The Chairperson of Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara (5th R) flanked by Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (4th R) and Members of the MakARIS Steering Committee led by Ag. DVCFA-Assoc. Prof. Josephine Nabukenya (3rd L) at the launch on 6th May 2021, CTF1, Makerere University. L-R are: Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, Mr. Alfred Namoah Masikye, Assoc. Prof. Josephine Ahikire, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe and Mr. Silas Ngabirano.
The Chairperson of Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara on Thursday 6th May, 2021 launched the development of an in-house Academic Records Information System (MakARIS) aimed at ensuring full control by the University of its academic processes and records. The launch follows a resolution by the University Council at its 151st meeting, and undergirds four overarching goals of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2020-2030.
The four goals are: A research-led University responding to National, Regional and Global development challenges; Innovations in Teaching and Learning that respond to the changing environment; An engaged University with enhanced partnerships with industry, the community and international institutions; and A professionally governed, equitable, inclusive and gender mainstreamed institution.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in his welcome remarks thanked the Chairperson and Members of Council for the resolution that paved way for the development of MakARIS. He thanked Acting (Ag.) Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Dr. Josephine Nabukenya for accepting to chair the Steering Committee that will spearhead the development of MakARIS.
“I believe that all processes in the University should be digitized and effected on an integrated system. I therefore thank the Acting DVCFA who since her appointment has ensured that IT-dependent systems are implemented promptly” remarked the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Nawangwe’s appointment of Dr. Nabukenya as Chairperson MakARIS Steering Committee was based on her vast experience as Associate Professor of Information Systems, developer of IT polices and leadership of various research projects.
In her acceptance remarks, Dr. Nabukenya noted that Makerere University has the requisite capacity to develop a fully integrated Information System and introduced her committee members. These are;
Dr. Umar Kakumba – Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)
Mr. Hudson Musoke – Ag. Director Legal Affairs
Mr. Yusuf Kiranda – Ag. University Secretary
Mr. Alfred Namoah Masikye – Academic Registrar
Dr. Vincent Ssembatya – Director Quality Assurance Directorate (QAD)
Mr. Samuel Mugabi – Director Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS)
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe – Principal College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT)
Assoc. Prof. Josephine Ahikire – Principal College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS)
Mr. Silas Ngabirano – Assistant Commissioner ICT, Ministry of ICT and National Guidance
Also introduced were members of the technical team consisting of Software Engineers, System Integration Specialists, Systems Analysts, Enterprise Architects, Programmers and Research Assistants. The technical team made up of staff from the School of Computing and Informatics Technology (CIT) and DICTS.
Chairperson MakARIS Steering Committee – Assoc. Prof. Josephine Nabukenya
The Ag. DVCFA shared that the development will be carried out within a period of 6 months and is justified by; Reduction of costs as there will no recurring license fees, Accommodation of user stakes (students, banks and other stakeholders to be consulted) and Ownership (the system will be owned by Makerere University).
Furthermore, the development is justified by; Customization (the system will be customizable to meet emerging needs), Reduced security risks on institutional data, and Improved service provision to various users. The MakARIS enterprise architecture will ensure that all process and systems that feed into the management of student records will be integrated so as to cater for both present and future requirements.
“It gives me so much pleasure to be able to participate in this launch, which is at the heart of what Council has always desired to do” remarked the Chairperson Mrs. Magara as she commended the Steering Committee for the presentation and planned activities.
She noted that once fully developed, the system will provide an enriching environment for the University to draw out and utilize the vast potential that exists within the various colleges. The Chairperson added that efficiency and effectiveness are key elements of Information Systems, short of which, they are as good as dead.
“Automation will greatly improve information flow, alleviate the frustrations that many have experienced in the past and as a result, holdups will be history” said Mrs. Magara.
She applauded the University Management and technical team for the efforts taken to develop the system so far and pledged Council’s support in the form of any policies that will need to be enacted to ensure that the system is implemented. Mrs. Magara concluded her remarks by challenging University units to look beyond solving institutional challenges to helping Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies tackle national needs.
The Office of the Academic Registrar,Makerere University has released lists for the recommended for change of course/ programme for Degree/Diploma Scheme and Direct entry for Private/Government sponsored students for the Academic Year 2025/2026.
The lists released can be accessed by following the respective links below:
Makerere University, through the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) and the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), has signed an open Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). This MoU is one of several initiatives aimed at strengthening the university’s global collaborations and research partnerships.
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe highlighted Makerere’s recent centenary celebrations as a testament to its long and influential history in Africa. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to serious, research-driven collaboration, noting Makerere’s aspiration to become a leading student-centered research university that develops solutions to regional challenges.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe makes his remarks ahead of the MoU signing.
Prof. Nawangwe emphasized that Makerere’s research addresses critical issues such as widespread poverty, high youth unemployment, the devastating effects of climate change on agriculture, rapid population growth, and political interference in production. These challenges, he explained, call for climate-resilient agriculture, stronger health systems to address emerging diseases, and more inclusive governance. He further observed that Africa’s ambitious goal of producing one million PhDs in the next decade remains constrained by inadequate supervision capacity across the continent, stressing that collaborations like this MoU are key to bridging that gap.
EPRC Executive Director, Dr. Sarah Sewanyana, described the signing as particularly significant for EPRC and its Board of Directors as they embark on a new five-year strategic plan (2025/26–2029/30). She explained that the plan strongly emphasizes strategic collaborations, with this partnership serving as a prime example of leveraging collective strengths to deepen impact. She underscored EPRC’s role in advancing evidence-based policymaking for national development, aligning with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
The partners show off the signed MoU.
