General
Mak Deans Forum to Promote Vibrant Grants and Partnerships
The Makerere University Deans Forum (MUDF) on Friday 3rd September, 2021 held a training session during which newly appointed Deans were inducted and the members of the new Executive Committee elected. Organised by the Interim Executive Committee, the training held at Hotel Africana was presided over by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-DVCAA and Patron MUDF, Dr. Umar Kakumba.
Welcoming both physical and virtual participants to the launch, the Chair of the opening session Dr. Sarah Ssali congratulated the Chairperson of the Interim Executive Committee and Dean School of Public Health (MakSPH), Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze and her team upon the strides made since they volunteered to serve MUDF. She equally thanked the Patron for hatching the MUDF idea and his untiring support to the Interim Executive Committee and individual Deans.
On 14th June 2019, the Office of the DVCAA in collaboration with the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) organised the Inaugural Deans’ Workshop. One of the outcomes of that workshop was the formation of MUDF.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Kakumba said that the MUDF was platform for Deans to engage and share experiences for the advancement of research, teaching and learning beyond Senate meetings where the business of the day and formalities cannot permit.
“The objective of MUDF is to promote academic excellence through collective action, capacity building and harnessing each other’s expertise, experiences and best practices” noted Dr. Kakumba. He added that the day’s training would specifically recapture momentum of MUDF that was interrupted by COVID-19, foster implementation of the Forum’s work plan, and build cohesive leadership especially between new Deans and their senior colleagues.
In the training’s first session, Dr. Ronald Naluwairo, Acting Deputy Principal at the School of Law presented the revised constitution of MUDF, which provides for the composition, leadership, functions of the Executive Committee, meetings of the Forum, among other articles.
Under article 4, Dr. Naluwairo outlined the core values of MUDF as; (i) Leadership, (ii) Integrity, (iii) Equality, (iv) Transparency and Accountability, and (v) Solidarity. Equality, he said, was particularly important in ensuring that members have the confidence that their Schools have the same say in Forum matters as their bigger or older peers.
Furthermore, MUDF’s Constitution Article 5 on Leadership makes provision for an Executive Committee that will comprise of “a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and three other members all of whom shall be elected by members of MUDF.”
The constitution was debated by members present both physically and online, and the changes agreed upon will be incorporated into the final document. Members nevertheless unanimously agreed that election to the Executive Committee shall be by simple majority of members voting, an exercise that was conducted at the end of the training to appoint the first office bearers.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America is quoted to have said in 1736. It was in line with these wise words that two Deans who had each served two consecutive terms were asked to share their experiences in delivering on their mandate.
Prof. Johnny Mugisha the outgoing Dean (2013-2021) of the School of Agricultural Sciences shared that his leadership on the whole brought good feelings that he looked forward to.
“I always felt good to see staff getting promoted, winning research grants and other awards, graduate students passing their viva voce examinations especially at PhD level, and students graduating in large numbers” remarked Prof. Mugisha.
He shared a few pointers on how to maintain this ‘good feeling’ as highlighted below.
- Deanship is full-time service. Make yourself accessible to staff, students and guests but delegate a lot, especially where circumstances don’t allow
- Strengthen team building activities such as social gatherings and recognise achievers
- Involve each staff in different assignments based on their strengths
- Hold informal interactions with all categories of staff in their offices, corridors, etc.
- Hold formal and informal interactions with students especially those facing challenges
- Establish close working relationships with offices and Managers that are a priority to your School
- Regularly conduct self-assessments on whether you are delivering on your mandate
“Always lead by example; teach, supervise students, do research, publish and manage your time” concluded Prof. Mugisha.
Continuing with the pointers based on his terms of office, Dr. Andrew Ellias State, the Dean School of Social Sciences shared that one of the most taxing responsibilities leaders at this level have to deal with is curriculum review. “Curriculum review is a very tedious process that can take its toll on you. However, I am happy that all the programmes we submitted were considered, reviewed and passed by the National Council for Higher Education.”
He equally cautioned colleagues to always look at examinations as an intricate process with various stages of preparation of scripts, rooms, invigilation all the way to submission of final scores from marking exercises. The latter, he noted, ought to be handled expeditiously as it is one of the triggers of unrest. Dr. State on this note agreed with Prof. Mugisha’s position of maintaining formal and informal interactions with student leaders, as a way of putting out feelers to preempt any unrest.
“Allow yourself to serve outside the School, especially on committees constituted by the university leadership,” Dr. State further advised. “Your service to Makerere University is service to community and the experience you acquire should be shared with colleagues at the School” he added.
