General
Agro Starch Uganda tops Mak Students’ Entrepreneurship Expo
Makerere University Students have showcased outstanding entrepreneurship and business projects at the fourth Annual Student’s Entrepreneurship Expo. The colorful exhibition took place on 11th October 2019 in Makerere University Freedom Square. Students from College of Business and Management Sciences, Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and students from Makerere University Jinja Campus participated in the exhibition.
Among the thousands of innovations exhibited, the Agro Starch Uganda; a faster and easier method of extracting starch from cassava emerged the best project. The team was inspired by the million uses of starch and one being a key product used in pharmaceuticals. The team received the Vice Chancellor’s award of UGX 1.5million.
The Green Biogas was the second outstanding innovation that won the Principal’s Award worth UGX1.0million. The team developed a cheaper and safer system of extracting bio gas from leftovers The project targets mainly household users and food management stores.
The Jua Kali Business Enterprise scooped the Dean’s Award worth UGX 700000 after emerging the third outstanding project.
Makerere University Entrepreneurship Expo is organized annually by Makerere University Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre (MAKEIC) with the aim of providing platform for students to showcase their business prototypes.
According to Head of the Department of Marketing and Management Dr. Peter Turyakira, the event empowers students with the right knowledge and skills to start and sustain profitable ventures.
“It is also an avenue to create networks and linkages for students and provides a direct interaction between students and practicing entrepreneurs,” he said.
The Fourth Annual Makerere University Entrepreneurship Expo was organized under the theme: “Decent work Opportunities”.
The day’s Guest of Honor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe- the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University was astonished with the students’ innovations that are geared towards solving societal problems. In the remarks he made, the Vice Chancellor said, “I have toured the exhibition and I am happy to note that our students in business are developing projects that are geared towards job creation, environmental conservation, food and health security and poverty eradication. With the creativity employed, I am hopeful that we are nurturing strong leaders.”
He applauded the leadership of the College of Business and Management Sciences for organizing the event. Prof. Nawangwe acknowledged students for dedicating their minds and time towards their work.
He appreciated Vision Group Post Bank Uganda, Uganda Revenue Authority, Pride Microfinance Limited, Uganda Industrial Research Institute, United Bank of Africa, Eistein Rising Uganda and Business Development Service Providers Network for sponsoring the event.
The function was also graced by Mr. Kayanja Emmanuel who represented the Special Personal Assistant to the President of the Republic of Uganda. He advised youth to cultivate partnerships and attract funds for their projects. Mr. Kayanja also encouraged students to register their companies.
The Principal of Business and Management Sciences Prof. Eria Hisali urged students to take advantage of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center that has been established by the College through the Department of Marketing and Management to nurture and grow their business ideas.
The Dean School of Business, Dr. Godfrey Akilenge called upon all academic institutions to strategize in promoting key skills required for competency.
The day was crowned with the visit to the Student Entrepreneurship Centre.
Article by Mpindi Percy Christopher, Student of Law, Makerere University
The Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has today, Friday, 26th June 2026 handed over the CCE (Complex) Hall of Residence Site to National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) Managing Director and CEO, Lieutenant General James Mugira for renovation and overhaul works. The UGX 12billion Government of Uganda-funded works, expected to be completed within a year, are the fourth project to be undertaken by NEC. They were preceded by; construction of the University Perimeter Wall, Renovation of Lumumba Hall, and Renovation of Mary Stuart Hall.
NEC’s Record Lauded
Prof. Nawangwe in his remarks at the handover ceremony lauded these projects. “The quality of work done by NEC makes us proud because we can finally say that we have Ugandans who can do the things, which we previously depended on foreigners to do.” He therefore thanked the Government of Uganda for fully funding the projects and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Museveni, whose visit set the renovation projects in motion.
The Vice Chancellor added that as the Alma mater for most members of both the Contractor and Project Management Teams, this was a moment of great pride as their expertise and skills have saved the country billions of taxpayers’ money. “Thank you for being patriotic”, he commended.
Prof. Nawangwe concluded by noting that CCE Hall, by virtue of its location, provides a first impression of Makerere University as a whole. He therefore urged the contractor to ensure that upon renovation, CCE Hall would create a memorable and lasting first impression, exceeding even that of the renovated Mary Stuart Hall.
A Project Fueled by Nostalgia
Speaking of impressions, Lt. Gen. Mugira, with nostalgia recalled that close to 42 years ago, he not only attended his first lectures in Hall 1 of the CCE Complex but also, on a more personal note added, “my wife was a resident, and so I have every motivation to put in a lot of effort and make sure that I deliver more than was done with Mary Stuart and Lumumba.”
He therefore extended heartfelt appreciation to his Alma mater Makerere University for the trust and confidence bestowed in NEC, which underscored their ability to deliver. “Trust is earned through performance, through integrity and consistency, and your decision to engage us motivates us to work even harder to exceed your expectations.”
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) Prof. Henry Alinaitwe reechoed the need to ensure that the project is executed with adherence to the cost, quality, specifications and safety related issues as earlier shared by the Acting (Ag.) Chief Engineer of Estates and Works, Eng. Ezra Sekadde.
“NEC has already demonstrated this (with previous projects), and that is why we have all the confidence that you can deliver this project within 12 months” remarked Prof. Alinaitwe. He equally lauded the Project Management Team (PMT) led by Arch. Dr. Kenneth Ssemwogerere whose supervision ensures timely project completion.
Relatedly, Arch. Dr. Semwogerere was on 25th June 2026, the eve of the handover, promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, a milestone Prof. Alinaitwe attributed to his track record as Head of PMT. He therefore, on a light note, urged him to keep up the good work as this could equally contribute to his promotion to the rank of full Professor.
Also present at the handover ceremony was the Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES) Prof. Anthony Mugagga, whose unit will be greatly affected by the renovations. He nevertheless welcomed and reiterated his full support for the project, noting that just as renovation of Lumumba and Mary Stuart Halls had resulted in many alumni revisiting, the CCE Complex would upon renovation attract former residents and teaching professionals to give back or forge new partnerships.
Student Welfare at the Forefront
On her part, the Dean of Students Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli lauded the renovations of Halls of Residence as a clear demonstration of Government’s dedication to the improvement of student welfare, and creating an environment conducive for nurturing responsible citizens who can contribute to national development. She pledged her Office’s and the Student Leadership’s readiness to ensure that the renovated facilities used responsibly for the benefit of future generations.
As a resident of the recently renovated Mary Stuart Hall, 92nd Guild President H.E. Kadondi Gracious could not help but appreciate how impactful the renovation of CCE Hall would be to student welfare. “The female students will be very excited (to occupy CCE Hall) but the male students will be left complaining – so we shall be expecting more renovations, not just for the female but also the male students,” she amiably concluded.
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