General
First Mak@100 Lecture Examines Governance of Public Universities
The Makerere@100 Lecture Series got off to an exciting start on Wednesday 9th February, 2022 with an eminent alumnus and Attorney General of the Republic of Uganda, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka delivering an excellent exposition of the theme “A Legal perspective on the role of Governing Councils in the Management of Higher Education Institutions”.
Delivered to a packed but SOP-observant audience in the Central Teaching Facility 2 (CTF 2) Auditorium as well as hundreds online, the first series could best be described as historic; the first to be delivered by a sitting Attorney General of Uganda.
“It is therefore a privilege for me to moderate this public lecture not only as a lawyer but also as the Principal, School of Law” remarked the Event Chairperson, Prof. Christopher Mbazira. “We know and the Attorney General knows that his role as Head of Bar comes with various responsibilities, key among which is to mentor lawyers and ensure that the law is practiced according to professional standards and codes of conduct,” he added.
Prof. Mbazira thanked the Attorney General for using the lecture as an opportunity to discharge part of his duties as Head of Bar and informed the audience that as Principal, he had made a conscientious decision to cancel morning classes at the School of Law so that his students could attend the lecture, “because as I Law Student I never got that opportunity.”
The Principal invited the Attorney General to take keen interest in the quality of legal education offered at the School of Law, particularly the unique innovation of offering of Legal Aid services.
“We invite you to take interest in that as we wait for the promulgation of the Legal Aid Bill, as well as use your offices to ensure sustainability of that innovation by having that particular aspect of the School of Law incorporated in the Justice Sector” added Prof. Mbazira.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in his welcome remarks noted that in addition to being the first Makerere@100 Lecture Series, it was the first time the Attorney General was delivering a lecture at his alma mater.
“The Lecture is on a very important subject to Makerere University and all other Higher Education Institutions because the Council is the supreme governing body of the institution. We therefore thank Honourable Kiryowa Kiwanuka for accepting to come and deliver this lecture despite his very busy schedule” added the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Nawangwe noted that the First Lecture would be followed by others in the lead-up to the climax of the Centenary Celebrations in October 2022. He thanked Prof. Mbazira for enabling his students to attend the historic lecture delivered by one of their own and Senior Counsel.
The Chairperson of Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara in her motivational statement prior to the lecture noted that there was no better person to deliver the First Makerere@100 Lecture Series than Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka.
“He has experienced firsthand the intricacies involved in the Governance of an educational institution of the magnitude of Makerere University” said the Chairperson, before adding that “Makerere University significantly benefited from Honourable Kiryowa Kiwanuka’s extensive legal experience, his willingness to lead; his quick incisive thinking and relentless ability to find solutions to multifaceted issues.”
Mrs. Magara further stated that the Lecture would double as an opportunity to officially bid farewell to Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka who served the Council from December 2018 to October 2021, as well as Her Worship Doreen Nyanjura who served from July 2016 to January 2022.
“As Chairperson, it’s been one of those bittersweet moments bidding farewell to two extremely resourceful Council Members, and yet at the same time, finding great joy in seeing them take on greater responsibility to serve our Nation and our City. I heartily congratulate you Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka and Your Worship Doreen Nyanjura both upon your respective appointments” she added.
Quoting Barry Posner and James Kouzes’ book “The Leadership Challenge” wherein they state that the domain of leaders is the future, Mrs. Magara emphasised that Makerere as it celebrates 100 years of achievements must leverage its wealth of intellectual and human capital to profer leadership in transforming Uganda, “and it starts with good governance, undergirded by a proper legal framework.”
‘Cometh the hour, cometh the man’ is an idiom more popularly used in sport to describe the sportsman/woman that turns the tide of what hitherto seemed like an impossible score to recover from. Although no stranger to sport, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka in this case had to deliver on a theme that was not only broad but also largely dependent on a legal framework; The Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, 2001, that is in desperate need of amendment.
So palpable was the immensity of the task at hand that the Attorney General admitted “It’s not business as usual to deliver a public lecture like this, our business is normally behind the desk writing documents, so I’m really honoured to receive this recognition… it’s also interesting that I hear today, that this is the first lecture of the series, that I didn’t know, because if I had been told, maybe I would have had an excuse to take the second.”
