General
85th Guild President Swears In, Assures Gallant Makerereans of Quality Service Delivery
On Wednesday, 27th March 2019, hundreds of people including Makerere University Administrators, students and parents and well-wishers gathered in Makerere University Main Hall to witness the swearing in ceremony of their beloved Guild President-elect H.E. Kateregga Julius commonly known as KJ.
Presided over by the Acting Vice Chancellor Dr. Eria Hisali, Dean of Students-Mr. Cyriaco Kabagambe, Deputy Dean of Students-Mr. Stephen Kateega and Chaplain of St. Francis Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe the ceremony was also witnessed by Members of the 84th Guild cabinet led by outgoing President H.E. Papa Were Salim.
“Our voice as students can only be heard if our leaders choose to stand, I have come as a leader to stand with you, the door of my office will always be open to you the students such that I get to know the issues affecting you,” said H.E Kateregga Julius.
Amidst applause and a chorus of cheers from the audience, H.E. Kateregga Julius (KJ) took his oath and promised to balance the mighty hill of the great intellectuals with good governance.
H.E. Kateregga a second year Bachelor of Arts with Education student assured his peers of equality and diligent service in the 85th Guild cabinet. He thanked students who chose to look beyond money for change by putting all their trust in him as one with the vision and solutions to possibly end all challenges experienced by the students.
“I am glad that you chose to believe in me, now here I am, I am ready to stand by you my fellow students, I will stand for what you believe in because what you believe in is what I believe in and what I believe in is my mandate,” he noted.
In a special way, H.E. Kateregga congratulated his Guild Representatives (GRCs) upon their success and advised them to cooperate with him if they are to bring Makerere to the next level of leadership. Here he emphasized the need for hard work among his Cabinet members and echoed that he sees different capabilities in every GRC. He also urged them to be faithful to their fellow students and serve as they pledged during their campaigns.
“We have started a race and as team leader, my aim is to ensure that by the time I leave, I can still stand before the mighty Makerereans and they listen to me when I talk. I see different capabilities in each and every GRC, let’s be critical, know why you were elected and serve faithfully and diligently. Pay attention to what we ought to, look beyond the privileges and be the voice of students,” advised H.E. Kateregga
He thanked everyone who stood by him during the hard times of his campaigns and in a very special way, recognized the presence of his beloved mother Ms. Lovinsa Nabunya and thanked her for all the prayers that brought him victory.
The Guild President-elect echoed that students and Administrators of Makerere University have a big debt to the nation as they are the un-gazetted Parliament of Uganda and urged them to always stand and emphasize what Makerere represents in this nation.
The Acting Vice Chancellor Dr. Eria Hisali congratulated H.E Kateregga Julius (KJ) and His Cabinet upon their successful election. He applauded the outgoing cabinet for all that they have done in their tenure.
He called for good relationship between the Students’ Guild and the University Management emphasizing that a good relationship between two parties always leads to good service delivery to the beneficiaries.
Dr. Hisali challenged H.E. Kateregga to hold his team accountable by bringing feedback to the Guild Council, indicating that this will be a good sign of service delivery and representation at the respective Colleges and Halls of Residence.
He advised the Guild President to take advantage of the University Management’s open-door policy to consult the Administration as it’s always ready and available to help each time there is a need.
He encouraged the Guild leadership to uphold and maintain the good reputation of the University in all their endeavors and called upon students to participate in the forthcoming MakRun where the University is soliciting money to construct a Students’ Centre.
The Dean of Students Mr. Cyriaco Kabagambe assured the Students Guild Council of an induction, where they will have a full week of training as a way of preparing them to run their respective offices.
Mr. Kabagambe thanked the Chairman Electoral Commission and his team for the great work done as the elections were free and fair and no case of violence was registered this time round.
The Chairperson Electoral Commission Mr. Ssekinde Faizo revealed that the election process was successful as they witnessed free and fair elections. He congratulated the winners of the elections and thanked students for participating in the Electoral process.
The outgoing Guild President H.E. Papa Were Salim congratulated H.E. Kateregga Julius and his cabinet upon being elected as the 85th Guild President and Guild Council of Makerere University for the year 2019/2020. He noted that it had been a great honor for him to serve as the 84th Guild President of the mighty Hill with a mighty University.
He advised H.E. Kateregga to know his mandate as a student leader and observe it, as it will always direct him in line with his vision as leader of the 85th Guild Cabinet.
“It’s a big struggle but the most important thing is remember your mandate, know whom you are serving and what they want for they are the reason you are seating in that capacity as Student Guild President,” advised the 84th Guild President.
H.E Papa Were extended his sincere thanks to the fraternity of the gallant Makerereans who collaborated with his cabinet and in a special way, thanked the University Management for the support extended to the 84th Guild Leadership.
