General
Management Recognises Outgoing Members at Last Meeting of 2021
The University Management on 22nd December 2021 held its last meeting to take stock of the year and paint a picture of what 2022 holds. The special session held at the Vice Chancellor’s Lodge was also an opportunity to unwind in the lush green garden setting and recognise Members who had served their terms of office.
Welcoming his guests, the host, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe thanked Members of Management and Staff present for honouring the invitation to attend the last meeting. Singling out the aspect of community engagement, the Vice Chancellor thanked all heads of Academic and Administrative units for taking the University to the community through impactful programmes.
“The Infectious Diseases Institute alone supports approximately 30% of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Uganda through various programmes” added the Vice Chancellor.
Turning to partnerships, the Vice Chancellor applauded the staff, noting that this was one of the main avenues through which the University’s research output was being fostered.
“I have signed more than 100 partnership agreements since July this year and we have more than 2,000 MoUs with Universities from all over the world, with ranking agencies placing our staff at the top globally in terms of co-publishing with staff in other universities” added the Vice Chancellor to applause from the audience.
He thanked all staff for ensuring a harmonious work environment at all levels, which had enabled them to be more productive. At the end of his remarks, the Vice Chancellor requested all present to observe a moment of silence in recognition of all colleagues who had passed on during the year.
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs (DVCAA), Dr. Umar Kakumba acknowledged that although 2021 had been a tough year, especially due to COVID-19, it was right and fitting to give thanks to the Almighty God who had seen us through various challenges.
He nevertheless acknowledged that a lot had been achieved in terms of productivity. “COVID-19 pushed us to explore our full potential and our staff have have been at the forefront of various scientific committees in the Government’s fight against COVID-19” he said.
Furthermore, the DVCAA informed the meeting that the University Council had successfully passed 79 academic programmes, with approximately 20% being new Masters while the rest had undergone review. “I wish to assure members that these are quality programmes with a lot of value addition from our partners.”
He added that the ability of the University to sustain operations despite disruptions caused by COVID-19 had resulted in continued confidence in our academic system. In this regard, he thanked Members of the University Senate for acting fast to make adjustments that enabled students to do internship using innovative ways, as well as coming up with alternative modes of assessment.
In his remarks, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Henry Alinaitwe reminded the audience that COVID-19 is still with us and urged members to remain cautious and lead by example by always wearing their masks.
He encouraged Members of Management to stay abreast of all procedures as outlined in the Organisational Manual so as to ensure efficiency in the operating environment. Furthermore, he urged staff to be more frugal with resources in light of budget cuts by the Government to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
On the infrastructure front, Prof. Alinaitwe noted that although a lot of the establishments were very old, projects such as the construction of the School of Law Building and the reconstruction of Main Building were underway and in the final preparatory stages respectively.
“I thank the Vice Chancellor for spearheading the mobilisation of funds for reconstruction of the Main Building and urge members of the Makerere University community to be patient with the disruptions that the works may cause” added Prof. Alinaitwe.
Other remarks of the day came from the University Secretary, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda who paid tribute to all the unsung heroes whose hard work guarantees that payment of salaries and other obligations are executed timely. He expressed hope that coming online of more systems such as electronic Human Resource Management System (e-HRMS) would help reduce the paper trail and improve efficiency.
The Director Makerere University Jinja Campus (MUJC), Prof. J.B. Nyakaana thanked the University Management and Staff for all the support accorded to the Centre but called for more inputs to make MUJC even more vibrant. The Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT), Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi thanked the University Council and Management for continuing to build an enabling environment for research to thrive.
Prof. Buyinza noted that as the University continues to march towards its ten-year strategic direction of being more research led, there was need to renew commitment to hit the 5,000 Graduate Students by 2025 target. “Partners in the Global North and Global South are looking to Makerere University for mentorship.”
