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Council Calls for Consultative, Mak Strategic Plan & NDPIII-Inclusive Budgeting

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The Makerere University Council Chairperson represented by the Chairperson Finance, Planning, Administration and Investment Committee (FPAIC) of Council-Mr. Bruce Balaba Kabaasa has called upon Unit heads to ensure a consultative and inclusive budgeting process that is aligned to the objectives of the Third National Development Plan (NDPIII) and Makerere University Strategic Plan (2020-2030). The call was made during the Annual Budget Conference held virtually on 14th October 2021.

“It is my pleasure to preside over the opening of the Makerere University Budget Conference 2021, for the financial year 2022/2023. I wish to thank the Chairperson of Council Mrs. Lorna Magara who delegated me to perform this duty on her behalf” remarked Mr. Kabaasa.

He noted that the Higher Education sector, just like many other sectors, has been severely disrupted by measures aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19 and has as a result suffered from shortfalls in revenue.

“It turns out that we must rethink the methodologies for pursuing our set goals because the new normal demands an urgent shift from business as usual and therefore, the budget being the principal tool for executing the new normal must shift” he pointed out.

The Chair FPAIC added that this year’s budgeting process was more critical than ever before, calling for a balance between realizing the goals and targets of the University Strategic Plan, and ensuring that the planned activities are consistent with operational dynamics occasioned by COVID-19.

He therefore urged the College Principals and Administrative Unit heads to align their budgets to the Budget Call Circular issued by the University Secretary as well as the University Strategic Plan and NDPIII.

“I wish to emphasise that the budgeting must be consultative and inclusive. Consultations must go beyond conferences such as the one we are having today. All stakeholders in given budgeting units must have a chance to contribute towards setting the budget priorities and allocation of funds to those priorities in the respective units” Mr. Kabaasa highlighted.

The Chair FPAIC further requested the budgeting units to involve the relevant Council Committees in the budgeting process right from the onset, as a means of ensuring adherence to set guidelines. He concluded by urging the cost centres to go beyond receiving technical guidance from the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD) and identify peculiarities within their respective units that respond to the gender and equity requirement and qualify them so as to fit within the regulations while meeting their unique needs.

In her remarks, the Acting Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance & Administration) Dr. Josephine Nabukenya thanked all participants for sparing time to congregate and deliberate on how best to deliver a good budget based on the proposed roadmap. The roadmap for the budget process for Financial Year 2022/2023 is highlighted below.

  1. 14th October 2021 – Stakeholders’ Budget Conference and Sensitisation on the new Budget structure aligned to NDPIII
  2. 14th October 2021 – Communication of the Budget Call Circular and issue of Ceilings to all the Units
  3. 19th October 2021 – Budget Units/Cost Centres Submit their Draft Budgets
  4. 20th October 2021 – Consolidation of University Budget
  5. 22nd and 23rd October 2021 – The University Budget Committee Retreat
  6. 25th October 2021 – The University Central Management Finance Committee Approval
  7. 26th October 2021 – The University Central Management Committee Approval
  8. 28th October 2021 – The Finance, Planning, Administration and Investment Committee (FPAIC) of Council Approval
  9. 5th November 2021 – University Council Approval
  10. 10th November 2021 – Submission of the Budget Framework Paper and the Consolidated Draft Budget 2022/2023 to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED).

“We have had several meetings in preparation to fulfill this cycle and so far we seem to be progressing very well. We are extremely grateful to the cost centre heads, who have put in time to ensure that they follow the almanac for producing this budget in time” remarked Dr. Nabukenya.

She extended sincere thanks to the Offices of the University Secretary and University Bursar as well as the Planning and Development Unit for all preparations leading up to the Budget Conference. The Acting Vice Chancellor equally acknowledged and thanked the Colleges and Administrative Units that had already made input into the budgeting process, and urged others to make theirs too.

“May I request through this conference that everybody who is supposed to provide input to have this budget process executed successfully do their part and in a timely manner” said the Acting Vice Chancellor.

Earlier while introducing the budget process, the University Secretary (US) Mr. Yusuf Kiranda shared that the University had since receiving the Budget Call Circular from MoFPED on 15th September been making internal preparations, which included sourcing for the figures that form the basis for budgeting.

“These include projection of student numbers, staffing figures, infrastructure requirements, revenue from various sources including tuition and others, which together guide us on how we will budget” he explained.

The US noted that the conference was organized in compliance with the requirement of Section 9 (i) of the Public Finance Management Act 2015 (as amended), which requires every accounting officer in consultation with relevant stakeholders, to prepare a budget framework paper for the vote, taking into account consideration of balanced development as well as gender and equity responsiveness.

