General
Mak Chancellor presents Appreciation Awards to Outgoing Council as the New Chairperson of Council receives Instruments of Power
On Friday 8th February 2019, the Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Ezra Suruma presented appreciation awards to the Outgoing Chairperson and Members of Makerere University Council (Dec 2014 to Dec 2018) in recognition of their dedicated service to this great institution.
The Council is the supreme governing body of the University, and as such, the Chairperson and Members of the University Council have a noble duty of providing oversight and guidance aimed at scaling the University to greater heights.
Addressing the audience comprising the Outgoing and Incoming Council, University Management, Principals, Student Leaders and Representatives of staff associations at Speke Resort Munyonyo, the Chancellor applauded the outgoing Makerere University Council led by Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem for the excellent contribution that vehemently led to more developments in the university and the country at large.
“The complexity of managing an academic institution of this magnitude is a major responsibility to everyone. I am therefore happy that during your leadership, there was dignity and honor at Makerere University. Without proper management, it is impossible to have such excellent progress, I have seen in the past four years,” he said.
At the same occasion, the new Chairperson of Mak Council for the next four years (Dec 2018 to Dec 2022), Mrs. Lorna Magara received Instruments of Power from the Outgoing Chairperson, Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem.
The Chancellor welcomed the new Makerere University Council chaired by Mrs Lorna Magara and her team. He appealed to members to perform their trust as citizens of Uganda by contributing positively towards the future of Ugandans. He urged the team to ensure that the institution continues to provide quality education to the children of Uganda.
Prof. Suruma called upon stakeholders to take up their responsibilities and work towards the betterment of the institution when he said, “Stakeholders should know that if the University goes down, they will also go down. We have trust that you have the ability and capacity to define that stake for yourself, family, community, institution and country. I pray that you have the ability to define the stake you have in Makerere University; not only in terms of yourselves but in terms of the whole country we have to build. The tests that Makerere has to pass is the same test that face the rest of the country.”
He appealed to Management, staff and students to exercise some modesty while dealing with complex issues of the university. According to the Chancellor, Makerere University is the leading institution of higher learning; therefore, it should provide a leading example on how to override the complex environment and still unite and advance the cause of Uganda.
The Chairperson of the University Council Mrs. Lorna Magara appreciated the outgoing Chairperson Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem and his team for the numerous accomplishments achieved in the last four years.
“It is an honour for me to walk and learn from your very wide and rich experience in leadership. Whatever we will achieve in our term, will be as a result of those that have gone before us. As it is said; if we enjoy a shade today, it is because someone planted a tree and another one watered it. It is therefore our great honor to be able to stand in your shade. We pledge and promise that we will not only continue to water this tree you planted but also plant many other trees for prosperity,” she said.
She was happy to lead a dynamic and committed Mak Council with several members that have served on the outgoing Council. She hopes that these will bring the much needed experience and necessary wisdom when making critical decisions. To her, new members will also bring on board the very much needed varied experience and expertise.
“We have taken up the leadership at a challenging time evidenced by the events of the past few weeks. While it may appear as a crisis, I truly believe there are countless opportunities for us. President J.F Kennedy once remarked that once written in Chinese the word crisis is composed of two characters one represents danger and the other represents opportunity. We also have a proverb saying that every cloud has a silver lining, therefore I believe that even in these times there is a silver lining,” she stated.
Mrs. Magara is confident that in the next four years, her leadership will usher in a new Makerere University with immense opportunities. The University will not only be known for its academic excellence, but also innovations that provide the long awaited solutions to the mileage of problems of the nation and the continent at large.
The Outgoing Chairperson of Council Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem thanked Makerere University management, staff and students and the entire community for the support he received during his tenure. He also thanked the members of Mak Council for dedicating their time and efforts for the betterment of the University.
In a special way, Eng. Dr. Wana-Etyem thanked the President of the Republic of Uganda H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the Minister of Education and Sports Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni for the financial and moral support that enabled the Mak Council and the University as a whole to thrive during the past 8 years.
To the incoming Chairperson, Dr. Wana-Etyem, advised her to be a listening person when he said, “If you are on that seat and you want to respond to everything you hear, you will have a problem. You need to be patient and a good listener. Allow everybody talk and try to generate consensus.”
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe emphasized the need to uphold good governance at Makerere University. He appreciated the outgoing Chairperson of Council Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem and his team for exhibiting the unique character of good governance through his tenure. On behalf of Management, Prof. Nawangwe pledged to work with the Mak Council as it steers the University to greater heights.
Article by: Mak Public Relations Office
On the evening of Friday, 13th February 2026, the Scholars of Mastercard Foundation embraced the new semester with enthusiasm and celebration, showcasing their rich cultural diversity at the annual cultural dinner. This event not only fostered a sense of community but also highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and understanding among the scholars. The purpose of the cultural dinner is to foster unity in diversity within the Scholars community and to enable young people to appreciate and respect each other’s cultural differences.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars community at Makerere University is a vibrant tapestry of countries, cultures, and backgrounds. In recognition of this richness, the Program team has proposed organising an annual cultural dinner to kick off each new semester. This event aims to achieve several important objectives:
- Promote mutual understanding and cross-cultural appreciation among Scholars.
- Celebrate and highlight the unique cultural identities within our community.
- Encourage confidence and creativity through a dynamic talent showcase.
- Foster a sense of unity and excitement as we embark on the new academic semester together.