Making the day’s final presentation on how to maintain a vibrant grants and partnerships portfolio, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze emphasised the need for Deans to ensure that the pursuit of research funding goes hand in hand with the teaching and learning experience. “You cannot move grants forward if you are neglecting education.”
She explained that students, especially those at graduate level, are in some instances already well-placed in Government and other organisations, whose funded activities could be in line with Schools’ research interests. In this regard, she stressed the need for teaching staff to treat students as assets and prospective collaborators.
Prof. Wanyenze further noted that maintaining a vibrant grants and partnerships portfolio calls for striking a delicate balance between large and small grants, as well as staff’ and funders’ interests. “As Dean, you should be ready to perform the uncomfortable task of asking colleagues, who in some instances might be senior, to step aside from the role of Principal Investigator for the sake of maintaining a good relationship with the funder.”
On how to ensure a good mix of both large and small grants, Prof. Wanyenze asked Deans to deliberately equip everyone in their Schools, particularly the smart young ones with grant proposal writing skills. “At my School, we expanded the base of people bringing in grants by equipping our students with these skills. This paid off when two of them under the mentorship of a colleague won a grant worth 100,000 Canadian Dollars.”
She additionally urged Deans to use their offices to knock on the doors of line ministries and organisations whose work relates to their disciplines. Citing a Memorandum of Understanding signed between MakSPH and the WHO Uganda country office in 2019, Prof. Wanyenze shared that this collaboration born out of a deliberate effort had resulted in 29 projects being conducted between the two institutions in the last three years.
“We ought to partner with our line ministries and community. We need to step out and engage at the highest level and expand our collaboration networks” she concluded.
At the close of the training, a new MUDF Executive Committee was elected in a brief ceremony conducted by Dr. Grace Kibanja. Following a unanimous simple majority vote, the following four officials and three members were elected as the new Executive Committee.
- Chairperson – Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Dean MakSPH
- Vice Chairperson – Prof. Edward Bbaale, Dean School of Business
- Secretary – Dr. Grace Kibanja, Dean School of Psychology
- Treasurer – Prof. Robert Tweyongyere, Dean School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources
- Member – Dr. Ronald Naluwairo, Ag. Deputy Principal School of Law
- Member – Dr. Gilbert Maiga, Dean School of Computing and Informatics Technology
- Member – Dr. Dorothy Okello, Dean School of Engineering
The DVCAA and Patron MUDF, Dr. Umar Kakumba in his concluding remarks thanked the New Executive Committee for accepting the call of duty as well as Dr. Aaron Mushengyezi for his service to the Interim Executive Committee. He requested members of the MUDF to draft a memorandum from the action points raised in the training, which he pledged to present before Senate.
General
Stakeholders of Mastercard Foundation Initiatives at Makerere University Convene to Review Progress and Strengthen Collaboration
By Damali Mukhaye
On 9th July 2026, the Mastercard Foundation-supported initiatives at Makerere University convened the 2nd Partnership Development Breakfast meeting at Mestil hotel in Kampala, to review progress, share experiences, and explore opportunities to strengthen collaboration and advance education, research, innovation, and youth empowerment.
The partnership development meeting brought together Makerere University leadership, government officials, Mastercard Foundation representatives, development partners, private sector actors, and other key stakeholders to reflect on ongoing interventions and identify areas for deeper collaboration.
The engagement highlighted the progress and impact of key Mastercard Foundation initiatives at Makerere University, including the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme, the Africa Climate Collaborative (ACC), and the e-learning initiative, which are promoting increased access to education, research development, climate resilience, skills enhancement, and preparing young people for future opportunities.
Delivering the opening remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Makerere University, Prof. Sarah Ssali, stated that stakeholder engagement was vital in building stronger links between the University, students, academic staff, employers, and other parties involved in shaping graduates’ futures.
“You have been chosen for a purpose because it was not just about engaging with the students and stakeholders, but also with those involved in developing knowledge products and those who train and mentor our students,” Prof. Ssali said.
She emphasised the significance of partnerships in widening access to higher education, especially for students from marginalised backgrounds, highlighting that through scholarship programmes and inclusive education initiatives, Makerere University continues to attract and support talented students who might otherwise face obstacles to university access.
Prof. Ssali acknowledged the contribution of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alongside other university initiatives, including the Africa Climate Collaborative, fee waiver schemes, and Council scholarships, which offer opportunities for students—especially those from vulnerable communities and talented female learners.
“Your investment in these young people is not charity, but a shared national development priority,” she said.
She explained that Makerere University’s partnership with the Mastercard Foundation aligns with the University’s strategic aim to enhance human capital development, research, and innovation in support of national development priorities under Uganda Vision 2040 and the Fourth National Development Plan.