He nevertheless noted that although the day’s theme sounded legal, what he was going to discuss was education, which would hopefully help the audience plan for a lifetime. He observed that “new” knowledge will be very instrumental as the country seeks to achieve Middle Income Status, which further underlines the importance of Makerere University and other institutions of higher learning, and their need to observe good governance.
Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka noted that the University Council derives its mandate from Sections 38(1) and 40(1) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001 and its functions from Section 40(2) of the same. He added that although the broad nature of the Council’s functions occasionally makes it hard to draw a line between its roles and those of Management, Council, being the Trustee of the Government wields overall responsibility to ensure effective and efficient management and functionality of the University.
“The role of the university council is not simply to manage the institution but to manage change. We are surrounded by an ever changing environment. We are in the age of computers, social media, IT, artificial intelligence etc.” explained the Attorney General.
In this regard, he commended the University for adapting to the changing world. “Makerere University has identified the changing circumstances and the need for research in order for us to find homegrown solutions to our challenges and has decided to make this its primary goal. To become research led!”
After delving deeply into the specific and routine responsibilities of Council such as: Making recommendations for the appointment of the University’s top leadership; Establishing the University Senate and other Academic Bodies; Establishing Boards of Faculties, Institutes and Colleges; Appointing Committees of the University Council; Management of University Property; and Submitting University Budget Estimates, Hon. Kiryowa summed it up by saying there is no point in the management and running of the University where Council does not have a direct role.
“University business is not ordinary business. The rationale of this is that the purpose of a University is for the greater good. The greatest stakeholder at least in Makerere University, is the people of Uganda; alumni, students or not. What you do here affects all of Uganda” cautioned the Attorney General.
University Councils face a number of challenges largely due to their size and flouting the Chatham House Rule. After enumerating these, Hon. Kiryowa concluded on a cautionary note, reminding his audience of the need to achieve a good balance between the Council and the Vice Chancellor/Management for the good of the university.
The risk, he noted, was in a proactive Chairperson and a proactive Council limiting the scope of activity for a Vice Chancellor. He nevertheless commended, “I have had the privilege of working with both a dynamic Chairperson and proactive Vice Chancellor.”
The well-received public lecture was followed by a lively one-on-one with the Attorney General, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Sarah Ssali a Council Member and Dean, School of Women and Gender Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS).
Pertinently raised were the need to: amend the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act to move beyond the era in which Makerere was the only Public University in Uganda; and cater for affirmative action and minimum qualifications in the constitution of Council. Other burning issues touched on stifling academic freedom, losses to public universities arising out of litigation and the growing presence of the military in academic spaces. MakererePertinently raised were the need to: amend the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act to move beyond the era in which Makerere was the only Public University in Uganda; and cater for affirmative action and minimum qualifications in the constitution of Council. Other burning issues touched on stifling academic freedom, losses to public universities arising out of litigation and the growing presence of the military in academic spaces.
The Attorney General in summary concurred with the urgent need to amend the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act as it governs a very dynamic era, proposing it be subject to amendment every ten years. He called for the adoption of a more inclusive “Ugandans in uniform” reference to the military, and offered to create a space for the public and academia to debate their growing presence in spaces outside their usual domain. Finally, he urged his audience not to use academic freedom to trample upon the freedoms of other members of the public.
As hinted on by the Chairperson of Council during her motivational statement, the lecture was crowned by the presentation of eminent service awards to Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka and Her Worship Doreen Nyanjura.
In her acceptance speech, Her Worship acknowledged that although she did not know what the future held as she journeyed from Nyamabuga village in Kyenjojo district to commence her undergraduate studies at Makerere in 2009, she carried in her heart a burning desire to make her surroundings a better place than she had found them. She went on to serve on the Students Guild and in 2016, became Councillor for Makerere University at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).
Nominated by KCCA to sit on the Makerere University Council in 2016, Her Worship was at the time of her departure in January 2022 serving her second five-year term.
“I want to extend my sincere gratitude to this Council and its members with whom I served. This University Council has groomed me, it has trained me and sharpened me to be a better leader. The Council has taught me that every single decision we take affects so many people and their families, a single decision could destroy a career or build it, it could shut out a whole section of our society from attaining an education or enable them to attain education” she said.
Please click the embedded video below to view proceedings of the First Makerere@100 Lecture Series
Mastercard Foundation Scholars have been encouraged to embrace mentorship programmes as a way of maximising opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Mentorship is a professional relationship in which an experienced person (the mentor) supports another (the mentee) in developing specific skills and knowledge that enhance both professional and personal growth.
