General
1st Joint Christian Fellowship Outlines Theme for 2020
The First Makerere University Joint Staff Christian Fellowship for the year 2020 was held on Thursday 30th January 2020 in what has now become it’s home; the St. Francis Students' Centre Upper Hall. Welcoming the brethren, the Chairperson Steering Committee, Dr. Chris Tuhirirwe noted that it is always a joy for brothers and sisters in Christ to meet together, share in the Word and break bread. He also encouraged his audience to always invite someone for the fellowship.
“As the Steering Committee we have prayerfully come up with a programme for the year with our theme based on Luke 10:2 which reads The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” shared Dr. Tuhirirwe.
He added that Christians have the primary responsibility of evangelising Makerere University, by talking to the students, colleagues and leadership in line with the theme.
“What have you done as a Christian?” challenged Dr. Tuhirirwe, before adding “My prayer is that as workers in this University, we shall on top of doing our work, reach out to staff, students and the general public with the message of salvation.”
The Chairperson grievingly added that the Prophetic voice was absent in the University and urged brethren to stand up for the truth at their colleges and various workstations. “We have a big task as staff who know the Lord to make a difference in this University. We can transform this institution by making sure that the voice of those who know the Lord is heard.”
He concluded his remarks by outlining various subthemes for the proceeding months namely;
• February – A Christian Life with a Testimony
• March – We Are the Salt and Light of the Earth
• April – Prayer and Intercession
• May – Understanding Your Calling
• June – Called to Fulfil the Great Commission
• July – Keeping sin out of Your Life
• August – The Power of Corporate Prayer
• September – Prayer and Intercession
• October – Being a Prophetic Voice
• November – Perceiving God as He is
• December – Prayer and Intercession
Sharing the word of the day, the host and Chaplain St. Francis Chapel, Rev. Can. Onesimus Asiimwe commended the Steering Committee for displaying marks of good leadership by outlining to the brethren where we are coming from, where we are and where we are headed.
“Now we have a sense of direction and a strategy. A good leader looks behind and knows there are people following as he/she leads. It is also good to hear you have done spiritual mapping” commended the Chaplain.
Rev. Can. Asiimwe also commended the choice of theme, noting that it is applicable to Makerere University. “You can win somebody for the Kingdom without going too far. It takes me 20 minutes to walk from the Chapel to the Chaplain’s residence, not that it’s far, but I always intentionally interact with the young people I meet. And as the Lord is my, I have led many to Christ along that path.”
Quoting Acts 1:4, the Chaplain emphasized that it takes God’s Power to do God’s Work. He reminded brethren that they can never be effectual witnesses in their own strength or power. “To be a witness to Jesus is to be a martyr traditionally, according to the root Greek word. Eleven of the twelve Apostles were martyred for their faith. And so you need God’s power; you need to be prayerful and equipped with His Word.”
The book of John 12:1-12 shares an account of Lazarus who was raised from the dead and as such, became the centre of attraction for Jesus Christ’s deliverance power in Bethany his hometown. Rev. Can. Asiimwe therefore urged brethren to be mindful of the anointing upon them so as to attract people to Christ.
“The crowds came not only to see Jesus but Lazarus as well; he stole the show. His life was a moving gospel. You need to be attractive and show Jesus to the people who come to your office. Are you a role model? Our young people are looking for role models; what an opportunity! Let us preach the gospel in works and in words” challenged the Chaplain.
He wound up the day’s sermon by quoting two famous men; St. Francis of Assisi and Edmund Burke.
“Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.” St. Francis of Assisi.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke
“Do not fear to witness because you are going to be persecuted. It is time to take Makerere for Jesus” concluded the Chaplain and thereafter, inviting the brethren to lunch.
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General
Makerere University Set to Develop Curriculum to Transform Graduate Supervision and Mentorship
By Moses Lutaaya
KAMPALA – Makerere University is set to develop a curriculum for a specialized Certificate Course in Supervision and Mentoring for Graduate Training and Higher Education Management, in a move aimed at professionalizing graduate supervision and strengthening the capacity of academic staff to deliver quality postgraduate education.
The proposed programme will equip academic staff with advanced competencies in graduate-level teaching, research supervision, mentorship, and higher education management, while supporting the University’s agenda of improving the quality and relevance of graduate training.