Prof. Ssali noted that the University has, over the years, transformed into a research-focused institution, with partnerships enabling it to address critical societal challenges.
She urged stakeholders to continue supporting young people through mentorship and guidance as they prepare for employment and entrepreneurship.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Mr Aggrey David Kibenge, praised the collaboration between Makerere University, the Mastercard Foundation, and other stakeholders, emphasising that teamwork is vital in tackling Uganda’s youth unemployment problem.
He observed that Uganda’s youthful population presents both an opportunity and a responsibility, with more than 70 per cent of the population under 30 years.
Mr Kibenge said the government alone cannot address youth unemployment and welcomed partnerships that support young people with relevant skills, employment pathways, and opportunities for entrepreneurship.
He highlighted government interventions, including the National Apprenticeship and Graduate Volunteer Programme Management Information System (NAGVPMIS), which links graduates with potential employers via a digital platform.
The platform enables young people to upload their qualifications and skills, while employers can find suitable candidates based on available opportunities.
“By digitising the matching and recruitment process, we are making the system more transparent, efficient, and merit-based,” Kibenge said.
The Permanent Secretary also emphasised the need for education institutions, employers, and the government to work together to address the skills gap affecting many graduates entering the labour market.
He noted that stronger partnerships with initiatives such as those supported by the Mastercard Foundation will help young people acquire skills that respond to changing labour market needs.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to collaborating with the Mastercard Foundation and other partners to create more opportunities for young people to access dignified work.
Mastercard Foundation Highlights Young Africa Works Progress
Representing the Mastercard Foundation, Ms Maria Mugerwa, the Finance Lead at the Foundation, provided an update on the Young Africa Works Strategy, which seeks to enable 30 million young people, 70 per cent of them women, across Africa to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.
She explained that, in Uganda, the strategy aims to reach 4.3 million young people aged 18 to 35 through initiatives centred on entrepreneurship, enterprise development, education, and skills enhancement.
The strategy supports key areas, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), agriculture, the digital economy, creative industries, and inclusive opportunities for young people.
Ms. Mugerwa noted that the Foundation’s approach is built on partnerships that bring together universities, government, private-sector actors, and communities to create pathways for young people to transition from education to employment.
“Closing this gap will require stronger collaboration among all stakeholders, including linking universities and graduates to opportunities created under the Young Africa Works Strategy.” She said.
She emphasised that ongoing collaboration will be essential in widening access to employment opportunities, finance, markets, and entrepreneurship support for young people.
Highlights of Mastercard Foundation Initiatives at Makerere University
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University continues to transform the lives of academically talented but economically constrained young Africans by expanding access to quality university education and nurturing the next generation of transformative leaders.
In a presentation by Prof. Justine Namaalwa, the Program Director, the initiative was emphasised as a comprehensive support model that extends beyond scholarships to offer academic assistance, leadership growth, psychosocial well-being, community involvement, and pathways to dignified employment, entrepreneurship, and further education.
The Program has supported 971 Scholars and alumni, with many transitioning into formal employment, entrepreneurship, and advanced studies.
Guided by the values of listening, humility, kindness and respect, co-creation, and impact, the program promotes inclusion, belonging, and agency among young people.
Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University
The Program Director of the Africa Climate Collaborative, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, said that the programme, which kicked off in 2025, is a transformative eight-year university-wide initiative designed to empower young people and strengthen Africa’s capacity to develop inclusive, equitable, and innovative responses to climate change.
Implemented in collaboration with global and regional partners, including the University of Cambridge, the University of Cape Town, the University of Ghana, and the Association of African Universities, the Collaborative focuses on four interconnected pillars: workforce development, entrepreneurship, research and innovation, and networks, policy, and learning.
Through its workforce development pillar, ACC will expand access to quality education by providing comprehensive scholarships to 250 Master’s students and 40 PhD students, while strengthening research capacity through academic mentorship and support.
The entrepreneurship pillar will equip 500 youth not in education, employment, or training with green entrepreneurship skills, provide incubation support, and promote youth-led green innovations.
The Collaborative will also establish a Climate Resilience Support Centre to drive interdisciplinary research and innovation while fostering partnerships, policy dialogues, and knowledge exchange to support climate-resilient communities.
e-Learning Initiative Phase II
In a presentation by Prof. Paul Birevu Muyinda, Director of the Institute of Open, Distance and eLearning (IODeL) at Makerere University, the progress and future direction of the Mastercard Foundation e-Learning Initiative Phase II were highlighted.
Building on the successful completion of Phase I in December 2024, Makerere University secured participation in the second phase, which aims to accelerate digital transformation and strengthen inclusive, learner-centred, and scalable e-learning systems across the institution.
