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.
The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications from Ugandan, East African, and international applicants for the undergraduate programmes under the private sponsorship scheme for the 2026/2027 Academic Year for ‘A’ Level Leavers Only.
Each applicant should:
Have the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with at least five (5) passes, or its equivalent and at least two (2) principal passes at Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) obtained at the same sitting. For day programmes only candidates who sat A’ Level in 2025, 2024 and 2023 are eligible to apply. For evening, afternoon, and external programmes, a candidate is not restricted on the year of sitting A’ Level. Detailed information on the weighting system can be accessed by following this link.
Other relevant information can be obtained from UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE, LEVEL 3, SENATE BUILDING OR CAN BE found on the University Website https://www.mak.ac.ug. Effective Monday 20th April 2026.
A non-refundable application fee of shs.50,000/= for Ugandans, East African and S. Sudan applicants or $75 or equivalent for internationals plus bank charges should be paid in any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority.
Candidates who hold grades X, Y, Z, 7 and 9 of ‘O’Levelresults should not apply because they are not eligible for admission. Below are the availble courses including respective fees structure.
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The College of Health Sciences (CHS) at Makerere University has taken a significant step toward strengthening graduate training and research oversight following a hands-on training in the Research Information Management System (RIMS) held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the CHS premises.
The training brought together over 25 Heads of Departments and College Registrars from the School of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, and School of Public Health, in a strategic push to digitize and streamline graduate supervision.
Leading the CHS team, Associate Professor Annettee Olivia Nakimuli, Dean of the School of Medicine, described RIMS as a transformative tool that will redefine how graduate students are tracked and supported.
“RIMS is definitely the way to go. It will help us track students in real time,” she said. “We have struggled to know how well students are progressing, and sometimes we are not even sure who needs help along the way.”
Prof. Nakimuli emphasized that the system will enhance accountability on both sides of the supervision divide.
“It will facilitate supervision for both the supervisor and the student. Supervisors will be more accountable, but students too will be more accountable. At any one time, we shall know exactly what is happening between student-supervisor pairs.”
Addressing concerns about possible resistance or tension arising from increased transparency, she noted that RIMS would instead clarify longstanding challenges affecting completion rates.
The training in session.
“Completion challenges are multifactorial—sometimes it is the supervisor, sometimes the student, and sometimes both. This system will make it clear where the problem is so it can be addressed,” she explained, adding that mindset change—not technical ability—remains the biggest hurdle for some staff transitioning from analog systems.
She further aligned RIMS with Makerere University’s broader agenda of becoming a research-led, graduate-focused institution.
“This is how we begin to walk the talk of being a graduate training university,” she added.
Representing the Director of Graduate Training, Mr. Nestor Mugabe underscored that RIMS is part of a larger, evolving digital ecosystem aimed at strengthening research management across the university.
“RIMS is a comprehensive system that captures the entire research process, but today we are focusing on the e-supervision component,” he said.
He noted that the system has been rolled out progressively across colleges, with CHS engagements tailored to accommodate the demanding schedules of health professionals.
“A student cannot progress if their supervisor is not on the system. That is why we are bringing everyone on board—supervisors, administrators, and students—so that the system works seamlessly,” Mugabe emphasized.
To ensure sustainability, he revealed that dedicated technical personnel have been deployed to provide on-site support.
“We now have resident technical staff who can support you directly in your offices, ensuring that no one is left behind in this transition.”
Arthur Moses Opio from DICTS was the lead trainer on RIMS.
From a technical standpoint, Arthur Moses Opio of the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS) highlighted RIMS as a critical pillar in Makerere’s digital transformation journey.
“This system is about bridging the gap between supervisors and students,” he said. “It logs activities, tracks feedback, and ensures that no academic guidance is lost or disputed.”
He explained that RIMS allows students to upload research milestones—from concept notes to final theses—while enabling supervisors and examiners to engage within a transparent, traceable system.
“Before, a student could get lost in the process. Now, every comment, every revision, every step is recorded. It brings clarity and accountability.”
Opio also noted that RIMS is integrated with key university systems, including the Human Resource Management System and the Academic Management Information System (ACMIS), ensuring data consistency and institutional oversight.
CHS College Registrar Mr. Herbert Batamye welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention in addressing inefficiencies in graduate supervision.
Prof. Annettee Olivia Nakimuli, the Dean School of Medicine (L) and Mr. Herbert Batamye, the Registrar of CHS (R).
“RIMS is going to be a wonderful addition to our academic processes. It will accelerate supervision and improve efficiency if fully adopted,” he said.