Referring to the Budget Call Circular received from MoFPED, Mr. Kiranda shared the theme for FY 2022/2023 as “Industrialisation for Inclusive Growth, Employment and Wealth Creation”. He also mentioned the budget strategy and priority interventions for the Government of Uganda in FY 2022/2023 as;

  1. To mitigate the COVID19 impact on business activity and livelihoods to support the recovery of the economy back to normality by increasing access to capital, revamping health infrastructure and health systems; reducing vulnerabilities and ensuring access to education.
  2. To speed up recovery of the economy; to sustain economic growth for socioeconomic transformation through re-prioritizing and delivering impactful investments and restructuring resources/budget to areas with more value for money.
  3. To sustain macro-economic stability, peace and security as key foundations for growth and development by keeping exchange rate stability, inflation control, maintaining an adequate reserve of forex; and mitigating emerging internal and external security threats.

Using the Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) as an example, the US noted that the University can tailor its research to answer to some of the priorities that have clearly defined in the National Budget Strategy 2022/2023.

Presenting the New Budget Structure FY 2022/2023 and implications for budgeting Units, Mr. Kabuye Matia, the Acting Manager Planning and Development informed the conference that the Education Sector has now been designated as a sub-programme under the Human Capital Development programme.

“In the new budget structure, all colleges are going to have three budget outputs namely: teaching and training; research, innovations and technology transfer; and community outreach. When it comes to the support services sub-sub-programme, the new budget structure includes: governance, which entails business of Council and Senate with their sub-committees; general administration and support; academic affairs; library services; contributions to research and international organizations; ICT/e-learning; research, consultancy and publications; students welfare,” explained Mr. Kabuye.

He also noted that under the new normal, emphasis should also be put on how cost centres are to support safe delivery of services. “Every vote should assign a specific department to coordinate the two Government-funded projects i.e. Retooling and Infrastructure Projects.”

The University Bursar, Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha who presented the Budget Performance FY 2019/2020 shared that the University received 98.9% of its approved budget of UGX 363.736 Billion. The proportionate distribution of the University budget expenditure was Wage 58%, Non-wage 38% and Development 4%.

“Collections for last financial year were UGX 69.6 Billion, which was 72% of the budget, and the shortfall is attributed to COVID-19 and the closure of the University resulting in some of the students not paying tuition” explained the Bursar.

In terms of Retooling and Infrastructure Projects, the University completed renovations on the Senate Building, Main Library, Mathematics Building and University Hospital. Ongoing development works include; partitioning of Central Teaching Facility 1, School of Women and Gender Studies Building, the Indoor Stadium, School of Public Health, Department of Dentistry, School of Law, among others.

Delivering the closing remarks, the Conference Programme Manager and Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences, Dr. Eria Hisali thanked participants for sparing time to attend the conference. He urged unit heads to stick to the strategic direction of the University and NDPIII as they finalise the budgeting process.

“It is encouraging to note that all the units derived their own strategic plans from the University Strategic Plan. I wish to assure the Chairperson of Council that we will comply with your guidance as well as the requirements stipulated in the Budget Strategy Paper issued by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development” he concluded.

Mark Wamai

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Vice Chancellor Updates Media on Medical Drones, Road Safety Research & Various Issues

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Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi (Centre) with Dr. Andrew Kambugu (Left) and Dr. Fredrick Oporia (Right) at the Press Briefing on 29th May 2025. Press Conference featuring Infectious Diseases Institute—the IDI Medical Drone Programme and Kampala Status Summary 2023 on Road Safety Risk Factors, conducted under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety. This collaborative effort between the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit and our Trauma, Injury, and Disability Unit (TRIAD) Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Senior Common Room, Main Builing, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi on Thursday 29th May, 2025 held a press conference to update members of the Media on the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) Medical Drone Programme, and the Kampala Status Summary 2023 on Road Safety Risk Factors, conducted under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, a collaborative effort between the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit and the Trauma, Injury, and Disability (TRIAD) Unit at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH). Also presented were updates on; Digital Certification of Academic Transcripts, Digital Supervision of Graduate Students, Inclusive e-Learning and Smart Classrooms, and Launch of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Laboratory at the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS).

The event held in the Senior Common Room, Main Building, was on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe presided over by the Acting (Ag.) DVC AA and substantive Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi. Presentations were made by Executive Director of the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Dr. Andrew Kambugu and Head of the Trauma, Injuries, and Disability (TRIAD) Unit, Dr. Fredrick Oporia. Dr. Jimmy Osuret and Dr. Esther Bayiga from TRIAD supplemented Dr. Oporia’s presentation. In attendance were; the Director for ICT Support (DICTS)-Mr. Samuel Mugabi, Deputy Chief – Public Relations-Ms. Betty Kyakuwa, Deputy Chief Security Officer-Mr. Musa Mulindwa and other university officials.

