General
Ambassador Kameda Visits AICAD Mak Office, Receives Reports
The Ambassador of Japan to Uganda, H.E. Kazuaki Kameda on Wednesday, 17th April 2019 made a courtesy visit to the African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD) Office, Makerere University. He was received by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Dr. Bitek Titus Watmon who represented the Vice Chancellor Kyambogo University and AICAD officials led by the Acting Executive Director-Prof. Dominic Byarugaba. Also present from AICAD were the Director Research and Development Division-Dr. Benson Odongo, Director Training and Extension-Patrick A. Wakhu as well as former AICAD Uganda Country Office Director-Prof. Oswald Ndoleriire.
Welcoming H.E. Kazuaki Kameda, Prof. Nawangwe thanked the Government and people of Japan for the immense support received through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and AICAD shortly after Uganda had emerged from the civil war in 1987. He thanked JICA for the continued support to AICAD, which has enabled the Secretariat to fund research and training activities.
“Makerere benefitted a lot in the form of research and training through AICAD support. This support was timely, because we developed a critical mass of staff in a select number of disciplines such as security and population studies which are pertinent to Africa’s development” remarked the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Nawangwe also appreciated the construction of the then Faculty of Science Extension (JICA Building) completed in 1992 as well as support to the Department of Geology which led to additional mineral discoveries through joint research activities. “I implore Your Excellency to use your office to renew support to our joint research with Japanese colleagues for the mutual benefit of both our countries.”
He also acknowledged the Japanese Government’s contribution to infrastructural development through the construction of projects such as the newly completed Source of the Nile Bridge. The 525metre cable-stayed bridge was officially opened to traffic on 17th October 2018 and has a lifespan of 120 years.
In his remarks, the Ambassador thanked the Vice Chancellor and leaders present for the extremely warm welcome to Makerere University. He highly appreciated Prof. Byarugaba’s efforts in organising his visit to the AICAD offices.
“I am happy to see that AICAD has continued to carry out its activities with support from the Regional Governments of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania” added H.E. Kameda.
Prof. Dominic Byarugaba informed the meeting that AICAD’s Headquarters are located within the main campus of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). The three AICAD Country Offices are located at Egerton University in Kenya, Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania and Makerere University. He added that the Institute’s mandate is poverty reduction in Africa through human capacity development especially in the area of agriculture, which employs the largest portion of the population.
Prof. Byarugaba further noted that AICAD supports key projects such as value addition to clay products in Kyambogo University as well as Namanve and Kajjansi areas where large deposits of clay exist. “Industries with advanced glazing machinery have gone ahead to produce tiles and other ceramic products.”
He shared that in response to threats posed by climate change, AICAD had conducted value addition trainings for products such as milk and vegetables. He added that the Institute had partnered with JICA to promote intensification of the New Rice for Africa (NERICA) variety in the East African regions of Mbeya and Morogoro in Tanzania, Ahero and Busia in Kenya as well as Eastern Uganda.
“The choice of crop AICAD promotes is informed by the agro ecological zones of Uganda. For example in Eastern Uganda, JICA and AICAD conducted a lot of trainings on rice growing in partnership with Busitema University. In Western Uganda, we concentrated on bananas but also appended other crops such as coffee and tea and partnered with the Operation Wealth Creation in the distribution of seedlings. In Northern Uganda, we partnered with Gulu University to conduct training on simsim growing, as well as other foods that improve the health and nutrition status of the previously displaced communities” Prof. Byarugaba further explained.
Dr. Bitek Titus Watmon in his contribution however called for the need to AICAD and JICA to set up a professional training centre where students from Universities and Technical Institutions can acquire professional hands-on skills. This, he said would help to stem the rising tide graduates from these institutions whose skills in areas such as torch welding do not meet professional standards and as such, their products cannot be accepted by international markets. This intervention will be necessary if these graduates are to match skills required by Uganda’s and the region’s promising oil and gas sector.
Please see Downloads for the AICAD Brief
Article by Public Relations Office
General
Makerere University Writing Centre holds second training workshop: Roots for standard University-wide templates in minute writing
By Chris Kaahwa and Ritah Namisango
Makerere University Writing Center (MakWC) has intensified efforts to improve the quality, consistency, and accuracy of official records across the institution.
In pursuit of this agenda, MakWC has lined up a series of writing training workshops targeting University staff in the various units. On 13th November 2025, 27 members of staff participated in the second training workshop, which highlighted the need for development of standardized templates, to guide the documentation processes within the University. This builds on the workshop for the first cohort where 24 members of staff were trained on 6th November 2025.