Prof. James Wokadala, Acting Principal of CoBAMS, emphasized that the collaboration seeks to preserve and expand vital human knowledge while strengthening partnerships between academic institutions and global research networks. He noted that these networks are instrumental in advising legal and policy professionals, as well as aligning research agendas with both national and corporate priorities. He expressed pride in the extensive efforts of the School of Economics that have expanded these activities in recent years. He pointed to significant accomplishments that have been achieved in collaboration with IGC, including hosting a 2025 high-level international conference on mobile money payment systems, which positioned Makerere University as a thought leader on critical African economic issues. He also celebrated the successful bid by the School of Economics to host the ‘Africa Meeting of the Econometric Society’ in 2027, further demonstrating its contribution to impactful scholarship and policy influence.
The Acting Principal further emphasized that the new partnership with LSE will build on these achievements, offering immense benefits such as expanding capacity-building opportunities for faculty and students, especially in research and Public Infrastructure Management (PIM). The collaboration will also provide platforms for knowledge dissemination and policy dialogue, while addressing pressing socio-economic and health challenges. Ultimately, he said, formalisation of the partnership amplifies CoBAMS’ commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation.
Speaking on behalf of LSE’s International Growth Centre (IGC), Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Leape expressed delight at formalizing the long-standing collaboration with Makerere and EPRC. He highlighted current joint projects, including research on the impact of the 2020 gender-based vaccine program on women’s skills and learning, studies on reforms in STEM education, and investigations into barriers limiting business growth for entrepreneurs. He stressed that the core mission is to bring researchers and policymakers together to address pressing policy challenges with robust, reliable evidence and innovative solutions.
Prof. Nawangwe presents a souvenir Mak Necktie to Dr. Jonathan Leape.
The event, held on 27th August 2025, was attended by several dignitaries including Dr. Richard Newfarmer, Country Director for Uganda and Rwanda (IGC); Dr. Nhial Kuch, Senior Country Economist (IGC); and Mary Teddy Nakyejwe, IGC Programme Officer. Also present were the Director of Research, Dr. Ibrahim Kasirye and other members of EPRC leadership.
Makerere University has hosted a delegation from the Ghent University Association, led by Prof. Mieke Van Herreweghe, Vice Rector of Ghent University. The delegation included representatives from Howest University and Hogent University of Applied Sciences.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe welcomed the team and highlighted Makerere University’s commitment to addressing the pressing challenges in the region. These include climate change, which continues to hinder investment, and Uganda’s rapidly growing population that has surged from 5 million in the late 1940s to nearly 50 million currently, creating socio-economic challenges such as high youth unemployment.
He emphasized that Makerere’s research agenda focuses on understanding the fast-growing population, tackling health challenges, advancing governance and human rights, and fostering peace through initiatives such as the Rotary Peace Center—the only one of its kind on the African continent. Research at Makerere also seeks to provide solutions to youth unemployment in one of the world’s youngest nations.
The meeting of Members of Management and the visiting delegation in session in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom.
The Vice Chancellor further noted that Makerere University teaches and conducts research across a wide spectrum of disciplines, organized into colleges including Agriculture, Business and Management, Computing, Education and External Studies, Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine. The university also hosts over 60 specialized research centers, among them Centers of Excellence such as the Regional Centre for Crop Improvement, which works to enhance food security, manage pests and diseases, and improve agricultural productivity. Another key institution is the Infectious Diseases Institute, which leads research on HIV/AIDS. With these initiatives, he added, Makerere continues to expand its research footprint while strengthening global partnerships.
Prof. Van Herreweghe provided an overview of Ghent University, founded in 1817 and ranked among the top 100 universities globally for decades. With its motto “Dare to think,” Ghent University has built a strong international reputation. It also holds the distinction of being the only Belgian, and currently the only European, university with a campus in South Korea. Established in 2014, the campus offers bachelor’s programs in applied biotechnology.
She highlighted Ghent’s joint PhD programs, which are structured as sandwich programs to support African universities. Under this arrangement, PhD candidates spend two years funded at Ghent University and another two years at their home university (such as Makerere), with joint supervision from both institutions. These programs, she noted, are a strategic way of fostering international collaboration.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Prof. Mieke Van Herreweghe pose for a group photo with members of their respective teams at the Main Building entrance.
During the visit, Ghent University signed a Student Exchange Agreement with Makerere University to complement the existing Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement will pave the way for more joint initiatives and strengthen collaboration in the years ahead.
The delegation also included Mr. Lieven Theys, International Coordinator for Business Management at Howest University, who explained that Howest clusters its programs into three key domains: Design and Technology, Human Well-being and Health, and Business and Organization. Dr. Robin Stevens represented Hogent University of Applied Sciences, which runs programs across nine schools including Business and Management, Computer Sciences, Biosciences, Industrial Technology, Teacher Training, and Healthcare.
The visit, held on 27th August 2025, was attended by Makerere University officials and members of various colleges, among them Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) and Principal of the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Prof. Tonny Oyana-Principal College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), Prof. Moses Musinguzi-Principal College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Prof. Julius Kikooma-Director Graduate Training, Assoc. Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze-Deputy Principal College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Assoc. Prof. James Wokadala-Deputy Principal College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Assoc. Prof. Richard Idro-Deputy Principal College of Health Sciences, and Dr. Cathy Mbidde, Manager of the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak UniPod).