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Minister Monica Musenero Unveils Locally-made Diesel Engine

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It was a show of innovations geared towards mechanisation of farming processes as the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovations, Dr. Monica Musenero, launched locally made engines today August 19, 2021.

A team of researchers from the African Centre of Excellence for Material science and nanotechnology (MAPRONANO) partnered with artisans from Kevoton Engineering, to design and assemble a diesel engine, the first of its kind in Uganda.

It is a single cylinder 4 stroke engine  with 13 horse power and consumes 1 litre of fuel per hour. The engine is a water-cooled and therefore does not heat up.

The engines are able to run a generator and a water pump to facilitate irrigation on farms. The generator, is single phase and can therefore be used to power home appliances and small workshops.

According to Mr. Mubiru Rogers of Kevoton Engineering, work on the engines started in 2017, but they were not able to make much progress until 2019 when they partnered with MAPRONANO ACE. The centre of excellence was then able provide training and technical advice, designing and student attachments to the project.

The Minister commended the MAPRONANO team, led by Prof. John Baptist Kirabira, for various innovations that the team in churning out, which included a sanitizer made in Makerere, solar panel slasher, and a mini tractor. 

Dr. Musenero challenged researchers to have a mindset change and also change the pedagogy to reposition theory to practical works. “We need to teach the students knowing that they are going to design and develop an engine or a brake system,” Dr. Musenero emphasised.  She encouraged innovators to ensure their products do not stay on the selves, saying the biggest role of science and innovation is economical.  The Minister said, for this reason, PRESIDE which she chairs focused on equipping laboratories in universities so as ensure that scientists receive the facilitation that they require. “Research is like a river which needs an outflow and the Ministry is here to provide that outflow,” she said.

She advised the university to prioritise certain areas of research when it comes to grants instead of awarding small grants to different projects which only end up being a drop in the ocean. Dr. Musenero thanked the President for his continued support and belief in science and technology.

The minister advised that the prototypes be refined so that they are genderised to allow women to be able to operate the generator and water pump.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, called on the minister to support the introduction of an innovation park in Makerere University, saying the park would be able to spinoff companies. Giving an example of Instabul University, the Vice Chancellor said the university has been able to produce 300 companies over the last one year, saying Makerere University should be supported to do the same.  

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Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

Engineering, Art & Tech

Dr. Philip Nyenje Takes Over as Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering Department

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Outgoing Head of Department, Assoc. Prof. Robinah Kulabako (left), hands over the office to the incoming Head of Department, Dr. Philip Nyenje, during a ceremony held at CEDAT on October 5, 2026. In the centre is the Dean, School of Engineering, Assoc. Prof. Eng. Dorothy Okello

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the School of Engineering at Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) has a new Head of Department following the handover of office from Assoc. Prof. Robinah Kulabako to Dr. Philip Nyenje.

The handover ceremony, held at CEDAT on Monday, October 5, was attended by college leadership, staff, and members of the School of Engineering.

In her farewell remarks, Assoc. Prof. Kulabako appreciated staff and the management of the college and the department for the good working relationships she had over the past nine and a half years.  She urged the incoming head to remain committed to doing what is right, even in difficult circumstances.

She noted that leadership does not require perfection, but rather competence, accountability, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. Reflecting on her nine-and-a-half-year tenure, she encouraged Dr. Nyenje to embrace selfless leadership and focus on building lasting institutional impact.

Assoc. Prof. Kulabako said that throughout her leadership journey, she continually reflected on three key questions: what she had accomplished, who had become more capable through her mentorship, and what would remain stronger after her term of office.

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Alex Isemaghendera

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Engineering, Art & Tech

CEDAT Holds Counselling Session to Support Architecture Students Following Loss of Colleague

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https://cedat.mak.ac.ug/2026/10/07/cedat-holds-counselling-session-to-support-architecture-students-following-loss-of-colleague/

The College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) at Makerere University organized a counselling and guidance session for Architecture students following the death of their colleague, the late Kevin Kabuye.

The session, held in the Year Four studio on Monday, October 5th 2026, aimed to provide psychosocial support, guidance, and encouragement while fostering resilience and solidarity within the student community. It brought together students, lecturers, parents, professional leaders, and counsellors to offer comfort and practical support during a difficult period of grief and loss.

Speakers included parent representative Mugume Rina, Chairperson of the Architects Registration Board, Arch. Miriam Lawino, CEDAT Deputy Principal, Associate Prof. Kizito Maria Kasule, and Connie Kharono from the Makerere University Counselling and Guidance Centre, as well as the lecturers led by the Head of Department Architecture, Dr. Ssemwogerere Kenneth. The speakers shared messages of comfort, strength, hope, and resilience, encouraging students to support one another and remain focused on their personal wellbeing and academic aspirations.

Addressing the students, the speakers emphasized the importance of seeking help when overwhelmed, maintaining strong support networks, and embracing healthy coping mechanisms during periods of grief. They noted that loss can be challenging to navigate but that healing is strengthened through community, compassion, and mutual support.

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Alex Isemaghendera

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Engineering, Art & Tech

Makerere Calls for Stronger University-Industry Partnerships to Drive Market – Ready Innovation at NCC 2026

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‘There is a need for stronger, more practical partnership between universities and industry in order to push ideas from the laboratories to society’.

This was a statement made by the Makerere University Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe who also noted that Ugandan research and innovation will only deliver national benefit if ideas are pushed to ensure they benefit the people.

Prof Nawangwe was represented by the Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Prof. Moses Musinguzi at the opening of the 10th National Conference on Communications Conference (NCC 2026), hosted at Makerere University under the theme “Accelerating Market-Driven Innovation for Uganda’s Development.” The conference brought together academia, government, regulators, industry players, students and innovators to discuss varied aspects of communication research and technology.

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Alex Isemaghendera

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