General

Mak Charts the Way Forward for a Solid IP Management Office

Published

5 years ago

December 1, 2020

Mark Wamai

Front row: The Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (C) and Registrar General-Mr. Bemanya Twebaze (3rd L) with R-L: Dr. Robert Wamala, Dr. Umar Kakumba, Ms. Mercy Kainobwisho, Can. Goddy M. Muhumuza, Ms. Ritah Namisango and Members of Management and URSB Staff (Back row) after the meeting on 1st December 2020, CoBAMS, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

A team from Makerere University headed by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on Tuesday 1^st December, 2020 met with the Registrar General, Mr. Bemanya Twebaze and a team from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) and held discussions aimed at operationalising the Intellectual Property Management Office (IPMO) at Mak. The meeting held in the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) Conference Room was attended by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Dr. Umar Kakumba, Acting (Ag.) Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Dr. Josephine Nabukenya and Ag. University Secretary, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda.

Also present were the Ag. Director Legal Affairs, Mr. Hudson Musoke, Interim Chairperson Intellectual Property Management Committee and Principal College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, Deputy Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT), Dr. Robert Wamala and Interim Manager IPMO, Can. Goddy Muhanguzi Muhumuza. URSB Staff-Ms. Mercy K. Kainobwisho, Mr. Agaba Gilbert and Mr. Dominic Ddamulira were also in attendance.

Acknowledging Intellectual Property (IP) as a vital component of the knowledge economy, the Interim IPMO Manager, Can. Muhanguzi Muhumuza applauded the Vice Chancellor and Members of Management for recognizing the need to protect and commercialize Mak‘s research and innovations by setting up the office. He thanked the Registrar General and his team for sparing time to be part of this initiative right from the start and pledged to do his part to ensure that the office takes off.

In his welcome remarks, Prof. Nawangwe congratulated the Mr. Twebaze upon his recent election as Director General of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) for a five year period. He also applauded him for making the URSB brand more visible nationally and internationally.

He noted that whereas the University has since inception been acclaimed as a beacon of research and innovation in Africa, the amount of IP and startup companies attributed to the institution were still very low. “Makerere University staff and students are highly innovative. The IPMO will therefore help us to commercialise these innovations into ventures that can create much-needed employment for our exploding young population.”

The Vice Chancellor in this regard appreciated the Registrar General for sparing time to personally attend the operationalisation meeting and his willingness to help commercialize IP at Makerere University. In the same breath, he thanked the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MoSTI) for offering to support the IPMO and second experienced staff to the Mak unit where necessary.

“The University has allocated ample office space to the IP Management Office and Resource Centre as an asset not only for Makerere but other Universities as well. Makerere has highest concentration of PhDs in the country and we have absolutely no reason why we cannot transform this country” said the Vice Chancellor.

Introducing the Registrar General, URSB’s Director IP-Ms. Kainobwisho shared that Mr. Twebaze is not only the incoming Director General ARIPO but also a Member of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and President of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Advisory Committee on Enforcement. She added that Mak‘s IPMO will greatly benefit from the Registrar General’s national and international experience.

Mr. Twebaze in his remarks thanked Prof. Nawangwe his invitation, noting that it was a great honour and privilege for him as an alumnus from the School of Law and proud Lumumbist to visit his alma mater. “I am happy to always introduce myself as an alumnus of Makerere everywhere I go in the world and I thank the Vice Chancellor and his leadership for the great visibility they have brought to this University in so many ways.”

He applauded the Vice Chancellor for recognising that the IPMO will not only serve Makerere but also other established and upcoming Ugandan Higher Education Institutions. The Registrar General expressed happiness that his alma mater had taken the lead nationally by formulating an institutional IP Policy. The Makerere University Intellectual Property Management Policy was approved by the University Council on 13th March 2008.

“The National Intellectual Property Policy was launched by His Excellency the President in September 2020 but the only way we shall be able to demonstrate that IP actually works is by translating our good ideas and innovations into solutions that solve local problems, create jobs and wealth and enable the people to thrive” shared Mr. Twebaze.