The proceedings of the Press Conference follow below;

Vice Chancellors’ Press Statement

Good morning colleagues, members of the press,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to this important media briefing, where we share compelling findings from two groundbreaking studies that reflect Makerere University‘s ongoing commitment to impactful research, innovation, and community transformation.

The first is a pioneering initiative led by the Infectious Diseases Institute—the IDI Medical Drone Programme. This project explores the use of drone technology to deliver lifesaving HIV medications and test samples to hard-to-reach populations, particularly in Kalangala District and the West Nile region. The study demonstrates how drones can overcome logistical barriers, reduce costs, and enhance access to critical healthcare in some of Uganda’s most underserved communities.

The second study is the Kampala Status Summary 2023 on Road Safety Risk Factors, conducted under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety. This collaborative effort between the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit and our Trauma, Injury, and Disability Unit here at Makerere University presents over two years of data on vehicle speed and helmet use in Kampala. It provides vital insights into the human behaviours and systemic gaps contributing to road traffic injuries and fatalities—particularly among vulnerable road users. The study also offers evidence-based recommendations for enforcement, planning, and public health messaging aimed at making Kampala’s roads safer for all.

We are proud to support this kind of research that not only advances knowledge but also drives tangible improvements in public health and safety.

Before I invite the researchers to present their findings, allow me to briefly highlight some transformative developments in the areas of academic registry and ICT advancement here at Makerere University:

  1. Digital Certification of Academic Transcripts:
    • Alumni can now certify their transcripts digitally through the Makerere Academic Records System (Mak-ARS https://makars.mak.ac.ug/), eliminating the need for physical visits. This user-friendly platform allows access from anywhere in the world, supported by comprehensive video tutorials and public communications.
  2. Digital Supervision of Graduate Students
    • We have introduced the Research Information Management System (Mak-RIMS), piloted at the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, to streamline the supervision of Master’s and PhD research. This initiative enhances accountability, timely feedback, and is now being rolled out university-wide to improve graduation rates.
  3. Inclusive eLearning and Smart Classrooms
    • Through support from development partners and the Government of Uganda, we are establishing multimedia studios and smart classrooms across our colleges. These state-of-the-art facilities are designed to produce professional, accessible learning content, including tools tailored for students with visual and auditory disabilities. This aligns with our goal of equitable, globally competitive education.
  4. Launch of the AI Laboratory at CoCIS:
    • The newly launched Artificial Intelligence Laboratory will spearhead the development of AI-enabled solutions tailored to Uganda’s socio-economic needs, including localized assistive eLearning tools and context-sensitive curriculum development.

These initiatives are part of our broader vision to transform Makerere University into a research-led, inclusive, and globally relevant institution.

Detailed Presentations

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Prof. Aina Visits Mak, Evaluates CECAP II Progress

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Prof. Omotade Akin Aina (Left) receives the Makerere Souvenir Book from Prof. Tonny Oyana as Prof. Julius Kikooma (2nd Right) and Mr. Charles Lwanga (Right) witness. Prof. Omotade Akin Aina-Carnegie Corporation of New York meeting to discuss progress of Consolidating Early Career Academics Programme (CECAP) phase II, which focuses on fostering academic development and research among early-career academics, 23rd May 2025, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Senior Program Director, Higher Education and Research in Africa, International Program, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Prof. Omotade Akin Aina on 23rd May 2025 visited Makerere University during his short trip to Kampala. Prof. Aina was received on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe by Prof. Tony Oyana, Principal of the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS).

During his visit, Prof. Aina met with the Project Implementation Committee, representatives from the Consolidating Early Career Academics Programme (CECAP) phase I Fellowship Cohort, and current Fellows of phase II. The meeting discussed the progress of CECAP II, which focuses on fostering academic development and research among early-career academics.

Left to Ritght: Dr. Jesca Nakavuma and Prof. Julius Kikooma alongside Prof. Omotade Akin Aina during the meeting. Prof. Omotade Akin Aina-Carnegie Corporation of New York meeting to discuss progress of Consolidating Early Career Academics Programme (CECAP) phase II, which focuses on fostering academic development and research among early-career academics, 23rd May 2025, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Left to Ritght: Dr. Jesca Nakavuma and Prof. Julius Kikooma alongside Prof. Omotade Akin Aina during the meeting.

