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Go for the Ball: Hon Muyingo to HERS-EA 3rd Academy Graduates

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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.

Facilitators and Participants of the HERS-EA Third Academy pose for a group photo shortly before the closing ceremony on 5th July 2019, Grand Global Hotel, Kampala Uganda

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.

Article by Public Relations Office

 

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Undergraduate Admissions List: Mop-up/Appeals 2025/2026

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The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Successful appeals and supplementary lists. Below is a list arising from appeals of Government Sponsored candidates who have been admitted:

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Makerere University, DFCU Bank Sign MoU to Advance Innovation, Student Leadership and Research

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Officials from Makerere University and DFCU Bank pose for a group photo at the Main Building Entrance after the MoU signing ceremony on 4th July 2025. Makerere University and DFCU Bank Limited sign a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enhance academic excellence, advance research and innovation capabilities, and provide crucial student support services through key activities; Annual Tumusiime Muteile Lecture, MakRun and Student activities, 4th July 2025, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

By Eve Nakyanzi and Atwenda Nancy

Makerere University and DFCU Bank have today signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster innovation, student leadership, research and community impact initiatives.

The collaboration which will see the equipping of the Disability Support center for students living with disabilities through the MAK run and more leadership trainings for students will begin this July.

“The MoU will strengthen research collaborations across sectors like agriculture and health and it will also support the Mutebile Centre to assist private sector growth, which is crucial in lifting Africa out of poverty,” said Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) flanked by Mr. Charles Mudiwa (L) makes his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony. Makerere University and DFCU Bank Limited sign a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enhance academic excellence, advance research and innovation capabilities, and provide crucial student support services through key activities; Annual Tumusiime Muteile Lecture, MakRun and Student activities, 4th July 2025, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) flanked by Mr. Charles Mudiwa (L) makes his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony.

Speaking during the event, Mr. Charles M. Mudiwa, the DFCU Bank Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the move, noting its alignment with the bank’s mission to transform lives and support national development through four pillars: funding, financial inclusion, enterprise development, and vocational education.

“This MoU crowns years of effort and shared intent between our institutions,” he stated.
Mr. Mudiwa highlighted the bank’s commitment to skilling youth through internships, curriculum development, and support for innovation hubs and centres of excellence at the university.
“We consume the graduates of Makerere. In our most recent graduate intake of 87, 60% were Makerere alumni. The bank allocates around 30 internship positions annually to equip young people with the skills necessary for future roles within the institution,” Mr. Mudiwa, noted.

Representing the student body, Guild President His Excellency, Sentamu Churchill James, commended the partnership as a timely intervention that will empower youth, support SMEs, and expand internship and leadership development opportunities.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd L) presents a framed portrait of the Main Building to Mr. Charles Mudiwa (C) as L-R: University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta witness. Makerere University and DFCU Bank Limited sign a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enhance academic excellence, advance research and innovation capabilities, and provide crucial student support services through key activities; Annual Tumusiime Muteile Lecture, MakRun and Student activities, 4th July 2025, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd L) presents a framed portrait of the Main Building to Mr. Charles Mudiwa (C) as L-R: University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta witness.

“Students are the heartbeat of the university. This collaboration will empower youth and strengthen their role in national development,” His Excellency Ssentamu, said.

About MAK RUN 2025

The Makerere Run 2025 (#MakRun2025), hosted by the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MAKEF) on 17th August 2025, returns for its fifth edition as Kampala’s premier charity marathon, uniting 8,000+ runners—students, alumni, corporate teams, and elite athletes—to tackle the city’s iconic hills under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future.” This landmark event combines competitive racing with transformative impact, channeling proceeds to strengthen Makerere University’s community programs while offering unmatched branding opportunities for partners through Kampala’s largest university-led sporting spectacle.

The Mak Run, scheduled this year for August 17th, is a flagship initiative that mobilizes students, staff, alumni, and partners to raise funds for projects such as the Disability Support Unit and the Student Centre.

The Writers are Interns in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University

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Diploma in Performing Arts Admission List 2025/26

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The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released the admission list of candidates who passed the special entry examinations for the Diploma in Performing Arts held on Saturday 17th May, 2025

The following have been admitted by the University’s Admissions Committee on Private Sponsorship for the 2025/26 Academic Year

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