General
Mak Contributes UGX80M to Church House Campaign
![Seated [L-R]: THe Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, His Grace The Archbishop Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu and the Provincial Secretary Rev. Canon Captain William Ongeng. Standing: Rev. Onesmus Asiimwe - Chaplain St. Francis Chapel (R) together with some of the mobilisers from across different Units of the university after the Love Gift handover ceremony on 20th December 2021, CTF1, Makerere University.](https://news.mak.ac.ug/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Makerere-Archbishop-Kaziimba-Visit-Church-House-Love-Gift-20thDec2021-Group.jpg)
Members of the Makerere University University Community from all denominations responded to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe’s call and together, made a resounding contribution of approximately UGX 80 Million in favour of the Church House Fundraising Campaign dubbed “Yes, We Can!”. The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, His Grace The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu who launched the Fundraising Campaign on 6th June 2021 visited Makerere University on 20th December 2021 to officially receive Mak’s contribution from the Vice Chancellor. The Archbishop was accompanied by the Provincial Secretary, Rev. Canon Captain William Ongeng.
Welcoming the Archbishop on his first official visit to Makerere, the Vice Chancellor thanked His Grace for standing with the University through good and bad times, by ministering twice at St. Francis Chapel and visiting the Main Building site following fire of 20th September 2020 respectively.
“I want to thank you for that great show of solidarity and being the first major religious leader to visit us as far as the tragedy of the burning of the Main Building is concerned. We do not take that for granted, it shows that we are in your prayers” echoed the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Nawangwe informed that Archbishop that Makerere launched celebrations to mark 100 years of impacting society on 25th November 2021 and extended an invitation to him to the climax of the celebrations in October 2022. Turning to the purpose of the visit, the Vice Chancellor said:
“You appointed me coordinator of efforts to mobilise the UGX 200 Million quota from all academic institutions towards the Love Gift for the emancipation of the Church House. I have contacted most of the Vice Chancellors and they are supportive” remarked Prof. Nawangwe.
The Vice Chancellor informed the Archbishop that the leaders had agreed to each bring their institutional contribution on a separate occasion, hence the day’s meeting.
“Today, Makerere University is very privileged to receive you because although we had requested to come to your Office, you graciously asked to come to the Campus in person and we want to very sincerely thank you for that” remarked the Vice Chancellor to thunderous applause from the audience.
Present during the meeting with the Archbishop were some of the coordinators appointed by the Vice Chancellor to reach out to the Makerere University Community on his behalf. They included; Rev. Can. Onesimus Asiimwe-Chaplain St. Francis Chapel, Dr. Chrisitine Mbabazi Mpyangu-College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Dr. Paul Birevu Muyinda-College of Education and External Studies (CEES), Dr. Sylvia Nannyonga Tamusuza-CHUSS, Dr. Robinah Kulabako-College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Dr. Helen Byamugisha-University Librarian, Prof. Florence Mutonyi D’Ujanga-College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) and Prof. Moses Joloba-College of Health Sciences (CHS).
The Vice Chancellor thanked the coordinators present for accepting the assignment, noting that this display of solidarity was clear evidence that the targets set by the Church House Fundraising Drive can be achieved.
“Let me begin by appreciating God, from whom all blessings flow and to thank Him for the gift of life He has given us, especially when oxygen has been acknowledged as a very precious gift from God.
“My friend the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, I want to appreciate you for accepting the call to be part of the mobilisers of the resources we need to clear our debt, but also, by God’s grace for appointing very capable co-mobilisers. Thank you very much” commenced the Archbishop as made his acceptance remarks.
He appreciated the Chaplain, Rev. Can. Asiimwe and staff present for the oneness exhibited not only during the Fundraising Campaign but also other in aspects such as teaching the students.
The Archbishop prayed that all the plans to restore the iconic Main Building would be successfully executed, owing to the nostalgia that it evoked from visitors to Makerere, especially during graduation ceremonies, as it towers over the Freedom Square.
“We thank God for saving lives, because lives could have perished in the fire” he added.