The ceremony was overseen by the outgoing 84th Guild Speaker Rt. Hon. Isaac Kwagala who congratulated the new cabinet upon their success in the political journey and urged them to serve the gallant Makerereans with great faithfulness by practicing principals of democracy. He also urged the incoming 85th Guild President to always remember why the students entrusted him with that position.
“In your campaigns you pledged to balance the hill, please balance it by serving the students who entrusted you with that responsibility faithfully and diligently so that they will continue looking up to you even when you leave these great gates,” Kwagala advised.
He further praised the outgoing Guild Cabinet for the achievements registered during their tenure and requested the incoming cabinet to accomplish all that they had set out to achieve.
Article by Rachael Kanyi, Volunteer, Mak Public Relations Office
Hundreds of mourners gathered at St. Augustine Chapel, Makerere University on May 30, 2026 to pray for the soul of Mr. Sylas Ruhweza, the first President of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Community at Makerere University.
The requiem mass was filled with emotional tributes celebrating Ruhweza’s life of service, leadership and dedication to community causes. Ruhweza passed away on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Mildmay Uganda Hospital.
Speaker after speaker described him as a humble and visionary leader who was passionate about uplifting others and deeply committed to excellence.
“We thank God for the life of Sylas, for the years he granted him among us, and for the impact he made on countless lives. He carried himself with humility and grace, and wherever he went, he built friendships, inspired confidence, and left people better than he found them,” Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, said during the Mass.
Mr. Rwomiire urged mourners to honour Ruhweza’s legacy by embracing the values he stood for, including integrity, compassion, hard work, service to community, and his unwavering love for Tooro Kingdom.
The main celebrant, Rev. Fr. Charles Lwanga Makoboza, echoed the message in his homily, reminding Christians to remain rooted in Jesus Christ throughout their lives.
“Sylas has gone to be with God, in a place where there is no pain, missed calls, struggle, corruption, betrayal, jealousy and tears. He is in a place with absolute peace. So, in life, never be the cause of someone’s tears, and if you do, seek reconciliation,” Fr. Lwanga, said.
Fr. Lwanga also reminded mourners that what Ruhweza needs most are prayers, not wreaths.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Ms. Grace Kabasita, Ruhweza’s maternal aunt, described him as a loving and dedicated young man whose life touched many people.
“Sylas was a counsellor, teacher, and a brilliant, loveable young man who fitted into every society. His life was marked by service, friendship, dedication, and commitment to the wellbeing of others and his culture,” she said.
Addressing mourners, Prof Justine Namaalwa, the Coordinator of the Mastercard Foundation Initiatives at Makerere University, noted that though Sylas’s life was cut short, he leaves behind a lasting legacy of service, leadership and impact on the communities he served.
“Sylas, you have gone too soon. But it is well with our souls. May your legacy of Transformative Leadership live on,” Prof. Namaalwa, said.
She thanked the Mastercard Foundation for supporting his education through BRAC Uganda, supporting his university education through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, and nurturing his leadership journey through the Youth Advisory Board.
Ruhweeza at glance
Born on 19th July 1994 to the late Mr. Paul Tinkasimire Paul Adyeeri and Ms. Ategeka Margret Abwooli of Bunyangabu District.
The ninth born of eleven children attended Kaboyo Primary School for his Primary Education, and later joined Fort Portal Secondary School where he sat for his O-Level. He then proceeded to A-Level at Hannah International School.
He joined Makerere University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geoscience and Production in 2022, supported by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at Makerere University.
At the time of his passing, he was pursuing a Master’s degree at Victoria University.
Leadership, Service and Professional Contributions
Mr. Ruhweza served as Chairperson of the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network at BRAC from 2020 to 2022, demonstrating transformative leadership and commitment to social change.
He later became the President of the Makerere AlumNet Foundation, an umbrella organization that brings together the Scholars Makerere Alumni chapter.
He worked as an eLearning Support Officer at the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) under the e-learning initiative at Makerere University.
He was a member of the Steering Committee of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, representing the Scholars Makerere Alumni chapter.
At the time of his passing, he was serving as the Minister of Information in the Tooro Kingdom, Strategy and Engagement Lead for the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network-Uganda Chapter, and Programme Associate at the Africa Climate Collaborative, one of the Mastercard Foundation initiatives at Makerere University.
Legacy
Ruhweza is remembered for his dedication to education, leadership, mentorship, and community service. He passionately championed youth empowerment, collaboration, and social responsibility.
His life reflected the transformative power of education, servant leadership, and a commitment to uplifting others.
May Sylas’s soul rest in eternal peace.
General
Makerere University Pushes for Stronger Support for Research Ethics Committees amid Growing Research Demands
By Moses Lutaaya
Makerere University has intensified efforts to strengthen research governance and ethical oversight, with university leaders calling for greater institutional support for Research Ethics Committees (RECs), whose role has become increasingly central to the institution’s research-led agenda.
