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Go for the Ball: Hon Muyingo to HERS-EA 3rd Academy Graduates
The week-long Higher Education Resource Services-East Africa (HERS-EA) Third Academy closed on a high note on Friday, 5th July 2019 with the State Minister for Higher Education, Hon. Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo urging graduates not to wait for the ball to come to them but to go for it instead. The State Minister noted that by empowering female leaders with skills in grant writing, gender- responsive budgeting, research and publishing and other areas, HERS-EA was moving in the right direction and preparing women to “go for the ball.”
Hon. Dr. Muyingo who conveyed the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni’s love and full support for the Academy thanked the HERS-EA leadership and facilitators for sharing their knowledge and skills with the ladies.
“The Uganda Vision 2040 and Second National Development Plan prioritise gender- equitable development. The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) welcomes all partners and institutions that contribute to equitable development in Uganda. HERS-EA has focussed on discussing and identifying solutions to equitable Higher Education Institutions in East Africa and we thank you for that” remarked Hon. Dr. Muyingo.
The State Minister further shared that MoES has embarked on reviewing the Education and Sports Sector Strategic Plan and assured HERS-EA that the Government was looking forward to learning from their practices. “I invite you to support the Ministry of Education and Sports and make a contribution by influencing the Education and Sports Sector Strategic Plan review process.”
Hon. Dr. Muyingo concluded his remarks by urging the Graduates not to lament about challenges in their home institutions but implement all the best practices that they had learnt from the Academy instead. He paid tribute to the Academy funders and founders for their selfless contributions and to Makerere University for contributing to the empowerment of women.
“Use your age and expertise to influence what goes on in other institutions” said Hon. Dr. Muyingo, in address to the Makerere University leadership, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Dr. Umar Kakumba.
Moving a vote of thanks, Dr. Kakumba who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe expressed gratitude to Hon. Dr. Muyingo for presiding over the closing ceremony, and affirmed Makerere University’s commitment to champion gender mainstreaming initiatives in the region.
“I want to reassure the Chief Guest and all participants that Makerere University through the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD) and in partnership with Higher Education Institutions in Uganda and regionally-initiated collaborations is committed to making policy and strengthening the implementation of gender mainstreaming in various aspects of teaching, learning, research and administration” said Dr. Kakumba.
He further reiterated the University’s readiness to support the Ministry of Education and Sports’ sector strategic plan review process, so as to empower women and address socio-cultural aspects that have impeded their development.
Delivering the concluding address to participants, HERS-EA Coordinator, Ms. Naomi Lumutenga quoting the biblical parable of talents urged the women to always use their skills and placements as platforms to influence their home institutions for the better. “I urge you to step out boldly and be the agent of change in your community or institution.”
She recognised Ugandan-born Mississippi State University-based Professor Margaret Khaitsa who conceptualised HERS-EA, then presented to the Chief Guest names of dignitaries that HERS-EA recognized for their initial and continued selfless contributions to the organisation’s success. These were;
- Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor, Makerere University – for unlocking and expediting the establishment of HERS-EA while still serving as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) and for his continued support the organisation’s objectives
- Dr. Pius Kamau, General Surgeon and President, Africa America Higher Education Partnerships, (AAHEP) – for making the initial connections for HERS-EA founders with women leaders in Kenya and Tanzania and personally sponsoring the inaugural convention, at the Sheraton Hotel, in October 2012.
- Prof. John David Kabasa, Principal, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) – for hosting the first HERS-EA Office and funding the two-day workshop at HERS-EA’s launch
- Prof. Judith White, Women's Equity Advocate, Retired Non-profit Leader and Former President and Executive Director of HERS – for being the HERS rock and moral campus and introducing HERS-EA Founders to Dr. Pius Kamau
- Dr. Ruth Muwazi, Chair HERS-EA and Former Deputy Principal CoVAB – for her diligent pro bono service to the organisation since its inception
Speaking on behalf of the Third Academy Graduates, Dr. Pamela Khanakwa from the Department of History, Archaeology, and Heritage Studies, Makerere University thanked the HERS-EA leadership and facilitators for helping her cohort understand the politics of male-dominated institutions and strategies on how to work with them. She also thanked the Academy for challenging participants to think beyond the present day.
