us and treating us well. I remember when you picked UGX600,000 from your pocket for internship when I was stuck with limited funds. Thank you for supporting the office and thanks for being generous” Prof. Agea Jacob said.
“A new broom sweeps well but an old broom knows all the corners. To the old dean, thank you for the good service and still you are going to be the old broom. You Fred, you are going to sweep cleaner but both of you are all parts of the broom, Prof. Obua said.
Obua advised staff to think of improving publicity of the programs, invite visiting professors and explore the possibility of having refresher courses for staff as well as strengthen partnerships in the forestry sector.
“The school is stable and there is no worry. We have done our things openly and that has happened because Prof. Tweheyo has brought us together. I have been recognized as a former head because here, we nurture smooth transition and others should learn”, Prof. Fredrick Tumwine said.
Console Nakiyemba an Administrative Secretary had this to say;
“I am grateful to the outgoing Dean. I have worked in many units of this university but I only got rest when I came here. You have been a very good person, thank you for the moral, spiritual and financial support. The support staff are very grateful.”
“You have been a parent, a mentor with an open door policy. Personally, we have talked as colleagues and as friends. I welcome the new dean. Apart from research, we need to mentor others and encourage them to take up our areas of specialty because we will have to leave these offices at one point” Dr. Susan Balaba spoke on behalf of the lady lecturers.
“I want you know that we extremely appreciate your contribution to the school. I emphasize the issue of sacrifice. If you are dean and head, you can’t run a unit without sacrificing. He has gone, but he has been sacrificing resources, time, money and his image. The office has privileges but success comes with how you sacrifice your image for the good of the school” Assoc. Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze commended.
Prof. Philip Nyeko said, “You have been a good dancer but time is powerful. Even a good dancer has to leave the stage. As you leave as a good dancer, you should continue to dance in the school, university but also outside the university community.
To Fred, your predecessor emerged from my department; FBT (Forestry, Biodiversity and Tourism) and the department seems to have consolidated some human beings to be heads. This statement can only be validated by your performance. You are starting on a very good note but that is very dangerous. Prof. Tweheyo started on a rough one but now everything is calm. Staff should ensure there is no any turbulence. Thank you for accepting to work we shall support you.”
“Mentorship sometimes comes through observation. As an individual there are things I learnt that have changed me. I got my PhD during Prof. Tweheyo’s term, I learnt to plant trees from the eucalyptus he planted around campus and this motivated me and I now have 25 acres of trees.
You gave me a word in your office that sometimes it is better to keep silent when there is turbulence and one time you spoke in church and something happened to me on 15th September 2018”, remarked a male junior staff.
Prof. James Okot –Okumu described the outgoing dean as having been accessible to all staff anytime, be it at short notice.
“The atmosphere Prof. Tweheyo created for staff within the school made everyone feel as a member of the family and this is one thing a leader can achieve. When I was seconded to be Head, I did not know him, but we worked together. You also gave me an opportunity to act as Dean and this has built my CV. I am also handing over in March 2019 and this experience is an example for all to hand over”.
In his concluding remarks, the Principal CAES Prof. Bernard Bashaasha commended the school for a well-organized, rich and elaborate hand over saying, it has set a pace with lessons to take.
He described the staff congratulatory messages as humbling, noting that it is unusual for leaders to touch people’s hearts. He told staff that Prof. Tweheyo was just out of office but not out of the system and will continue providing his support.
The Principal congratulated Assoc. Prof. Fred Babweteera upon his new position, noting that the college was looking forward to learning from him.
“I found your vision well aligned to the core mandate of the university. We shall support you in areas of teaching, research and outreach and making Makerere a research-led university. You are inheriting a politically calm unit and therefore, you will not spend energy on uniting people”, said Prof. Bashaasha
Report compiled by;
Jane Anyango;
Principal Communication Officer CAES
A significant development unfolded at Makerere University during a strategic, hour-long meeting in the vice chancellor’s boardroom on 7th October 2025, marking a deepening bond with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The primary goal was to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program. Prof. Sarah Saali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, set the tone by emphasizing that institutional partnerships are crucial to Makerere University, which she proudly called the leading research and most collaborative university in the world.
The discussion promptly formed the core structure of the program: a four-year PhD (or three if the master’s was research-based), with supervision duties split 50-50% between the two institutions. A key feature is the mobility requirement, stipulating that PhD candidates would spend a total of six months in the Netherlands, potentially divided into two three-month periods. Crucially, the University of Groningen confirmed there would be no teaching requirement during this stay, allowing students full access to focus on their research. A major financial hurdle was overcome with the adoption of a fee-waiver policy; Makerere would waive tuition for incoming Groningen candidates, and Groningen would reciprocate for Makerere‘s students, significantly boosting the program’s financial viability.
