General
Tottori Students Successfully Complete Overseas Practical Education Program in Uganda
“I applaud Makerere University and Tottori University for signing the MoU that has enabled the exchange of knowledge and ideas between staff and students from both institutions. This has given students an opportunity to study, research and experience new things,” said the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-DVCAA, Dr. Umar Kakumba in a speech read by Dr. Gorreti Nabanoga.
Dr. Gorreti Nabanoga, an Associate Professor and Deputy Principal of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) represented Dr. Umar Kakumba at the closing ceremony of the three-week Practical Education Program in Uganda held on Thursday, 21st March 2019 at Makerere University.
The DVCAA urged the Fifteen (15) students from Tottori University who participated in the Practical Education Program in Uganda to share their findings and knowledge with fellow students when they return to Japan.
Dr. Kakumba said that the Program will help students examine different professions and skills in agriculture, veterinary medicine, engineering, health and social sciences fields and how they have influenced social and economic transformation in Uganda. “Tottori students will learn from our people and the Ugandans will also learn from them” he added.
Tottori University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Makerere University for the delivery of the Tottori University overseas Practical Education Program in Uganda with an aim of fostering students’ global competence skills development and facilitating the building of networks with developing and emerging nations.
In line with the vision of Fostering Global Citizenship, the program was designed to expose Japanese students to the outside world.
The Fifteen (15) students spent three weeks understanding the social-economic conditions and cultural context in which development processes are taking place. They attended special lectures organised by Makerere University, the Embassy of Japan in Uganda and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and participated in guided-field excursions to various establishments across the country.
Through this program, Japanese students learn about the different aspects of life in the host country such as the education system, health system, the culture, forests and nature conservation, transport, agricultural systems, refugees, economy as well as visiting tourist attractions in the host country.
The Students carried out research and presented findings on topics of interest namely:
• Problems of refugees in Uganda
• Education in Uganda
• Causes of poverty in Uganda
• Agricultural practices in Uganda
• Ecosystem and nature conservation
• Traffic system in Uganda
• Forest degradation among others
Presenting findings on forest degradation, one of the students from Japan, Mr. Tomoki Kinugasa reported that Uganda’s forest cover had greatly decreased due to the usage of a lot of wood to make charcoal in addition to illegal logging. He said that to save forests, people should start using electricity to cook and government should enact strict laws to end logging.
The students were also concerned that people in various parts of the Uganda had built houses in wetlands thus affecting the ecosystem of the country. “Many activities are happening in the wetlands diverting water flows and flooding low-lying areas.”
They also shared that the narrow city roads lead to a lot of traffic jam by motorists, bodaboda riders and cyclists. Additionally, there is no space for pedestrians to move freely on the roads. Bodaboda riders go against the traffic lights and therefore easily cause accidents.
Ms. Martha Muwanguzi, the Head International Relations Office said that the student and staff exchange was fundamental in internationalizing Makerere University. Without the exchanges, internationalization will remain on paper and the benefits will be minimal to both institutions.
She also expressed Makerere University’s gratitude to Tottori University for the fully funded scholarships that had been awarded to students for Masters and PhD programs in Japan. A similar program for Makerere University students and staff to visit Japan was recommended so as to promote the exchange for the mutual benefit of both institutions.
Written by: Esther Joyce Nakibombo, Volunteer-Mak Public Relations Office
The Director of Makerere University Jinja Campus, Associate Professor Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, has urged students to familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding policy aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment.
Speaking during the safeguarding policy sensitization meeting held today Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, emphasized the importance of awareness and adherence to the policy, which seeks to protect students, staff, and other stakeholders from all forms of abuse, harassment, exploitation, and discrimination.
“As Management we want every student to enjoy their stay at the University without being tormented and that can only happen, if students know their rights by reading about different policies on our website. You are meant to be living in a safe environment. We do not want anybody’s dream to be shattered or somebody to drop out from University,” Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, said.
In his speech, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, also called upon students who have complaints but do not know the reporting lines, to approach staff safeguarding champions to make sure that they live in a safe environment.
Addressing guests, Emmanuel Muchake, the Guild Administrator at Jinja Campus, pointed out that the launch of the safeguarding policy is timely because as a University, without creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, they will not have students graduate.
On Friday, April 4,2025, the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Right Honourable Lukia Isanga Nakadama, officially launched the Safeguarding Policy and commended Makerere University for crafting a policy that lays out the University’s framework for embedding viable safeguarding measures into its ethos and all institutional activities and processes to: Identify, detect, and act swiftly on safeguarding risks.
The Safeguarding Policy was developed in response to the growing need for institutions of higher learning to implement proactive measures that address concerns related to student welfare, mental health, gender-based violence, and power imbalances in academic settings.
Some of potential safeguarding risks in Institutions of higher learning include emotional distress, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH); material loss, financial exploitation, discrimination and neglect, unfair and illegitimate response to civic engagements, cyber security/threats, psychological and emotional harm, substance abuse and physical assault. Discrimination and neglect which are often high risks for students with disabilities and international students.
The safeguarding policy sensitization meeting in Jinja Campus brought together students and staff in a meaningful dialogue on safeguarding issues affecting learning.
The event was graced by Dr. Rodney Rugyema, from the Dean of Students Office, who emphasized the University’s commitment to the well-being of all its members. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of safeguarding policies in preventing abuse, harassment, exploitation, and other forms of misconduct within the Jinja Campus community.
“Safeguarding is not a one-time action, but a continuous culture of care and accountability. We all have a role to play in ensuring a safe and respectful space for learning and growth,” Dr Rugyema, said.
The sensitization session covered key topics including; recognizing signs of abuse, understanding reporting procedures on the MakSafeSpace and fostering mutual respect among peers.
Participants were encouraged to actively engage and reflect on their roles in upholding safety standards both on and off campus.
Students who attended the sensitization welcomed the initiative, with many expressing optimism that the policy would improve campus safety and encourage victims to come forward without fear of retaliation.
“We have seen issues go unreported in the past because students didn’t know where to turn. This policy provides clarity and assurance that the university is taking these matters seriously,” noted, a third-year student.
The University plans to conduct a series of sensitization workshops and distribute printed copies of the policy to ensure that every member of the campus community is well-informed. This initiative is part of Makerere University‘s broader strategy to reinforce its values of integrity, respect, and protection for all.
The Safeguarding Sensitization Meeting concluded with a collective pledge to uphold safety, dignity, and mutual respect within the University community.
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