General
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
The grounds of Makerere University came alive with energy and ambition as students, graduates, and industry leaders gathered for the 2026 Makerere Careers Fair, an engagement that continues to cement the University’s role as a bridge between academic training and the realities of the modern workplace.
Held in partnership with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) as part of the wider NSSF Career Expo, and the US-Mission Uganda, the three-day event created a vibrant space where conversations about careers moved beyond theory into lived, practical experience. The Yusuf Lule, Central Teaching Facility, Auditorium, the Freedom Square and exhibition spaces transformed into arenas of exchange, where students interacted directly with employers, asked difficult questions about their futures, and began to map out their professional journeys with greater clarity.
At the heart of this year’s engagement on day one, 11th March, 2026, was a theme that resonated deeply with a generation stepping into uncertainty: “Man or Machine: Exploring AI’s Impact on Careers.” Across panel discussions and keynote sessions, speakers challenged students to confront the realities of a rapidly shifting job market. The message was consistent: technology is not simply displacing jobs; it is reshaping them, demanding a workforce that is adaptable, digitally fluent, and grounded in distinctly human skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
Day Two, 12th March, 2026, led by the United States Mission to Uganda, shifted the focus to global opportunities, equipping students with practical guidance on U.S. university applications, scholarships, and visa processes, as well as fully funded fellowships they can apply for. Through direct engagement with credible experts, students gained clarity on navigating international academic pathways and positioning themselves competitively beyond national borders, expanding the Careers Fair’s scope from local employability to global mobility.
The final day, 13th March 2026, under the theme “Connecting potential to purpose: Partnerships for sustainable impact,” brought together Makerere University and key partners, including Stanbic Bank, Absa Bank Uganda, TotalEnergies Uganda, the Uganda Police, Pslams Food Industries, among others, to emphasise collaboration as the cornerstone of career readiness. The conversations underscored a shared commitment to aligning education with industry needs, demonstrating that sustainable career pathways are built through strong partnerships that connect talent to opportunity in a rapidly evolving world.
What stood out most was not just the content of these conversations, but the way students engaged with them. There was a palpable sense of curiosity and urgency, as young people sought to understand where they fit in a future increasingly defined by automation and innovation. For many, the Careers Fair became more than an event; it was a bridge to internship and graduate trainee opportunities, and to careers whose balls were set rolling. It was a moment of reckoning and possibility.
This transformation was made possible through a strong network of partners whose presence underscored the importance of collaboration in shaping career pathways. NSSF Uganda anchored the engagement with insights into financial planning and long-term security, reframing how young professionals think about work beyond immediate income. Stanbic Bank Uganda brought industry perspective, offering students a clearer understanding of the competencies required to thrive in the financial sector. The United States Mission to Uganda contributed to broadening horizons through knowledge exchange and exposure to global opportunities, while TotalEnergies Uganda highlighted the evolving energy sector landscape and the role of innovation in driving sustainability, among other players.
Together, these partners did more than exhibit; they participated in shaping a narrative about the future of work that is inclusive, dynamic, and grounded in real-world demands.
For Makerere University, the Careers Fair represents more than an annual engagement; it is a reflection of its enduring commitment to preparing students for life beyond the lecture room. By convening diverse actors from academia, industry, and development spaces, the University continues to position itself as a national hub for talent development and thought leadership. It is within these spaces that education becomes truly transformative, where knowledge meets opportunity, and where ambition is matched with access.
Advancing Partnerships for Sustainable Impact
The Careers Fair also speaks directly to Makerere University’s Advancement agenda, which is increasingly focused on building purposeful, long-term partnerships that extend the University’s impact beyond its campus.
Through such engagements, Makerere is intentionally cultivating relationships that create shared value. The presence of industry leaders and development partners is not incidental; it is part of a deliberate strategy to align academic training with market realities while opening up pathways for mentorship, internships, and employment. These collaborations are gradually shaping an ecosystem in which students are not only educated but also actively supported in their transition into the workforce.
What emerges is a model of engagement that moves beyond transactional interactions to something far more meaningful. Partners are not just sponsors or participants; they are co-creators in preparing the next generation of professionals. In turn, Makerere strengthens its position as a trusted partner, one capable of convening, connecting, and contributing to national and global development priorities.
