General
DICTS Workshop Urges Staff to Use Social Media as a Marketing Tool
The Makerere University Directorate of Information and Communication Technology Support (DICTS) held a social media workshop to equip Makerere University staff with skills and knowledge on how to use social media as an enabler of effective communication, eLearning and cyber-crime prevention. The workshop took place on 13th February 2020 in the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) Conference Hall.
According to the Director DICTS, Mr. Samuel Paul Mugabi, the workshop was aimed at discussing ways through which Makerere University staff can embrace the professional usage of social media tools to improve the Institution’s online brand, boost its visibility as well as harmonise the use of social media as a learning tool.
“Social media has evolved from a chat application to a social economic issue that can be used as a marketing tool for institutions. It is important to tap into social media’s potential of enabling effective communication, education, marketing and governance,” said Mr. Mugabi.
He noted that with over 3.5billion users, social media is a key enabler of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) thus contributing to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) which is aimed at “ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”
In a presentation on “Makerere University Communication Policy and Social Media”, the Principal Public Relations Officer, Ms. Ritah Namisango urged participants to ensure that the messages disseminated on institutional social media platforms and websites protect the University’s brand. She called upon the audience to use multiple channels of communication so as to enhance the visibility of Makerere and promote advances in teaching, learning, research and innovations.
“Makerere University’s social media platforms should be used to communicate institutional messages in line with the vision, mission, and core values. Institutional communication should be in line with the Mak Communication Policy to provide a pro-active approach to information management and dissemination, strengthen the University’s image and build good will among the stakeholders,” said Ms. Namisango.
Defining social media as an enabler of teaching and learning, Assoc. Prof. Paul Birevu Muyinda, the Deputy Principal College of Education and External Studies (CEES) said that social media applications such as WhatsApp and Facebook, promote student-student and student-teacher interaction. He added that these also motivate lonely distance learners, create a sense of belonging and support learning anytime.
“Social media fosters positive relationship between the lecturers and students. It should be recalled that interacting using social media is less formal and it creates a friendly environment between the students and faculty members. It is such interactions that will motivate the students and encourage effective learning,” said Assoc. Prof. Muyinda.
He added that social networking allows users to add value to the content they are accessing. This, he noted, leads to a seamless exchange of information building a robust body of knowledge that is sometimes called collective intelligence.
Taking the audience through social media threats, risks and security, the Director Cyber-Crime Department, Uganda Police Force, Mr. Haguma Jimmy said many people have fallen victims of social media orchestrated threats, theft and crime in Uganda. He said that the Uganda Police Force has registered several cases related to cybercrime such as cyber rape, loss of funds to conmen and online investment clubs, hackers, sim card swaps among others.
He called upon Ugandans to acquaint themselves with the laws that govern social media and also adopt the best social media practices.
“Uganda has a number of laws that regulate social media, read them so that you know your position while using social media. Do not open any emails from untrusted sources, lock your laptop or phone whenever you are away and purchase anti-virus software. Read your company’s privacy policy to understand under what circumstances you should or should not let a stranger into the building and set strong passwords,” said Mr. Haguma.
Mr. Hussein K. Isingoma, Ag. Commissioner Forensics and Risk Advisory, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development urged digital marketers and social media managers to acquaint themselves with soft skills so as to manage relationships effectively.
“A combination of soft skills and technical skills is at a center of career success. Success depends on the mastery of soft skills which include time management, discipline, conflict resolution, acknowledging colleague’s effort among others” said Mr. Isingoma.
The workshop was moderated by Mr. Yunusu Musisi, Acting End User Support Manager, DICTS.
Article by: Esther Joy Nakibombo Volunteer Mak Public Relations Office
Business & Management
PIM Centre Holds 9th Steering Committee Meeting, Set to Benefit from World Bank Support
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University today, October 10th, 2025, held its 9th Steering Committee Meeting to review progress made in the first quarter of the financial year and plan for the months ahead.
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Getrude Basiima, who represented Mr. Hannington Ashaba, Director Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Ms. Basiima commended the Centre for its continued commitment to strengthening public investment management capacity across government institutions.
In her remarks, Ms. Basiima applauded the Centre for successfully hosting the Public Investment Management Conference held in August at Makerere University. The conference attracted key policymakers, development partners, and academics who deliberated on how to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and impact of public investments in Uganda.
She further shared exciting news that the Government of Uganda has secured funding from the World Bank to support the public investment management function. The PIM Centre, she announced, will be among the key beneficiaries of these funds — receiving support for the construction and acquisition of a permanent home to enhance its institutional sustainability and training capacity.
Reviewing the Centre’s quarterly performance, Ms. Basiima congratulated the team for successfully conducting three specialized trainings in the first quarter, reaching officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. These trainings continue to strengthen the technical competencies required for effective project preparation, appraisal, and implementation in line with Uganda’s National Development Plan.
She encouraged the Centre to integrate climate change considerations into its future training programmes, noting that sustainable public investment must now account for environmental resilience and climate adaptation.
The centre team presented the proposed structure/ organogram, the financial performance of 2024/2025, research areas for 2025/2026 and the strategic plan for 2025 – 2030.
The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the PIM Centre’s vision of becoming a regional leader in building capacity for efficient, transparent, and sustainable public investment management.
A significant development unfolded at Makerere University during a strategic, hour-long meeting in the vice chancellor’s boardroom on 7th October 2025, marking a deepening bond with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The primary goal was to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program. Prof. Sarah Saali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, set the tone by emphasizing that institutional partnerships are crucial to Makerere University, which she proudly called the leading research and most collaborative university in the world.
The discussion promptly formed the core structure of the program: a four-year PhD (or three if the master’s was research-based), with supervision duties split 50-50% between the two institutions. A key feature is the mobility requirement, stipulating that PhD candidates would spend a total of six months in the Netherlands, potentially divided into two three-month periods. Crucially, the University of Groningen confirmed there would be no teaching requirement during this stay, allowing students full access to focus on their research. A major financial hurdle was overcome with the adoption of a fee-waiver policy; Makerere would waive tuition for incoming Groningen candidates, and Groningen would reciprocate for Makerere‘s students, significantly boosting the program’s financial viability.
However, the critical issue of the stipend remained. Dr. Anita Veltmaat explained that to meet the required living standard of approximately €1,875 per month in Groningen, the incoming candidate must secure a partial external scholarship of around €250 per month. The positive news is that if the candidate secures this minimum scholarship, the University of Groningen is prepared to top up the amount to the full living standard for the six months the student spends in the Netherlands. It was noted that this initial financial hurdle might be simplified for Makerere students, as many are already staff members receiving a salary, which could help cover the required €250.
The path forward was clear: it was to complete the agreement template guided by the setup committee from both institutions. The plan culminated in scheduling an online follow-up meeting for Tuesday, November 11th, to review the first revision of the agreement, capping a highly constructive discussion that solidified the two universities’ shared future in graduate education.
Makerere University was represented by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics Affairs; Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Head of the Department of Gender Studies; Dr. Patricia Ndugga, School of Statistics; Dr. Stella Achen and Dr. Joseph Watuleke, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning; Agatha Ainemukama, School of Engineering; Racheal Nuwagaba, School of Psychology; Awel Uwihanganye, Martine Rugamba, and Hawa Ndagire from the Advancement Office; and Muhammad Kiggundu from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.
The University of Groningen was represented by Dr. Dinie Bouwman, Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalization and Quality Assurance; Dr. Anita Veltmaat, Faculty of Social Behavior and Social Sciences, Department of International Studies, involved in mentorship programs for women; and Dr. Alette Arendshorst, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, working on graduation/collaboration for students/staff.
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