Connect with us

General

Prof. Nawangwe Leads Delegation to Zurich for 4th Mak-UZH Joint Symposium

Published

on

The Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe was at University of Zurich, Switzerland to attend the Dialogue Days under the theme, Global Health Challenges: What Next? Held from 9th to 11th September 2019, the event was organised by the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Makerere University in collaboration with the University of Zurich (UZH) and the Careum Auditorium.
 
Dialogue Days is a two-day event (symposium) on Global Health sponsored by UZH, University Hospital Zurich, Researchers for Global Health, Makerere University and the Infectious Diseases Institute. The Dialogue days were interactive sessions and discussions with experts and emerging leaders on climate change, migration and infectious diseases. The focus of the dialogue was the interconnectedness of the global community, the challenges faced in different parts of the globe and what can be done to solve the future global health challenges. The event was open to the public and many scientists from Italy, other universities in Switzerland, Belgium, German and UK all joined the discussions.
 
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe makes closing remarks at the Dialogue Days Event
 
Prof. Nawangwe was accompanied by the Principal College of Health Sciences (CHS), Prof. Charles Ibingira and the Head of Dept of Biosecurity, Ecosystems and Veterinary Public Health Dr. Clovice Kankya, who also represented Prof. J.D. Kabasa – Principal College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB). He was also accompanied by the Dean School of Medicine – Prof. Moses Kamya, former Dean School of Medicine – Prof. Harriet Mayanja Kizza, Executive Director IDI – Dr. Andrew Kambugu, Director of the Human Rights and Peace Center (HURIPEC) – Dr. Zahara Nampewo and Ms. Martha Muwanguzi – Head International Office at Makerere University. Also in attendance were senior researchers, young scientists, laboratory technologists, Clinicians and PhD students, among others.
 
The joint scientific symposium is held every other year at UZH and Mak alternately. In 2008, Mak signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UZH to facilitate the forging of a mutually rewarding academic partnership. The MOU has fostered the establishment of multi-disciplinary partnerships across diverse fields including philosophy, social anthropology, ethics, health sciences, veterinary sciences and law.
 
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Branabas Nawangwe (Left) presents a plaque to the President of the University of Zurich, Prof. Michael Hengartner (Right)
 
One such partnership is the collaboration between the Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute of UZH and IDI. The partners exchanged visits including the co-hosting of scientific symposia in their respective institutions over the last ten years.
 
Presentations at the symposium were made on Communicable Diseases in Animals and Climate Change and the impact on our health. As the human population increases, the wrath has been meted on our environment, cutting down trees for firewood and charcoal as well as building houses.
 
This implies that wild animals which were living far away from us have now moved nearer to our homes and have infected our pets with diseases. Without proper vaccination, diseases are transmitted from pets to the humans. Not only to the humans but also to other domestic animals that we keep such as like pigs, goats and cows.
 
Dr. Clovice Kankya from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (standing right) contributes to the discussion during the Migration Boma
 
Migration is another important and key factor in spreading communicable diseases. From time immemorial, people have been on the move from their original places of abode to new places in search of jobs, and others as a result of wars, conflict and even epidemics in some instances. The migrants normally move with their animals such as goats, sheep and cows into new places.
 
Urbanisation has also contributed to the spread of Communicable diseases in big cities where many people are living in unhygienic conditions in slums. In such places, the HIV/AIDS prevalence is high, while cholera, bilharzias and other diseases are a common occurence. Neglected tropical diseases, rabies, scabies, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), oncology, mental health, maternal and child health also pose a big challenge towards our health.
 
The easiest way to deal with some of the health challenges is through advocacy and thorough sensitization of the masses about the dangers of the diseases. The saying goes that “prevention is better than cure “. It was emphasized by the symposium that Leadership for global health has to be visionary and pragmatic, a voice for the voiceless and one that will look into the future of its citizens and plan for better health.
 
