Connect with us

Engineering, Art & Tech

How a Researcher is Using Art to Create HIV Awareness

Published

on

By Betty Kyakuwa & Isaac Abaho

Researchers have been called upon to increase awareness about HIV among the population. The call was made by Rtd. Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga, during the opening of Mr. Robert Ssewanyana’s art exhibition that sought to create HIV awareness and prevention in slum areas of Kampala. Maj. Rubaramira said the biggest reason for the increase in HIV is lack of knowledge and information by the population especially in the rural areas.  The exhibition was attended by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) Dr. Josephine Nabukenya as well as organisations doing HIV treatment and rehabilitation.

Maj. Rubaramira said there was no reason as to why people should contract HIV even if raped. He pointed to the existence of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), an emergency treatment to prevent HIV after exposure. This treatment is given before 72 hours after exposure or rape.

The spread of HIV has been on the rise especially among the young people aged between 15 and 24 years.  This has been due to lack of knowledge about HIV especially among the rural communities. In the urban centres, HIV increase has been attributed to a number of factors, including, poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, a thriving commercial sex industry and lack of knowledge of matters relating to the spread of HIV. To this end, Mr. Robert Ssewanyana, an artist and lecturer at the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Art set out to work with communities in an effort to create awareness and prevent the spread of HIV. He worked with communities of Bwaise, Ndeeba and Katwe.

Read more

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

Engineering, Art & Tech

Makerere University Hosts the 1st Joint AGRC and EALAN Gathering

Published

on

Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development-Hon. Judith Nabakooba officially opens the Conference as Prof. Moses Musinguzi (Rear Right) and Dr. Lydia Mazzi Kayondo (Rear Left) witness. Makerere University, through College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), proudly hosted the first-ever Joint 8th Advances in Geomatics Research Conference (AGRC) and 14th Eastern Africa Land Administration Network (EALAN) Conference, 31st Jul-1st Aug 2025, Kabira Country Club, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University, through its College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), proudly hosted the first-ever Joint 8th Advances in Geomatics Research Conference (AGRC) and 14th Eastern Africa Land Administration Network (EALAN) Conference 2025. The event brought together scholars, land professionals, and policymakers to shape the future of land governance across the continent. Makerere’s role as host was in line with its current Chairmanship of EALAN.

Participants from over five African countries—namely Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, and South Sudan—attended the conference, which commenced on July 31 and is set to conclude on August 1. The official opening was presided over by Hon. Judith Nabakooba Nalule, Uganda’s Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development. She applauded the Department of Geomatics and Land Management at CEDAT for organizing and hosting the event.

Hon. Nabakooba highlighted the relevance of the conference theme, Geo-Enablement for Sustainable Development: Harnessing Innovation in Geomatics and Land Administration, noting it directly addresses national needs. “Indeed, sustainable development fundamentally depends on effective land management and efficient geospatial data collection,” she stated. She underscored the necessity for accurate information to guide policymakers and emphasized that the NRM government recognizes land as wealth. “This is precisely why we have prioritized the ongoing reforms in Uganda’s land administration systems, from the expansion of the Land Information System to strengthen the land registration services. We are also now focusing on further enhancing our systems through cutting-edge blockchain technology to ensure transparency, security and efficiency in land governance,” she added. Hon. Nabakooba called for stronger collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector to realize these goals, adding that “research is crucial for generating evidence to inform policy and that universities play a vital role in training professionals.” She urged scientists to be agents of change and devise practical solutions to land-related challenges.

Left to Right: Dr. Lydia Mazzi Kayondo, Prof. Moses Musinguzi, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, Prof. Robert Wamala and Prof. Anthony Gidudu at the conference. Makerere University, through College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), proudly hosted the first-ever Joint 8th Advances in Geomatics Research Conference (AGRC) and 14th Eastern Africa Land Administration Network (EALAN) Conference, 31st Jul-1st Aug 2025, Kabira Country Club, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Left to Right: Dr. Lydia Mazzi Kayondo, Prof. Moses Musinguzi, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, Prof. Robert Wamala and Prof. Anthony Gidudu at the conference.

Speaking at the same event, Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Robert Wamala remarked that the conference’s theme aligns with Makerere University’s revised research agenda 2025–2030, which emphasizes sustainable urbanization and housing. He cited challenges like population growth, informal settlements, housing deficits, and environmental sustainability, stating, “Makerere University is conducting research on urban land governance, spatial planning, infrastructure development, affordable housing models and the integration of innovative geospatial technologies for managing urban growth.” These research efforts, he noted, aim to inform evidence-based policies and ensure urban areas are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Vision 2040, and other national development frameworks.

Prof. Wamala encouraged attendees to use the conference as a platform for sharing research and building collaborations that can translate academic innovations into practical outcomes. “The conversations and partnerships that emerge from this conference should help us shape policies, help us strengthen institutional capacities, but also to expand opportunities for technological transformation and entrepreneurship in the field of geomatics and land administration,” he said. He commended the organizing committee led by Prof. Gidudu Anthony, as well as partners and sponsors such as GIZ, UN Habitat, and CEDAT, for their dedication and hard work.

