The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (3rd R) flanked by the Principal CEDAT-Prof. Henry Alinaitwe (2nd L), Head Department Architecture and Physical Planning-Dr. Tamale Kiggundu Amin (2nd R), Architects and Fundis inspects one of the exhibition stands at the launch of the two-day training on 9th February 2022, CEDAT, Makerere University.
The Department of Architecture and Physical planning, College of Engineering Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) convened a two day training and awareness session for Masons and Fundis as a way of sharing scientific knowledge, ideas and new ways of construction drawing from the research experiences in the college.
The event, the first of its kind attracted a number of stakeholders in the building industry that made an exhibition of the various building materials on the market. They included Uganda Clays Ltd, Hima Cement, steel and Tube, The National Building Review Board, the National Physical Planning Board, Simba Cement and Kansai Plascon Paint.
Prof Barnabas Nawangwe an Architect by profession officiated the opening of the training on Thursday 9th February 2022 in the CEDAT Conference room. He said the training was timely because Fundis and Manson handle most of the construction in Uganda following a construction boon since the 1990s. He observed that on most of the construction sites, there were no engineers or architects and therefore it was important that frontline people in the building industry were equipped with extra skills.
Prof. Nawangwe advised the fundis and masons to learn to appreciate the drawings that show what needs to be done on sites and ensure that they are adhered unless advised otherwise.He said masons and fundis were every important people in the communities although they did not get the opportunity to get trained in technical institution but rather learnt on job. He argued the college and partners to devise means of extending the training country wide as one of the ways through which the University wouldtransfer knowledge and offer community service in line with objective of being responsive to the needs of the communities.
Prof. Nawangwe congratulated CEDAT for the initiative and the planned extension of similar sessions to other artisans that include Mechanics, Electricians and Plumbers. He said this was in line with the government objective of skilling the youth and thereby creating employment opportunities.
While speaking at the same event, The Principal CEDAT Prof Henry Alinaitwe said as the University celebrates 100 years, the College was working towards realizing the original objectives of the university which started as a technical college producing technicians. He said Makerere University was well established to offer training, research and knowledge transfer partnerships and that such trainings were some of the ways through which the university was reaching out to the people on the ground.
Makerere University has officially launched the ReSus Summer School Series 2025–2027, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at equipping Africa’s emerging researchers with the knowledge and tools to harness renewable resources for sustainable development. The program is fully funded by the Volkswagen Foundation under the theme “Renewable Resources for Sustainable Development in Africa (ReSus-AFRICA)”.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, officiated at the first edition of the series, titled “Harnessing Africa’s Potential – Advances and Applications of Renewable Materials for Sustainable Development,” which ran from 3rd to 12th August 2025, hosted by the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering.
On 4th August 2025, a team from the project to Advance Occupational Safety, Health and Environment (OSHE) knowledge and skills in Uganda’s higher education institutions and industrial sectors, led by Dr. Abubakar Waswa, Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering atMakerere University, recently visited the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) for a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening workplace safety practices.
The visit was part of a broader initiative supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK to promote OSHE integration in engineering education and industrial operations across Uganda. The project, hosted at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Makerere University, seeks to establish Centers of Excellence in OSHE at Makerere University, Kyambogo University, and Busitema University, while also building capacity among students, faculty, and industry professionals.
Makerere University, through its College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), proudly hosted the first-ever Joint 8th Advances in Geomatics Research Conference (AGRC) and 14th Eastern Africa Land Administration Network (EALAN) Conference 2025. The event brought together scholars, land professionals, and policymakers to shape the future of land governance across the continent. Makerere’s role as host was in line with its current Chairmanship of EALAN.
Participants from over five African countries—namely Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, and South Sudan—attended the conference, which commenced on July 31 and is set to conclude on August 1. The official opening was presided over by Hon. Judith Nabakooba Nalule, Uganda’s Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development. She applauded the Department of Geomatics and Land Management at CEDAT for organizing and hosting the event.