The following leaders were recognised for their service to Makerere University;
- Prof. William Bazeyo, Chairperson, Mak-RIF Grants Management Committee
- Dr. Josephine Nabukenya, Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)
- Dr. Vincent Ssembatya, Director, Quality Assurance
- Prof. Joseph Y.T. Mugisha, Principal, College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS)
- Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi, Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES)
- Prof. John David Kabasa, Principal, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB)
- Prof. Tonny Oyana, Principal, College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS)
- Prof. Bernard Bashaasha, Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
- Dr. Fredrick Jones Muyodi, Deputy Principal, College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS)
- Dr. Samuel Majalija, Deputy Principal, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB)
- Dr. Paul Birevu Muyinda, Deputy Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES)
- Dr. Gorettie Nsubuga Nabanoga, Deputy Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
- Dr. Agnes Semwanga Rwashana, Deputy Principal, College of Computing and Information Sciences
In his acceptance remarks, Prof. Bazeyo who retires from Makerere University service at the end of December 2021 thanked the University Council for appointing him and the Vice Chancellor for the invitation to bid farewell to a team he worked with.
“I started work on 22nd August 1993 and I wish to assure you that the best employer is Makerere University and I can see Makerere becoming a much better employer in the years to come” he reassured.
Prof. Bazeyo who was in November 2021 appointed Chairperson of the Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) and Innovation Council reiterated his commitment to continue working with Makerere to improve employability of Ugandan graduates.
“We have been appointed to skill graduates from all over the country and the President has given us a target of creating 20,000 jobs within the first 18 months” he explained.
General
From Campus to Career: Makerere Advancement Office, 91st Guild and the DFCU Foundation Equip Students with Financial and Employability Skills
On 4th December, 2025, over 200 final-year students gathered at the School of Pharmacy Auditorium for the highly engaging Career & Financial Literacy Symposium, hosted by the 91st Students’ Guild, in partnership with the Makerere Advancement Office and the DFCU Foundation.
The symposium centred on student advancement through strategic partnership, convening students, administrators and development partners for a practical conversation on career readiness, financial literacy, employability, and personal development.
Advancement Through Partnerships
Speaking on behalf of the Makerere Advancement Office, Mr Awel Uwihanganye, Chief Advancement Officer, underscored the importance of partnerships such as the one with DFCU Foundation. He highlighted their importance in equipping students with marketplace skills and opportunities vital for individual growth after University.
He reflected on the university journey as a formative period for ideas, innovation, and lifelong relationships, noting that:
“University is where impressions are made, and future networks are born. The friendships, character, and collaborations you develop here become foundations for careers, enterprises and leadership later in life.”
Mr. Uwihanganye encouraged students to embrace entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, arguing that the emerging workforce is driven by technology, multi-tasking ability and idea generation rather than traditional single-path employment. He challenged students to build businesses, use digital platforms productively, and regard employment as only one income stream, not the only one.
The Student Perspective — Discipline, Skills and Trust
Speaking on student growth and personal development, Dr. Rodney Rugyema, Deputy Dean of Students, highlighted the realities facing new graduates, especially those entering the job market for the first time. With humour and honesty, he urged students to approach growth intentionally and responsibly.
He called for delayed gratification, financial discipline and long-term decision-making, reminding students that wealth is built, not wished for. He emphasised the importance of skills beyond academic papers, stating that students must be equipped to create value, adapt, learn continuously, and gain competence relevant to modern work demands.
Dr. Rugyema underscored that trust, integrity and reliability remain the most non-negotiable pillars of professional advancement.
“Let people trust you enough to lend you an opportunity. Be a person who delivers. Your reputation is currency; it travels to rooms you are not in.” He noted
Financial Literacy for the Next Generation
The keynote training session was delivered by Mr. Simon Omara, Business Advisor representing the DFCU Foundation, who walked students through a highly practical presentation on financial planning, savings culture, credit management, record-keeping, career positioning and entrepreneurship.
With more than 10,000 graduates annually and less than 35% securing employment within the first year, Mr. Omara challenged students to practice financial and career ownership early. His presentation explored:
Key Competencies Students Must Build
- Financial management with a focus on budgeting, saving, and investing early
- Career readiness, CV development, interview skills, and personal branding
- Entrepreneurship and income diversification
- Record keeping and credit management
- Professional conduct and workplace preparation
He reminded students that the future belongs to those who are financially literate, skilled, trusted and entrepreneurial. Through relatable examples and actionable frameworks such as the 70–20–10 rule, the 7-second CV scan, and the 90-day post-graduation growth plan, Mr. Omara equipped participants with practical knowledge they could act upon immediately.