Seated Left to Right: Dr. Lydia Mazzi Kayondo, Prof. Moses Musinguzi, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, Prof. Robert Wamala and Prof. Anthony Gidudu with delegates attending the 8th AGRC and 14th EALAN. Makerere University, through College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), proudly hosted the first-ever Joint 8th Advances in Geomatics Research Conference (AGRC) and 14th Eastern Africa Land Administration Network (EALAN) Conference, 31st Jul-1st Aug 2025, Kabira Country Club, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Seated Left to Right: Dr. Lydia Mazzi Kayondo, Prof. Moses Musinguzi, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, Prof. Robert Wamala and Prof. Anthony Gidudu with delegates attending the 8th AGRC and 14th EALAN.

In her keynote address, Dr. Upendo Matotola, Director of Real Estate at Tanzania’s Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, stressed the critical need for financing innovation to improve land administration systems in East Africa. She noted that land is more than a production tool; it is also a source of identity, heritage, and power. Dr. Upendo called for a transformation in land governance, pointing out that innovation must transcend technology to include inclusive policies, empowered communities, and stronger institutional coordination. Addressing issues such as outdated paper-based records, limited access to land information, and conflicting legal frameworks, she warned that, without urgent action, land insecurity will continue to threaten peace, development, and investment. Drawing lessons from Tanzania, she advocated for harmonized and citizen-centred reforms to build more efficient and equitable land systems.

The conference that was held at Kabira Country Club also featured keynote speeches from respected figures such as Prof. Jaap Zevenbergen from the University of Twente (Netherlands), Prof. Timothy Dube from the University of Western Cape (South Africa), Dr. Pamela Duran-Diaz (Netherlands), and Mr. Simon Peter Mwesigye from UN Habitat.

Hon. Judith Nabakooba poses for a group photo with participants after opening the Joint Conference. Makerere University, through College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), proudly hosted the first-ever Joint 8th Advances in Geomatics Research Conference (AGRC) and 14th Eastern Africa Land Administration Network (EALAN) Conference, 31st Jul-1st Aug 2025, Kabira Country Club, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Hon. Judith Nabakooba poses for a group photo with participants after opening the Joint Conference.

Prior to the official opening, pre-conference activities, including seminars and workshops, were held. One such workshop focused on Fit-for-Purpose Land Administration (FFPLA) and was officially closed by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. He urged universities to look beyond teaching and graduating students to proactively planning and advising government on land management policies. “We as universities must study these issues and come up with solutions,” said Prof. Nawangwe. He encouraged researchers to lobby government with policy recommendations for implementation. He thanked the Government of Uganda for financially supporting such research and also commended the Department of Geomatics and Land Management at CEDAT for their contribution to improved land use and planning, while encouraging them to continue pushing forward.

The workshop, which started on Monday, July 28, was officially opened by Mr. Joseph Sembatya, Commissioner for Land Administration at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.

Principal CEDAT-Prof. Moses Musinguzi makes his remarks. Makerere University, through College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), proudly hosted the first-ever Joint 8th Advances in Geomatics Research Conference (AGRC) and 14th Eastern Africa Land Administration Network (EALAN) Conference, 31st Jul-1st Aug 2025, Kabira Country Club, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Principal CEDAT-Prof. Moses Musinguzi makes his remarks.

Eve Nakyanzi
Eve Nakyanzi

Continue Reading

Engineering, Art & Tech

Makerere Hosts Forum on Great Lakes Research & Cooperation on Ecological & Socio-Economic Challenges of L.Victoria & Beyond

Published

on

From July 21st to 23rd, 2025, Makerere University College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology proudly hosted two major international gatherings: the 2025 International Conference on the Cooperation and Integration of Industry, Education, Research and Application, and the2025 International Conference on Great Lakes Research.

During the Great Lakes Forum, Professor Moses Musinguzi, Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), underscored the critical importance of ongoing research into the Great Lakes, especially Lake Victoria. He emphasized its ecological and socio-economic significance to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, while voicing concern over mounting threats from climate change and human activities particularly sedimentation and deteriorating water quality.

The forum served as a platform for scientists, policy makers, and regional stakeholders to collaborate on preserving the lake’s health and ensuring sustainable use of its resources for generations to come.

Click here for details

Alex Isemaghendera

Continue Reading

Engineering, Art & Tech

A Historic Creative Showcase: DIAAD-MTSIFA Hosts First-Ever BIAAD Exhibition

Published

on

On Thursday, 17th July 2025, the studios at the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Art-MTSIFA came alive with artistic expression and design innovations as the Department of Industrial Arts and Applied Design (DIAAD) unveiled their inaugural Year three students’ exhibition for the Bachelor of Industrial Arts and Applied Design (BIAAD) programme.

This landmark event was graced by Prof. Moses Musinguzi, Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology, alongside Assoc. Prof. Kizito Maria Kasule, Deputy Principal of the college. Their presence underscored the College’s commitment to nurturing creative thinkers and industry-ready professionals equipped with hands-on artistic practical skills.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Kasozi Dorah, Head of DIAAD, hailed the exhibition as a historic milestone both for the students and the dedicated staff in the department and the school at large. “We are celebrating not only the creative and academic achievements of our pioneer class of the BIAAD program,” she remarked, “but also a significant milestone for us as academic staff, the realization of our vision: to train innovative, research-oriented designers who can address societal challenges through design and applied arts.

Click here for details

Alex Isemaghendera

Continue Reading

Trending