As conversations from the Careers Fair continue to echo across campus, one thing remains clear: the future of work will belong to those prepared to evolve with it. Makerere University, through platforms such as this, is ensuring that its students are not merely observers of change but active participants in shaping it.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.
General
Makerere University and Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation Sign MOU to Advance Centre of Excellence for Private Sector Development
Makerere University and the Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance the Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile Centre of Excellence for Private Sector Development, marking a significant step toward strengthening collaboration between academia, policy actors, and the private sector.
The agreement formalises a strategic partnership aimed at promoting research, policy dialogue, entrepreneurship development, innovation, and knowledge exchange to support Uganda’s economic transformation and the growth of its private sector.
The MoU, which will run for an initial five-year term, brings together Makerere University’s academic and research expertise with the Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation’s commitment to advancing the legacy of the late Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, one of Uganda’s most influential economic reformers and a proud alumnus of the University.
Advancing a Shared Vision for Private Sector Development
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi, SC, Chairman of the Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation, described the occasion as an important milestone that establishes a purposeful partnership between two institutions committed to knowledge, national development, and the advancement of Uganda’s private sector.
“This is an important occasion because it formalises a partnership between two institutions with a shared commitment to knowledge, to national development, and to the advancement of Uganda’s private sector,” he noted.
Rt. Hon. Mbabazi emphasised that Uganda’s future prosperity will depend on the strength and competitiveness of its private sector and the country’s ability to nurture innovation, entrepreneurship, and sound policy.
According to him, the Centre will provide a practical platform through which research can inform policy, young people can be trained and inspired, partnerships can be built, and innovation can be supported to help enterprise flourish.
“These are not separate concerns,” he said. “They are all part of the same national task: building an economy that creates jobs, expands opportunity, and improves the lives of our people.”
Makerere’s Role in Hosting the Centre
Makerere University will host the Centre of Excellence and support its work through its research capacity, innovation ecosystem, and network of scholars and experts. The University leadership noted that the partnership aligns closely with Makerere’s mission as one of Africa’s leading research universities and its commitment to knowledge-driven development.
In her remarks, Prof. Sarah Ssali noted, “Makerere University is fully committed to hosting, resourcing, and championing the Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile Centre of Excellence, and we look forward to working closely with the Foundation to attract additional partnerships that will strengthen its impact.”
The collaboration will bring together academic excellence and practical engagement with the private sector, positioning the Centre as a national resource for policy research, entrepreneurship development, and dialogue on economic transformation.
She also reaffirmed Makerere’s commitment to working closely with the Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation to attract additional partnerships and funding to strengthen the Centre and expand its impact.
Honouring the Legacy of Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile
Beyond its institutional significance, the establishment of the Centre represents a tribute to the enduring legacy of Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, who served for many years as Governor of the Bank of Uganda and played a central role in shaping Uganda’s economic policy and institutional development.
Governor Mutebile was widely recognised for his intellectual rigour, commitment to sound economic policy, and dedication to building strong institutions that could support sustainable growth and stability.
Through the Centre of Excellence bearing his name, Makerere University and the Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation seek not only to commemorate his contributions but also to continue advancing the values he championed, including policy discipline, intellectual seriousness, and a commitment to national development.
As Rt. Hon. Mbabazi noted that legacy should be understood not merely as remembrance but as meaningful work that benefits future generations. “It is about creating a platform through which research can inform policy, through which young people can be trained and inspired, and through which innovation can be supported,” he said.
A Platform for Ideas, Innovation, and National Development
The Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile Centre of Excellence for Private Sector Development is expected to serve as a hub for research, capacity building, entrepreneurship support, and policy engagement aimed at strengthening Uganda’s private sector and expanding economic opportunity.
By bringing together academia, policymakers, business leaders, and innovators, the Centre will help foster practical solutions to the challenges facing enterprise development while nurturing the next generation of Ugandan entrepreneurs and economic leaders.
Through this partnership, Makerere University and the Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation have taken an important step toward ensuring that Governor Mutebile’s legacy continues to inspire ideas, institutions, and opportunities that contribute to Uganda’s long-term prosperity.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.
