General
Mrs. Lorna Magara applauds Mak for ensuring a participatory budgeting process
Makerere University Chairperson of Council Mrs Lorna Magara has applauded Makerere University Management for taking active steps towards a participatory budgeting process. This was during the Second Budget Management Workshop held on 15th October 2019, to review the implementation procedures and execution processes of the Makerere University Budget for the Financial Year 2020/2021.
The workshop brought on board university stakeholders to discuss budget appropriations with an insight of the university and national development objectives. According to the Acting University Secretary, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, government entities in Uganda are required by law to involve stakeholders in the financial planning activities for probity and inclusive resource allocation.
“The University has several competing priorities and the University Secretary/ Accounting Officer has a major task of distributing the limited resources among the competing priorities. This budget workshop was therefore scheduled to share with you the tasks of setting priorities for the University,” he said.
He called upon stakeholders to align the budgets to the Makerere University Strategic Plan objectives. Mr, Kiranda also emphasized the need to prioritize research if the university is to attain its goal of becoming a research led university.
Represented by Mr. Bruce Kabaasa, the Chairperson of the Finance, Planning, Administration and Investment Committee (FPAIC), Mrs. Lorna Magara said that a participatory budgeting process is a requirement of both the law and the principles of good governance. “The Finance Management Act of 2015 (as amended) clearly defines this obligation. Section 9(1) of the said law requires every Accounting Officer to prepare a budget framework paper in consultation with the relevant stakeholders,” she said.
She requested every stakeholder in the budget process to provide input on time as per the requirement in the Public Management Act. She urged the University Management Budget Committee to take a keen note of the following while drafting the budget:
- How the University is to operationalize the new strategic plan
- How previous policies of the University Council have been complied with; especially the distribution of the percentage of the AIA (Internally Generated Funds) between the colleges and Central Administration.
- Ensuring that funds collected for a given purpose are effectively utilized. Special attention will be accorded to the utilization of functional fees.
- Ensuring that the core activities of the University such as teaching materials, internship, recess term, examinations and external examiners are prioritized over and above allowances, travel, workshops.
- Ensuring that the allocations are transparent and the budget formulation process is inclusive.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, applauded the Department of Finance and the Office of the University Secretary for organizing the participatory Budget Management Workshops. He encouraged stakeholders to prioritize research, teaching and learning while drafting unit based budgets.
Prof. Nawangwe urged the Unit Accounting Officers to prepare budget frameworks in consultation with relevant stakeholders. He also advised them to observe the timelines for budget submission.
“The budget must include the component of supporting diversification of revenue and we must establish and fund Research Grant Office at college levels,” he said.
Representing the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Prof. William Bazeyo, the Principal of College of Business and Management Sciences who also doubles as the Chairperson of the Management Budget Committee, Dr. Eria Hisali highlighted the importance of a consultative and participatory budget process.
“Through the budget workshops, we can restructure our University by planning within the available resources to impact development and sustain university activities. We also need to focus on how we can effectively utilize the available resources and put in place measures to ensure financial sustainability,” Dr. Hisali stated.
During the workshop, participants listened to two presentations; the Overview of the Budget Performance and Outlook for Financial Year 2020/2021 and MTEF Figures, Revenue and Expenditure Projects (including indicative planning figures for per cost centres) from the Acting Director of Planning and Development Department Mr. Matia Kabuye and University Bursar, Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha respectively.
The informative presentations were further enriched by an interactive discussion chaired by the Manager of Accounting and Reporting, CPA Lubowa Ssebina Gyaviira.
Article by Mak Public Relations Office
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.
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.
Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.
General
Press Release: Government of Uganda and Partners Launch SAY Plus+ to Scale Youth Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) Impact in Underserved Regions
USD 50 million national programme moves into full implementation, strengthening
adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to youth-responsive
services in 13 districts across five sub-regions
KAMPALA, 7 MAY 2026: The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda’s underserved regions.
The launch, held at Makerere University‘s Freedom Square under the theme “My Voice Matters: Youth Voices for SAY Plus+” and the tagline “Nothing for us, without us”, marks the programme’s transition into full implementation.
SAY Plus+, formerly known as Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment: Scaling Impact, is led by the Ministry of Health, in coordination with other Ministries, with UNFPA Uganda serving as the Managing and Technical Agency.
Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the initiative is scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. It is currently being rolled out across thirteen districts within five sub-regions, providing targeted assistance to regional referral hospitals in Jinja, Mbale, Moroto, Yumbe, Arua, and Gulu. Furthermore, the programme supports the Human Capital Development goals established in Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
“SAY Plus+ represents a shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated national effort that meaningfully places young people at the centre of both design and delivery. Through our partnership with the Government of Uganda, development partners, and implementing partners, we are investing not only in services, but in the systems, communities, and environments that enable adolescents and young people to thrive not only today but also in the future,” said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, Representative – UNFPA Uganda.
Officially launched by the Minister of State for Health Hon. Margaret Muhanga, the SAY Plus+ programme targets adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 years, with particular focus on adolescent girls and young women, refugees and host-community youth, out-of-school young people, those not in employment, education or training, adolescents with disabilities, and young people in humanitarian and post-conflict settings.
“For many of us, things like this one are designed without listening to what we go through every day, think or even feel. SAY Plus+ feels different because it starts with our voices and gives us a real role in shaping solutions. It is not just about information, it is about being supported to make decisions, access services, and build the future we want.” – Jovia Dranzoa, Young person.
SAY Plus+ operates through three pillars. First, it empowers youth to exercise their rights and make informed choices. Second, it engages families, communities, and leaders to address harmful social norms. Third, it strengthens youth-responsive SRHR, HIV, and gender-based violence services via health facilities and community platforms, aiming to reach over 2.3 million direct and indirect beneficiaries.
The SAY Plus+ initiative stands as a model of international cooperation and multi-sectoral synergy. Through the combined support of the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and the technical leadership of UNFPA, Uganda is now equipped to scale-up critical interventions in HIV prevention, gender-based violence response, and reproductive health. With implementation now in high gear through 2030, the programme is poised to make a lasting contribution to the nation’s human capital development goals.
— ENDS —
Photos from the event
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