General
Staff Appeals Tribunal Swears in Senate & MASA Representatives
The Makerere University Staff Appeals Tribunal on 20th December 2021 swore in two new members to represent the Senate and Mak Administrative Staff Association (MASA) constituencies. The ceremony was presided over by the Chairperson of the Tribunal Justice Dr. John Patrick Tabaro and witnessed by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Dr. Umar Kakumba as well as Members of Management.
Delivering the opening remarks, Justice Dr. Tabaro thanked the University Administration, Staff and Students for all the hard work that ensures that Makerere remains ranked among the top institutions on the continent, noting that this brings great pride to members of the public in general and the alumni in particular. As such, he said, it is important for the University to continue resolving disputes fairly, and in accordance with justice, so as to keep in step with its good ranking.
On the same occasion, he appealed to Senior Academic and Administrative staff to groom their upcoming colleagues so as to leave behind a legacy that will enable Makerere to continue performing excellently and competing favourably with other institutions.
“It is my dream that one day the academic excellence of this University and justice that the leadership and tribunal are promoting will one day lead it to top position in Africa and beyond” concluded Justice Dr. Tabaro.
Addressing participants at the ceremony, Dr. Kakumba conveyed the appreciation of the Vice Chancellor to the Chairperson and Members of the Staff Appeals Tribunal for the great work done to resolve staff disputes impartially and transparently.
“This is a very important process in any democratic institution that upholds the principles of the rule of law and human rights” remarked the Deputy Vice Chancellor.
Dr. Kakumba reiterated the readiness of the Vice Chancellor and University Management to ensure that all matters raised by the Staff Tribunal to the University Appointments Board are addressed for purposes of continuous improvement and building a strong human resource. He added that the tribunal provides an internal mechanism through which there can be a reduction of cases in the Courts of Law.
The Vice Chancellor concluded by welcoming the new members of the Staff Appeals Tribunal; Assoc. Prof. Sylvia A. Nannyonga-Tamusuza, Head, Department of Performing Arts and Film (PAF) and Representative of University Senate and Mr. Joseph Kalema, Warden, Nkrumah Hall and Representative of Senior Administrative Staff (Male) under MASA.
“The University shall continue to provide support to the Tribunal as they dispense justice to the staff appealing decisions of the Appointments Board and we trust that you shall uphold the standards set by the Tribunal” said the Vice Chancellor to the newly-appointed members.
The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by the University Bursar-Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha, Director Internal Audit-Mr. Walter Yorac Nono, Dean of Students-Mrs. Winifred Kabumbuli, Director Human Resources represented by Principal Human Resources Officer-Mr. Mujuni Tayari Deus and Mrs. Naome Kiconco Ochieng-Office of the University Secretary.
In attendance were; Dr. Josephine Ndagire-Secretary to the Staff Tribunal as well as Members – Dr. Phiona Muhwezi Mpanga and Dr. Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala (MUASA Representatives), Ms. Sarah Wegosasa (MASA Representative) and Mr. Peter Eneru-Tribunal Clerk.
By Gerald Ochwo
On 25th March 2025, a delegation of Registrars from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) undertook a benchmarking exercise at Makerere University, with a specific focus on the latter’s pioneering efforts in academic records digitalization. The delegation, led by Dr. Dickson Kalungi, Ag. Deputy Academic Registrar was received by Mr. Charles Ssentongo, Deputy Academic Registrar in charge of Admissions and Records Division, who represented the Academic Registrar (AR), Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi.
The visit was prompted by Makerere University‘s trailblazing achievements in digitalizing academic records, as exemplified by the Digitalization of Academic Records Project (DARP). This initiative has been instrumental in creating a centralized, digital one stop repository of all University’s academic records, thereby enhancing the efficiency, accuracy, and security of academic records management.
In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Ssentongo conveyed the Academic Registrar’s message and highlighted Makerere University‘s efforts to digitalize all its processes and records. He further noted that the university is intentional about creating a digital ecosystem that makes academic records retrieval easy and efficient.
“As a university, we are now intentional with the digitalization of all our processes including, digitization of our manual records that date as way back as the inception of Makerere University. Currently, the DARP project as gone as far as creating a one stop center for both Academic document verification and certification, whereby our former graduates, will only need to access the online verification and certification portal and submit their documents without necessarily having to travel many physical distances to Makerere University” Mr. Ssentongo remarked.
In his appreciation remarks, the MUST head of delegation, Dr. Dickson Kalungi, thanked the Academic Registrar for honoring their request to come and learn from the best practices that exist at Makerere University and particularly commended the Department for the great steps and strides made in pioneering modern Academic records storage management systems.
“I want to sincerely thank the Office of the Academic Registrar for sparing time and organizing this meeting. As a University, we have embarked on a transformative change drive whereby we intend to automate all our registry processes including, the management of Academic Records. The DARP project at Makerere University, has been one project where we draw a number of lessons and we are eager to go and implement some of the best practices we have observed here today”
Conclusion
The benchmarking exercise undertaken by Mbarara University of Science and Technology demonstrates the significance of Makerere University and particularly, the Office of the Academic Registrar’s achievements in academic records digitalization. The DARP project serves as a model for other institutions to follow, highlighting the importance of investing in digital solutions to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and security of academic records management. It further demonstrates the university’s commitment to sharing knowledge and best practices with other institutions. Makerere University‘s efforts in digitalizing academic records have set a high standard for other universities to emulate, and the DARP project is a shining example of innovation and excellence in academic records management.
Gerald Ochwo is the Liaison Officer, Office of the Academic Registrar
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