The call was made during a high-level meeting between University Management and Chairpersons of Research Ethics Committees held at the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom at the Makerere University Main Building on May 25, 2026.
Opening the meeting, the Director of Research Innovations and Partnerships (DRIP), Prof. Robert Wamala, highlighted a number of operational and administrative challenges affecting the effectiveness of RECs at Makerere University.
Prof. Wamala observed that RECs continue to operate with gaps in institutional framework outlining their position within the university governance structure, a gap he said has affected institutional support and long-term sustainability.
According to Prof. Wamala, inadequate facilitation continues to affect the operations of several committees, especially in areas of staffing, administrative coordination, and remuneration for REC administrators.
He also pointed to challenges arising from new regulatory requirements governing the appointment of REC members, particularly the need for appointment letters to be authorized or signed by the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Wamala further raised concern over the high cost of mandatory accreditation and training processes required by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), especially the Good Research Regulatory Practice (GRRP) training undertaken every three years. “Payment for training is too high for individual RECs to cover,” he noted, adding that many committees are struggling to independently raise the money to undertake the training for all their members.
He also emphasized the need for stronger institutional monitoring systems to support timely submission of accreditation renewal applications, oversight of approved research activities, and coordination of REC operations across the university.
In her remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, commended the growing contribution of RECs in advancing Makerere University’s research agenda and acknowledged the concerns raised by Prof. Wamala and committee members.
“There were not very many RECs,” Prof. Ssali said. “So now that we are 10, it is really impressive because it speaks to our cause for a research-led university.” She admitted that despite their importance, many RECs still operate outside the formal university establishment, making staffing and operational support difficult.
“The only challenge that I see is that they are not fully institutionalized. So it is upon units to start them or not to start them,” she explained. Prof. Ssali added that because RECs are not fully integrated into the public service structure of the university, recruiting and remunerating staff through conventional university systems remains complicated. “Hiring for them staff will be a little bit cumbersome because the university will say they are not part of our structure,” she said.
She nevertheless emphasized that university management recognizes the strategic importance of RECs in strengthening ethical research oversight and supporting Makerere’s position as a research-led institution. “RECs are doing a great job of furthering our strategic agenda of being a research-led university,” she noted.
Prof. Ssali explained that the growing reliance on institutional RECs by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology demonstrates the trust placed in Makerere University’s ethical review systems.
Addressing concerns about the cost and frequency of mandatory training, Prof. Ssali acknowledged the financial burden on RECs but explained that many of the requirements are set by national regulators. “Many of the things you have raised are with National Council, they are not with us,” she said. “We can only pledge to lobby.”
To address logistical challenges associated with training senior academics, she proposed more flexible scheduling arrangements. “For a professor to give you a whole day is going to be a challenge,” she said. “Maybe you can do half days throughout the week.”
Prof. Ssali also encouraged colleges and schools to allocate part of their enhanced research budgets toward supporting REC activities, including staffing, training, and operational facilitation.
She suggested that colleges and schools hosting RECs should directly take responsibility for sustaining them. “For me, that’s the way out — to ensure that the colleges and schools that have RECs take them as their responsibility,” she noted.
The DVC-AA also addressed concerns related to intellectual property rights, Material Transfer Agreements (MTA), and the need for researchers to formally communicate scientific discoveries and innovations to the university to ensure institutional protection and benefit-sharing. “All you are saying is true, but it depends on you as researchers informing the institution that we have made this discovery,” she said.
Prof. Ssali reiterated Makerere University’s commitment to strengthening research governance systems and pledged continued engagement with both university management and national regulatory bodies to address the concerns raised by REC members. “Where they are, they enable research, publication and growth,” she said of the RECs. “Most importantly, they enable us to be ethical with the way we do our things.”
The meeting was attended by chairpersons of the various Research Ethics Committees across Makerere University and affiliated institutions. These included Dr. Ponsiano Ochama from the School of Medicine Research Ethics Committee (SOM-REC), Dr. Moses Ocan from the School of Biomedical Sciences Research Ethics Committee (SBS-REC), Dr. Paul Kutyabami from the School of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee, Dr. David Kyaddondo from the Uganda Cancer Institute Research Ethics Committee, Dr. Stella Neema from the School of Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee (MAKSS-REC), Dr. Joseph Kagayi from the School of Public Health Research Ethics Committee, Dr. Joseph Kateete from the Infectious Diseases Institute Research Ethics Committee, Dr. Fred Okuku from the Uganda Heart Institute Research Ethics Committee, Dr. Kassim Sadik from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Research Ethics Committee, and Dr. Eddy Walakira from the College of Business and Management Sciences Research Ethics Committee.
The discussions reflected Makerere University’s broader ambition to consolidate its position as a leading research-intensive institution while ensuring that ethical standards, accountability, and innovation protection remain central to its academic mission.
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