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.
Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. The tournament was held in three preliminary rounds, followed by semi-finals and a grand finale.
The first round covered democracy and youth participation in politics, while the second round covered inequality and wealth distribution, and the third, the ban on export of raw materials. The semi-final round debated apprenticeship for blue-collar jobs, while the grand finale debated national budget allocations for healthcare and education. In the spirit of inclusivity, all colleges, including the Jinja Campus participated in the tournament.
Commenting on the choice of topics, the organisers noted Makerere University as a bastion of academic excellence has a profound responsibility to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of our nation. These leaders, they added, ought to be equipped with 21st century skills of self-expression, critical thinking, and problem-solving so as to navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving world.
On the whole, Makerere Inter-college Debates were conceived as a strategic initiative to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and innovation. The Debating Union aims to empower the future leaders by providing a platform for students to engage in respectful discourse, articulate their thoughts, as well as develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Furthermore, the Debates serve as a platform for not only honing the intellectual prowess of students but also cultivating leadership skills, teamwork, and communication abilities that are essential for success in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It is envisaged that this initiative will have a lasting impact on the lives of students, by exposing them to debates on topical issues that can shape the mindsets of transformative leaders our nation needs.
After a thrilling two days of debate, Daphine Kemigisha and Jibril Ssekandi from the School of Law (SoL) emerged as winners of the Makerere University Inter-college Debate Tournament 2025, while Olara Emmanuel George from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) was the Public Speech Champion, and Namujuzi Martha Mociita from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) was the Poetry Champion.
The 2025 Tournament was organized by Mayanja Owen and Nkalubo Oprah – 91st Guild Representative Councils (GRCs) of the Debate Union, Akatwijuka Arthur – Chairperson Debate Union, and Debate Union Representatives from colleges. The Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF) partnered with the Debate Union to deliver the 2025 edition.
Addressing students at the award ceremony, UNNGOF’s Mr. Derrick Baluuku encouraged the youth to step out of their comfort zones and think of solutions to inspire change in their communities.
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