The Registrar General equally took note of the recognition accorded by the President during the aforementioned launch to Ugandan scientists and Makerere University for taking the lead in finding solutions to societal problems, despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Makerere University has been at the forefront of Uganda’s response to COVID-19 and I commend the leadership and researchers for this.”

In 2018, URSB set up a Technology Innovation Support Centre (TISC) at the Mak Main Library to help promote quality research and innovations by providing access to patent information, scientific journals and training on Intellectual Property (IP) laws and patents. Mr. Twebaze shared that URSB has since then set up over 20 other TISCs in Uganda and urged the Interim IPMO Manager and Deputy Director DRGT to help popularise the facility.

In the interactive session that followed, Dr. Robert Wamala shared the proposed IPMO process flow. The steps include; Sensitization, Disclosure, Audit, Application (Form Filling and Submission to URSB), Grants Management, Commercialization and Enforcement. The URSB team pledged to support the IPMO along every step of the proposed process and reiterated the need for students and staff to make the most of the TISC if they were to come up with innovations that can be commercialized.

The meeting agreed to; establish a fully fledged resource centre at the IPMO manned by a team that can undergo further training by ARIPO and WIPO, share the Mak IP Policy currently under review with the URSB team for input, and periodically review the use of the TISC, applications for IP and other goals.

Article by Public Relations Office

Related Topics:featured IP Management policy Uganda URSB

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Makerere University Chancellor Dr. Crispus Kiyonga Appointed 2nd Deputy Prime Minister

Published

8 hours ago

May 29, 2026

Philemon Akoragye

The Chancellor, Hon. Dr. Crispus Kiyonga gestures during an interview on 17th January 2025. 75th Graduation Ceremony, Day 5, CAES, CEDAT and CHUSS. 17th January 2025, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Makerere University Chancellor Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga as Uganda’s Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament.

The appointment was announced on May 26, 2026, as part of the cabinet reshuffle for the 2026–2031 government term. Dr. Kiyonga now assumes one of the senior leadership positions in government while continuing to serve as Chancellor of Makerere University.

Dr. Kiyonga is both Chancellor and alumnus of Makerere University. He studied at Makerere University School of Medicine from 1973 to 1978, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). He later obtained a Master of Health Science in Population Dynamics from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in 2004.

Born on September 19, 1952, in Kasese District, Dr. Kiyonga attended Bwera Primary School, Nyakasura School, and Kings College Budo before joining Makerere University.

He was appointed Chancellor of Makerere University in August 2024 and formally installed in October 2024, succeeding Professor Ezra Suruma.

Incoming Chancellor Dr. Crispus Kiyonga lifting the Chancellor’s Mace.

Political and Public Service Career

Dr. Kiyonga entered national politics during Uganda’s 1980 elections, where he won a parliamentary seat on the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) ticket. He later joined the National Resistance Movement during the liberation struggle and subsequently served in several senior government positions after 1986.

He represented Bukonjo County West in Parliament from 1980 to 2016 and was also a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1995 Constitution.

Over the years, Dr. Kiyonga has held several ministerial portfolios, including:

Minister for Cooperatives and Marketing
Minister of Finance
Minister of Internal Affairs
Minister of Health
Minister without Portfolio
Minister of Defence

During his tenure as Minister of Health, he played a key role in Uganda’s response to the Ebola outbreak in Gulu in 2000.

From 2016, he served as Uganda’s Ambassador to China, where he represented Uganda during a significant period of Uganda-China relations.

Dr. Kiyonga’s appointment marks a return to frontline government leadership after several years in diplomatic service and university leadership.

Significance for Makerere

As Chancellor, Dr. Kiyonga serves as the titular head of Makerere University and presides over major ceremonial functions, including graduation ceremonies.

