The Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (C) flanked by KISH Project PI-Prof. Grace Bantebya (4th L) UN Women Deputy Country Rep. to Uganda-Ms. Adekemi Ndieli (4th R) and R-L: Dr. Josephine Ahikire, Dr. Josephine Nabukenya, Dr. Julius Kikooma, Dr. Florence Muhanguzi, Dr. Elizabeth Kyazike and Dr. Joab Ezra Agaba during the launch on 7th October 2020, CTF2 Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
The Chancellor, Prof. Ezra Suruma on 11th November 2020 appointed Dr. Josephine Nabukenya the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) with immediate effect for a period not exceeding one year or until a substantive Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) is appointed.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) for Finance and Administration oversees the finances and administration of the University. In this respect, the DVC is responsible for the planning, budgeting and development of the university.
The DVC’s office also oversees: Resource mobilization; Investment; Human Resource Management; Security; Estates and Works; and Procurement. Accordingly, the second DVC monitors the Finance Department, the Planning and Development Department, and the Security Department, among others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in his congratulatory message to Dr. Josephine Nabukenya upon her appointment said, “I trust that Josephine brings her rich experience to Management and will help lift our University higher.”
Dr. Nabukenya is an Associate Professor of Information Systems and former Dean of the School of Computing and Informatics Technology, in the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) at Makerere University. She is also the Founder and Chair of the Health Informatics Research Group (MakHIRG) at Makerere University (https://healthinformaticsresearch.mak.ac.ug/); and serves as Second Alternate Chair for the MakRIF Grants Management Committee.
She has previously served on several Makerere University bodies including the University Council, University Senate and other committees such as University Grants Management and Administration Policy Development, Human Resources Audit, ICT Services and Infrastructure Audit, Reforming and Re-engineering University Business Processes among others. In reaching out to the community, Josephine serves as a member of the Digital Health & Interoperability Working Group of Health Data Collaborative; as well as the Health Innovations and Research Technical Working Group of the Ministry of Health-Uganda. She was core to the development of the National eHealth Policy and Strategy for Uganda’s Health sector; and the development of a Model IT Platform for Requirements and Design Specifications Document to Facilitate Individual Interactions with the Health System in the African Region.
Josephine has over 18 years of research experience in Information Systems with a focus on Health Informatics and Data Science; and is currently leading research projects on: 1) Potential for Transforming Health in Uganda through an Electronic Health Data Sharing Platform and Data Science; 2) Feasibility for Strengthening Uganda’s Health System through Standardizing Digital Health: Architecture, Standards and Knowledge Products (eRegistries: National Client Registry, Health Worker Registry, and Health Facility Registry); 3) Development of an Evaluation Framework to Measure Performance Outcomes and Impact of Digital Health Interventions on Healthcare in Uganda; 4) Designing and Piloting of a Mobile-based Technology linking Mothers to Health Providers and Health Facilities to Reduce Maternal and New-born Deaths in Uganda; and 5) Implementing and Evaluation of a low-resource digital infrastructure in Uganda: Visualisation and Interpretation of Radiographic Images to improve access to imaging services at Mulago and Fort Portal regional referral hospitals.
Today, on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate the incredible women scientists at Makerere University who are driving innovation, advancing research, and shaping the future of science in Uganda and beyond.
Your dedication, resilience, and groundbreaking contributions continue to inspire generations. As you break barriers and push the frontiers of knowledge, remember that your work is not only transforming communities but also paving the way for more young women to embrace science.
We honor your achievements and reaffirm our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where women in science can thrive. Keep leading, innovating, and inspiring!
Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science!
The swearing-in-ceremony for the 91st Students’ Guild Electoral Commission was held on Friday 31st January 2025. Mr. Joseph Murungi, a commissioner from the College of Health Sciences (CHS) was unanimously chosen as the chairperson of the commision.
Mr. Murungi thanked the good Lord and students for entrusting him with the position and promised to deliver a free and fair electoral process and head a commission that is impartial.
The Dean of Students, Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli urged the new commission to execute its duties in line with the Guild statute and Constitution.