Reading from 1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building
1 Corinthians 3:9, New international version (NIV)
For we are fellow workmen (joint promoters, laborers together) with and for God; you are God’s garden and vineyard and field under cultivation, [you are] God’s building.
1 Corinthians 3:9, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
The Archbishop reminded all present that we are co-workers in God’s service. “Can you imagine? Isn’t that great? Who am I to be a co-labourer with God and we are joint promoters… Isn’t this really a privilege?” pondered His Grace as his audience chorused “yes” in agreement.
Turning to Isaiah 6:8, the Archbishop further reminded his audience that God who sent them to do His work is the One who rewards.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah 6:8, New International Version (NIV)
“When you are sent to do an assignment, not everyone will be happy, especially the business of collecting resources… and so may God bless you so much for the good work you have done” remarked the Archbishop. “When you take time out to do God’s work, God also takes time to attend to your things as well, and that is my prayer for you, that God will attend to your many things” he added.
After the Provincial Secretary, Rev. Can. Captain Ongeng had moved a vote of thanks to the Vice Chancellor and Members of the Makerere University community, the Archbishop led his audience in the words of How Great Thou Art and thereafter, said the benediction.
Prof. Edward Bbaale, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at Makerere University, on November 10 2026 welcomed a delegation from the International Water Association (IWA), led by Mr. Keith Robertson, the Learning and Events Director at International Water Association (IWA). Mr. Robertson, in his remarks, highlighted their visit to Makerere University as a fact-finding mission regarding the potential establishment of a new regional IWA office in Africa to support the continent in solving challenges relating to water.
The International Water Association is a leading global nonprofit organisation and knowledge hub for the water and sanitation sector. Connecting more than 10,000 individual members and 500 corporate entities across 140 plus countries, the association bridges the gap between scientific research and practical engineering to solve global water crises, improve sanitation, and secure clean water systems. Currently, IWA is evaluating potential host cities in Africa; Makerere University in Kampala is the first they have visited out of their three countries and venues earmarked.
This meeting held at Makerere Main Administrative Building, was attended by university leadership, faculty from College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), and representatives from the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). Discussions explored possibilities of the yet to be established office bridging the gap between academic research and practical application in the water sector not only in Uganda but also on the continent.
On behalf of University Management, Prof. Edward Bbaale underscored this engagement that focused on possible Water and Sanitation advancement partnership as one that aligns well with the strategic direction of the University.
Projected Impact of a Kampala-Based IWA Office
Dr Philip Nyenje, Head of Department, Civil and Environmental Engineering (DCEE), expressed optimism about the collaboration, saying, “this is a very good opportunity for us to grow our interest in the sector of water and sanitation.”
In addition, Dr Seith Mugume, a Senior Lecturer at DCEE, noted that the regional office would unlock research and innovation opportunities in the real world for our students and also provide incentives for them to pursue projects within local research and innovation angles.
Eng. Zainab Mpakiraba, Acting Senior Manager at NWSC framed Kampala as a very unique venue for the centre and highlighted Makerere as one of the core academic partners for the regional Eastern and Southern Africa hub of the Global Sanitation Graduate School. Eng. Mpakiraba further endorsed Makerere, saying that, as a top-notch university in Uganda and in the region, when it leads on any aspect, it is able to pull most of the other universities.
Makerere’s Strategic Initiatives and Activities so far in the Area of Water
Dr Nyenje noted that his Department has a very strong base in water and sanitation, covering disciplines like water resources, environmental, structural, and highway engineering. Dr. Mugume added that they are conducting research on “modeling of water resource systems, hydrological and hydraulic modeling,” “water quality management,” and “fecal sludge management, sanitation in low-income and peri-urban areas.”
The two also mentioned that the department has introduced a “master’s in sanitation, and also a postgraduate program… a diploma in sanitation” to address growing interest in the sector.
All these strategies have been made possible through good will and funding from the Government of Uganda, strategic partnerships, and International Collaborations that have positioned Makerere as a key player in the region.
Concluding the session, Prof. Edward Bbaale reaffirmed Makerere’s ability to run this Office when established as the University has human resources in multidisciplinary research, global credibility and working relationships with many organisations and institutions on the continent and far.
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