While speaking at a Mentor–Mentee matching session held on Saturday at the Central Teaching Facility, Mr Steven Langa, a counsellor and director at Family Life Network, told scholars that mentorship plays a pivotal role in preparing the next generation of leaders capable of transforming Uganda and Africa.
“We live at a very challenging time in history, a time when Uganda and Africa have to rise up to the occasion to provide leadership, professional excellence and innovation,” Mr Langa, said.
In his presentation, Mr Langa explained that a mentor is not a parent, therapist, or romantic partner, but rather a coach who helps the mentee build essential skills.
“The mentoring relationship is built on mutual trust, respect and communication and involves both parties meeting regularly to exchange ideas, discuss progress and set goals for further development. A mentor does not need to know, or to provide all the answers; instead, the mentor encourages the mentee to use their available resources to identify solutions,” Mr Langa, noted.
Speaking at the same event, Ms Eva Nabasumba, the Principal Academics and Career Development Officer at the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, encouraged scholars to build strong relationships with their mentors, which could later provide credible referees for employment, scholarships and other opportunities.
She highlighted several benefits of mentorship for mentees, including gaining advice, knowledge and insights from experienced professionals; developing professional communication skills; building valuable industry networks; engaging in employment-related conversations; exploring career pathways; and learning strategies for job searches, résumé writing and interviews.
During the session, mentors introduced themselves to their new mentees, allowing scholars to identify and connect with suitable mentors. Some of the mentors are doctors, teachers, counsellors, engineer’s business people and Accountants.
Apollo Mulondo, one of the mentors, urged scholars to take the mentorship opportunity seriously and respect the time and commitment of their mentors.
“Some of us are who we are today because of our mentors. Our offices are always open to you, so feel free to visit anytime. It does not matter what your background is you can make it,” Mulondo said.
The mentor–mentee matching session enabled scholars to interact with professionals from different fields, giving them an opportunity to identify mentors whose experience aligns with their academic and career aspirations. The engagement also created a platform for scholars to begin building networks that will support their growth beyond the university.
General
Mak Cooperative Society holds AGM: Growth, Transparency and Member Welfare Take Centre Stage
“This is a perfectly managed Cooperative Society,” remarked CPA David Ssenoga, amidst applause from Members of the Makerere University Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MUMCS).
CPA Ssenoga made the remarks on 4th March 2026 as he presented the Auditor’s report from SDS and Company Certified Public Accountants at the MUMCS Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The Auditor’s report for the year ended 31st December 2025 highlighted adherence to the best corporate governance practices, confirmed proper allocation of funds, value for money, and steady progress.
“The Cooperative Society was found to be in excellent standing, with operations in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards for SMEs, the Cooperative Societies Act, and relevant Ugandan regulations. The operations are efficient and transparent,” he reported.
Mandate of MUMCS
Chairing the AGM, the Vice Chairperson, Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu-Musoke, underscored that the MUMCS exists to promote the welfare of members. In pursuit of this mandate, MUMCS provides access to affordable credit at interest rates that are significantly lower than those offered by other financial institutions. Such support, he noted, empowers members to strengthen their financial stability, invest in personal and professional goals, and ultimately enhance their overall well-being.
Steady progress
Highlighting MUMCS’ steady progress, Dr. Kiggundu-Musoke commended members for the tremendous growth recorded over time. He noted that the cooperative society had grown from handling a few hundreds of thousands of shillings in its early years to managing a portfolio now standing at approximately UGX 3.25 billion, a milestone he described as a reflection of collective effort, prudent management, and sustained member confidence.
He encouraged members to actively promote and popularise the cooperative within their respective departments. He proposed a structured approach of engaging Heads of Department to sensitize staff on the MUMCS’ services and benefits.
AGM highlights
The hybrid AGM, with physical participants assembled in the Main Building Senior Common Room, and virtual participants who followed the proceedings via zoom, provided a platform to review performance, highlight operational successes and governance milestones, as well as, finding solutions to challenges.
Secretary’s report
Presenting the report, MUMCS’ Secretary, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, highlighted the growth in membership to 160, including 27 new recruits – a testimony to the confidence in the quality of services provided.
Prof. Ireeta excited the members when he mentioned that the 2025 surplus of UGX 291 million was distributed to members, with administrative budgets executed as approved.