Hon. Nabakooba highlighted the relevance of the conference theme, Geo-Enablement for Sustainable Development: Harnessing Innovation in Geomatics and Land Administration, noting it directly addresses national needs. “Indeed, sustainable development fundamentally depends on effective land management and efficient geospatial data collection,” she stated. She underscored the necessity for accurate information to guide policymakers and emphasized that the NRM government recognizes land as wealth. “This is precisely why we have prioritized the ongoing reforms in Uganda’s land administration systems, from the expansion of the Land Information System to strengthen the land registration services. We are also now focusing on further enhancing our systems through cutting-edge blockchain technology to ensure transparency, security and efficiency in land governance,” she added. Hon. Nabakooba called for stronger collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector to realize these goals, adding that “research is crucial for generating evidence to inform policy and that universities play a vital role in training professionals.” She urged scientists to be agents of change and devise practical solutions to land-related challenges.
Left to Right: Dr. Lydia Mazzi Kayondo, Prof. Moses Musinguzi, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, Prof. Robert Wamala and Prof. Anthony Gidudu at the conference.
Speaking at the same event, Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Robert Wamala remarked that the conference’s theme aligns with Makerere University’s revised research agenda 2025–2030, which emphasizes sustainable urbanization and housing. He cited challenges like population growth, informal settlements, housing deficits, and environmental sustainability, stating, “Makerere University is conducting research on urban land governance, spatial planning, infrastructure development, affordable housing models and the integration of innovative geospatial technologies for managing urban growth.” These research efforts, he noted, aim to inform evidence-based policies and ensure urban areas are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Vision 2040, and other national development frameworks.
Prof. Wamala encouraged attendees to use the conference as a platform for sharing research and building collaborations that can translate academic innovations into practical outcomes. “The conversations and partnerships that emerge from this conference should help us shape policies, help us strengthen institutional capacities, but also to expand opportunities for technological transformation and entrepreneurship in the field of geomatics and land administration,” he said. He commended the organizing committee led by Prof. Gidudu Anthony, as well as partners and sponsors such as GIZ, UN Habitat, and CEDAT, for their dedication and hard work.
Seated Left to Right: Dr. Lydia Mazzi Kayondo, Prof. Moses Musinguzi, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, Prof. Robert Wamala and Prof. Anthony Gidudu with delegates attending the 8th AGRC and 14th EALAN.
In her keynote address, Dr. Upendo Matotola, Director of Real Estate at Tanzania’s Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, stressed the critical need for financing innovation to improve land administration systems in East Africa. She noted that land is more than a production tool; it is also a source of identity, heritage, and power. Dr. Upendo called for a transformation in land governance, pointing out that innovation must transcend technology to include inclusive policies, empowered communities, and stronger institutional coordination. Addressing issues such as outdated paper-based records, limited access to land information, and conflicting legal frameworks, she warned that, without urgent action, land insecurity will continue to threaten peace, development, and investment. Drawing lessons from Tanzania, she advocated for harmonized and citizen-centred reforms to build more efficient and equitable land systems.
The conference that was held at Kabira Country Club also featured keynote speeches from respected figures such as Prof. Jaap Zevenbergen from the University of Twente (Netherlands), Prof. Timothy Dube from the University of Western Cape (South Africa), Dr. Pamela Duran-Diaz (Netherlands), and Mr. Simon Peter Mwesigye from UN Habitat.
Hon. Judith Nabakooba poses for a group photo with participants after opening the Joint Conference.
Prior to the official opening, pre-conference activities, including seminars and workshops, were held. One such workshop focused on Fit-for-Purpose Land Administration (FFPLA) and was officially closed by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. He urged universities to look beyond teaching and graduating students to proactively planning and advising government on land management policies. “We as universities must study these issues and come up with solutions,” said Prof. Nawangwe. He encouraged researchers to lobby government with policy recommendations for implementation. He thanked the Government of Uganda for financially supporting such research and also commended the Department of Geomatics and Land Management at CEDAT for their contribution to improved land use and planning, while encouraging them to continue pushing forward.
The workshop, which started on Monday, July 28, was officially opened by Mr. Joseph Sembatya, Commissioner for Land Administration at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.
Principal CEDAT-Prof. Moses Musinguzi makes his remarks.