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Mak-Okayama University Half Day “Microbio” Seminar

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The Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) is pleased to invite you to a half-day "Microbio" seminar featuring 3 local experts at Makerere University and a visiting scientist from Okayama University, Japan. You are all welcome especially staff and graduate students.

Please see Downloads for details on the speakers

Makerere University (through CoNAS and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, CAES) have an on-going 5-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Okayama University (through her Institute of Plant Sciences and Resources, IPSR) signed in November 2016.

SEMINAR INFORMATION:

DATE & TIME: Friday, 30th august 2019, 09:00am – 01:00pm

PLACE/VENUE: Botany-Zoology Lecture Theatre, CoNAS, Makerere University

HOSTED BY: Assoc. Prof. Arthur K. Tugume, Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology, CoNAS, Email: aktugume[at]cns.mak.ac.ug

MODERATOR: Assoc. Prof. Fredrick Muyodi, Deputy Principal, CoNAS, Makerere University

ABOUT THE TOPICS/PRESENTERS:

Lanthanide as a new life metal in microbiology. By: Assoc. Prof. Akio Tani, Institute of Plant Sciences and Resources (IPSR), Okayama University.

Transmission dynamics of African swine fever in an endemic setting at the livestock-wildlife interface. By: Assoc. Prof. Charles Masembe, Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, CoNAS, University.

Sustaining sweet potato productivity through exploiting reversion from sweet potato virus infections. By: Dr. Peter Wasswa, Deptartment Agricultural Production, CAES, University.

Overcoming Xanthomonas wilt and rehabilitation of banana plantations in East and Central Africa. By: Assoc. Prof. Arthur K. Tugume, Dept. of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology, CoNAS, Makerere University.

BRIEF SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

Lanthanides are also known as rare-earth elements (REEs; although the term REEs is now misleading). The discovery of lanthanide (Ln3+) dependence for catalytic activity of methanol dehydrogenases enzymes few years ago has overturned a long-standing dogma of the biological inertia of the so-called REEs but also created numerous conundrums and hard questions on the evolution of alternative enzymes and their potentially different redox properties. Lanthanides have been used by humans for biomedical and technology applications for long due to their special properties e.g., superiority in enzymatic catalysis; however, it turns out that bacteria employed lanthanides well before humans did. The surprise discovery of the biological activity of REEs was mostly a reflection of our ignorance. Assoc. Prof. Akio Tani addresses this subject with "Lanthanide as a new life metal in microbiology" under this seminar in the first part of the seminar.

The second theme is about a few studies of solving problems of infectious diseases of in livestock and crops. Three (3) case studies by leading scientists at University are presented. These include studies on:

(a) Whole genome sequencing to determine the molecular genetics and evolution of African swine fever virus at the livestock-wildlife interface in an endemic setting;

(b) How virus-infected sweet potato plants can naturally revert to virus-free status using own natural system, named 'reversion', and

(c) How lateral banana shoots may escape Xanthomonas wilt-causing bacteria, even though the mother plants have died of the same bacterial infection, a scenario that is resonant of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of certain viral infections in humans.

Mark Wamai

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Makerere University Waste Management Boosted by Centenary Bank

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Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (3rd L) shakes hands with Centenary Bank's Mr. Sunday Julius (C) as L-R: Mr. Simon Kizito, Prof. Sarah Ssali, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, Mr. Paul Agaba and SSP Kaheebwa Geoffrey applaud on 11th May 2026. Donation of 30 waste bins by Centenary Bank’s Makerere Branch as part of ESG objectives, 11th May 2026, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

Waste Management efforts at Makerere University have been boosted by a donation of 30 waste bins by Centenary Bank’s Makerere Branch. The bins received on Monday 11th May 2026 in the Freedom Square by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in the company of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Ssali, Deputy University Secretary, Mr. Simon Kizito and other officials were handed over by the Branch Manager, Mr. Sunday Julius.

Appreciating the donation from Centenary Bank on behalf of University Management, Prof. Nawangwe noted that Makerere University strives to maintain “the cleanest environment in Kampala”, especially as a good example to future leaders, the students.

Donation of 30 waste bins by Centenary Bank’s Makerere Branch as part of ESG objectives, 11th May 2026, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
Some of the 30 bins donated by Centenary Bank Makerere Branch.

Acknowledging earlier donations to the Halls of Residence by Centenary Bank, Prof. Nawangwe described the ceremony as “the beginning of a long journey of collaboration in environmental stewardship,” with separation of plastics from biodegradable waste earmarked as the next step in user education.

In his remarks, Mr. Sunday noted that the donation was in line with the Bank’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives, particularly the Social component, where supporting institutions with waste management facilities to enhance hygiene is key. “It is important for Centenary Bank to give back to the society where it makes money”, he emphasized.

Officials pose for a group photo after the donation ceremony. Donation of 30 waste bins by Centenary Bank’s Makerere Branch as part of ESG objectives, 11th May 2026, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
Officials pose for a group photo after the donation ceremony.

Describing Makerere University as the “main institution that Centenary Bank operates a branch”, Mr. Sunday recognised the donation as a step in the right direction with a valuable partner.

The newly-donated bins will be placed in various public locations under supervision of the Estates and Works Directorate.

Mark Wamai

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Bachelor of Laws Pre-Entry Examination Results 2026/2027

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The office of the Academic Registrar has released the results for Bachelor of Laws Pre-Entry Examination 2026/2027 held on Saturday 18th April, 2026.

Candidates who scored 50% and above passed the examination and have been recommended to the Admissions Committee for consideration. However, the candidates who passed have to submit an application where Bachelor of Laws is among the programme choices in the application system here: https://apply.mak.ac.ug.

Candidate who are not satisfied with their results may appeal within two weeks from the date of the release of results.

Follow the links below for the candidate lists showing results of the categories of candidates respectively:

Mak Editor

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Makerere University-ND Sign MoU to Enhance Collaboration

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The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (L) and the ND 18th President, Rev. Robert A. Dowd shake hands after signing the MoU. Makerere University Kampala, Uganda and the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, USA (ND) sign MOU, which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others, May 2026.

Makerere University and the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (ND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others.

Officials pose for a group photo with the signed MoU. Makerere University Kampala, Uganda and the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, USA (ND) sign MOU, which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others, May 2026.
Officials pose for a group photo with the signed MoU.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University and Rev. Robert A. Dowd, the 18th President signed on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony, which was held at the University of Notre Dame campus at South Bend, Indiana was witnessed by Dr. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Council of Makerere University, who led the Mak delegation.

The Chairperson of Council Dr. Lorna Magara (Centre) presents Mak Coffee to an ND official as University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda (Right) witnesses. Makerere University Kampala, Uganda and the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, USA (ND) sign MOU, which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others, May 2026.
The Chairperson of Council Dr. Lorna Magara (Centre) presents Mak Coffee to an ND official as University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda (Right) witnesses.

Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.

Mak Editor

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