On the issue of financial discipline and meeting obligations, Prof. Ireeta notified the members that the Management Committee implemented strategies that ensured compliance. “Outstanding loan arrears were settled through deductions from dividends of the concerned members,” he stated.
The Secretary reported that as approved during the previous AGM, the Vetting Committee consisting of Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala (Chairperson), Prof. Lawrence Mugisha (Member) and Dr. Alex Okello (Member) had been constituted and has embarked on the tasks as per the terms of reference.
With reference to the Secretary’s report, the Members praised the MUMCS Management Committee headed by Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, for ensuring the successful implementation of key decisions agreed upon during the previous AGM.
Treasurer’s report
The Treasurer, Prof. Juma Kasozi, provided members with a detailed overview of operations, liquidity, investments, and returns.
Emphasizing MUMCS’ commitment to transparency, Prof. Kasozi noted that the Management Committee ensures that the balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and trial balances are shared monthly with members, which enables them to monitor performance throughout the year.
Prof. Kasozi explained that the Cooperative Society maintains strong liquidity, with approximately UGX 1.6 billion invested with fund managers and insurance companies. These liquid investments he said, provide a solid foundation to support loans, withdrawals, and operational needs. He encouraged members to increase their savings and shareholdings, in order to strengthen MUMCS’s financial base and enhance lending capacity.
The Treasurer highlighted the Society’s loan products, including instant loans; which provide same-day disbursement and long-term term loans. He reported that in 2025, UGX 479 million was disbursed in instant loans, and UGX 913 million as long-term loans.
He informed the AGM that the major challenge faced during the year 2025, was premised on disruptions in payroll deductions. “Before this setback, payroll deductions generated over UGX 50 million per month. Due to temporary disruptions, the amount generated reduced to UGX 20 million,” he explained.
The Treasurer briefed the members that discussions with the payroll management team had been successful, and full deductions were expected to resume, a step that would restore the expected income stream of the Cooperative Society.
He re-assured members that despite challenges with payroll deductions, MUMCS remains financially stable, with strong liquidity, robust investments, sound loan recovery mechanisms, and a commitment to member welfare.
He encouraged members to recruit colleagues, increase shareholding, and actively participate in strengthening the Cooperative Society’s growth and impact.
Members applaud the Management Committee
Impressed by the reports presented by the Secretary and Treasurer, the Members praised the MUMCS Management Committee headed by Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, for the successful implementation of key decisions agreed upon during the previous AGM.
Presentation from the Welfare Committee
On behalf of the Welfare Committee, Ms. Ritah Namisango, commended the Management Committee for effectively implementing the Society’s Welfare Policy. Ms. Namisango noted that the policy stipulates the contribution to weddings, loss of a member, and/or when a member loses a parent, spouse and a biological child. She encouraged the members to read the Welfare Policy in order to tap into the benefits that accrue to them.
“We invite all members to read the Welfare Policy and inform the Management Committee early enough whenever a situation arises. I am glad that, because of transparency and communication through the WhatsApp group, most of you have been notifying the Executive Committee promptly. Most of the Members who have received contributions from MUMCS during such situations, have acknowledged receipt, and gone an extra mile, to send messages of gratitude via MUMCS’ WhatsApp group,” she said.
She welcomed the AGM’s approval of an additional UGX 2.5 million allocation to the Welfare Fund, to boost the Cooperative Society’s ability to extend support as well as standing in solidarity with the Members.
The Welfare Committee consists of Ms. Ritah Namisango, Dr. Oscar Mugula and Mr. Michael Kasusse.
Supervisory Committee report
The Chairperson, Prof. Fredrick Jones Muyodi, congratulated the Management Committee and the Members, upon the positive financial performance of MUMCS with a gross surplus of UGX 351,533,935/=, and a net surplus of UGX 49,510,181/= after deduction of all expenses.
Concerned that some members have faced challenges with payroll deductions, the Supervisory committee welcomed the progress reported by the Secretary toward resolving the issue.
He stated that the Committee reviewed the financial proposals presented by the management committee and endorsed the recommended dividend payment of UGX 38,630,000 to shareholders, noting that dividends cannot exceed 10 percent under the law.
In addition, the Committee supported payments to service providers, the purchase of a second laptop to enhance data security, the use of cloud and external storage for safeguarding records, the proposed welfare and AGM budgets, and the allocation of 65% of the gross surplus as return on savings.
