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Institute of Forensic Medicine and Sciences Proposed

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Background

During the May 31- June 1, 2016 state visit to Uganda, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Yoweri Museveni signed cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in six areas including higher education. On June 1 2016, Makerere University awarded President Erdogan an honorary Doctorate of Laws (Honoris Causa) in recognition of his contribution to humanity, transformation of Turkey and other states across the globe.

Pursuant to the commitments of cooperation, on December 3 2017, Makerere University (Mak), Kampala, Uganda and Cukurova University (CU), Adana, Turkey signed an MoU for the development of irrigation systems for agriculture in Uganda. Additionally, another MoU in the area of Forensic Sciences and Medicine development was signed with Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). However, following challenges at MUST, the task was transferred to Makerere University for faster implementation.

Maj. General Sabiiti Muzeyi, Deputy Inspector General of Uganda Police was the Chief guest at the symposiumCognisant of the need for quick action, the office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor-Finance and Administration (DVC-F&A) Makerere University, organised an initial and informative visit for Prof. Dr. Mete Korkut Gulmen from the Institute of Addiction and Forensic Sciences, Cukurova University (CU). During the visit, July 22-24 2019, Prof. Mete Gulmen met and discussed with key faculty members with special interest in forensics from the Departments of Chemistry, Physics and Pathology of Makerere University The discussions included shared presentations of the mission, vision and goals, laboratory and mortuary facility visits. The result was a proposal to establish an Institute of Forensic Medicine and Science at Makerere University. A concluding meeting with the Permanent Secretary/Secretary for Treasury, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFPED) and his team was convened together with the Makerere team. The meeting tasked the Makerere forensics interest team to write and submit a project concept for budgetary consideration following specified guidelines by the MoFPED. A benchmarking visit by the Makerere team to Cukurova University was planned for late October 2019. Overall, the project proposes to establish an independent, Institute of Forensic Medicine and Science at Makerere University as a partnership between the Colleges of Health Science (CHS) and Natural Science (CoNAS). The institute is envisaged to be an academic and service centre of excellence in Uganda and the region of East and Central Africa and beyond. The aims are to positively impact on the provision of forensic services by developing an in-country capacity to train and deploy a highly trained necessary human resource, provide quality services at internationally accepted standards and improve community awareness and appreciation of forensic sciences. The problem is the lack of graduate and speciality training programmes in Forensic Science and Medicine in Uganda and at Makerere University in particular. The justice, law and order sector (JLOS) is the primary consumer of forensic services. These services are crucial in decision making in courts of law, promotion of public safety, maintenance of peace and ensuring health of the community. The current levels and quality of services do not meet the expectations and needs of the citizens of Uganda. The consequences are the negative impact on the delivery of justice and enjoyment of justice. Criminal cases may be lost in courts of law due to lack of knowledge and skills in handling, processing and submission of quality evidence. The lack of enough numbers of qualified human resource translates into a longer turn around time (TAT) hence delaying delivery of justice. The dire need for quality forensic services in Uganda and the high demand for a qualified human resource for forensic medicine and sciences cannot be overemphasised.

During the period September 22-28 2019, a team from Makerere University led by Prof. William Bazeyo, DVC-F&A visited Cukurova University. The team comprised the: Principal, College of Health Sciences; the Dean, School of Medicine; the Director Makerere Health Services; the heads of Departments of Chemistry, Physics, Pathology and Surgery; the Executive Director, Uganda Cancer Institute; and faculty members from Dentistry and Chemistry departments. The purposes of this visit included benchmarking, discussing and proposing the establishment of wider collaborations for faculty and student exchange between departments under the global framework of the MoU .Robert Lukande- Makerere University(Left), Prof. Dr. Mete Korkut Gulmen (Second Left) from Cukurova University (CU) and others at a press conference on 4th November 2019

The forensics interest team discussed and developed the initial steps in the implementation of their work plan. The initial steps include a general introduction to forensics, conducting of parallel introductory workshops in Forensic Pathology & Medicine, Forensic Chemistry & Toxicology, and Forensic Biology & Genetics between November 4-8 2019 at Makerere University. The workshop's faculty will be drawn from the responsible departments in Makerere and Cukurova. The target audience includes existing faculty at Makerere and prospective students with interest in forensics. The culmination of this will be the roadmap for the realisation of the Institute of Forensic Medicine and Sciences at Makerere University. The teams from both universities continue to write and refine the respective training curricula for the Master of Forensic Medicine, Master of Forensic Chemistry & Toxicology and Master of Forensic Biology & Genetics programmes.

