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Katikkiro of Buganda Lauds Mak on Muteesa II Museum
The Katikkiro of Buganda Ow’ekitiibwa Charles Peter Mayiga on Thursday 16th July, 2020 visited Makerere University to hand over a cheque worth UGX 70 million to support the ongoing renovation and beautification works aimed at developing the former Muteesa II House into the Sir Edward Muteesa II Museum.
The Muteesa II Museum presents to Makerere University a golden opportunity to honour and immortalize Sir Edward Muteesa II in perpetuity. Sir Edward Muteesa II, the 35th Kabaka of Buganda and first President of the post-Independence Republic of Uganda was a student of Literature at Makerere University from 1943 to 1945. Quarry House No. 95 was constructed in 1944 as a befitting on-campus private residence of Ssekabaka Muteesa II, his official palace being only a few kilometres away in Mengo. To preserve this unique and historic site, the Makerere University Management in December 2019 kick started the renovation works with specific adherence to maintaining its original architecture.
Following a guided tour of the Museum, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Assoc. Prof. Umar Kakumba welcomed the Katikkiro, an alumnus and former resident of University Hall back to his alma mater. The Katikkiro was accompanied by the Second Deputy Katikkiro and Buganda Minister of Finance and Economic Planning-Owek. Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa and the Chairman of Buganda Twezimbe Committee-Omukungu John Fredrick Kiyimba.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor thanked the Katikkiro for readily responding to the call to support the establishment of Muteesa II Museum as part of the Greater Makerere University Museum. "In this museum, Makerere University will celebrate the life and times of Ssekabaka Muteesa II, an alumnus, Ugandan Nationalist, Pan-Africanist and one of the founding fathers of modern Uganda."
"We are proud that we have been able to preserve this house in its original state. I thank the University Council for approving this renovation and colleagues in Management and the Estates and Works Directorate in particular for working hard to restore the building" added the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Nawangwe further commended the Makerere University Museum Committee for collecting valuable materials about Ssekabaka Muteesa II. "As Makerere University, we will do all that is necessary to ensure that this Museum satisfactorily completed and that it becomes a landmark for our University and Country through which we shall remember the life and works of Ssekabaka Muteesa II."
Speaking on behalf of the Makerere University Museum Committee, the Assistant Chairperson, Assoc. Prof. Kizito Maria Kasule noted that the establishment of the Muteesa II Museum marks the beginning of rigorous process of researching into the legacy of Ssekabaka Muteesa II especially as Kabaka and President.
"For example, he is remembered as the first President in post-Independence Africa to donate his salary to the development of Karamoja region, which by the time of our independence had been neglected by the colonial establishment" remarked Assoc. Prof. Kasule.
He added that museums today are required to be living institutions which are relevant to not only the present but also future generations. "Muteesa II Museum will not only honour the memories and life of Ssekabaka Muteesa II but will also turn those memories into living realities from which the present generation will be inspired to find solutions to emerging national and global challenges." 
The Katikkiro of Buganda applauded the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe for being an instrumental figure in the renovation of the Muteesa II House. He was equally glad that the restoration maintained its original beauty and respected its original architecture; a demonstration of Prof. Nawangwe's good sense of history. "It is perfect that the renovation is in line with maintaining the tradition of Sir Edward Muteesa II, the student and Kabaka of the times. All great academic institutions should jealously guard their historic landmarks."
"The hearts of academic institutions are the academic exploits and achievements they make. However, the character and soul of these institutions are its historic landmarks and the kind of personalities that have walked through their gates. As Makerereans you should be very proud that the alumni of this University have made great contributions to humanity through the ages" expounded the Katikkiro.
Owek. Mayiga further said that a good sense history is an essential precursor for a good understanding of the present and solid preparation for the future. "So to renovate Muteesa's residence is to acknowledge and preserve history for Makerere, the Kingdom of Buganda and for Uganda."
