General
Mak Digitizes over 10,000 Land Records Dating from 1830 to 1995
Over 10,000 records on land in Uganda under the custody of Makerere University Library have been digitized. The process supported by the Government of Uganda under Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) aimed at preserving and promoting access to land and archival records for the period of 1830-1995 that are at high risk of deterioration.
The composition of land archives digitized include but are not limited to; land titles, Lukiiko minutes on land and correspondences, land treaties and testamentaries. Other documents included paper archives on the Uganda Protectorate, Church Missionary Society, Makerere University and instigation of clans.
According Ms. Rhodah Nalubega the Principal Investigator of the Project; Digitization of Land Archival Documents in Makerere University Library (1830-1995), the project was inspired by the information gap on the history of land in Uganda. The project team was equally motivated by the change in habits of scholarly communities who prefer to access documents in electronic format.
“The escalating demand of archival documents in Makerere University, the fragility of the documents due to age, physical handling, environment issues, brittleness and the existing contentious issues on land prompted us to think of how best to conserve and preserve the documents in their original formats without extinction” she said.
Speaking at the Dissemination workshop, on Friday 28th May, 2021, Mr. Kizito Bashir who represented the Chief Executive Officer of Buganda Land Board (BLB) Owek. Simon Kaboggoza Muwanga recognized the importance of archiving critical documents related to land ownership when he said, “I cannot tell you how important it has been for Buganda Land Board to rely on archived documents to fulfil our mandate. The political history of the kingdom and the country at large such as the 1900 agreement, Battaka movement, the 1966 Kabaka crisis and the land decree created several information gaps and the need to rely on archived documents.”
Mr. Kizito therefore said that documentation has enabled BLB to resolve land conflicts that have existed in the kingdom and the country at large. He added that BLB has greatly relied on old records dated 1900-1930 to reclaim assets that belong the kingdom of Buganda.
“We have heavily relied on the lists of land owners that were provided for in 1900, the subsequent surveys and registrations that happened in 1922-1930. Using these records, we have been able to differentiate between the original mailo land that belongs to the kingdom and private mailo land that belongs to individuals” he said.
He however, mentioned that the recording process has been evolving over time from the Final Certificates (FCs) which are evident on the micro films and the subsequent surveys, to Viral Register Volumes (MRVs) up to the current plot and block systems. He noted that the revolution is premised on land archival documents.
He congratulated Makerere University upon reaching the tremendous milestone of preserving and protecting the land archives in an electronic and digital format. He called upon the university leadership to seek institutional collaboration between the University and various key players in the sector with other archived information.
Ms. Monica Naluwooza, a Project Team Member mentioned that the digitized materials will be hosted under the Africana section of the Makerere University Institutional Repository and will be accessible to the public through rightful University procedures. Other members of the team are Ms. Racheal Nabbosa and Ms. Sara Maka.
The Makerere University Librarian Dr. Helen Byamugisha applauded the team for investing their efforts in causing visible change and adding value to their country through digitizing some of the most important and historical documents. She acknowledged the tremendous support that the University Management and Government of Uganda have consistently extended to the University Library to achieve its goals.
“The role of the library in the university is to enhance teaching and learning as well as research. It is therefore regarded as the heart of the university. Indeed, Makerere University Library is the heart of the Ivory Tower,” she noted.
General
10 years on: ‘My story as one of the first cohort Mastercard Foundation Scholars at Makerere University’
By the Program Communication Team
Seven years after graduating in 2018, Alex still exudes a warm and approachable demeanor. Despite his esteemed position, he carries no air of superiority. He is an accommodating and attentive listener, and our conversation about his journey flowed effortlessly.
“I don’t think I would have pursued a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering if it had not been for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University,” Alex Mirugwe recalls.
Alex’s journey was one of purely humble beginnings, began 30 years ago in Kyotera District, where he was the third of six children born to the late Charles Kalimirwa and Margaret Nampija.
His academic path led him to Broadway High School for both O’ and A’ levels, where he studied Physics, Economics, Mathematics, and ICT.
Alex recounts that when his Senior Six results were released, he had scored 17 points, but was uncertain of the following steps since his family could not afford his university tuition.
“If it hadn’t been for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, my family would have struggled to raise my tuition,” he notes.
Faced with his results, Alex sought all possible opportunities to further his education. As luck would have it, while reading the New Vision Newspaper one day, he saw an advertisement for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
“I applied, got shortlisted, attended interviews, and I succeeded. That is how I gained the opportunity to join Makerere University,” he remarks.
The Program offers scholarships to bright but underprivileged children who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of others.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering.
Upon completing his first degree, he received another opportunity from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town to pursue his Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Data Science.
After attaining his M.Sc. from the University of Cape Town, he returned to Uganda and began applying for jobs.
“When I returned, I relaxed for only three months, and in the fourth month, when I decided to send out my applications, I secured a job at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support (METS) project as a data scientist,” Alex pointed out.
When Alex landed his dream job, it was the perfect opportunity to continue researching something he has always loved; supporting the analysis of HIV data. His dream job exposed him to data from more than 1,600 health facilities across the country.
“It has been an intriguing journey; I am pursuing what I studied. I would advise people to seize postgraduate opportunities because, when I completed my Master’s, I encountered no obstacles in securing a job.”
For now, he is focused on raising his young family.
His story is a powerful reminder of the significance of education for all. His journey from a humble village upbringing to a national role has been driven by a profound sense of purpose and a commitment to creating a better world for everyone.
Alex’s parting words, “Take your studies seriously, and learning never ceases.
“Continue to enhance your academic qualifications. You will transform your story.”
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