During the event, the Scholars proudly showcased their diverse cultures through a vibrant display of traditional attire, engaging dances, delectable dishes, and meaningful expressions in their native languages. The event showcased a rich tapestry of cultures, including the Baganda from Central Uganda; the Banyankore, Bakiga, Batooro, and Banyoro from Western Uganda; the Acholi from the North; the Karamojong from the Northeast; and the Basoga and Bagisu from the Eastern region, among many other indigenous tribes in Uganda. Additionally, attendees enjoyed cultural performances from South Sudan, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, celebrating the unique heritage of each community.
The event also featured a vibrant showcase of cultural attire, accompanied by traditional songs and dances. Attendees enjoyed cultural dress modelling, engaging performances, art displays, and interactive quizzes, culminating in exciting prizes awarded to outstanding performers. This diverse array of activities contributed to a rich celebration of creativity and cultural exchange.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University is committed to fostering holistic development, community building, and leadership among Scholars. At the start of each semester, the Program Team hosts a cultural dinner to reconnect the Scholars community, share key Program updates, and create an inclusive space to strengthen belonging and engagement. The cultural dinner is a critical platform for raising awareness of the need to appreciate and respect cultural diversity.
Bernard Buteera is the Principal Communications Officer for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
More Photos from the Dinner
The degree of attentiveness was at its peak in the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility (CTF) Auditorium as Ms. Janet Nabukeera addressed support staff during a Safeguarding and Inclusion training. Her words were firm, direct and reflective. Ms. Nabukeera, the Deputy Human Resource Officer in charge of Performance and Payroll, emphasized that a negative attitude in the workplace creates a toxic environment where colleagues feel hesitant to collaborate or share ideas.
“Avoid unnecessary confrontations with colleagues because jealousy and anger destroy more than they build. When you hold grudges at work, you slowly burden your own heart and mind. Stress can take a toll on your health and productivity. Safeguard yourself by choosing peace, love yourself first and extend that same grace and respect to others.” Ms Nabukeera, cautioned.
The training attracted over 300 Support Staff Members, including Security Personnel, Cleaners, Hall Attendants, Administrative Assistants, Librarians, and Laboratory Support Teams from across the University.
In his remarks, Dr. Rodney Rugyema, the Acting Principal Warden, urged staff to have a positive attitude towards their jobs and encouraged them to ensure that students, fellow staff and visitor’s feel safe, respected and protected.
“You are the eyes and ears of the University, while you may not deliver lectures, you are often the first to notice when something is wrong. So you have to promote an environment free from bullying, discrimination, neglect and intimidation. You have to ensure secure hostels, well-lit walkways, functioning locks and safe laboratory environments,” Dr Rugyema, said.
Makerere University has a duty of care to do no harm and promote the wellbeing of all students, staff, and other University community stakeholders. It seeks to enhance the learning environment to make it more secure, inclusive, and ethically sound for all stakeholders.
The Makerere University Safeguarding Policy lays out the University’s framework for embedding viable safeguarding measures into its ethos and all institutional activities and processes to: Identify, detect, and swiftly act on safeguarding risks; prevent the occurrence of harm; provide mechanisms for reporting all allegations or incidents that have occurred; respond appropriately to all reported incidences; and, continuously monitor, evaluate and learn from practices and experiences of managing safeguarding concerns.
“Safeguarding is not only for lecturers or University Management, it is everyone’s responsibility, If you have someone mistreating you, or you come across any risk, do not suffer in silence report through the MakSafeSpace,” Dr Rugyema, said.
The MakSafeSpace is the e-reporting platform complimenting the other University traditional reporting channels. It is an inclusive platform that provides for confidential modes of reporting safeguarding risks and incidences.
As the session concluded, there was a renewed understanding among participants that safeguarding is a collective duty. From the security guard at the gate to the cleaner in the Hall of Residence, it was clear that every staff member contributes to creating a safe and respectful learning environment.
To involve and create opportunities for students and staff members with disabilities, Light for the World Uganda trained the support staff to become inclusion champions.
Mr. Musa Mwambu, the Disability Inclusion Advisor at Light for the World Uganda, called upon staff to remove barriers limiting the full participation of students and colleagues with disabilities, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
“Just like any other person, people with disabilities have the right to education, health, and protection. Society has the duty to remove barriers that block participation. When barriers are removed, disability no longer limits opportunity,” Mr. Mwambu noted.
Drawing from his own lived experience as a person with a disability, he shared how access to the right support systems enables him to communicate effectively and perform daily tasks.
“It is about putting the right conditions in place to participate fully in society. We need multi-stakeholder collaboration to remove barriers and achieve an inclusive society,” he said.
Justine Namuddu, the Support Staff representative on the Makerere University Council, thanked the organizers for the insightful workshop. She reminded fellow staff that Makerere University is a home for everyone and urged them to take care of it.
“Fellow members, as you carry out your duties, ensure that you observe both emotional and intellectual safety. Before sharing information, first verify whether it is true. Safety is being at peace with yourself and with others,” Namuddu emphasized.
She also encouraged younger staff members to take advantage of educational opportunities provided by the University, noting that those who wish to continue with their studies may apply for tuition waivers.
The training concluded with reminders on professionalism and accountability. Staff were encouraged to consistently use the Biometric Attendance Management System to capture attendance accurately. With biometric clock-in devices installed at reception areas across the Main and Satellite campuses, the Directorate of Human Resources can monitor attendance in real time, while staff can keep track of hours worked.
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