With over 50 members of staff so far trained, MakWC is building both the individual and institutional capacity in writing minutes, record keeping and presentation of official records.
Addressing the participants, Professor Fredrick Jones Muyodi, Team Leader, MakWC, described the Center as a transformative initiative committed to enhancing academic and scholarly writing, and publication capacities across the University. He shared that the Center continues to support faculty, staff, and students through mentorship and training on various forms of writing, including theses, dissertations, publications, project proposals and grants.
Noting the urge for professional development, Professor Muyodi acknowledged staff from the Department of the Academic Registrar, administrative units, colleges, and Makerere University Jinja Campus for embracing continuous learning. He highlighted the Centre’s deliberate plan to continuously use a comprehensive training and mentorship model, bringing on board specialists and mentors with extensive experience in writing, collaborative research, and publication to guide and support participants.
The Academic Registrar of Makerere University, Professor Buyinza Mukadasi represented by Mrs. Patience Rubabinda Mushengyezi, applauded the Writing Center for continuously providing practical support to staff who handle official documents and sensitive academic information. “This is the kind of support we all need in the various units. Many of us will benefit from this workshop,” she said.
Stressing the need for standardized templates and ethical writing practices, Mrs. Mushengyezi noted that minutes are important documents that must be accurate, confidential, and easy to reference. “Many of us handle sensitive information. A standard template will help us keep our records consistent and professional across all units,” she stated.
Mrs. Mushengyezi encouraged staff to take the training seriously pointing out that proper minute writing and documentation contributes to professional and institutional credibility. She tasked staff involved in writing minutes as well as documentation of university proceedings to ensure that official records conform to the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act.
Guiding participants through the Roles of a Minute Taker, Mrs. Mushengyezi pointed out the different types of meetings, which included; Regular, Special, and Emergency, and urged them to have a solid understanding of the University’s operational framework in order to record such meetings accurately.
During a session on legal compliance, Ms. Esther Kabinga, Principal Legal Officer, explained that adherence to policies and regulations, which govern minutes writing, upholds the integrity of records and decision making process of institutions. “In addition”, she said, “Accuracy and objectivity, completeness and clarity, timeliness and confidentiality, compliance with organizational policies and procedure,” are among the key considerations that the staff should comply with while writing minutes.
She guided participants to desist from including personal opinions in writing minutes, stressing that in accurate or incomplete documentation may expose institutions and individuals to legal risks. “Proper documentation protects both the University and the decision-makers,” she said.
To ensure consistency across academic and administrative units, Ms. Prossie Nakayiki, Acting Deputy Academic Registrar (Examinations and Transcripts) advocated for the adoption of University-wide standardized templates. She explained that standard templates promote a uniform and consistent writing culture. She called upon participants to use simple, clear and official language while avoiding abbreviations and unnecessary jargons. She emphasized that each minute should accurately record the resolution made, indicate the person responsible for follow-up actions, and provide clear timeline for implementation. “Good minutes, reflect not just what was discussed, but also the discipline, clarity, and accountability of the institution,” she added.
In a virtual presentation, Professor Paul Birevu Muyinda, Director of the Institute of Open, Distance and e-Learning (IODeL) sensitized the participants on the Ethical and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Underscoring AI’s growing transformative role in teaching, learning, research, and administration, Professor Muyinda urged participants to integrate AI tools into their daily work, and to conform to the University’s approved AI policy.
Supporting his submission, Dr. Godfrey Mayende, Head of the Department of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Deputy Director of IODeL, highlighted how AI and Online platforms provide automated accuracy, faster turnaround in work efficiency, and better accountability in writing and recording minutes.
He guided participants on preparing effectively for virtual meetings, including confirming the agenda, setting platform options (recording, captions, cohost), and preparing consent scripts.
Closing the workshop, Professor Ronald Bisaso, Assistant Team Leader, MakWC commended staff for their active participation, as well as, the facilitators for sharing the knowledge and expertise.
“As the Writing Center, we are profoundly honored that we started with a team entrusted with essential duties of this great institution. Standardizing minute writing is the next step toward improving the credibility and accountability of our academic records,” he concluded.
Makerere University has made a notable advance by officially launching the implementation of its Mentorship Policy. This initiative aims to strengthen support and guidance for students, fostering personal and academic growth within the university community. This was announced on Thursday, 13 November 2025, by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs, in her remarks delivered by the Dean of Students, Dr. Winfred Kabumbuli, during the annual workshop for mentors of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, held at the Fairway Hotel.
