General
Mak Council Visits Kiira Motors Vehicle Production Facilities
The Chairperson of Makerere University Council Mrs. Lorna Magara on 6th August 2019 together with Council members visited the Kiira Motors Vehicle Production Facilities in Jinja. On arrival, they were welcomed by the Executive Chairman Kiira Motors Corporation, Prof. Sandy Stevens Tickodri-Togboa together the Company’s CEO, Mr. Paul Isaac Musasizi.
Prof. Tickodri explained to Council that the Kiira Vehicle project was hatched by Makerere University lecturers and students at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), and thanked Council and Management for their innumerable support that has enabled the project to construct the production facilities.
The CEO Mr. Paul Isaac Musasizi was happy to note that Council has been able to come and see the fruits their support. Mr. Musasazi led the Council on a tour of facilities which included the Main access road, and the Power line, both sponsored by Makerere University Council. He informed Council that the Kiira Motors Vehicle Production Facilities are hosted on a 100-acre piece of land of which the Assembly plant occupies 1.5 acres, expected to expand to 5.3 acres in total upon completion of the project. Mr. Musasizi further revealed to Council that production will start in 2021 with 150 Vehicles Annually and when the total facility is completed, a production of 5,000 vehicles per year is expected. “We are destined to start with the production of Buses because this is much more needed in the easing of transport for our people” Musasizi.
On the choice of location for the Plant, Mr. Musasizi said that Jinja was chosen due to its proximity to the Source of Hydroelectric Power, as well as its location along the northern corridor which makes it easy to import raw materials and export products to the market.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe thanked the Management of Kiira Motors for the big progress so far made on the establishment of the production facilities. He reechoed the importance of building synergies and good cooperation between Council, Management and Government, that has realized the establishment of a huge facility that was started as a research project by Makerere University lecturers and students. Prof. Nawangwe was also happy that the core team at the Facilities are former lecturers and students at CEDAT.
He thanked the Chairperson for accepting to tour the Kiira Motors Vehicle Production Facilities, and holding a Council meeting in Jinja after touring both the Kiira Motors site and Makerere University Jinja Campus. He further appreciated the Council initiative of reaching out to the various facilities of the University to establish the status, solve the emerging challenges and uphold the quality and standards of Makerere as a Premier university.
In her address to the hosts and members of the University Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara expressed her appreciation to the Management of Kiira Motors Corporation for providing clear evidence of success. She was also happy that the teaming up of Makerere students and researchers has demonstrated that they have the ability to transform classroom knowledge into products that can provide solutions to the country’s needs.
The Chairperson thanked the Management of Kiira Motors and Makerere University for responding to the President’s call of emphasizing science and industrialization as key factors to building social transformation, and further thanked the government of Uganda for taking up Makerere University innovations as a means of building the country’s economy. Mrs. Magara reaffirmed Council’s commitment to promoting quality and standards that will uphold Makerere’s brand and challenged Faculty to become more innovative.
Article by Public Relations Office
The Director of Makerere University Jinja Campus, Associate Professor Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, has urged students to familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding policy aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment.
Speaking during the safeguarding policy sensitization meeting held today Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, emphasized the importance of awareness and adherence to the policy, which seeks to protect students, staff, and other stakeholders from all forms of abuse, harassment, exploitation, and discrimination.
“As Management we want every student to enjoy their stay at the University without being tormented and that can only happen, if students know their rights by reading about different policies on our website. You are meant to be living in a safe environment. We do not want anybody’s dream to be shattered or somebody to drop out from University,” Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, said.
In his speech, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, also called upon students who have complaints but do not know the reporting lines, to approach staff safeguarding champions to make sure that they live in a safe environment.
Addressing guests, Emmanuel Muchake, the Guild Administrator at Jinja Campus, pointed out that the launch of the safeguarding policy is timely because as a University, without creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, they will not have students graduate.
On Friday, April 4,2025, the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Right Honourable Lukia Isanga Nakadama, officially launched the Safeguarding Policy and commended Makerere University for crafting a policy that lays out the University’s framework for embedding viable safeguarding measures into its ethos and all institutional activities and processes to: Identify, detect, and act swiftly on safeguarding risks.
The Safeguarding Policy was developed in response to the growing need for institutions of higher learning to implement proactive measures that address concerns related to student welfare, mental health, gender-based violence, and power imbalances in academic settings.
Some of potential safeguarding risks in Institutions of higher learning include emotional distress, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH); material loss, financial exploitation, discrimination and neglect, unfair and illegitimate response to civic engagements, cyber security/threats, psychological and emotional harm, substance abuse and physical assault. Discrimination and neglect which are often high risks for students with disabilities and international students.
The safeguarding policy sensitization meeting in Jinja Campus brought together students and staff in a meaningful dialogue on safeguarding issues affecting learning.
The event was graced by Dr. Rodney Rugyema, from the Dean of Students Office, who emphasized the University’s commitment to the well-being of all its members. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of safeguarding policies in preventing abuse, harassment, exploitation, and other forms of misconduct within the Jinja Campus community.
“Safeguarding is not a one-time action, but a continuous culture of care and accountability. We all have a role to play in ensuring a safe and respectful space for learning and growth,” Dr Rugyema, said.
The sensitization session covered key topics including; recognizing signs of abuse, understanding reporting procedures on the MakSafeSpace and fostering mutual respect among peers.
Participants were encouraged to actively engage and reflect on their roles in upholding safety standards both on and off campus.
Students who attended the sensitization welcomed the initiative, with many expressing optimism that the policy would improve campus safety and encourage victims to come forward without fear of retaliation.
“We have seen issues go unreported in the past because students didn’t know where to turn. This policy provides clarity and assurance that the university is taking these matters seriously,” noted, a third-year student.
The University plans to conduct a series of sensitization workshops and distribute printed copies of the policy to ensure that every member of the campus community is well-informed. This initiative is part of Makerere University‘s broader strategy to reinforce its values of integrity, respect, and protection for all.
The Safeguarding Sensitization Meeting concluded with a collective pledge to uphold safety, dignity, and mutual respect within the University community.
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