University Chancellor Dr. Crispus Kiyonga confers a Doctorate Degree upon one of the graduands during the 76th Graduation Ceremony. 76th Graduation Ceremony, Day 2, School of Public Health (MakSPH). Commencement Speaker-Dr. Margaret J. Kigozi, Makerere University Endowment Fund Chairperson. 25th February 2026, Freedom Square, Kampala Uganda, East Africa. — ***University Chancellor Dr. Crispus Kiyonga confers a Doctorate Degree upon one of the graduands during the 76th Graduation Ceremony.***

His appointment reflects the longstanding contribution of Makerere University alumni to public service and national leadership in Uganda and across the region.

Speaking during his installation as Chancellor in 2024, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet K. Museveni, noted that Dr. Kiyonga’s experience and networks would support the advancement of the university.

Makerere University congratulates Chancellor Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga upon his appointment and wishes him success in his new role.

The Writer is a Volunteer in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University and the Mak Sharks PRO | Est. 2014

General

Applications for Admission to Undergraduate Programmes 2026/27

Published

4 days ago

May 25, 2026

Mak Editor

Students in discussion groups in Freedom Square on 1st April 2026.

UPDATE 25^th May 2026

Application deadline extended to 28^th May 2026.

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications from Ugandan, East African, and international applicants for the undergraduate programmes under the private sponsorship scheme for the 2026/2027 Academic Year for ‘A’ Level Leavers Only.

Each applicant should:

Have the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with at least five (5) passes, or its equivalent and at least two (2) principal passes at Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) obtained at the same sitting. For day programmes only candidates who sat A’ Level in 2025, 2024 and 2023 are eligible to apply. For evening, afternoon, and external programmes, a candidate is not restricted on the year of sitting A’ Level. Detailed information on the weighting system can be accessed by following this link.

Other relevant information can be obtained from UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE, LEVEL 3, SENATE BUILDING OR CAN BE found on the University Website https://www.mak.ac.ug. Effective Monday 20^th April 2026.

A non-refundable application fee of shs.50,000/= for Ugandans, East African and S. Sudan applicants or $75 or equivalent for internationals plus bank charges should be paid in any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority.

Candidates who hold grades X, Y, Z, 7 and 9 of ‘O’Level results should not apply because they are not eligible for admission. Below are the availble courses including respective fees structure.

Advert-Mak-PRIVATE-Undergraduate-ADMISSION-2026-2027 Download

Additional-A-Level-Private Advert Download

How to submit your application

Applicants should access the Institution’s Admissions URL https://apply.mak.ac.ug/
Sign up by clicking on the REGISTER NOW. Use your full name, e-mail and Mobile No. Please note that your name must be similar to the one on your supporting academic documents for your application to be considered valid.
A password will be sent to you on your mobile phone and email.
The system will prompt you to change the password to the one you can easily remember.
To fill an application form, click on the APPLY NOW button displayed on the appropriate running scheme.
Obtain a payment reference number by clicking on “Pay for Form” Button
Make a payment at any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority

MOBILE MONEY PAYMENT STEPS:

Dial *272*6# on either MTN or Airtel
Select option 3-Admission
Select option 3-Pay Fees
Enter reference number obtained from Application portal
Details of Application form will be confirmed
Enter PIN to confirm payment

The closing date for receiving applications shall be 28^th May 2026.

WARNING:

Applicants are strongly warned against presenting forged or other people’s academic documents to support their applications for admission. The consequences, if discovered, are very grave indeed.
Do not buy any other documents not originating from the Academic Registrar’s Office. Those who buy them do so at their own risk.
The Academic Registrar has not appointed any agent to act on his behalf to solicit for additional funds other than the application fee stated above.
Applicants are advised to use the right programme names and codes. the university will not be responsible for any wrong information entered in the system by applicants.

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR

General

Admission List for Bachelor of Laws under Government Sponsorship 2026/27

Published

1 week ago

May 22, 2026

Mak Editor

The Office of the Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released admission lists for students admitted to the Bachelor of Laws under Government Sponsorship for the Academic Year 2026/2027.

Please note that the list below contains those who were admitted under the Direct (A’ Level Leavers), Diploma, and Mature Age Entry Schemes.

The admission list is shown below:

Mak-Undergraduate-Bachelor-of-Laws-Government-Sponsorship-2026-2027 Download