“You must execute your duties in line with the Guild statute and Constitution, anything outside that is invalid. I wish you the best and I am looking forward to working with you,” she said.
Ms. Ruth Iteu, the Head of the Online voting team, urged the commission to avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law as it will lead to severe consequences.
Rev. Fr. Josephat Ddungu, the Chaplain of Makerere University St. Augustine Chapel said they will continue to pray for the commission to have a peaceful and successful.
“The Electoral Commission is a very important body and the success of the electoral process depends on you. Please concentrate on doing what is right before the Lord. As your spiritual leaders, our duty is to pray. We are therefore praying for you to have a peaceful and successful election,” he said.
Administrator who urged the commission to always do the right at the right time.
Mr. Nickson Maberi encouraged the new commission to follow the law and avoid tarnishing the image of the university.
Mr. Joseph Murungi, Commissioner from the College of Health Sciences (CHS) swearing in as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission for the 91st Guild Elections.
“Makerere University elections attract national attention. Please follow the law and be people of integrity to avoid tarnishing the image of the university,” he guided.
Mr. Aston Tayebwa from the College of Natural Sciences was elected as the commission’s General Secretary while Ms Sharon Nyonyozi from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences was elected as the commission’s Vice Chairperson.
Other commissioners include: Mr. Ijoot William from the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Mr. Ntambi Moses from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB), Mr. Perez William Mwesigwa from the School of Law (SoL), Alyosius Mutagubya from the College of Computing and Information Science (CoCIS) and Mr. Mugisha Hamidu from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).
The Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU) is a community-driven, non-profit organization with a major focus on nurturing collaboration among member institutions (i.e. research and education institutions), and global partners. Founded in 2006, RENU has grown from a small National Research and Education Network (NREN) that focused on just connectivity needs of universities and research organisations, to a fast-growing specialized ICT solutions provider for the entire Research and Education (R&E) community including schools, colleges, other tertiary institutions, hospitals, and their end users. RENU is located at House No. 31, The Edge, Makerere University and on Plot 6B, Mabua Road, Kololo, Kampala.
Highlights from the 2024 Edition featuring Makerere:
Universities Launch Global Coalition to Support Refugee Education at Scale
16 universities from across the globe have come together to improve and increase access to higher education for refugees and their communities, where they reside. Universities based in Africa, Europe, and North America formed the Global University Academy (GUA) following a workshop hosted by the University of Oslo in June 2024.
The GUA is currently looking into the possibility to pilot the initiative in Uganda. Key partners in this work are Makerere University and Gulu University, who are already actively engaged in providing access to higher education for refugees, and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Uganda.
Advancing Child Welfare The AfriChild Centre’s Inter-University Programme
The Inter-University Programme, spearheaded by the Centre of Excellence for the Study of the African Child (AfriChild Centre), is a landmark initiative focused on equipping researchers with the essential skills needed to conduct high-quality child-focused research. The success of the Inter-University Programme is built on the strong partnerships the AfriChild Centre has established with universities including Makerere University.
Liberate your Mind from the Present and Dream Big to Provide Meaningful ICT Solutions for Research and Education!
At the 2024 RENU ICT Directors Forum, Dr. Francis F. “Tusu” Tusubira, the Chief Guest, delivered an electrifying address urging ICT leaders to dream beyond the present and shape the future of research and education. Reflecting on his time at Makerere University, he shared his philosophy of granting autonomy to team members and supporting them unconditionally. “Allow your team to make decisions and mistakes, especially in the current environment, which presents opportunities for learning. Protect them when they make mistakes. Once you do this, your team will build your dream.”
Advancing Open Science and Open Access in Africa, with a Focus on Uganda
Open Science and Open Access have emerged as transformative movements in the global academic and research community. Their principles—sharing knowledge freely, fostering collaboration, and driving practical solutions to societal challenges—are especially resonant in Africa, where equitable access to resources and innovative solutions are essential for sustainable development. Institutions like Makerere University are driving Open Science efforts by encouraging researchers to adopt open frameworks.