Today, 4th November 2019 the Deputy Inspector General of Police Maj. General Sabiiti Muzeyi while opening a three-day Symposium on Forensic Medicine and Science said that the symposium was one of the avenues to build capacity in forensics. He called upon participants to utilise the knowledge in fighting insecurity.
Prof. William Bazeyo represented the Vice Chancellor at the opening ceremony. He expressed gratitude towards the Government of Uganda for the initiative of building capacity in forensic science. The symposium held at Royal Hotel – Kampala is attended by faculty and students from Makerere University College of Natural Science, College of Health Science, Uganda Police, Uganda peoples Defence Forces among others.

Elias Tuhereze

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Admission Lists for – Bachelor of Laws 2025-26

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The Office of the Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released the admission lists for Bachelor of Laws for the Academic Year 2025/2026.

Please note that the list includes Government Sponsorship for Bachelor of Laws i.e  A-Level (Direct Entry), Bachelor of Laws-Day – (LAW) and Bachelor of Laws-Afternoon – (LAA)

The lists can be accessed below:

Mak Editor

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Undergraduate Admission List Self Sponsorship Scheme 2025/2026

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Mak CoBAMS Graduands jubilate on the third session of the 72nd Graduation held on 25th May 2022.

The Office of the Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released the undergraduate admission lists for self-sponsored students for the Academic Year 2025/2026. The cut-off points can be accessed by following this link.

Please see attachment below for the A-Level Applicants who have been successful.

Mak Editor

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Makerere University Receives 700 Tablets from UBOS to Boost Statistical Activities

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Dr. Chris Mukiza (L) hands over the donation to Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi (2nd L) as UBOS Board Director Dr. Allen Kabagenyi and other officials witness on 30th June 2025. Makerere University receiving 700 digital tablets from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), aimed at enhancing statistical research, teaching, and data-driven decision-making across the institution, 30th June 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University has received 700 digital tablets from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), aimed at enhancing statistical research, teaching, and data-driven decision-making across the institution.

The donation was made on June 30, 2025, as part of UBOS’ broader initiative to distribute a total of 3,025 tablets to ten government-funded institutions of higher learning. The handover ceremony was attended by Makerere’s Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi and Mr. Simon Kizito, the Deputy University Secretary among other Vice Chancellors and accounting officers.

Vice Chancellors from government-funded institutions of higher learning that received the donation of tablets from UBOS. Makerere University receiving 700 digital tablets from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), aimed at enhancing statistical research, teaching, and data-driven decision-making across the institution, 30th June 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Vice Chancellors from government-funded institutions of higher learning that received the donation of tablets from UBOS.

Dr. Allen Kabagenyi, a UBOS Board Director, who coordinated the distribution of the tablets to the respective 10 Public universities, underscored the significance of inter-institutional collaboration in fostering a data-literate and innovative generation. “This initiative is a testament to the power of partnerships between public institutions. In a country like Uganda, with one of the youngest populations globally, equipping our future leaders with the right tools is critical to achieving both national and global development goals,” she remarked.

The tablets had initially been procured and deployed during the recently concluded National Population and Housing Census. UBOS Executive Director Dr. Chris Mukiza explained that their redistribution marks the beginning of the Bureau’s post-census utilization strategy.

Dr. Chris Mukiza (L) flanked by his Board Director Dr. Allen Kabagenyi (R) addressing the meeting. Makerere University receiving 700 digital tablets from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), aimed at enhancing statistical research, teaching, and data-driven decision-making across the institution, 30th June 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Chris Mukiza (L) flanked by his Board Director Dr. Allen Kabagenyi (R) addressing the meeting.

“We acquired 120,000 tablets to conduct the census, and as we committed earlier, we are ensuring that these resources continue to serve the country even after the census,” said Dr. Mukiza. “Our expectation is that these tablets will strengthen data collection, teaching, and research in universities and higher institutions. We want to see a culture where statistics are not only produced but also actively used to influence development outcomes.”

Dr. Mukiza encouraged academic institutions to take full advantage of the extensive data available at UBOS, emphasizing that greater use of statistical resources will translate into more impactful research and policy interventions.

Some of the accounting officers who attended the handover ceremony. Makerere University receiving 700 digital tablets from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), aimed at enhancing statistical research, teaching, and data-driven decision-making across the institution, 30th June 2025, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Some of the accounting officers who attended the handover ceremony.

During the same event – cultural institutions also received tablets.

With this donation, Makerere University is well-positioned to further empower students and researchers in statistical analysis, evidence-based planning, and innovation-driven teaching.

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

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