Prof. Ssali praised the university’s mentors for their outstanding work in supporting students.
“I am pleased to join my fellow mentors at this crucial capacity-building workshop organised under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University. It is important to recognise and commend your unwavering dedication to the holistic development of our Scholars. Your roles in mentorship, safeguarding, and fostering inclusion are essential, and together, we must continue to advance these efforts for the benefit of our Scholars,” asserted Prof. Ssali.
Prof. Ssali expressed her enthusiasm, noting that mentorship closely aligns with the shared mission: ensuring that all Makerere University students feel safe, thrive, and achieve their academic and personal goals.
“Our efforts in student affairs are incomplete unless we provide our students with the mentorship, guidance, and support they need to develop into responsible global citizens. Safeguarding, mentorship, and inclusion are not just programmatic themes; they are values that define the Makerere University community we seek to build,” Prof. Ssali remarked.
Prof. Ssali further praised the University Council and Management for adopting key policies, the Mentorship Policy 2025 and the Safeguarding Policy 2024, which are essential for the well-being of students and staff at Makerere University.
“I wish to commend the University Council and Management for approving and implementing the Makerere University Career Guidance and Mentorship Policy (2025) and the Safeguarding Policy (2024). These policies provide structure and accountability to our work, helping us strengthen systems that protect and support our students and staff,” Prof. Ssali noted.
Speaking in her role as the Dean of Students, Dr. Kabumbuli highlighted the importance of Mentorship, inclusion, and safeguarding as the critical areas in managing student affairs at Makerere University.
“Safeguarding reminds us of our duty to create and maintain a learning environment where every student feels safe, respected, and valued. Career guidance and mentorship remind us that academic excellence must go hand in hand with personal growth, discipline, and preparation for life after university. Inclusive mentorship compels us to extend our support to every learner, including those with disabilities, those from refugee backgrounds, young mothers, and international students, ensuring that no one is left behind,” Dr. Kabumbuli asserted.
Dr. Kabumbuli urged the mentors to reaffirm their shared commitment to a student-centred approach, one that recognises the human dignity, potential, and diversity of every Scholar. She encouraged the mentors to continue exemplifying the values of integrity, professionalism, and compassion that embody the spirit of Makerere.
On behalf of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and the Africa Climate Collaborative, Program Director Prof. Justine Namaalwa shared exciting news with the Program mentors about the recent recruitment of 191 undergraduate scholars and 41 graduate students. She highlighted the importance of providing mentorship and guidance to these scholars, who come from diverse backgrounds and possess various strengths and challenges. Prof. Namaalwa encouraged everyone to actively support these students as they embark on their academic journeys.
“We were excited to welcome 191 undergraduate and 41 master’s Scholars to the Programme this academic year. These talented individuals hail from diverse backgrounds and bring immense potential, and they need your active support and mentorship,” Prof. Namaalwa remarked.
Prof. Namaalwa further requested that, as the University continues to recruit more mentors, it’s essential to recognise that effective mentorship goes beyond mere knowledge sharing. It involves actively listening, empathizing with the mentees, and empowering them to forge their own unique paths.
”Together, we can create a supportive environment that fosters growth and success for all our Scholars and students of Makerere University.” Prof. Namaalwa pointed.
The Annual Mentors’ Workshop, which was attended by over 70 mentors from different units of the University and others from other organisations, featured a range of activities designed to enhance mentors’ skills and understanding. Mr. Musa Mwambu from Light for the World, a partner of the Mastercard Foundation, led a valuable training session focused on inclusion, equipping participants with essential insights. Additionally, Mr Apollo Mulondo from the Refugee Law Project provided an in-depth training session designed to empower mentors to support students with refugee status effectively. The workshop also included opportunities for mentors to hear firsthand from young individuals, including a student with disabilities and two safeguarding champions, enriching their understanding and commitment to inclusive mentorship.
The writer is the Principal Communications Officer for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
-
General2 weeks agoMakerere University Writing Centre trains first cohort of staff on professional minute writing
-
General1 week agoCall For Applications: Mak-BSSR Postdoc, PhD, Master’s Fellowship-level Training
-
Research5 days agoMakerere University and Ministry of Public Service Study Reveals Impact of Salary Enhancement on Teacher Performance in Uganda
-
Innovation2 weeks agoGovernment of Uganda reaffirms commitment to AI-Driven Innovation in Health and Development
-
Education2 weeks agoStrengthening Early Childhood Care Education: MakCEES earmarked to host daycare facility