“We have been challenged to think about where we want to be in the next five years, set targets and develop strategies on how to achieve them. We were taught how to develop career maps and paths and how to continue working even after retirement. We learnt how to discover what else we can do within our mainstream academic zones so as to prosper, thrive and stay relevant” added Dr. Khanakwa.
Participants in the HERS-EA Third Academy were drawn from hosts Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Muni University, Uganda Christian University (UCU), Clarke International University and Mekelle University Ethiopia. Notable among them was Dr. Elizabeth Kyazike, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Kyambogo University and first female archaeologist to earn a PhD in Uganda.
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The Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs (DVCAA), Prof. Sarah Ssali has made a strong case for good Minutes Writing, describing the process as “very important in respecting the integrity of the institution.” She made the remarks while officially opening a training workshop organised by the Makerere University Writing Centre (MakWC) for Executive and Administrative Staff on 4th August 2026.
And whereas it is important to consult long serving staff on institutional best practices, Prof. Ssali noted that good minute writing is the best way to preserve institutional memory, especially as staff come and go. She equally pointed out the importance of minutes in addressing issues of legality, as these accounts have since time immemorial been relied on to “help shape records and document the history of states”.
Away from setting the record straight, the DVCAA also stressed the importance of minutes in helping teams better prepare for their next meeting. Minutes, she noted, should help members develop an action matrix with quick turnaround times that empower the next meeting to address what was resolved.
The DVCAA equally underscored the importance of minutes in; helping institutions or their units comply with regulatory requirements, provide accountability in the event of tracking implementation of policies or programmes, and team alignment. “Minutes affect decisions and so they are good reference points for positions agreed upon by teams, especially where there was a lot of debate,” she said about the latter.
Prof. Ssali concluded by thanking executive and administrative staff present for sparing time to attend the training and urged them to uphold the highest degree of ethics and efficiency as they go about this noble task.
The Chairperson, MakWC, Prof. Fredrick Jones Muyodi in his remarks sincerely thanked the DVCAA for reiterating the importance of workshop in equipping staff to become better professionals. He, in the same breath, urged participants to do their best by putting into practice all the knowledge and skills that they acquire during the training.
Participants received specific training on Fundamentals and Roles of the Minute Taker by Mrs. Patience Mushengyezi and Minute Writing Techniques by Ms. Proscovia Nakayiki. The executive and administrative staff were equally tipped on; the Policy and Legal Environment for Minute Writing by Ms. Esther Kabinga, e-Meeting platforms by Dr. Godfrey Mayende, and Ethical and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by Prof. Paul Birevu Muyinda.
About MakWC
Housed under the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Partnerships (DRIP), MakWC is a pivotal centre aimed at enhancing Makerere University’s strategic goal of becoming a research-led institution by 2030. The centre provides faculty, staff and students with assistance on their papers, projects, reports, multi-modal documents and other writerly needs across disciplines.
Makerere University has officially welcomed the 2026/2027 cohort of freshers, urging them to pursue academic excellence, uphold integrity, embrace diversity and make the most of the opportunities available throughout their university journey.
The opening of Orientation Week, held at the Freedom Square on Monday, 3rd August 2026, brought together University leaders, staff and thousands of newly admitted students. Throughout the event, speakers emphasized academic discipline, personal responsibility, leadership, student welfare and the values that have defined Makerere University for over a century.
Academic Registrar Welcomes Freshers
Delivering his remarks, the Academic Registrar, Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, congratulated the freshers upon their admission and welcomed them into Makerere University‘s long standing tradition of scholarship, research and innovation.
He reminded the students that joining Makerere University marked the beginning of a new chapter in their lives; one in which they would take full responsibility for shaping their future.
“Your arrival at Makerere marks a new chapter in your own life. This chapter is different because now you have the opportunity to determine the direction of your own story.”
Prof. Buyinza encouraged students to actively participate in academic activities, complete assignments on time and uphold integrity throughout their studies.
He cautioned against examination malpractice, forgery and other forms of academic misconduct, emphasizing that such offences could lead to dismissal from the University.
The Academic Registrar also stressed the importance of completing registration within the prescribed period, reminding students that admission remains provisional until registration requirements have been fulfilled.
