General
Mak Hosts Final 2019 Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum
Makerere University on Monday 9th December, 2019 hosted the Quarter Four (Q4) Vice Chancellors’ Forum 2019 in the Senate Conference Hall. The half-day event was addressed by the Executive Director, National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), Prof. Mary J.N. Okwakol. The University Leaders were received by the Acting Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Dr. Umar Kakumba together with the Academic Registrar, Mr. Alfred Masikye Namoah.
Dr. Kakumba expressed his delight at Makerere University hosting the last Forum of the year, noting that it was a good networking opportunity for University leaders to share experiences. “This a very important platform for the consolidation and harmonization of quality in Higher Education as it enables us to standardize and foster improvements in curriculum and training.”
The Acting Vice Chancellor further noted that the forum is a very useful umbrella for advocating for support for the Higher Education Sector from Government and other stakeholders. “Research shows that there are higher dividends from supporting Higher Education, especially for the production of informative and transformative research. The Vice Chancellors’ Forum is a great platform for advocating for this, especially as the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) of 1992 led to a lot of withdrawal of Government support from Higher Education, particularly Graduate Training.”
Delivering her paper, Prof. Mary Okwakol noted that the Higher Education sector currently faces a challenge of producing quality graduates, most of whom do not have the necessary competence and skills to meet industry demands. She therefore urged the Vice Chancellors to continue refining curricula to produce relevant academic programmes that can address the problem.
The Excutive Director NCHE further urged Universities to focus on research and commercialize the products generated from the same. Touching on the issue of resource mobilization, she urged Vice Chancellors to always benchmark the experiences of peers that have successfully attracted research grants to their institutions, “and I commend the Vice Chancellor, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) Prof. Celestino Obua in this regard.”
She equally urged Universities to engage with communities, embrace quality assurance, regularly dialogue with the Government on matters relating to policy and ensure gender equity in the implementation of institutional programmes.
“The Council is open to dialogue with all heads of Universities so do not hesitate to seek guidance from my office should the need arise,” concluded Prof. Okwakol.
The Executive Director of Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum (UVCF) and Head UVCF Secretariat, Prof. Paul Mugambi shared that body is in charge of organizing the Forum’s quarterly meetings as well as the statutory committees. The Secretariat also communicates to Members about their obligations and organizes the Annual Vice Chancellors Conference from which the Annual Conference Bulletin is derived.
The 9th edition of the UVCF Conference was hosted by Kampala International University (KIU) on Friday 4th October, 2019 and emphasized the need to look into restructuring Higher Education in conjunction with the line Ministry. “We particularly examined the role of A-Level as students specialize too early, which is an ongoing discussion with the Ministry of Education and Sports and other bodies,” added Prof. Mugambi.
Rev. Canon Dr. John Senyonyi, the Vice Chancellor Uganda Christian University (UCU) is the current Chairperson UVCF (March 2018 – March 2020). He shared that the Q4 meeting had reached excellent consensus on a number of substantive issues raised. Particularly, the forum had agreed to write a paper on improving the process of conducting exams as well as mentorship of leaders.
“Universities tend to get their leaders out of classrooms but who prepares them for leadership?” Rev. Canon Dr. Senyonyi pondered, before adding “The Vice Chancellors’ Forum has appointed a taskforce chaired by Prof. Maud Kamatenesi, Vice Chancellor Bishop Stuart University, to write a paper on mentorship and present it at the next Forum on 23rd March 2020.”
The Vice Chancellors’ Forum sitting at Makerere University also appointed Dr. Mouhamad Mpezamihigo, Vice Chancellor Kampala International University (KiU) as its representative to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB).
Please see Downloads for Prof. Okwakol's Remarks
Article by Public Relations Office.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on 20th April 2026 inaugurated the Second Makerere University Health User Committee (Mak-HUC). The Committee was established by the Vice Chancellor in 2022 as part of his strategic mandate to strengthen and oversee the University Hospital services delivery.
Chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Mak-HUC has as its members; Prof. Josaphat K. Byamugisha-Director Makerere University Health Services (MakHS) and Dr. Daniel Ronald Ruhweza-Department of Law and Jurisprudence, School of Law.