The curriculum development process was discussed during a Stakeholders’ Curriculum Development Consultation Workshop held on Thursday, 18th June 2026 at the Senate Building Telepresence Hall, Makerere University.
The workshop, organized by the Directorate of Graduate Training in collaboration with the Centre for Teaching and Learning Support (CTLS), brought together curriculum specialists, academic staff, and higher education stakeholders to review and enrich the proposed curriculum before it proceeds through the University approval processes.
Participants included 11 lecturers from the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), 3 from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), 2 from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (CoVAB), 1 from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), 4 from the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), among others.
The National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) was represented by Dr. Patrice Ssembirige, Deputy Executive Director in charge of Curriculum Review and Instructional Materials Development. The Centre for Teaching and Learning team was led by Dr. Dorothy Ssebowa, while Dr. Stephen Wandera coordinated the workshop.
Addressing participants, Prof. Julius Kikooma, Director Graduate Training at Makerere University, said the curriculum development initiative is central to strengthening graduate education and ensuring that academic staff are adequately prepared to support postgraduate learners.
Prof. Kikooma noted that Makerere University is targeting an increase in graduate student enrolment to 50 percent of the total student population, but emphasized that this ambition must be matched with investment in the capacity of academic staff who supervise and mentor students.
“We can get many graduate students, but if the people supporting them do not have the right tools and preparation, we will still have challenges,” Prof. Kikooma said.
He explained that the initiative responds to University policies requiring academic staff teaching graduate students to undergo pedagogical training, while those supervising graduate research must undergo specialized preparation in supervision and mentoring.
Prof. Kikooma said graduate supervision requires deliberate preparation because supervisors play a central role in shaping research quality, student success, and the overall effectiveness of postgraduate programmes.
He further emphasized Makerere University’s responsibility as a leading institution in the region.
“We have a double expectation. We must support the country to achieve its aspirations in national development, but we also have an expectation from other institutions to support them in building graduate training capacity. In that sense, we are a trainer of trainers,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), Dr. Patrice Ssembirige commended Makerere University for adopting a consultative and inclusive approach to curriculum development.
He noted that education systems globally are undergoing significant transformation, requiring continuous curriculum review and alignment with emerging needs.
“Education systems globally are undergoing significant transformation, and in Uganda, NCDC has been leading and spearheading the implementation of the competency-based curriculum,” Dr. Ssembirige said.
He explained that NCDC has developed competency-based curriculum frameworks at primary and lower secondary levels and is currently advancing reforms at upper secondary level, which feeds into higher education institutions.
Dr. Ssembirige said the new curriculum presents an opportunity to align graduate training with global trends, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), international best practices, and national development priorities.
“As we develop this curriculum, we need to align with global trends, SDGs and international best practices. We also need to undertake comparative analysis because curriculum reforms are taking place across East African Community states,” he noted.
He encouraged developers to ensure that the programme follows competency-based principles and equips participants with relevant 21st-century skills.
“Since we are talking about competency-based curriculum, we must be cognizant of the principles of competency-based education and ensure that we develop skills that fit the demands of the 21st century,” he added.
Dr. Dorothy Ssebowa, Director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning Support at Makerere University, said the initiative marks an important step in strengthening professional development for academic staff involved in graduate education.
She noted that effective supervision requires more than disciplinary expertise, but also skills in mentorship, communication, research guidance, ethics, assessment, and student support.
“The quality of graduate education depends on the quality of mentorship and supervision we provide. This curriculum will strengthen the capacity of academic staff to guide graduate students effectively, improve research outcomes, and uphold the standards expected of a leading university,” Dr. Ssebowa said.
She added that the Centre for Teaching and Learning will continue working with the Directorate of Graduate Training, academic colleges, curriculum specialists, and regulators to ensure the programme remains relevant and impactful.
During the workshop, stakeholders reviewed the proposed curriculum structure, course content, competency areas, assessment strategies, quality assurance mechanisms, and alignment with national and international standards.
Once finalized, the programme is expected to strengthen graduate supervision at Makerere University and serve as a model for professional development across higher education institutions in Uganda and beyond.
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