The Katikkiro reminisced that the Kingdom of Buganda made a significant contribution to Makerere's founding. Owek. Martin Luther Nsibirwa the Katikkiro then played a key role in the allocation of land on which the University stands today and it was a privilege to have his grandson, Owek. Waggwa Nsibirwa present at the unveiling ceremony. "So we should together preserve the heritage between the Kingdom of Buganda and Makerere," emphasised Owek. Mayiga.
He paid tribute to the Museum Committee and all eminent persons that had made significant contributions to the restoration of Muteesa II House and thereafter presented a cheque of UGX 70 Million on behalf of Buganda Kingdom. In addition to the Assistant Chairperson, other Members of the Makerere University Museum Committee present and recognised were; Assoc. Prof. George William Kyeyune-Chairperson, Prof. Phillip Kwesiga, Mr. Joseph Ssematimba, Dr. Rita Nabuyungo and Ms. Ritah Namisango.
The Vice Chancellor presented a plaque and an art piece to the Katikkiro in appreciation of the contribution by Buganda Kingdom towards the Muteesa II Museum project. In addition to the gallery, artifacts such as three statues capturing the life of Ssekabaka Muteesa II as Kabaka, President and a Makererean will be set up in the Museum gardens.
Article by Public Relations Office
Prof. Edward Bbaale, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at Makerere University, on November 10 2026 welcomed a delegation from the International Water Association (IWA), led by Mr. Keith Robertson, the Learning and Events Director at International Water Association (IWA). Mr. Robertson, in his remarks, highlighted their visit to Makerere University as a fact-finding mission regarding the potential establishment of a new regional IWA office in Africa to support the continent in solving challenges relating to water.
The International Water Association is a leading global nonprofit organisation and knowledge hub for the water and sanitation sector. Connecting more than 10,000 individual members and 500 corporate entities across 140 plus countries, the association bridges the gap between scientific research and practical engineering to solve global water crises, improve sanitation, and secure clean water systems. Currently, IWA is evaluating potential host cities in Africa; Makerere University in Kampala is the first they have visited out of their three countries and venues earmarked.
This meeting held at Makerere Main Administrative Building, was attended by university leadership, faculty from College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), and representatives from the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). Discussions explored possibilities of the yet to be established office bridging the gap between academic research and practical application in the water sector not only in Uganda but also on the continent.
On behalf of University Management, Prof. Edward Bbaale underscored this engagement that focused on possible Water and Sanitation advancement partnership as one that aligns well with the strategic direction of the University.
Projected Impact of a Kampala-Based IWA Office
Dr Philip Nyenje, Head of Department, Civil and Environmental Engineering (DCEE), expressed optimism about the collaboration, saying, “this is a very good opportunity for us to grow our interest in the sector of water and sanitation.”
In addition, Dr Seith Mugume, a Senior Lecturer at DCEE, noted that the regional office would unlock research and innovation opportunities in the real world for our students and also provide incentives for them to pursue projects within local research and innovation angles.
Eng. Zainab Mpakiraba, Acting Senior Manager at NWSC framed Kampala as a very unique venue for the centre and highlighted Makerere as one of the core academic partners for the regional Eastern and Southern Africa hub of the Global Sanitation Graduate School. Eng. Mpakiraba further endorsed Makerere, saying that, as a top-notch university in Uganda and in the region, when it leads on any aspect, it is able to pull most of the other universities.
Makerere’s Strategic Initiatives and Activities so far in the Area of Water
Dr Nyenje noted that his Department has a very strong base in water and sanitation, covering disciplines like water resources, environmental, structural, and highway engineering. Dr. Mugume added that they are conducting research on “modeling of water resource systems, hydrological and hydraulic modeling,” “water quality management,” and “fecal sludge management, sanitation in low-income and peri-urban areas.”
The two also mentioned that the department has introduced a “master’s in sanitation, and also a postgraduate program… a diploma in sanitation” to address growing interest in the sector.
All these strategies have been made possible through good will and funding from the Government of Uganda, strategic partnerships, and International Collaborations that have positioned Makerere as a key player in the region.
Concluding the session, Prof. Edward Bbaale reaffirmed Makerere’s ability to run this Office when established as the University has human resources in multidisciplinary research, global credibility and working relationships with many organisations and institutions on the continent and far.
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