Engineering, Art & Tech

CEDAT Trains Fundis & Masons

Published

5 years ago

February 14, 2022

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 9^th 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.

Related Topics:CEDAT Fundis knowledge Masons skills technology Training transfer

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Engineering, Art & Tech

Dr. Philip Nyenje Takes Over as Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering Department

Published

4 days ago

October 7, 2026

Alex Isemaghendera

Outgoing Head of Department, Assoc. Prof. Robinah Kulabako (left), hands over the office to the incoming Head of Department, Dr. Philip Nyenje, during a ceremony held at CEDAT on October 5, 2026. In the centre is the Dean, School of Engineering, Assoc. Prof. Eng. Dorothy Okello

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the School of Engineering at Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) has a new Head of Department following the handover of office from Assoc. Prof. Robinah Kulabako to Dr. Philip Nyenje.

The handover ceremony, held at CEDAT on Monday, October 5, was attended by college leadership, staff, and members of the School of Engineering.

In her farewell remarks, Assoc. Prof. Kulabako appreciated staff and the management of the college and the department for the good working relationships she had over the past nine and a half years. She urged the incoming head to remain committed to doing what is right, even in difficult circumstances.

She noted that leadership does not require perfection, but rather competence, accountability, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. Reflecting on her nine-and-a-half-year tenure, she encouraged Dr. Nyenje to embrace selfless leadership and focus on building lasting institutional impact.

Assoc. Prof. Kulabako said that throughout her leadership journey, she continually reflected on three key questions: what she had accomplished, who had become more capable through her mentorship, and what would remain stronger after her term of office.

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Engineering, Art & Tech

CEDAT Holds Counselling Session to Support Architecture Students Following Loss of Colleague

Published

4 days ago

October 7, 2026

Alex Isemaghendera

https://cedat.mak.ac.ug/2026/10/07/cedat-holds-counselling-session-to-support-architecture-students-following-loss-of-colleague/

The College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) at Makerere University organized a counselling and guidance session for Architecture students following the death of their colleague, the late Kevin Kabuye.

The session, held in the Year Four studio on Monday, October 5^th 2026, aimed to provide psychosocial support, guidance, and encouragement while fostering resilience and solidarity within the student community. It brought together students, lecturers, parents, professional leaders, and counsellors to offer comfort and practical support during a difficult period of grief and loss.

Speakers included parent representative Mugume Rina, Chairperson of the Architects Registration Board, Arch. Miriam Lawino, CEDAT Deputy Principal, Associate Prof. Kizito Maria Kasule, and Connie Kharono from the Makerere University Counselling and Guidance Centre, as well as the lecturers led by the Head of Department Architecture, Dr. Ssemwogerere Kenneth. The speakers shared messages of comfort, strength, hope, and resilience, encouraging students to support one another and remain focused on their personal wellbeing and academic aspirations.

Addressing the students, the speakers emphasized the importance of seeking help when overwhelmed, maintaining strong support networks, and embracing healthy coping mechanisms during periods of grief. They noted that loss can be challenging to navigate but that healing is strengthened through community, compassion, and mutual support.

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Engineering, Art & Tech

Makerere Calls for Stronger University-Industry Partnerships to Drive Market – Ready Innovation at NCC 2026

Published

2 weeks ago

September 30, 2026

Alex Isemaghendera

‘There is a need for stronger, more practical partnership between universities and industry in order to push ideas from the laboratories to society’.

This was a statement made by the Makerere University Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe who also noted that Ugandan research and innovation will only deliver national benefit if ideas are pushed to ensure they benefit the people.

Prof Nawangwe was represented by the Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Prof. Moses Musinguzi at the opening of the 10th National Conference on Communications Conference (NCC 2026), hosted at Makerere University under the theme “Accelerating Market-Driven Innovation for Uganda’s Development.” The conference brought together academia, government, regulators, industry players, students and innovators to discuss varied aspects of communication research and technology.

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