The initiative seeks to enhance access to quality digital education by developing 10 fully online academic programmes and 10 micro-credentials by 2030. It will also establish integrated digital learner support services, strengthen digital infrastructure, and promote digitally empowered leadership and governance within the University.
A key component of the initiative is building institutional capacity in learning design and technology.
Since January 2026, 35 Makerere University staff members have been undertaking graduate-level training at Arizona State University, with 13 pursuing Master’s programmes and 22 enrolled for graduate certificates in Learning Design and Technology.
Through strategic partnerships and innovation, the initiative will position Makerere University as a leader in digital education, expand opportunities for inclusive learning, and strengthen resilience in higher education.
The second stakeholder engagement session concluded with several stakeholders, including DFCU Bank, the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA), the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), and Finn Church Aid, among others, committing to building stronger pathways that will enable students and graduates to contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s social and economic transformation.
Damali Mukhaye is the Communication, Public Relations, and Branding Officer for Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University.
General
Benchmarking Best Practices In Quality Assurance: Official Visit To The University Of Cape Town
By Dr. Irene Rebecca Namatende
1.0 BACKGROUND
A team of four members of staff from the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Makerere University undertook an official benchmarking visit to the University of Cape Town (UCT) from 19th to 26th April, 2026. The four are members of the Quality Assurance, Gender Mainstreaming and ICT Committee-CHS. The delegation comprised two academic and two administrative staff led by the Dean, School of Dentistry, Prof. Annet Kutesa. Other members included;
- Dr. Irene Rebecca Namatende – Quality Assurance Officer-CHS
- Dr. Kalidi Rajab – Lecturer in the Department of Pharmacy
- Mr. Bataamye Herbert – CHS Registrar.
The primary purpose of the visit was to benchmark Quality Assurance (QA) systems in teaching, learning, and governance; strengthen institutional collaboration; and explore opportunities for academic exchange and joint initiatives between Makerere University and the University of Cape Town.
1.1 Purpose of the Visit to UCT was
- To gain an understanding of institutional QA frameworks at UCT across teaching, research and governance, and identify adaptable best practices for Makerere University.
- To explore effective strategies used by UCT to design, monitor, and continuously improve academic programmes, ensuring relevance, consistency, and excellence.
- To learn from UCT’s experiences and approaches to national and international accreditation processes, including preparation, documentation, and stakeholder engagement.
- To examine mechanisms for fostering staff engagement, ownership, and accountability in QA and continuous improvement processes.
2.0 Key Areas Covered During the Visit
2.1 Quality Assurance Systems
The visit explored the institutional quality assurance framework at the University of Cape Town, focusing on its structured approach to academic quality management. Emphasis was placed on clearly defined QA units, robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and the integration of quality assurance processes into routine academic delivery and programme oversight. Discussions also highlighted systematic approaches to curriculum design and periodic review, ensuring alignment with accreditation standards and evolving educational needs.
We found that QA frameworks at UCT cut across teaching, research and governance. Here below are some of the key findings;
- All programmes must be approved by the Council of Higher Education, Quality Regulation Framework.
- All programmes must be accessible to the Council of Higher Education (CHE).
- The Academic Programmes at UCT are reviewed after every 5 years.
- Every programme goes through detailed evaluation before approval.
- Support Staff are also interviewed before appointment into university service.
- Each programme must be accounted for by UCT to the Councils
- Comprehensive information for each programme is required by the Councils before approval is given.
- It is important to have integrity of qualifications and qualification of programmes.
- After O. Level the students sit for a National Benchmark Test.
2.2 Governance and Leadership
The visit provided insights into transparent and participatory governance structures that support effective decision-making. There is a strong emphasis on staff engagement, accountability, and leadership at different institutional levels. A culture of continuous improvement is embedded within governance systems, supported by regular review and feedback mechanisms.
2.3 Teaching and Learning
The discussions further highlighted the institution’s diverse student assessment methods and structured feedback systems, alongside the effective integration of digital technologies to enhance teaching, learning, and student engagement.
Here below are the key outcomes;
- Every Course unit exam should be moderated by an External Moderator.
- The external moderator is appointed at the beginning of the year.
- The external moderator makes recommendations.
- These recommendations are in form of policies.
- Ensure overall examination preparedness for all students
- The template for external moderation is revised regularly.
- The moderators also assess if, the exams are fair or not.
Conclusion:
Key Takeaways
- The promotion ladder at UCT is more on the Competences, individual contributions on supervision, publications, community service and experience.
- QA is embedded in every unit and department.
We thank the Principal, College of Health Sciences and CMT for the support that facilitated this benchmarking visit.
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