Why This Symposium Matters
This event stands as a testament to the power of partnership-driven student advancement, a core mandate of the Makerere Advancement Office. By convening industry partners like DFCU Foundation, the University continues to ensure that students graduate not only with knowledge, but with tools and readiness for opportunity.
The symposium strengthened linkages between academia and the labour market, expanded students’ perspective on financial independence, and emphasised the value of entrepreneurship, networks and character in shaping future leadership
The Makerere Advancement Office remains committed to facilitating opportunities that empower students to thrive beyond the gates of the University, through partnerships, mentorship, capacity-building, and exposure to real-world skillsets.
“ A degree alone is no longer enough. With partnership, preparation and purpose, our students can build futures anchored in knowledge, opportunity and resilience.” Mr Awel Uwihanganye noted during his remarks.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Makerere Advancement Office
Makerere University on 3rd December, 2025 hosted the Tumusiime Mutebile Annual Lecture, a tradition established to honour the life and legacy of the late Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, an outstanding alumnus and former Governor of the Bank of Uganda who passed away in 2022. The lecture not only reflects on his remarkable contribution to Uganda’s economic leadership, but also highlights how innovation, resilience, and intergenerational vision can shape Africa’s future.
This year’s edition was anchored on three key pillars—intergenerational leadership, economic resilience, and the power of innovation—themes that defined Prof. Mutebile’s career and continue to influence national development. Through this annual series, the University upholds his memory while also celebrating other African leaders whose work has left a lasting mark on the continent, using their legacies to inspire thoughtful dialogue, policy reflection, and the next generation of transformative thinkers.
Celebrating an Enduring Legacy
In her remarks, the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sarah Ssali, reflected on Prof. Mutebile’s lifelong commitment to excellence, integrity, and the transformative power of education. She highlighted his journey from a student leader at Makerere to one of the country’s most influential economic thinkers, noting how his leadership in monetary policy, fiscal reform, and economic stabilization reshaped Uganda’s economic trajectory.
Prof. Ssali emphasized that this public lecture series not only honours Mutebile’s legacy but also bridges academia and practice—challenging students, scholars, and national leaders to pursue knowledge that serves the public good. She expressed gratitude to the Bank of Uganda under Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego, dfcu Bank, the GRO Foundation, the Mutebile family, and the Advancement Office for their continued support in sustaining a platform that nurtures economic thought leadership and inspires future generations.
Rt. Hon. Emeritus Amama Mbabazi, a lifelong friend and contemporary of the late Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile, delivered a deeply personal reflection during the lecture. He recalled their shared beginnings as young student leaders at Makerere, their early political activism, and the historical moments that shaped both their lives and the nation. Speaking as both confidant and colleague, he emphasized Mutebile’s disciplined approach to economic policy, his unwavering belief in strong, accountable institutions, and his commitment to evidence-based, long-term decision making. Mbabazi outlined three pillars of Mutebile’s legacy—policy integrity, institutional strength, and leadership that prepares the next generation—values he affirmed are central to the work of the Tumusiime Foundation, which he now chairs.
He underscored the critical role of the private sector in Africa’s transformation, stressing the need for productivity-driven economies, skilled young people, and policy ecosystems that encourage innovation. He further called for intergenerational leadership that deliberately transfers knowledge, builds enduring institutions, and creates real opportunities for young Africans to lead. In closing, he urged academia, policymakers, and industry to work in partnership, noting that Africa’s progress depends on disciplined leadership, investment in human capital, and a shared commitment to building a future stronger than the present.
Fiscal Policies that have stood the test of time
The Governor of the Bank of Uganda, Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego, honored the late Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile with a heartfelt tribute, praising him as “a great tree whose roots ran deep beneath the soil of this nation, nourishing all who followed.” He noted that Uganda continues to benefit from the “shade” of the policies Mutebile planted during his 21-year tenure—policies that stabilized the economy, strengthened institutions, and protected the financial system through multiple crises. He highlighted Mutebile’s role in restoring price stability through cash budgeting, bringing inflation down from triple digits to single digits, guiding the country through the 2008 global financial crisis with disciplined monetary policy, and maintaining public trust during the 2011 inflation spike through clear and transparent communication.
