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Synthesis Report: RUFORUM Webinar 11 – Assessing Opportunities and Challenges of Online Learning

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African universities have been discussing and proposing much greater uptake of online learning in the recent decades. Perceived threats to jobs, lack of skills and exposure, and traditional perceptions of the role of a lecturer as the best mechanism for knowledge sharing and facilitating learning were some of the factors discouraging uptake. This is notwithstanding improvements in the quality, accessibility and affordability of ICTs to support online teaching and learning. The low investment by universities in providing the infrastructure, policies and the training necessary to support blended learning, has confounded the situation. However, the advent of COVID-19 has revolutionized thinking on the Higher Education space worldwide. The COVID-19 Pandemic and the instituted measures to limit its spread, has brought with it many changes, challenges and opportunities across the entire education value chain across nations. In Africa, universities are finding ways to keep their students academically engaged despite the closure of classrooms, libraries, laboratories and other teaching and learning facilities. Today, the establishment of Learning Management Systems such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Improved Skype, Google Classroom and Google Hangouts, among others, in universities can favor continued access to teaching and learning, while still maintaining some opportunities for physical contact. However, the majority of students still have no access to good internet signal and data, computers or smart phones in order to take advantage of such online learning and teaching facilities. At national level, many countries need to review their policies, regulations, resource allocation, and human and infrastructural capacities in order to address the emerging challenges, take advantage of the rising opportunities and support the required transformation in the education sector.

This report covers points of action and emerging issues from Webinar 11 organized by RUFORUM on African Universities in post COVID-19: assessing the opportunities and challenges of online learning held on 16th September, 2020.

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Mark Wamai

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RENU Communications Department Graduate Trainee Program: Two (2) Vacancies

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Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU) Graduate Trainee Program in Communications: Two (2) Vacancies. Deadline: 16th November 2026.

The Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU) Graduate Trainee Program in Communications offers an opportunity to gain practical experience in content development, digital marketing, public relations and multimedia production.

Trainees will work alongside experienced professionals to develop engaging content, support communication campaigns and contribute to initiatives that showcase the impact of research and education in Uganda.

Application Deadline: Monday 16th November 2026 at 5:00 PM Uganda time.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Submit application to: https://jobs.renu.ac.ug

Note: Females are strongly encouraged to apply.

Mak Editor

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Engineering, Art & Tech

International Water Association Eyes Makerere-Kampala for Regional Office

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(R-L) Dr Philip Nyenje, Mr. Satkunam Murugathas, Prof. Edward Bbaale (tan-suit), Mr. Keith Robertson, Eng. Zainab Mpakiraba, Dr Seith Mugume, Mr. Varghese Babu, and Mr. Moses Kasujja after the meeting between Makerere University and IWA on November 10 2026.

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.

Mr. Keith Robertson
Mr. Keith Robertson

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.

Prof Edward Bbaale
Prof. Edward Bbaale

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.

Eng. Zainab-Mpakiraba and Dr Seith Mugum
Eng. Zainab Mpakiraba and Dr Seith Mugume

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.

Dr Philip Nyenje
Dr Philip Nyenje

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.

Elvis Lubanga, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Elvis Lubanga

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NOTICE: Online Applications for Government Sponsorship for Programmes Offered at Public Universities & Other Tertiary Institutions 2027/2028 AY

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The Academic Registrar, Makerere University informs all Head Teachers of Advanced Level (UACE) Schools with UNEB centre Numbers that applications for admission to Public Universities and other Tertiary Institutions for 2027/2028 Academic Year for government sponsorship will be done electronically/online using the Academic Management Information System from 9th November, 2026 to 31st December, 2026. The Public Universities include:

  • (a) Makerere University 
    (b) Makerere University Business School 
  • Mbarara University of Science and Technology
  • Kyambogo University
  • Gulu University
  • Busitema University
  • Muni University
  • Kabale University
  • Lira University
  • Soroti University
  • Mountains of the Moon University
  • Uganda National Institute of Teacher Education

NB: The list of Other Tertiary Institutions is provided on the online application portal.

The online application system will allow A ‘Level Schools/UNEB Centre Administrators to input the applicants’ required information using one of the two formats provided:

  1. The Online Application Portal

This is where the applicants’ information is captured directly into the system using the internet (https://pujab.mak.ac.ug) The portal contains pre-populated information to help you select the correct details as you fill the form.

  • The Offline Excel Sheet

This will be downloaded from the online application portal (https://pujab.mak.ac.ug) filled offline and uploaded into the system via the internet. The excel sheet also contains pre-populated information to help you select the correct details as you fill the form.

The information to be captured include among others:

  1. Applicants’ Bio-data
  2. Father’s information
  3. Mother’s information
  4. Applicants’ home district
  5. Information about Disabilities
  6. O’ Level index number and year of sitting
  7. A’ Level index number and year of sitting
  8. National merit choices (6)
  9. District Quota Choices (4)
  10. Tertiary Institutions choices (4)

However, before the commencement of the application exercise, New School Administrators with A level UNEB Centre numbers will be required to fill theaccess form to allow them use the online Application Portal. The form can be accessed from the Makerere University application portal (https://pujab.mak.ac.ug) filled, stamped, scanned and submitted to this email address: pujab.support@mak.ac.ug or office 302 ,Level three (3), Senate Building for account  creation. On creation of the account, a message containing the account details will be sent to the school administrator’s email address and phone number.

A non-refundable application fee of UGX. 57,000/= (Fifty-seven thousand shillings only) per applicant will be paid using a Payment Reference Number (PRN) generated from the system in any bank used by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) before loading the application data.

NB: (i) A user guide is accessible from the online application portal and University website (www.mak.ac.ug).

      (ii) Information on Public Universities Admissions for 2027/2028 Academic Year is accessible from the Makerere University application portal and website: www.mak.ac.ug

     (iii) The JAB information Booklet for other tertiary institutions for 2027/2028 Academic   year is accessible from the online application portal and Makerere University website (www.mak.ac.ug).

Submission Confirmation

Upon successful submission, you will receive a confirmation message indicating that your application(s) have/ has been received.

Acknowledgment Form

Once submission is done, an acknowledgment form must be downloaded and printed from the system, signed and stamped by the Head Teacher and forward to: pujab.support@mak.ac.ug or office 302 Senate Building Makerere University.

The closing date for submitting the application data in the system and acknowledgement form will be 31st December 2026.

There will be no hard copy/manual application forms given to applicants.

Re-applicants who did their Advanced Level in 2025 or 2024 can apply through their Schools or can use the System directly.

Prof.  Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR

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