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Ambassador of Japan advises farmers on mindset change towards new farming techniques

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The Ambassador of Japan to Uganda H.E. Kazuaki Kameda has advised Ugandan farmers to adopt new techniques of farming so as to improve agricultural production. During his first visit to the African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD) offices at Makerere University on Wednesday 17th April 2019, H.E Kameda called upon leaders, policy makers and the media to change the mindset of local farmers towards modern agriculture.

“The Government and policy makers should train farmers on the new irrigation methods, water harvesting, and climate change strategies among others. Through capacity building and policy review, farmers can add value to their produces and earn more money. I urge policy makers to borrow a leaf from the technologies we use in Japan to come up with new interventions that can address the issue of climate change and sustain agriculture,” said H.E. Kameda.

The Ambassador emphasized the importance of knowledge and information sharing as a key aspect of social transformation.  He tasked the media to inspire farmers by sharing successful stories on the different agricultural aspects.

Noting that the gap between the rich and the poor is widening globally, the Ambassador called upon respective Governments to come up with policies and strategies that can provide solutions to the increasing poverty problem in the world.

Addressing the audience, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe applauded the Government and people of Japan, for supporting Makerere University. According to Prof. Nawangwe, through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and AICAD, the Japanese Government has tremendously supported Makerere University research that is geared towards finding solutions to African challenges.

“With this support, we have been able to build capacity among staff and students, carried out search on the critical areas of health, climate change, unemployment and food security.  We appreciate the long term relationship that we have built for years with the Government and the people of Japan,” remarked the Vice Chancellor.

Prof. Dominic Byarugaba, the Acting Executive Director, AICAD expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Japan for supporting AICAD activities. He pledged to use the knowledge and information from Japan, to develop innovations that can reduce poverty in the country.

He informed the Ambassador that AICAD is training farmers from western, northern   and central Uganda on how to add value to some of the country’s local foods. “We are receiving positive feedback on the value added products from bananas, sim sim and rice,” he said.

He appealed to the Ministry of Education and Sports to support the teaching of sciences in higher institutions of learning. In the same spirit, he called upon parents to fund their children to study science courses including agriculture.

The Training and Extension Director, Mr. Patrick A. Wakhu, said that AICAD collaborates with the government and local authorities to identify farmers who are appropriate for training.

“Since we want the knowledge to be shared in the whole community, we choose groups of farmers engaging in community work. After the training, selected farmers go ahead and mentor the rest of the people in the community,” said Mr. Wakhu.

African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD) is a Regional International Institute dealing with poverty reduction in Africa through human capacity development. AICAD was born from the Second Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in 1988, held in Tokyo, Japan. AICAD therefore was established in August 2000.

The Institute was first financed by Japan through Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) and presently it is jointly financed by the three East African governments of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda with support from development partners of whom the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA),World Bank, Wetlands International and European Union have been key in all the activities revolving around research and development, training and extension and information network and documentation as the main functional divisions.

Article by written by Esther Joyce Nakibombo, Volunteer- Mak Public Relations Office

 

Proscovia Nabatte

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Revised Advertisement for Positions of Principal and Deputy Principal at Makerere University

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An aerial shot of the Main Building, as taken by a drone over the Freedom Square with Left to Right: CHUSS, St. Francis, St. Augustine and CAES Buildings and the Kikoni area (Background) in view. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University, Uganda’s premier institution of higher learning and one of Africa’s leading research universities, invites applications from suitably qualified and distinguished individuals for the positions of Principal and Deputy Principal in the Colleges listed below. The University seeks visionary leaders with demonstrated academic excellence, strategic leadership, and a commitment to institutional transformation. This advertisement is for the positions of:

  1. Principal and Deputy Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
  2. Principal and Deputy Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES)
  3. Principal and Deputy Principal, College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS)
  4. Principal and Deputy Principal, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB)
  5. Principal, College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS)
  6. Deputy Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS).

Mode of application

Interested individuals for the positions of Principal and Deputy Principal should submit the following documents sealed in an envelope addressed to the University Secretary;

  1. A signed letter of application;
  2. Certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts;
  3. The curriculum vitae of the candidate;
  4. Three (3) letters of recommendation;
  5. Copies of the required minimum number of publications;
  6. Copies of letters of appointment to leadership positions at the level of Head of Department and/or its equivalent or higher in a recognised institution comparable to Makerere University;
  7. A copy of the applicant’s national ID or passport; and
  8. A copy of the last letter of clearance from the Inspectorate of Government or other equivalent national body.

The deadline for applications is 6th July 2026 at 5:00 p.m. East African Time.