Dr. Atingi-Ego also credited him for steering Uganda safely through the COVID-19 pandemic by introducing liquidity support for banks, credit relief for borrowers, and targeted foreign exchange interventions. Reflecting on Mutebile’s long-term impact, the Governor remarked, “These are the ideas he planted—he never lived to enjoy the shade of the tree, but today, the country rests under it.” He further celebrated Mutebile’s commitment to innovation, citing the 2016 amendments to the Financial Institutions Act that unlocked agency banking, bancassurance, and Islamic banking—reforms that today anchor Uganda’s impressive financial inclusion gains.
Intergenerational Leadership blends agility and emotional intelligence
Eng. Dr. F. F. Tusubira delivered a compelling and deeply reflective keynote, grounding the theme “Intergenerational Leadership, Economic Resilience and the Power of Innovation” in both history and lived institutional experience. He expressed serious concern that although Africa is the world’s youngest continent—with over 65% of its population below 35—its systems continue to sideline young people from leadership and national decision-making, even as they are repeatedly called “leaders of tomorrow.” He argued that this generational exclusion is not merely unfair but dangerous, warning that nations cannot secure economic resilience while locking out the very demographic best equipped to navigate a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world.
Drawing on African proverbs, global case studies, and personal anecdotes from Makerere and national institutions, he demonstrated how younger generations bring idealism, agility, innovation, and risk-taking—qualities essential for competitiveness—while older generations contribute emotional intelligence, institutional memory and a heightened sense of danger. He emphasized that progress requires blending these strengths through deliberate structures: fair representation of youth in boards and executive spaces, shared decision-making, reverse mentorship, and an institutional culture that values every generational perspective.
Dr. Tusubira also highlighted the urgent need for education reform, criticizing the continent’s entrenched “learning to pass exams” culture and calling for systems that cultivate creativity, problem-solving, and technical capability. He cautioned that without investing in human capital, digital literacy, and inclusive innovation ecosystems, Africa risks losing the very foundation of future competitiveness. His message was clear and powerful: intergenerational leadership is not optional—it is a survival strategy for institutions, businesses, and nations, especially in an era where, as he quoted, “it is not the strongest who survive, but those most responsive to change.”
The lecture was further enriched by an engaging panel discussion, which was moderated by Prof. Edward Bbaale, the Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences. He opened the discussion by deliberately centering today’s students and emerging leaders, framing the session as an intellectual reflection on the life, values and legacy of the late Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile. He positioned the lecture’s theme — Shaping Africa’s Future: Intergenerational Leadership, Economic Resilience and the Power of Innovation — as urgent and practical, and introduced a cross-disciplinary panel whose expertise mirrors that urgency: Eng. Dr. F. F. Tusubira, Mr. Charles Mudiwa the Managing Director Dfcu Bank, and Prof. Faisal Buyinza the Ag. Dean, School of Economics.
Prof. Bbaale’s moderation enabled panelists to offer guidance on structural and cultural barriers to youth inclusion, the role of institutions in building resilience, and how academia, industry and policy can work together to turn innovation into jobs and scalable solutions — all the while reserving time for direct audience engagement and practical policy takeaways. Collectively, the panelists urged dismantling age-biased barriers and credential rigidities, creating new entry points and “tables” for youth leadership, scaling finance and training for startups and agribusiness, reforming pedagogy to prioritise skills and creativity, and deepening public-private-academic partnerships so innovation becomes inclusive growth rather than isolated experimentation.
The Family’s heartfelt appreciation
Mrs. Betty Tumusiime-Mutebile delivered heartfelt closing remarks, offering gratitude on behalf of the family and the Tumusiime-Mutebile Foundation. Speaking with deep emotion, she reflected on the late Professor’s character—his honesty, humility, hard work, and unwavering commitment to service above self. She thanked Makerere University, the Bank of Uganda, the Foundation’s leadership, and the many friends and colleagues who have continued to uphold his legacy, noting that although nearly four years have passed since his departure, his memory remains vivid and powerful for the family.
She recalled his devotion to both his public duty and his home, sharing personal stories of his leadership within the family and his steadfast faith that shaped their daily lives. Mrs. Tumusiime-Mutebile also highlighted the Foundation’s ongoing work in youth skilling, ethical governance, and private-sector development—initiatives rooted in his own vision. She concluded by inviting continued partnership to sustain the legacy he built, and led the gathering in singing his favourite chorus, a tender tribute to a man whose influence, she said, endures through the lives he touched.
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