CECAP II is being implemented by Makerere University in collaboration with four other Ugandan public universities, including; Busitema University, Gulu University, Kyambogo University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, the Project Principal Investigator was represented at the meeting by the Director of Graduate Training, Prof. Julius Kikooma.

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Directorate of Graduate Equips Schools and Colleges with Training in Philosophy of Methods

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By Moses Lutaaya

The Directorate of Graduate Training at Makerere University has equipped several Senior ranking lecturers with expert knowledge in a Training of Trainers’ workshop on “Philosophy of Methods”.

In his remarks at the opening of a 3-day training workshop at Level4 Conference Hall – Senate Building, the Director of Graduate Training Prof. Julius Kikooma said, “The teaching of Philosophy of Methods gives all participants the fundamentals to extend knowledge to other learners, hence its importance in upholding the Makerere University values.”

Kikooma urged and challenged the participants to also attend and actively participate in the follow up of learners’ training of students, stating that the PhD students need support as the directorate continues to coordinate the curriculum of PhD by-research that was approved by the senate recently.

“To holistically implement the senate approved PhD curriculum, we are coordinating capacity building trainings of all stake holders in a structured approach with the different units of the University. Many more trainings including Training of Trainers in advanced research methods course are on the way.”

He further urged the participants to be intentional in their teaching profession and in whatever they were doing, adding “Apart from focusing on practices as teachers and researchers, we can engage in wider philosophical debates in our research areas so that we are relevant in the society and in the empowerment of PhD research students.”

 The participants for the Philosophy of Methods training were from College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Education and External Studies, Makerere University Business School among others.

During the same training, Dr. Dickson Kanakulya stressed the need to train senior lecturers in the Philosophy of Methods, saying, “The biggest connection is that societal problems require concrete research to find solutions. Our challenge in Africa is that we employ a short barrow approach to find solutions to problems. This cannot work. We need consistent researchers to solve problems. Lasting solutions to societal issues can only be got through training such as Philosophy of Methods, where researchers come up with new models for societal solutions.”

Prof. Julius Kikooma pose for a photo with participants and facilitators.

Dr. Kanakulya said that Makerere University remains the biggest research University in Africa and philosophy of Methods helps to come up with good research tools that produce good research outputs. “Research has shown that the higher the number of PhD researchers in any given country, the higher the levels of development of that country e.g. the USA, China etc., adding that research is not limited to only medicinal or agricultural related issues.”

He said philosophy of methods, encourages philosophical creativity in research, “It is meant to bring out philosophical generation of concepts, theories and ideas. It is meant to encourage students to question the existing philosophical assumptions and status quo in a given field of knowledge such that new philosophical concepts are created.”

 For successful rollout of government programs like the National Development Plan 4, Dr. Kanakulya said that Philosophy of Methods training needs to be integrated into such systems. “Philosophy of Methods focuses on ethical thinking aspects. For example, for a better rollout of the Parish Development Model, we need implementers to be ethical.” He added.

 Prof. Sulait Tumwiine, the associate Dean of Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at MUBS said, “This is a discussion where new ideas are shared to guide and gauge applicability in the current knowledge diversity coupled with lots of technological development including Artificial Intelligence and Chat GPT.”

He added, “As professors of Universities, we need to understand how we leverage on what comes up so that it does not take our space, but also appreciate how we can support growth of knowledge. The Philosophy of Methods training is the answer.”

 Dr. Jim Spire Ssentongo highlighted that Philosophy uses more of the critical mind than Science. He added that philosophy is more of speculation of the mind.

“Sustainability of philosophy Education encourages us to continue training. Philosophy being the oldest discipline retained special status in the academia as a pinnacle of pursuit of knowledge. All disciplines have major elements of philosophy citing examples in the philosophy of Mathematics and Physics.

Dr. Spire added, “If you do not understand philosophy, you cannot deeply investigate anything because philosophy is the reality of understanding everything. Philosophy is the basis of understanding what knowledge is and how it is arrived at.”

Also participating in the workshop was Prof. Joseph Ntaayi from MUBS, in his remarks he said PhD students need the philosophy of methods training to understand how to best to create knowledge. He added that ontological and epistemological questions that lead to good research design methods can only be answered by this training.

Dr. Robert Kakuru, a Lecturer in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences said that the Philosophy of Methods training is needed by every graduate student as well as supervisors to critically determine the choice of methods to use in academic research. For example, “If one wants to use a questionnaire as an interview approach, one should understand, why that approach and yet without this training, the why cannot be answered.” He added.

The Philosophy of Methods training was organized by Directorate of Graduate Training with funding support from the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA).

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