Amb. Eunice Kigenyi, Deputy Permanent Representative of Uganda to the UN and Other International Organisations, Geneva, makes her speech
 
Participants were hosted to a dinner at the University cafeteria UniTurm which was attended by H.E. Christopher Onyanga Aparr, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organisations, Geneva. In his speech, H.E welcomed the visitors from Uganda led by the Vice Chancellor and appreciated the hospitality by University of Zurich. He hailed the leadership of the two institutions for keeping the platform alive for the last ten years.
 
“Uganda and Switzerland enjoy cordial bilateral relations. The two respective governments have set in motion the requisite foundation upon which both parties can build on. It goes without saying that people to people relations are at the core of any country’s relations and I hence congratulate you for this great initiative.
 
It is worth noting that the Government of Uganda under its Vision 2040, being implemented through the five-year phased development plans, has earmarked Science, Technology. Engineering and Innovation (STEI) as one of the key sectors of the economy where it has and will continue to employ and support policies aimed at its leapfrogging, as we work towards transforming the Ugandan society from a peasant to a modern and prosperous country within 30 years including changing from a predominantly low income to a competitive upper to middle income country” remarked H.E. Onyanga Aparr.
 
Amb. Eunice Kigenyi (Right) shakes hands with the Dean of Medicine, UZH, Prof. Rainer Weber (Left) after her speech
 
The question of who is responsible for global health, kept recurring. Is it the developed world acting against the developing worlds through manufacturing expensive drugs for various illnesses in order to continue offering markets for their pharmaceutical companies? Do we have to train more people to handle the health challenges? Is it a political issue and some countries are out to make money and therefore not concerned about the health of others? Is it a leadership of our countries that is responsible?
 
Professor Christoph Lubbert, a senior researcher from Leipzig University Hospital, Germany said that global health challenges are due to multi-drug resistance in the treatment of illnesses. In many countries such as Uganda, people suffer from more than one disease. Treatment is given for the different illnesses and medication is taken at the same time. Many medicines taken together have an impact and form resistance in the body. There is constant use of antibiotics for treatment but at times, patients mistake the prescribed doses and the sickness does not go away. Doctors are forced to change the drugs of one illness which combine with drugs of another sickness which also form resistance in the body.
 
Dr. Christine Sekaggya-Wiltshire (Standing Left)’s PhD thesis work received international acclaim, with a 2018 New York Times piece and the Stephen Lawn TB/HIV Research Leadership Award.UZH granted her PhD the status of Anerkennung
 
Dr. Christine Sekaggya-Wiltshire elaborated on drug resistance in TB patients. She studied her PhD at Makerere University and was also recognized by the UZH and given the joint (Mak-UZH) supervision arrangements for the degree. She said that, drug resistance was a result of several factors namely; poor adherence to medical prescriptions, late presentation whereby patients report to health facilities late when then sickness is advanced, drug interactions (many drugs at the same time) leading to resistance; some patients are too weak to tolerate drugs taken for a long period of time such as anti-TB drugs. There was a general feeling that drug concentrations manufactured for developing countries are low compared to those manufactured for developed countries. The drugs do not completely cure but provide relief to patients.
 
The Migration ‘Boma’ (fireside chat) was opened by Prof. Marina Carobbio, President of the Swiss National Council and moderated by Mr. Rudolf Kung, a renowned BBC journalist. It had four panelists discussing migration of humans and animals and its effects on health. Dr. Zahara Nampewo, Director of the Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC), School of Law discussed migration at the intracontinental level between countries starting in Africa mostly due to armed conflict.
 
Dr. Zahara Nampewo, Director of the Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC), School of Law (Standing Left), contributes to the discussion during the Migration Boma
 
Uganda is a hosting around one million refugees from South Sudan, DR Congo, Burundi, Somalia, Rwanda, Eritrea, Sudan and Ethiopia. The Government of Uganda’s open door policy is a disadvantage to the local population whose land is freely given out to the refugees without compensation. The health care facilities in the refugee camps are far better than what the locals have for their communities. This creates tension and conflicts between the local communities and the refugees. Refugees normally move with their animals which bring diseases to animals in the host communities. Since migration is not about to end, it will remain a future global health challenge.
 
