By Hasifa Kabejja

A total of 73 cadets recently admitted for the Bachelor of Defense Studies of Makerere have today, 15^th October 2021 undergone orientation at the University Main Library. 

According to the Head of Team and UPDF Head Academics Col. Santurino Tumuranzye, Uganda Military Academy (UMA), Kabamba, an affiliate institution of Makerere University under the School of Social Sciences has made it a tradition for all cadets admitted for the programme to undergo orientation on the use of library services before embarking on their studies. Introducing the students to the Library staff, Col Tumuranzye, on behalf of Uganda Peoples Defence Forces appreciated Makerere University for the support rendered towards professionalizing the Army. He specifically thanked the University Librarian, Prof. Helen M. Byamugisha and the Dean, School of Social Sciences, Dr Andrew Ellias State for always being supportive with the orientation.

Led by University Librarian Prof. Byamugisha, Makerere University Main Library staff including, Deputy University Librarian Dr Ruth Nalumaga, Mr. Patrick Sekikome and Ms Caroline Kobusingye have sensitized the students on a number of issues including catalogue and database searching strategies.

Addressing the students, Prof. Byamugisha emphasized the importance of the library as a critical source of information. She pointed out that Makerere University Main Library was one of the biggest on the African Continent, with all sorts of information materials required for various programmes.

In his remarks, the Dean, School of Social Sciences, Dr Andrew Ellias State appreciated the leadership of Makerere University Main Library for tirelessly supporting the School with the orientation programme. He cautioned the students to make good use of the library in the course of their studies. “The library is the most important institution at the University that cannot be avoided. The University allows you to think and generate knowledge. You cannot claim to have done resourceful research without visiting the library,” he stated.

Following the training, the students were taken on a tour of the University Library.

About the Bachelor of Defence Studies

The Bachelor of Defence Studies of Makerere University is an interdisciplinary programme with courses broadly from Political Science. The three-year programme introduced in 2019 is in line with the East African Community Defense Protocol signed by governments to improve on the training of cadets in the region. The programme is also intended to professionalize the army.

Hosted under the School of Social Sciences at Makerere University, the programme is taught by staff from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, as well as other Units within the Social Sciences. The programme is strictly taught at Uganda Military Academy, Kabamba but the students attain a degree of Makerere University.