General
MakSPH Breaks Ground for New On-Campus Home
On Friday 28th February, 2020 Members of Management and Staff of the Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) were joined by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Uganda, H.E. Henk Jan Bakker to break ground for the new MakSPH home on the Main Campus. Located right at the entrance of the University’s Eastern Gate opposite the Estate and Works Department, the site was a hive of activity despite the early morning downpour that left ground well soaked.
Students from the Department of Performing Arts and Film (PAF), College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) set the tone for the groundbreaking ceremony with their lively performance of the Ugandan, Dutch, East African Community and Mak anthems. Their performance of "Het Wilhelmus" (The William); the National Anthem of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in particular had the Ambassador awestruck as they expertly navigated the difficult stanzas in Dutch.
Welcoming the gathering, the Dean MakSPH, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze shared that groundbreaking for the new eight-storey building worth US$9.8million came 66 years after the Department of Preventive Medicine was founded, which later gave birth to the first Institute of Public Health in Africa in 1974.
“This groundbreaking also comes 48 years since our home in Mulago was launched, which coincidentally, was also built by ROKO” remarked the Dean.
ROKO won the contract to build the new 14,969square metre facility. The building will house tutorial rooms, demonstration and innovation laboratories, auditoria as well as space for research fellows, doctoral students and post-doctoral trainees.
Quoting the Former Governor General of Canada, Adrienne Clarkson, Prof. Wanyenze said “Each of us is carving a stone, erecting a column, or cutting a piece of stained glass in the construction of something much bigger than ourselves.”
In this regard, she pointed out that building the new home wasn’t the biggest thing MakSPH was going to undertake but rather it was training personnel with the capability to drive the change the School would like to see. “Schistosomiasis still stands at more than 30% prevalence in Uganda, the fight against the coronavirus outbreak is ongoing and so we cannot underestimate the role of the School of Public Health in protecting Uganda and Africa.”
The Dean shared that whereas MakSPH had raised only 20% of the total project budget, the School could not afford to postpone breaking ground any longer as the public health needs were great. These were occasioned by challenges such as rapid population growth and urbanization, epidemics and pandemics of emerging and re-emerging pathogens, refugee crises due to natural disasters and armed conflicts among others. She thanked Amb. Bakker and the Netherlands Government as well as other partners for contributing to the 20% collected so far.
The Principal College of Health Sciences (CHS), Prof. Charles Ibingira congratulated MakSPH upon embarking on the new project as it adds to the college’s list of recently undertaken infrastructure developments. He took note of; establishment of the CHS Research Support Centre, Renovation of various Laboratories and the Albert Cook Medical Library, Establishment and extension of the Dental Hospital and School on the Main Campus as well as completion of the IDI-McKinnell Knowledge Centre as some of these projects.
Prof. Ibingira paid special tribute to the University Council for allocating land for the construction of the new MakSPH home and the University Management, the Ambassador and all partners for honouring the invitation to attend the ceremony. Present at the ceremony were the Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-Dr. Umar Kakumba and the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. William Bazeyo.
Also present were the Acting University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, Academic Registrar-Mr. Alfred Namoah Masikye, Director Estates and Works-Eng. Christina Kakeeto and the Manager Procurement and Disposal-Mr. Paul Agaba among others.
In his remarks, Prof. William Bazeyo a former Dean MakSPH (2009-2017) shared that the journey to build the new home started in 2014 with a fundraising drive embraced by all staff then. “I believe that there is no 80% deficit on this project because we have friends who will not abandon us, especially now that we have found the starting capital.”
Prof. Bazeyo thanked Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze for carrying forward the MakSPH dream and not diverting the building funds to other projects. He pledged his support to the successful completion of the project and urged all present to always “be a contribution”.
Prior to inviting the Ambassador to deliver his remarks, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe noted that it was literally unheard of for employees in Uganda to contribute their personal resources to public infrastructure projects. He therefore commended MakSPH staff for leading by example, describing their act as “a great display of patriotism.”
“As a university, we must remain committed to ensuring that our country achieves the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through contributing to the training of high quality graduates. The College of Health Sciences is our flagship of research excellence, accounting for 50% of our research output as an institution” said the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Nawangwe noted that construction of the New MakSPH home was going to be one of the flagship projects as Makerere University kicks off her Centennial Celebrations and urged the contractor ROKO to deliver good quality work.
The Guest of Honour H.E. Henk Jan Bakker started by expressing his gratitude to PAF students for pulling off the feat of singing the Dutch National Anthem. “Dutch is a very difficult language for non-natives to properly pronounce let alone sing and I thank the students of Performing Arts for a job well done.”
He noted that Uganda is better placed than many other countries in Africa to respond to outbreaks of diseases like Ebola because its citizens are educated, thanks largely to efforts of MakSPH. The Ambassador equally commended the team spirit exhibited by MakSPH staff in owning the project by making personal contributions.
Ambassador Bakker shared that the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands had contributed approximately US$300,000 towards establishment of a state-of-the-art auditorium in the new home, equipped with ultramodern ICT equipment. He added that his government had contributed to the improvement and refurbishment of the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Centre under MakSPH in Kasangati as part of a five-year project. The Ambassador pledged his Government’s readiness to continue supporting the four priorities of; Food and Nutrition Security, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, the Justice Law and Order Sector as well as Refugees and Host communities in Northern Uganda.