However, the critical issue of the stipend remained. Dr. Anita Veltmaat explained that to meet the required living standard of approximately €1,875 per month in Groningen, the incoming candidate must secure a partial external scholarship of around €250 per month. The positive news is that if the candidate secures this minimum scholarship, the University of Groningen is prepared to top up the amount to the full living standard for the six months the student spends in the Netherlands. It was noted that this initial financial hurdle might be simplified for Makerere students, as many are already staff members receiving a salary, which could help cover the required €250.
The path forward was clear: it was to complete the agreement template guided by the setup committee from both institutions. The plan culminated in scheduling an online follow-up meeting for Tuesday, November 11th, to review the first revision of the agreement, capping a highly constructive discussion that solidified the two universities’ shared future in graduate education.
Makerere University was represented by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics Affairs; Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Head of the Department of Gender Studies; Dr. Patricia Ndugga, School of Statistics; Dr. Stella Achen and Dr. Joseph Watuleke, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning; Agatha Ainemukama, School of Engineering; Racheal Nuwagaba, School of Psychology; Awel Uwihanganye, Martine Rugamba, and Hawa Ndagire from the Advancement Office; and Muhammad Kiggundu from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.
The University of Groningen was represented by Dr. Dinie Bouwman, Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalization and Quality Assurance; Dr. Anita Veltmaat, Faculty of Social Behavior and Social Sciences, Department of International Studies, involved in mentorship programs for women; and Dr. Alette Arendshorst, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, working on graduation/collaboration for students/staff.
Makerere University on Tuesday, 7th October 2025 hosted a delegation from Nelson Mandela University (NMU), South Africa in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom in a bid to strengthen academic partnerships and operationalize their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The delegation, led by Prof. Azwinndini Muronga, Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, NMU, aimed to turn earlier agreements into actionable collaborations and build sustainable partnerships with various colleges.
The Acting (Ag.) Deputy Vice Chancellor; Finance and Administration, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, provided an overview of the institution’s structure—nine colleges, two schools, and two institutes—while acknowledging the challenges of maintaining excellence amid resource limitations and post-pandemic recovery. He emphasized that collaboration must serve the broader goal of research-driven development, calling for teamwork and resilience among African universities. “We have to work together to sustain high academic standards and contribute to the continent’s progress,” he noted.
Prof. Muronga spoke passionately about the NMU’s “African footprint agenda.” He urged both institutions to start with small, practical projects that can build confidence and momentum for larger initiatives. “We must grow partnerships within Africa first,” he stated, “before we expand globally. True collaboration begins when both sides contribute equally, share capacity, and build self-reliance.”
Prof. Muronga also expressed interest in joint research projects, doctoral supervision, and shared grant applications, noting that NMU and Makerere are strategically positioned to lead regional academic innovation.
In her remarks, Prof. Judy Peter, Senior Director in the International Office at NMU emphasized the University’s commitment to African-centered collaboration and the importance of internationalizing the curriculum and expanding research capacity.
Prof. Peter underscored the importance of student mobility, joint supervision of postgraduate students, and the recruitment of talented African scholars, noting that such exchanges enrich both institutions’ academic communities. She also emphasized the need to internationalize the curriculum, particularly through virtual learning platforms and co-teaching models, to ensure broader accessibility and shared expertise.
Contributions also came from Prof. James Wokadala, Deputy Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), further amplified the need to “start small and build on existing collaborations.” He proposed developing a clear roadmap that defines short-term goals and identifies areas for mutual growth.
From the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Richard Idro, the Deputy Principal highlighted opportunities for fellowship, training and collaboration in clinical subjects, emphasizing the need for practical exchanges that benefit students and staff alike. He also addressed logistical challenges such as transportation and coordination, urging for targeted partnerships that can yield tangible results.
The meeting reaffirmed the universities’ commitment to collaboration in areas including faculty exchange for guest lectures, seminars, and sabbaticals; joint research and grant applications for regional and international funding; co-supervision of postgraduate students; virtual classroom exchanges; curriculum internationalization and exchange of academic materials; and capacity development for academic and administrative staff.
The teams also identified “quick-win” projects that could be implemented in the short term and agreed to establish a joint implementation team to monitor progress. Further discussions will explore funding mechanisms, including the possibility of leveraging programs like Erasmus+, to support student exchange and joint research initiatives.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Muronga reaffirmed Nelson Mandela University’s commitment to ensuring that the partnership yields visible outcomes. Both universities agreed that future engagements will be structured around mutual respect, accountability, and measurable results.
The meeting concluded on a note of optimism, with both institutions expressing confidence that their partnership will not only advance academic excellence but also contribute to Africa’s broader vision of educational and research self-reliance.
The meeting was attended by several officials from Makerere including; Prof. Eric Awich Ochen-Deputy Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze-Deputy Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Prof. Godfrey Akileng-Dean School of Business, Dr. Geoffrey Nuwagaba-CoBAMS, Mr. Martine Rugamba-Ag. Chief Advancement Office, and Ms. Hawa Kajumba-Advancement Office.
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