Mak Staff Appeals Tribunal in a group photo after a swearing in ceremony of two new members to represent the Senate and Mak Administrative Staff on 20th December 2021.
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.
Assoc. Prof. Sylvia A. Nannyonga-Tamusuza (R)- Chair Performing Arts and Film and Representative of University Senate on the Staff Tribunal takes oath before Justice Dr. John Patrick Tabaro (L). Dr. Umar Kakumba (C)- Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) witnessed.
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.
Mr. Joseph Kalema (R) – Warden Nkrumah Hall swearing-in as the Representative of Senior Administrative Staff (Male) on Staff Appeals Tribunal.
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.
On Saturday 2nd December 2023, all roads led to Achukudu Community Primary School in Napak District, Karamoja sub-region, as the Scholars and Alumni of Mastercard Foundation at Makerere University commemorated their Scholars’ Annual Day of Community Service (Giveback). The 2023 Scholars Annual Day of Community Service was held at Achukudu Community Primary School, Napak District in the Karamoja sub-region. Established in 2013, Achukudu Community School serves two ethnic communities—The Iteso and Karamojong.
With a total population of 1,907 pupils only three government-paid teachers, and nine community-paid teachers, the School faces a plethora of challenges. Key among the challenges is the lack of Classrooms, decent Ventilated Pit Latrines, and Desks. Therefore when the Scholars identified the School as one that deserved to be given a gift of a classroom block, it was a befitting choice!
The Scholars with support from the alumni, the Program Team, Members of the Steering Committee, and partners of the Scholars Program at Makerere University intervened by constructing a two-classroom block, which was supervised by one of the alumni who is an Engineer. Alongside the classroom block, the Scholars also provided 40 desks, helping the school meet UNEB Center eligibility criteria.
Hon. John Bosco Ngoya, the area MP (Right) who was the chief guest, addressing the gathering.
While presiding over the event, the area member of Parliament, Hon. John Bosco Ngoya, thanked the Scholars and alumni community at Makerere University for supporting the young pupils of Achukudu Primary School and the entire community by gifting them with a two-classroom block.
“Thank you Scholars and alumni of Mastercard Foundation at Makerere University for the Christmas gift of a classroom block to the young people and the entire community of Achukudu. This classroom block will go a long way in improving the learning environment of the young children of Achukudu primary school.” Hon. Ngoya pointed out.
Hon. Ngoya called upon other people to emulate the Scholars and alumni of the Mastercard Foundation in embracing the spirit of giving back to the vulnerable people in the community. On his part, he donated One Million Five hundred shillings (1,500,000/=) to help the School purchase more desks, and he had earlier contributed One million shillings (1,000,000/=) towards the construction of the classroom block.
Ms. Joyce Nakoya, the District Education Officer, Napak District.
The District Education Officer (DEO) for Napak District, Ms. Joyce Nakoya, praised the Scholars Community for embracing and practicing the spirit of giving back to other people at an early age.
“Thank you Scholars and alumni of the Mastercard Foundation at Makerere for embracing the spirit of giving back to other people at such an early age. If all people gave back to the less privileged in our communities, we would have a better world for everyone.” Ms. Nakoya pointed out.
Ms. Nakoya further pointed out every child deserves to study in a decent environment, therefore it was a befitting cause for the Scholars to construct a classroom block for the young pupils of Achukudu community primary school, who were studying in open grass thatched classrooms.
Ms. Jolly Okumu, the Program Coordinator of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
The Program Manager of, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, Ms. Jolly Okumu who led the team of Scholars, alumni, and staff to Karamoja thanked the community of Achukudu for supporting the Scholars to deliver the class block by contributing to the construction sand.
“We come here today to join with you as a community driven by a shared commitment to education, empowerment, and ethos of giving back. Today is a historic occasion as we celebrate the completion and commissioning of the classroom block, which is a remarkable testament to the transformative power of education and our unwavering spirit of community service.” Ms. Jolly remarked.
The President of the Scholars Association, Mr. Godfrey Okello, thanked all the Scholars and alumni, and all stakeholders who contributed to the construction of the classroom block, which was a dream that became a reality.
The new classroom block and desks that were donated by the Scholars and Alumni of Mastercard Foundation.
“I would like to thank my colleagues and people of goodwill who supported us to realize our dream of constructing this classroom for our young brothers and sisters of Achukudu Primary School. Together we can make a difference in the lives of our fellow young people in Uganda and Africa as a whole.” Mr. Okello remarked.
The Headteacher of the School, Mr. Eryebu Raymond, who was visibly very excited was full of praises for Scholars and alumni of the Mastercard Foundation, for what he termed as an iconic classroom block they had gifted to his School.
“This day is very special to us, we will not see this day again. We are delighted to receive the Scholars and alumni of Mastercard Foundation from Makerere University, thank you for considering supporting our School” Mr. Eryebu excitedly remarked.
Mr. Raymond Eryebu, the Headteacher of Achukudu Primary School addressing the gathering.
The Headteacher revealed that one of the major challenges the school was facing was an acute shortage of classrooms for his 1,097 pupils. He was therefore grateful to Mastercard Foundation Scholars for choosing to construct a two-class block for the School.
“This donation of a classroom block and Desks is a testament to your commitment to education and empowering the lives of the vulnerable people in the community. This classroom block and desks will go a long way in improving the quality of teaching and learning at our school.” Mr. Eryebu further remarked.
The 2023 Scholars Annual Day of Community Service (Giveback) was punctuated with a lot of joy, pomp, and fanfare, as the pupils and the entire community of Achukudu danced and ululated at the commissioning of the classroom block. The construction of the classroom block and purchase of desks for Achukudu Community Primary School was made possible by generous contributions by the Scholars, alumni, the Program Team, and members of the Steering Committee.
The old grass thatched structure that the pupils were using as their classroom block.
Among the Partners who made financial contributions towards the class block construction included; DFCU Bank, Post Bank, URA, Katumba Estates, Footsteps Furniture Ltd, and Sion Travels Ltd.
The Scholars and Alumni Day of Community Service (Give back) is an annual event, where Scholars and alumni of the Mastercard Foundation go out into the community to give back by providing solutions to challenges that a particular community is facing. Over the years Scholars have given back to the communities in numerous ways that range from offering professional services and erecting major projects like classroom blocks.
Bernard Buteera is the Communications and Public Relations Officer of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
The College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) conducted a Research Dissemination of two studies aimed at the Development of Materials for point of use water treatment systems.
The investigations were conducted by a team of researchers comprised of P. W. Olupot, H. M. Kalibbala, E. Menya, G.M. Wangi, J. Jjagwe, J. Wakatuntu, M. Turyasingura, R. Walozi, C. Kanyesigye and R. N. Kulabako.
The dissemination event held on Wednesday 29th November 2023 follows the successful completion of two MakRIF supported Research projects namely; Development of rice husk based granular activated carbon for point-of-use water treatment systems and Development of zeolite-based nanocomposite filters for drinking water treatment.
The School of Engineering at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) shared findings of research that was conducted in Apac Districts through two projects namely Piloting a Rural Broadband Connectivity Model (RCBM) and Efficacious patient management system (EPMS).
The findings of the research sponsored by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University research and Innovation Fund(MakRIF) were disseminated during a dissemination seminar held in the College on Friday 24th November 2023, where it was revealed that Apac the host District greatly benefited from the services that not only led to the increased uptake of internet services but also gained through other socio economic areas.