He observed that the system had already received strong buy-in from participants.
“We brought together over 25 Heads of Departments and registrars, and the response has been very positive. Staff appreciate its potential.”
Mr. Batamye pointed out that one of the key strengths of RIMS is its ability to synchronize multiple supervisors on a single student’s progress.
“If a candidate has several supervisors, each will clearly see what the other is doing. It ensures that everyone is accountable and that delays are minimized.”
As Makerere University continues to digitize its academic and research processes, the CHS RIMS training signals a growing institutional commitment to improving graduate completion rates, enhancing supervision quality, and positioning research at the heart of its mission.
There are farewells that pass quietly and then there are those that leave a lasting imprint on the hearts of all who attend. The retirement luncheon of Patience Mushengyezi held at the Senate Building University was unmistakably the latter.
Held in an atmosphere filled with warmth, gratitude, and reflection, the event brought together colleagues, friends, and family to celebrate a woman whose 26-year journey at the University has been defined by diligence, humility, and quiet impact.
From the moment she rose to speak, Patience set the tone, not with grandeur, but with gratitude.
Patience Mushengyezi (R) and her sister Alexandra Kalemera
“I thank God for the opportunity He gave me to serve,” she said, her voice steady but reflective. “Everything I have achieved has not been by my own strength.”
Her career began in the Transcripts Office as an Assistant Registrar, a role that would become the foundation of her legacy. Over the years, she rose through the ranks to Senior Assistant Registrar and later Deputy Registrar, serving in various units including the Senate. Along the way, she became not only a custodian of records but also a steward of institutional memory.
Colleagues recalled how, in earlier years, obtaining a transcript in a single day was nearly impossible. Today, that process has been streamlined, thanks in part to Patience’s innovation and persistence. Patience initiated the Digitalization of Academic Records and Processes (DARP) project to ease the storage, retrieval and acquisition of academic documents by stakeholders. What began as a simple concern about poorly kept records evolved into a transformative records management initiative that has since improved efficiency and safeguarded academic history.
Framed message in appreciation to Mrs. Mushengyezi dedicated service to Makerere University.
“She is like a moving encyclopedia,” one colleague remarked, highlighting her deep knowledge of university policies, many of which, he noted, exist as much in her mind as they do on paper.
The luncheon was not just a celebration of professional achievement, but also of character. Speaker after speaker described Patience as calm, dependable, and deeply empathetic “a friend you can trust,” as her supervisor, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, put it.
Mrs. Mushengyezi receiving a bouquet of flowers from Ms. Ruth Iteu Eyoku(L)
In his tribute, he reflected on his own transition from academia into administration, crediting Patience for guiding and mentoring him. “It is through her willingness to teach and support me that I became the administrator I am today,” he said.
Beyond the office, Patience’s impact extended into personal lives. Rev. Dr. Lydia Kitayimbwa – Chaplain, St. Francis Chapel spoke fondly of their friendship, describing her as a confidant and prayer partner. “She brings a sense of peace,” she said. “She listens, she prays, and she walks with people.”
Her sister, Alexandra Kalemera, offered an emotional reflection that captured the essence of the day. “It is a beautiful thing to serve in one place for 26 years and not simply disappear,” she said. “Today, we see the impact of a life well lived.”
Indeed, that impact was evident not only in speeches, but in the collective emotion in the room. There was laughter and moments of quiet introspection as colleagues reflected on their own journeys.
A cake was cut.
At the heart of Patience’s message was a call to action: to serve with integrity, to embrace small but meaningful change, and to value people above titles.
“Do not sit comfortably when things are not working,” she advised. “Do something.”
She also reminded colleagues of the importance of balance and self-care, urging them to find satisfaction in their work while recognizing the limits of their control.
As she steps into retirement, Patience is far from slowing down. She looks forward to pursuing personal ventures, including producing organic dairy products, and expanding her passion for mentoring young people, a calling she believes has already transformed lives.
Rev. Lydia Kitayimbwa lead a prayer for Mrs Mushengyezi.
“This is not the end,” Rev. Kitayimbwa noted. “It is the beginning of a new chapter.”
Perhaps the most profound reflection of the afternoon came from Prof. Buyinza, who posed a question to those gathered: When your time comes, will people come for you like this?
It was a moment that lingered, a reminder that legacy is not built on titles, but on relationships, integrity, and service.
As the luncheon drew to a close, one thing was clear: Patience Mushengyezi may be retiring from office, but her influence will remain deeply woven into the fabric of the Department of Academic Registry.
And in the words echoed throughout the room—this was not goodbye.