“Technically, you are not yet students until you register.”
He further guided students on programme changes, registration procedures, and tuition payment requirements and urged them to carefully read the University’s Joining Instructions.
Beyond academics, Prof. Buyinza advised students to exercise financial discipline, avoid online scams and make responsible personal decisions while adjusting to university life.
Dean of Students Highlights Student Welfare
The Dean of Students, Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, briefed freshers on accommodation, health services, feeding, spiritual welfare and leadership opportunities available at the University.
She advised students seeking off-campus accommodation to choose only accredited private hostels approved by the University.
“Please make sure you choose a hostel that is safe, comfortable and closer to campus.”
Dr. Kabumbuli also encouraged students to open medical files at the University Hospital instead of self-medicating whenever they fall ill.
“Don’t ignore illness. Don’t self-prescribe. Go for proper medical attention through the University Hospital.”
She urged students to participate in spiritual fellowship through the University’s places of worship and to embrace leadership opportunities available at class, hall and college levels.
Welcoming international students, Dr. Kabumbuli noted that Makerere University has admitted more than 800 international students from 55 countries across five continents, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to providing an inclusive learning environment.
Former Guild President Shares His Makerere Journey
Hon. Lawrence Alionzi (Dangote), inspired the freshers through his personal story, recalling how he joined Makerere University in 2019 as a young student from Arua “with an empty pocket and a bag full of dreams.”
He described Makerere as “the hill of endless possibilities” and challenged students to maximize every opportunity available during their university life.
“The answer to whether you reach the top of the hill lies in what you do between now and the day you graduate.”
Drawing lessons from his own experience, Dangote cautioned students against peer pressure, financial recklessness and online investment scams, encouraging them to choose friends wisely and remain focused on their academic goals.
“Hard work beats talent if talent does not learn to work hard.”
Academic Registrar Clarifies Registration Process
Returning to the podium, Prof. Buyinza clarified registration procedures, programme change guidelines and admission requirements.
He reminded students that failure to register within the stipulated period would result in forfeiture of admission.
“Registration is the most important step that will determine whether you become a university student or not.”
He also advised students seeking programme changes to ensure they meet the required cut-off points and available vacancies before submitting applications.
Prof. Sarah Ssali Calls for Excellence and Integrity
Closing the orientation, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, officially welcomed the freshers to Makerere University.
Beginning her remarks, Prof. Ssali asked students admitted to the Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences to identify themselves before revealing that she too had studied the same programme.
Using her own experience, she reminded students that every academic programme offered by the University is valuable.
“Every course matters. Whatever you have been given, do it as if your life depends on it.”
She congratulated the incoming students, describing their admission as the beginning of a transformative journey that would prepare them to become responsible citizens and future leaders.
“Your achievement reflects your hard work, determination and potential, and we are delighted that you have chosen Makerere University as the next step in your academic journey.”
Prof. Ssali reminded students that every academic programme matters and encouraged them to pursue excellence regardless of the course they had been admitted to.
She reassured students that Makerere remains committed to providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment through academic staff, the Dean of Students’ Office, counselling services, student leaders and other support units.
She particularly encouraged students facing personal or academic challenges to seek help whenever necessary.
Prof. Ssali reaffirmed the University’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment and exploitation.
“Do not suffer silently. Raise your voice. We have zero tolerance for sexual harassment and exploitation of students.”
Encouraging students to engage beyond the classroom, she urged them to participate in research, innovation, sports, leadership, community engagement and international programmes that complement academic learning.
She also called upon students to reject examination malpractice, plagiarism, violence, substance abuse and all forms of misconduct that undermine the University’s values.
“University education is not only about earning a degree; it is about developing the knowledge, character, values and competences required to make a meaningful contribution to society.”
As she concluded, Prof. Ssali challenged the freshers to think about the legacy they wished to leave behind at Makerere University.
“Pursue a life of excellence. Take ownership of your learning, build strong networks and make the most of every opportunity the University offers.”
The 2026/2027 Orientation Week continues with college based sessions that will introduce freshers to academic programmes, registration processes, student support services and university life before the commencement of the new academic year.
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