Prof Beatrice Beck Schimmet, the Vice President of Medicine at the University of Zurich, Prof. Marina Carobbio, the President of thw Swiss National Council participated at the closing of the event. Both highlighetd the the importnace of discussing these complex topics so that, together we can confront them. The dialogue at the tea breaks, lunch and coffee breaks was the highlight of the event.
 
Participants had the opportunity to engage with collegues from different fields and expressed interest in working together in the future. It is evident that global health challenges call for global solutions and what unites us is greater than what separates us. Future global health challenges can only be propoerly addressed in an international framework, in which everyone; NGOs, politicians, scientists, pharmaceutical companies and scholars need to operate with a global vision and awareness.
 
Written by Martha Muwanguzi
International Office, Makerere University
 

Mark Wamai

Continue Reading

General

Applications for Admission to Undergraduate Programmes 2025/26 AY

Published

on

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 2025/2026 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 2024, 2023 and 2022 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 Wednesday 16th April 2025. 

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’Level results should not apply because they are not eligible for admission. Below are the availble courses including respective fees structure.

How to submit your application                                            

  1. Applicants should access the Institution’s Admissions URL https://apply.mak.ac.ug/
  2. Sign up by clicking on the REGISTER NOW. Use your full name, e-mail and Mobile No.  Please note that your name must be similar to the one on your supporting academic documents for your application to be considered valid.
  3. A password will be sent to you on your mobile phone and email.                                      
  4. The system will prompt you to change the password to the one you can easily remember.
  5. To fill an application form, click on the APPLY NOW button displayed on the appropriate running scheme.                                              
  6. Obtain a payment reference number by clicking on “Pay for Form” Button
  7. Make a payment at any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority                                            

MOBILE MONEY PAYMENT STEPS:                                                 

  1. Dial *272*6# on either MTN or Airtel                                                             
  2. Select option 3-Admission                                                     
  3. Select option 3-Pay Fees
  4. Enter reference number obtained from Application portal 
  5. Details of Application form will be confirmed                                                              
  6. Enter PIN to confirm payment                                                            

The closing date for receiving applications to undergraduate programmes shall be Tuesday 20th May 2025.                                                           

WARNING:                                                             

  1. Applicants are strongly warned against presenting forged or other people’s academic documents to support their applications for admission.  The consequences, if discovered, are very grave indeed.
  2. Do not buy any other documents not originating from the Academic Registrar’s Office.  Those who buy them do so at their own risk. 
  3. The Academic Registrar has not appointed any agent to act on his behalf to solicit for additional funds other than the application fee stated above.    
  4. Applicants are advised to use the right programme names and codes. the university will not be responsible for any wrong information entered in the system by applicants.                                               

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

General

Embrace the Safeguarding Policy- Makerere Jinja Campus Students urged

Published

on

Makerere University Jinja Campus safeguarding policy sensitization meeting for students, staff and stakeholders by the Office of the Dean of Students, 15th April 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Uganda, East Africa.

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.

Prof. Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, the Director Makerere University Jinja Campus. Makerere University Jinja Campus safeguarding policy sensitization meeting for students, staff and stakeholders by the Office of the Dean of Students, 15th April 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, the Director Makerere University Jinja Campus.

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.

Mr. Emmanuel Muchake addressing guests. Makerere University Jinja Campus safeguarding policy sensitization meeting for students, staff and stakeholders by the Office of the Dean of Students, 15th April 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Emmanuel Muchake addressing guests.

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.

Dr. Rodney Rugyema (Left) and Prof. Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala (Right) during the sensitization. Makerere University Jinja Campus safeguarding policy sensitization meeting for students, staff and stakeholders by the Office of the Dean of Students, 15th April 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Rodney Rugyema (Left) and Prof. Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala (Right) during the sensitization.

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.

Carol Kasujja
Carol Kasujja Adii

Continue Reading

General

Government Sponsorship Undergraduate Admission Lists 2025/26

Published

on

The Office of the Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released admission lists for Government sponsored students for the Academic Year 2025/2026. The Office has also released Cut Off Points for Government Admissions.

Below are lists of candidates admitted to the respective courses tenable at Makerere University and Makerere University Business School:

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

Trending