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Engineering, Art & Tech

Experts Call For Integration of Land Use and Transport Planning for Kampala

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Researchers from Makerere University and officials from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development have called on the government to integrate land use and transport planning if we are to develop the urban centres around the city.

Speaking at a public dialoague, researchers noted that there was need to decongest the city and also demarcate Kampala City boundaries. “The city is expanding yet the planning is stagnating,” Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, the Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) said.

Dr Wilson Kayom, an official from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development said there was need to be concerned about the unprecedented population growth of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.   

Other challenges affecting the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) include the development of slum cells, congestions on the roads and building and unplanned development.

Lack of proper transport system is affecting health of the population, the ecological system, and an acceptable urban environment for the residents of Kampala

Traffic congestion has for years been a big problem in Kampala. A typical urban road in Kampala is a single carriageway, about 4 meters wide, designed as a two-way road with each side carrying traffic in opposite direction.

The city, Dr Kayom said is affected by the unregulated taxi operations, the many Taxi parks/stages in the Central Business District (CBD), lack of separate walkways for pedestrians, lack of organized pedestrian crossings, Illegal parking along the main streets and Lack of enough traffic signals.

According to research, traffic jam costs Uganda over US$800m (over sh2.8trillion) in lost GDP annually. The country also loses 10 people per day in road accidents, according the traffic report, the highest in East Africa.

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Mark Wamai

Engineering, Art & Tech

CEDAT Acquires New Executive Bus to Enhance Mobility

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CEDAT Acquires New Executive Bus to Enhance Mobility

The College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) at Makerere University has officially added a brand-new executive bus to its fleet, a milestone that underscores the institution’s commitment to improving mobility and efficiency for staff and students.

The 41-seater bus, valued at UGX 500 million, received Monday March 9, 2026 is a product of Kiira Motors Corporation. It is equipped with modern features designed to ensure comfort and safety during travel. This acquisition will significantly reduce the logistical challenges previously faced in arranging transportation for official trips and academic activities.

Prof. Moses Musinguzi, Principal of CEDAT, received the bus from Mr. Tonny Seruyange, Transport Officer at the Directorate of Estates and Works. Speaking at the handover, Prof. Musinguzi expressed optimism about the impact of the new bus:

“This addition will greatly improve our mobility and coordination, easing transportation challenges and fostering greater efficiency in our operations. It is a step forward in supporting our academic mission and enhancing the experience of both staff and students.”

The new bus represents a strategic investment in infrastructure that strengthens Makerere University’s ability to deliver on its academic and institutional goals.

Alex Isemaghendera

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Engineering, Art & Tech

Makerere University Announces Call for Papers for 10th National Conference on Communication (NCC 2026)

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The 10th National Conference on Communications (NCC 2026) is officially here, hosted by the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) at Makerere University in collaboration with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). This milestone edition, themed “Accelerating Market-Driven Innovation for Uganda’s Development,” serves as a premier platform for advancing research, innovation, and knowledge exchange within the nation’s ICT ecosystem. Scheduled for 24th – 26th June 2026 at Makerere University, the conference will bring together thought leaders to discuss the future of connectivity and digital transformation.

We are now inviting submissions from researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers across eight diverse conference tracks. These tracks cover critical areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Digital Financial Services (Fin Tech), Smart Societies, and ICT for Social Impact in health and education. Whether your work focuses on digital infrastructure or environmental resilience, NCC 2026 provides the visibility needed to drive meaningful technological advancement in Uganda.

Prospective contributors can submit Full Research Papers (up to 8 pages), Extended Abstracts for work-in-progress, Industry Case Studies, or Policy and Position Papers. All submissions should be made through the link : https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=ncc2026

Please take note of the upcoming deadlines;

The Submission Deadline is 1st May 2026, with Acceptance Notifications being sent out by 22nd May 2026. For more information regarding the program and registration, please contact the organizing committee via email at ncc.cedat@mak.ac.ug.

Join us as we shape the future of communications and technology in Uganda.

Alex Isemaghendera

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Engineering, Art & Tech

Makerere University and University of Warwick Strengthen Ties in High-Level Visit

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On Friday 13th February 2026, Makerere University was honored to host Prof. Daniel Branch, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Warwick. This visit marked a significant follow-up to a 2025 delegation from Makerere to Warwick, emphasizing a growing and reciprocal relationship between the two prestigious institutions. Organized by the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (Mak-RIF), the day began with a strategic meeting in the office of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, alongside key university leadership including Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi chairperson of Mak-RIF and Mr. Simon Kizito the Deputy University Secretary.

During the initial discussions, Mr. Simon Kizito, reflected on the eye-opening experience of visiting Warwick, specifically praising their forward-thinking approach to industry collaboration and innovation. These observations set the stage for exploring new possibilities for student exchange programs. Such initiatives are envisioned to allow students from both universities to share valuable experiences in research and technology, fostering a global academic environment.

Prof. Nawangwe provided Prof. Branch with an overview of Makerere’s historical significance as the oldest university in East Africa and its immense research capacity, supported by an academic staff holding approximately 1,390 PhDs. He highlighted Makerere’s leadership in technological advancements, citing the design and production of Africa’s first electric car, the Kiira EV. Prof. Nawangwe also addressed the global knowledge gap, noting that Africa currently contributes only 3% of the world’s knowledge. He emphasized that collaborating with institutions like the University of Warwick is essential to increasing this percentage by improving supervision capacity and research impact.

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Alex Isemaghendera

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