General
Career Expo 2026 Concludes as Students Gain Industry Insights, Career Guidance, and Networking Opportunities
The Makerere University Careers Expo 2026 has successfully concluded, offering a wealth of opportunities to students from diverse academic backgrounds. Held from March 11–13, 2026, the three-day event climaxed under the theme “Connecting Potential to Purpose: Partnerships for Sustainable Impact.” It provided a dynamic platform for career guidance, job opportunities, entrepreneurship training, networking, innovation, and insights into evolving workplace dynamics.
Associate Professor Anthony Gidudu, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, expressed gratitude to sponsors and participants for their support.
“Thank you, Makerere University, for entrusting me with this immense responsibility,” he said, acknowledging the collective effort behind the event’s success.
He encouraged students to fully utilize the opportunities presented at the expo. “Make the most of it,” he urged.
The expo attracted prominent partners, including the Parliament of Uganda and the Uganda Police Force, who offered valuable career insights and opportunities. Gidudu also welcomed Professor Buyinza Mukadasi, the Academic Registrar of Makerere University, recognizing his pivotal role in shaping students’ academic journeys.
On behalf of the University, Professor Buyinza Mukadasi emphasized the significance of the Career Expo 2026.
“This event gives us a chance to support our students in transitioning from the academic world to the world of work,” he noted.
He commended the theme for underscoring the importance of aligning students’ abilities with purpose and societal contribution. Prof. Mukadasi also expressed appreciation to key partners, including the MasterCard Foundation, NSSF, and the Parliament of Uganda, as well as collaborators such as the Makerere University Advancement Office, Stanbic Bank, Old Mutual, DFCU Bank, Uganda Baati, and ABSA.
Reflecting on the role of technology, he noted that artificial intelligence enhances efficiency but does not replace human potential. He urged students to embrace lifelong learning, referencing the well-known assertion that “the illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”
In his keynote address, Paul Rumanda Rugambwa, Head of Human Resources at the Infectious Diseases Institute, emphasized the importance of aligning potential with purpose.
“Potential is what you have, while purpose is what the world expects from you tomorrow,” he said.
Rugambwa encouraged students to develop transferable skills, seek mentorship, and uphold integrity. He highlighted agility and digital literacy as essential competencies in today’s job market.
“It doesn’t matter what course you are pursuing, you must be digitally literate,” he emphasized.
He also urged students to view their peers as future collaborators, drawing inspiration from global success stories built on partnerships.
The closing session featured a panel discussion with representatives from various organizations who deliberated on key issues across multiple sectors.
Israel Arinaitwe, Head of Personal Banking at Stanbic Bank Uganda, highlighted the bank’s commitment to supporting youth entrepreneurship through targeted initiatives. He noted the availability of internship opportunities, skills training, and the Stanbic Business Incubator, which equips young people with practical business skills. He encouraged students to build financial discipline and relationships early.
On inclusion, Gorretti Byomire, Director of the Disability Research and Learning Centre at Makerere University Business School, emphasized the need for inclusive employment practices for persons with disabilities. She called for stronger commitments from both government and the private sector, including the adoption of employment quotas and incentives. She also underscored the importance of building confidence and resilience among persons with disabilities.
Addressing technology adoption, Fred Percy Kisa, Senior Manager Transformation at NSSF Uganda, urged students to embrace artificial intelligence as a complementary tool.
“It is not machine versus human; it is human plus machine versus human,” he noted, encouraging a focus on critical thinking and problem-solving.
He highlighted the growing global AI economy and called on Africa to strengthen its contribution to research and innovation.
On employment dynamics, Evelyn Kisakye, Placement Officer at the Federation of Uganda Employers, emphasized the importance of flexibility and adaptability in today’s job market. She highlighted initiatives such as the Work Readiness Project, which connects graduates to opportunities in sectors like agriculture and tourism while equipping them with essential soft skills.
Commissioner of Police Anatoli Muleterwa, Head of Community Policing Department, outlined career opportunities within the Uganda Police Force. He noted that the institution accommodates a wide range of professional qualifications and highlighted four entry pathways, from constable to officer level. He encouraged students to prepare for and consider careers in national service.
The Career Expo 2026 concluded with a strong call to action, urging students to harness their potential, embrace innovation, and pursue purpose-driven careers. Participants, predominantly students, left with renewed clarity and direction, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to make meaningful contributions to Uganda’s development.
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