Prior to the official groundbreaking ceremony, the former Dean MakSPH (2003-2009), Prof. David Serwadda moved the vote of thanks to various stakeholders such as the Government of Uganda; for giving VAT exemption for all building materials for the project through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the University Management for maintaining an open-door policy towards the School. He also thanked the of the Kingdom of the Netherlands through Erasmus University Rotterdam, Johns Hopkins University as well as institutions like the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Uganda Aids Commission (UAC) and many other agencies for contributing to the project and MakSPH’s growth over the years.
Equally recognized by the day’s emcee, Ms. Harriet Adong, were representatives from; Ernst & Young, NC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Absa Bank, BDO Audit Firm, In-Line Print Services and the Media. Also recognized were representatives from MakSPH Projects; ResilientAfrica Network (RAN), Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa (CTCA) and Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support (METS).
Article by Public Relations Office.
Makerere University staff have been urged to embrace servant leadership, integrity and compassion as they prepare to welcome students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The call was made during the Makerere University Staff Prayer Breakfast held on 31st July 2026 at St. Francis Students Centre Upper Hall under the theme “Faithful Stewards: A Servant Heart with Integrity and Wisdom,” drawn from Colossians 3:23–24 and Mark 10:35–45.
The prayer breakfast brought together members of Council, University Management, academic, and administrative staff to dedicate the new academic year to God while reflecting on their responsibility of serving students with excellence, humility and integrity.
A Call to Seek God’s Wisdom
Host Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa reminded staff that no amount of professional experience or academic expertise can replace God’s guidance.
She noted that the University’s mission can only be fulfilled when staff continually seek God’s wisdom in serving students and one another.
“There is no amount of experience or expertise that can replace God’s wisdom.”
Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed that students remain the reason universities exist and challenged staff to approach their work as a calling rather than merely employment.
“Without students, there is no university,” she said, encouraging members of staff to remain united, avoid unhealthy competition and trust God as they begin another academic year.
She further urged staff to become faithful stewards who work together in harmony, which she summed up as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research
In her remarks, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Members of Management to the breakfast, and reminded staff that a university’s value cannot be measured by research and innovation alone.
She described Makerere as a community held together by the spiritual as well as academic wellbeing of its people, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
Draw Inspiration From Stewardship
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Sarah Ssali told staff that this year’s breakfast carried special significance.
“This is the first prayer breakfast we are having ever since we launched our strategic plan,” she said, referring to the University’s new Strategic Plan, launched on 2nd July 2026.
She encouraged staff to hold on to the morning’s reflections as a guide for implementing the plan over the next five years, describing Makerere as an institution many families choose above all others for the vision and training it offers their children. She urged staff to see themselves as stewards of that trust rather than simply employees carrying out a job.
Compassion and Discipline Must Go Together
Delivering her remarks, Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara challenged staff to strike a balance between compassion and discipline when dealing with students.
She observed that many students face different personal and academic challenges, making encouragement and timely support essential throughout their university journey.
“A word of encouragement can restore hope and prevent costly mistakes,” she noted.
Dr. Lorna encouraged lecturers and administrators to respond promptly to students’ concerns, explaining that delays, insensitive decisions and abuse of authority can discourage students and negatively affect their academic experience.
She reminded staff that students often remember how they were treated long after they have forgotten what was taught in class.
“Students may eventually forget what we teach them, but they will always remember how we treated them.”
She added that education goes beyond transferring knowledge.
“Education is more than knowledge. We communicate life, character and values.”
Quoting Mark 10, Dr. Lorna called upon staff to embrace servant leadership by exercising authority with humility, integrity and accountability.
She encouraged members of staff to ask themselves whether they would treat every student the same way ashey would treat their own child.
“We may not always have all the answers,” she said, “but we can communicate honestly, take responsibility and treat every student with dignity.”
She concluded by urging different colleges and administrative units to work together instead of operating in isolation, noting that unity strengthens the University community.
Referring to Galatians 6:2, she reminded staff to carry one another’s burdens and remain faithful stewards of the responsibility entrusted to them.
Servant Leadership Begins with Faithfulness
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. James Magara, husband to Dr. Lorna Magara, called on members of staff to embrace servant leadership grounded in humility, faithfulness and service to others.
Drawing from Mark 10:35–45, Dr. Magara reflected on the account in which James and John asked Jesus for positions of honour in His kingdom, prompting discontent among the other disciples. He observed that despite walking closely with Christ, the disciples continued to struggle with the desire for status and recognition. He noted that such competition remained evident even during the Last Supper, where concerns over positions and prominence persisted.
Dr. Magara said that Jesus responded to these human tendencies by redefining leadership through service rather than authority. He described Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet as the ultimate demonstration of servant leadership, explaining that genuine leaders are willing to undertake even the humblest responsibilities in service of others.
Referencing Philippians 2, he urged staff to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness, contrasting it with the pride and self-exaltation illustrated in Isaiah 14. He emphasised that lasting influence and greatness are not measured by titles, positions or recognition, but by one’s willingness to serve faithfully and put the needs of others before personal ambition.
Drawing on his own leadership journey spanning several decades, Dr. Magara challenged leaders across the University to cultivate humility, integrity and a servant heart in the execution of their responsibilities. He cautioned that leadership driven by pride and personal ambition undermines both individual effectiveness and institutional progress, whereas servant leadership strengthens organisations and fosters lasting impact.
The prayer breakfast concluded with a call for unity and collective commitment as Makerere University prepares to begin a new academic year. Organisers noted that the reflections on stewardship, integrity and servant leadership would provide a strong foundation for the University community as it advances the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
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