Other members include; Dr. Arthur Kwizera-Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, College of Health Sciences (CHS) and Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) Representative, Dr. Lillian Tukahirwa-Makerere University Administrative Staff Association (MASA) Representative, Mr. Godfrey Othieno- National Union of Educational Institutions (NUEI) Representative, and as Secretariat, Ms. Kevin M. Nabiryo-Directorate of Human Resources.
The 2nd Mak-HUC has been appointed for a period of four years effective 1st January 2026 with a mandate to: Guide, monitor and oversee delivery of health services by MakHS; Represent the interests and concerns of staff and students that use MakHS; Advise on alignment with sustainable health financing and insurance models; Strengthen systems for fraud prevention, digital transformation and access to specialized treatment, among other responsibilities.
The 1st Mak-HUC was chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi and had as members; Prof. Josaphat Byamugisha, Dr. Fred Mayambala, Dr. Zahara Nampewo, Mr. Othieno Godfrey, Mr. Apunyo Paul Okiria and Ms. Ikiriza Racheal. Milestones during the first era included; Outpatient Department visits growth from 4,802 (2022) to 7,388 (Nov 2025) for staff and 14,641 (2022) to 19,069 (Nov 2025) for students.
Others milestones included; Commissioning of a fully equipped Operating Theatre, Establishment of a modern Imaging Hub, Development of a fully functional Audiology Unit, Expansion of the Temporal Bone Laboratory, Launch of the Olink Proteomics Platform and Enhancement of the Dental Unit with 32 dental chairs and experienced personnel.
Related article: https://news.mak.ac.ug/2025/12/three-years-of-impact-makerere-university-health-user-committee-presents-status-report/
By Gerald Ochwo
On Monday, 20th April 2026, the Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi and his Senior Management Team (SMT) convened to witness the official handover of office within the Senate Division. The ceremony, attended by representatives from the Directorate of Internal Audit, marked an important moment of transition and continuity in the University’s academic administration. The outgoing Deputy Academic Registrar in charge of the Senate Division, Mrs. Patience Mushengyezi, formally handed over office to Ms. Gladys Khamili, who assumes the role in an acting capacity.
In his remarks, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi underscored the significance of the transition, situating it within a broader institutional context. He observed that the Department of the Academic Registrar has, over the years, experienced a steady wave of retirements, particularly among senior staff. He noted that this trend is expected to continue, with a considerable number of experienced personnel due to retire within the next two years.
While acknowledging the institutional gaps created by these departures, he reassured staff that the University is actively addressing the situation to ensure the continued efficiency of the Department.
“You will agree with me that the Department has, over the years, witnessed the retirement of many senior colleagues. Their departure leaves behind a significant institutional gap. However, the University is fully aware and will address it through targeted recruitment,” he stated.
In her detailed handover report, which she delivered verbatim, Mrs. Patience Mushengyezi reflected on her tenure with gratitude and a deep sense of fulfillment. She paid tribute to the Vice-Chancellor, in his capacity as Chairperson of the University Senate, for his steadfast guidance and support throughout her service. She also expressed sincere appreciation to the Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, for his pragmatic and results-oriented leadership.
“I remain deeply grateful for the support from the Vice-Chancellor and all members of Senate for the trust they accorded me. I equally thank the Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza, for his results-oriented approach to administration. His support enabled us to achieve remarkable progress under the DARP (Digitalization of Academic Records and Processes) Project, including the successful digitalization of Senate minutes, some dating as far back as the 1990s, which are now easily retrievable,” she noted.
Her remarks painted a picture of dedication, progress, and institutional strengthening, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to benefit the University.
In her acceptance remarks, Ms. Gladys Khamili expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Academic Registrar for the confidence placed in her. She acknowledged the weight of responsibility that comes with the role and pledged her commitment to upholding the standards and gains established by her predecessor.
She paid glowing tribute to Mrs. Mushengyezi’s exceptional service, noting that her impact within the Senate Division is both profound and enduring.
“I am truly honored by the trust bestowed upon me. I am committed to building on the strong foundation laid by Mrs. Mushengyezi, whose remarkable contribution and dedication will continue to inspire us all,” she said.
The ceremony not only marked the end of a distinguished era in the Department of the Academic Registrar, but also the beginning of a new phase, underscored by continuity, renewal, and a shared commitment to excellence in academic administration at Makerere University.
Gerald Ochwo is the Liaison and Communication Officer, Office of the Academic Registrar
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