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.
Makerere University on Thursday 15th May, 2025 embarked on a two-day induction exercise spearheaded by the Directorate of Human Resources for newly appointed staff, whose tenures commenced in the 2024/2025 financial year. Held in the Senate Conference Hall, day one of the induction was presided over by the Acting (Ag.) Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-DVCAA, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
Warmly welcoming the new staff, Prof. Buyinza congratulated the ladies and gentlemen upon choosing Makerere University as the workplace for embarking on their next phase of professional growth, self-discovery, and personal development.
“You are joining a century-old institution with a distinguished history and a deeply rooted culture of academic excellence” Prof. Buyinza remarked. “For over 100 years, Makerere has nurtured the intellectual talents of young people and contributed meaningfully to the development of society across the globe,” he added.
The Ag. DVCAA nevertheless tipped that although the onboarding process might overwhelm staff with a lot of information, it is all meant to enable them better understand their roles, the benefits due them, and the unique opportunities that come with working in a world-class institution. Prof. Buyinza therefore encouraged new staff to contribute to the attainment of Makerere’s Mission, connect with the vibrant community they are now part of, enjoy the beautiful greenery the campus affords, and take advantage of professional development as well as well-being promoting programmes.
“At Makerere University, the well-being, safety, and professional growth of our staff are priorities. We are committed to walking this journey with you, and to building an institution that is not only a place of work but a place of inspiration and belonging” Prof. Buyinza reassured.
In his welcome remarks, the Chief Human Resources Officer, Mr. Deus Tayari Mujuni congratulated the new staff upon successfully completing the rigorous process the resulted into their respective appointments. He equally thanked the Vice Chancellor for endorsing the induction ceremony with not only budgetary support but also his representation.
Reiterating the need to appreciate the culture, politics and dynamics of the institution that they are now part of, Mr. Mujuni tasked new staff to take time and appreciate the University Vision, Mission and Objectives, and ensure that they adhere to them. He equally urged new staff to read and understand the various university policies and where in doubt, consult the relevant offices.
Ultimately, he urged staff in the fulfilment of their duties and responsibilities not to disregard their individual goals. “You have aspirations that you must achieve as an individual and I encourage you not to neglect them.”
The University Council as the supreme governing body of the university is also the policy making body, whose Appointments Board oversees the appointment, promotion, removal from service, and discipline of all university staff and officers. The representative of Staff with Disabilities on University Council, Mr. Amon Muteganda Kabahima who chaired the session on University Governance equally congratulated new staff.
“You underwent a tough process full of various competitive stages and we are sure that we have the right people for the various jobs” he commended.
Addressing aspects of University Governance and the key Offices, the University Secretary and Secretary to Council, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda guided that the policies and regulations that govern the institution are broad, numerous, and as such cannot adequately be covered over the two-day induction. He nevertheless encouraged staff to visit the University Policies website and appraise themselves with the details, not only for avoidance of breaching them but also building a culture voluntary compliance.
Mr. Kiranda equally encouraged staff not to ascribe importance and respect to colleagues based on rank and titles but seek to esteem each and every member of staff as an important and vital contributor to the fulfilment of the University’s Vision and Mission.
“We are all equally important in this university; the person whose services the university does not require, it does not hire. As long as you are here, you are required” he explained.
The University Secretary equally called upon staff to familiarize themselves with the law that establishes and governs public universities; the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (UOTIA). In his presentation, he singled out section twenty-four (24) that outlines the objectives of a public university in Uganda, as well as sections 30 to 32 that prescribe various offices’ responsibilities.
Mr. Kiranda equally encouraged staff to read the Human Resources Manual, Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment (PRASH), the Safeguarding Policy, among others. He concluded by reiterating the need for staff to read and appreciate the policies that directly address their welfare and steer clear of negative narratives and discourse, particularly those that seek to weaponize discourse. Other topics to be covered during the two-day induction include; the University Strategic Plan, Financing, Research-led Agenda, Institutional Communication and Public Relations and the Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme (MURBS). Topics to be covered on day two include; Legal Instruments, The Collegiate System, Human Resources Management and Functions, as well as Policies on Gender Equality and Sexual Harassment. Others include; Academic Issues, Quality Assurance, Procurement, Audit, and Library Resources.
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