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URBRA Tips 2nd Mak Seminar on Early Preparation for Retirement
- Age is inevitable; it’s you to make your retirement enjoyable – URBRA
- Old age is a treasure in life but how are going to enjoy it? – URBRA
Thousands of members of the Makerere University family filled the Main Hall on Tuesday, 19th February 2019 to learn more ways on how to save for their retirement. Right from the onset, the massive turn up of both staff and students listened attentively to the speakers who made presentations on various saving and retirement scheme options.
Addressing the audience, the Chairman Board of Directors Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority (URBRA), Mr. Andrew Kasirye thanked everyone for sacrificing their time and attending the conference. He went on to share that URBRA is extending its services to the students in order to make them prepare for their old age, as the earlier one starts saving, the more money one receives upon retirement.
“It has come to our attention that students have money but don’t know how and when to spend it. As URBRA, we decided to come and extend our services to you so as to help you learn and adopt a saving and investment culture when you are still energetic; don’t wait until you get a lot of money before you start thinking of saving,” Mr. Kasirye advised.
He noted that URBRA is committed to implementing its strategic objective that aims at improving understanding and promoting the development of the Retirement Benefits Sector and expounding on the people’s understanding about saving for retirement.
Mr. Kasirye further acknowledged the excellent cooperation URBRA has with Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme (MURBS) and noted that they work hand in hand towards achieving the shared goal, which is ensuring that the rights of scheme members are adequately safeguarded.
The Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Dr. Eria Hisali thanked URBRA for working hand in hand with the School of Statistics and Population Studies to extend its services to the mighty Makerereans. He urged URBRA to continue this good service so as to sensitize the young generation.
Addressing the challenges of old age, poverty and the role of the Retirement Benefits Sector in the Economic Development, the Manager Research and Sector Development URBRA, Mr. Mukiibi Benjamin defined saving as the portion of current income not spent on consumption, and investment as the purchase of assets with the goal of increasing future income. He noted that saving for retirement is a long life term goal which everyone above 18 needs to engage in so as to live an enjoyable retirement.
He advised the students to save regardless of what they get if they want to enjoy their old age. “Even with so little earned, and many demands, one requires saving for retirement. Your most needy time is when you are retired and there is nothing to support you and you end up living a miserable life,” noted Mr. Mukiibi.
Mr. Mukiibi who is also a proud alumnus of Makerere University urged the Makerere fraternity to treasure their old age by making good use of every stage that they go through.
“Always ask yourself what kind of job you will do when you clock 60, use every stage of your life carefully and build a future of wealth and stability,” he advised.
Briefing the audience on the mandate and functions of URBRA the Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Martin Nsubuga; another proud alumnus of Makerere, revealed that a students’ retirement savings scheme was opened last year to enable learners start saving early for their retirement, “for it is the black hair that works for the grey hair.”
“The longer you save the more money you save. Saving at a tender age is much better than saving at a late age when your retirement is at the door,” advised Mr. Nsubuga.
He also noted that once one has joined URBRA, he/she can save UGX1,000 daily and accumulate it till he/she reaches the retirement age of 55.
Speaking to the audience, the Patron Makerere Actuarial Society (MAS), Dr. Hellen Namawejje thanked URBRA for the great work done in extending its services to Makerere University students. She noted that this was the second successful Mak-URBRA seminar and thanked the audience for the massive turn up and pledged continuity of the educative seminars.
Article by Rachael Kanyi, Volunteer, Mak Public Relations Office
Makerere University staff have been urged to embrace servant leadership, integrity and compassion as they prepare to welcome students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The call was made during the Makerere University Staff Prayer Breakfast held on 31st July 2026 at St. Francis Students Centre Upper Hall under the theme “Faithful Stewards: A Servant Heart with Integrity and Wisdom,” drawn from Colossians 3:23–24 and Mark 10:35–45.
The prayer breakfast brought together members of Council, University Management, academic and administrative staff to dedicate the new academic year to God while reflecting on their responsibility of serving students with excellence, humility and integrity.
A Call to Seek God’s Wisdom
Host Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa reminded staff that no amount of professional experience or academic expertise can replace God’s guidance.