Applications should be hand-delivered to:

The University Secretary
Makerere University
Main Administration Building,
Level 2, University Secretary’s Office

Or submitted via email at search.principal@mak.ac.ug

Makerere is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified individuals regardless of gender, disability, or other legally protected status. The University is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion and excellence in all its activities.

THIS ADVERT CANCELS THE EARLIER ISSUED ADVERT DATED 17TH JUNE 2026

Mak Editor

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Makerere Launches Upgraded Financial Management System and Roadmap

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Prof. Tumps Ireeta - Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance & Administration) launch the roadmap for upgrading the Mak FMS in Council Room on 17th June2026.

Makerere University on 17th June 2026 launched the upgraded Financial Management System (Mak-FMS) and Implementation Roadmap aimed at ensuring paperless end-to-end transactions right from requisition to sign-off. Mak-FMS was initially launched on 10th July 2024 to automate requisition initiation and approval. The upgraded system will ensure that the hitherto paper-based payment voucher generation, examination, digital clearance, and sign off are completed digitally.

Presiding over the launch on behalf of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, the Principal, College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta commended the Directorate of Finance and the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS) on the strides made in digitalisation of financial processes at Makerere. He nevertheless called for the need to make approvals time bound at each stage of the process to ensure that requisitions are sanctioned or deferred for additional input promptly.

The University Bursar, Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha informed attendees at the launch that the objective of the Mak-FMS upgrade was to ensure paperless transactions by 1st July 2026. He added that Champions had been appointed from colleges and administrative units, and will together with ICT Support Staff be trained by DICTS to support users during the transition.

Mr. Bainomugisha nevertheless noted that incorporation of Mak-FMS into Uganda’s Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) remains undone. He therefore called upon Finance Officers and Accountants to prudently ensure that the money committed on the Makerere system is charged to the appropriate Government code.

DICTS Chief, Mr. Samuel Mugabi reiterated that the upgraded system is not entirely new but is only aimed at further enhancing accountability and transparency of financial management for efficiency of Makerere’s business operations. He added that the upgraded Mak-FMS will be integrated with the recently rolled out Procurement System in a phased approach, especially as users increasingly get acquainted with the paperless working environment. He equally reiterated DICTS readiness to support the Directorate of Finance to ensure a holistic training of users.

Highlighting the ten-day Implementation Roadmap, DICTS Deputy Chief, Mr. Juma Katongole noted that launch of the upgraded Mak-FMS marked Day 1, while Day 2 will be dedicated to training Finance Officers, Accountants and ICT Support Staff and Day 3 to training Champions and more ICT Support Staff. Days 4 and 5 will be dedicated to Hands-on Training Sessions for College Bursars, Accountants and Champions, while Day 6 will feature University-wide pilot implementation of the upgraded Mak-FMS.

Day 7 of the roadmap will handle user support clinics and help desk sessions, while Day 8 will feature refresher training and a workshop on frequently encountered issues. A University-wide simulation exercise covering the end-to-end payment lifecycle will be held on Day 9 and Day 10 will host the readiness assessment meeting and go-live sign-off.

In order to ensure a smooth transition to a digital Mak-FMS, a help desk will remain operational throughout the period and user manuals as well as quick-reference videos will be developed and distributed on the University Knowledge Base and DICTS Social Media platforms.

Mark Wamai

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CHS Quality Assurance Guide Book

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An aerial photo of the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Makerere University showing Left to Right: The Sir Albert Cook Memorial Library, School of Biomedical Sciences, Davies Lecture Theatre, School of Public Health, Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital (MSWNH)-Background Left and Nakasero Hill-Background Right, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The College of Health Sciences (CHS) QA Guidebook streamlines academic excellence, outlining essential quality processes, committee structures, and regulations aligned with Makerere University Policy and the 2004 Graduate Guidebook. It details roles for staff and students, including examination management, committee terms of reference, and highlights staff/student achievements.

Key Components of the QA Guidebook

  • Committees & Structure: Defines roles for the Quality Assurance, Gender Mainstreaming, and ICT Committee, ensuring alignment with SDGs and university policies and NCHE
  • Examination QA Processes: Outlines procedures for setting, moderating, and marking exams, ensuring standards and ethical compliance.
  • Regulations & Guidelines: Based on the Makerere University Quality Assurance Policy Framework (2007) and Graduate Guidebook 2004 ensuring consistency across all programmes.
  • Roles & Responsibilities: Clearly defines the responsibilities of Deans, Heads of Departments, and Students in Internal Quality Assurance.
  • Key student information in academic processes.
  • Commitment to support graduate training.
  • Recognition & Faculty Development: Recognizes outstanding female professors and acknowledges staff who completed PhDs in 2024–2026

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Mak Editor

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