She noted that the University’s mission can only be fulfilled when staff continually seek God’s wisdom in serving students and one another.
“There is no amount of experience or expertise that can replace God’s wisdom.”
Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed that students remain the reason universities exist and challenged staff to approach their work as a calling rather than merely employment.
“Without students, there is no university,” she said, encouraging members of staff to remain united, avoid unhealthy competition and trust God as they begin another academic year.
She further urged staff to become faithful stewards who work together in harmony which she started as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research.
Speaking on behalf of students, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson and the Deputy Vice Chancellor to the breakfast, and reminded staff that a university’s value cannot be measured by research and innovation alone.
She described Makerere as a community held together by the wellbeing of its people, spiritual as much as academic, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
A Season to Draw Inspiration From.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who sent his greetings but could not attend in person, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Sarah Ssali told staff that this year’s breakfast carried special significance.
“This is the first prayer breakfast we are having ever since we launched our strategic plan,” she said, referring to the University’s new Strategic Plan, launched on 2nd July 2026.
She encouraged staff to hold on to the morning’s reflections as a guide for implementing the plan over the next five years, describing Makerere as an institution many families choose above all others for the vision and training it offers their children. She urged staff to see themselves as stewards of that trust rather than simply employees carrying out a job.
Compassion and Discipline Must Go Together.
Delivering her remarks, Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara challenged staff to strike a balance between compassion and discipline when dealing with students.
She observed that many students face different personal and academic challenges, making encouragement and timely support essential throughout their university journey.
“A word of encouragement can restore hope and prevent costly mistakes,” she noted.
Dr. Lorna encouraged lecturers and administrators to respond promptly to students’ concerns, explaining that delays, insensitive decisions and abuse of authority can discourage students and negatively affect their academic experience.
She reminded staff that students often remember how they were treated long after they have forgotten what was taught in class.
“Students may eventually forget what we teach them, but they will always remember how we treated them.”
She added that education goes beyond transferring knowledge.
“Education is more than knowledge. We communicate life, character and values.”
Quoting Mark 10, Dr. Lorna called upon staff to embrace servant leadership by exercising authority with humility, integrity and accountability.
She encouraged members of staff to ask themselves whether they would treat every student the same way they would treat their own child.
“We may not always have all the answers,” she said, “but we can communicate honestly, take responsibility and treat every student with dignity.”
She concluded by urging different colleges and administrative units to work together instead of operating in isolation, noting that unity strengthens the University community.
Referring to Galatians 6:2, she reminded staff to carry one another’s burdens and remain faithful stewards of the responsibility entrusted to them.
Servant Leadership Begins with Faithfulness.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. James Magara, husband to the Chairperson of the University Council, Dr. Lorna Magara, called on members of staff to embrace servant leadership grounded in humility, faithfulness and service to others.
Drawing from Mark 10:35–45, Dr. Magara reflected on the account in which James and John asked Jesus for positions of honour in His kingdom, prompting discontent among the other disciples. He observed that despite walking closely with Christ, the disciples continued to struggle with the desire for status and recognition. He noted that such competition remained evident even during the Last Supper, where concerns over positions and prominence persisted.
Dr. Magara said that Jesus responded to these human tendencies by redefining leadership through service rather than authority. He described Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet as the ultimate demonstration of servant leadership, explaining that genuine leaders are willing to undertake even the humblest responsibilities in service of others.
Referencing Philippians 2, he urged staff to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness, contrasting it with the pride and self-exaltation illustrated in Isaiah 14. He emphasised that lasting influence and greatness are not measured by titles, positions or recognition, but by one’s willingness to serve faithfully and put the needs of others before personal ambition.
Drawing on his own leadership journey spanning several decades, Dr. Magara challenged leaders across the University to cultivate humility, integrity and a servant heart in the execution of their responsibilities. He cautioned that leadership driven by pride and personal ambition undermines both individual effectiveness and institutional progress, whereas servant leadership strengthens organisations and fosters lasting impact.
The prayer breakfast concluded with a call for unity and collective commitment as Makerere University prepares to begin a new academic year. Organisers noted that the reflections on stewardship, integrity and servant leadership would provide a strong foundation for the University community as it advances the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
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