The Supervisory Committee consists of Prof. Fredrick Jones Muyodi (Chairperson), Prof. Edgar Nabutanyi (Member) and Dr. Jamidah Nakato (Member).
Closing remarks
Closing the AGM, Dr. Kiggundu-Musoke thanked members for their active participation and challenged them to actively support the growth of the cooperative society. He emphasized that membership growth would not only strengthen the Makerere University Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society’s financial standing, but also enhance dividend returns for all members.
General
Makerere University and World Bank Sign Partnership to Strengthen Environmental and Social Sustainability Capacity
On 5th March 2026, Makerere University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Development Association (IDA), the financing arm of the World Bank Group, establishing a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening environmental and social sustainability systems in Uganda and the wider East African region.
The collaboration brings together Makerere University through the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) and the World Bank to jointly advance training, research, and policy advisory in environmental and social sustainability.
The three-year agreement provides a framework for cooperation focused on building national capacity to manage environmental and social risks associated with large-scale development investments.
Advancing Sustainable Development through Knowledge Partnerships
The partnership will be anchored in the Environment and Social Sustainability Centre (ESSC) at Makerere University, a national hub established to promote applied research, policy engagement, and professional training in environmental and social governance.
Through the Centre, the two institutions will collaborate to strengthen Uganda’s ability to plan and implement development projects in ways that safeguard communities and the environment.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Ms. Francisca Ayodeji (Ayo) Akala, the World Bank Country Manager emphasised that the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening systems that support sustainable growth.
“This partnership with Makerere University is an important step in strengthening Uganda’s systems for environmental and social sustainability. By working through the Environment and Social Sustainability Centre, we aim to build the capacity of professionals across government, the private sector, and development institutions to better manage environmental and social risks and deliver investments that promote sustainable growth while protecting people and the environment.” Ms. Francisca Ayodeji (Ayo) Akala, World Bank Country Manager, Uganda, noted.
The partnership will support training, research, and policy advisory activities through the ESSC, helping Uganda pursue a development trajectory that promotes economic growth while protecting people and the environment.
Building National Capacity for Environmental and Social Risk Management
Uganda’s development agenda under the Fourth National Development Plan prioritises large-scale investments in infrastructure, agro-industrialisation, energy, and science and technology. However, such investments require strong environmental and social risk management systems to ensure sustainable outcomes.
The new partnership, therefore, focuses on building a skilled workforce capable of applying international best practices in environmental and social governance.
Under the MoU, Makerere University will design and deliver demand-driven short-course training programs targeting public sector officials, development practitioners, financial institutions, civil society organisations, and private sector actors implementing major projects.
Seven certificate-level short courses have already been developed and approved across multiple colleges at the University. These courses cover areas such as environmental and social risk management, climate risk assessment, construction health and safety, and integrating environmental and social considerations into investment cycles.
“Makerere Universityis proud to partner with the World Bank in strengthening Uganda’s capacity to manage environmental and social risks in development investments. Through the Environment and Social Sustainability Centre, we have already developed and approved seven certificate-level short courses across multiple colleges, designed to equip professionals in government, the private sector, and development institutions with practical skills to plan and implement sustainable projects. This collaboration reflects Makerere’s commitment to providing knowledge-driven solutions that support Uganda’s development while safeguarding communities and the environment.” Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe noted.
Strengthening Collaboration between Academia and Development Partners
As part of the agreement, the World Bank will support the development and delivery of the training programs, including conducting Training of Trainers (ToT) on the Bank’s Environment and Social Standards and international best practices.
The Bank will also leverage its convening power to encourage participation from development partners, government institutions, and project implementers, while supporting impact monitoring of trained professionals to document improvements in project performance and job creation.
The collaboration will further promote professional networking, policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the development of knowledge hubs containing environmental and social tools, databases, and resources for practitioners.
Positioning Makerere as a Regional Knowledge Hub
Through this partnership, Makerere University seeks to position the Environment and Social Sustainability Centre as a leading knowledge hub for environmental and social governance in Africa.
By combining academic expertise with the World Bank’s global experience in development financing and technical assistance, the initiative is expected to strengthen the institutional capacity required to deliver sustainable and climate-resilient investments in Uganda.
The partnership also aligns with the World Bank’s broader commitment to supporting Uganda’s development agenda and strengthening country systems for environmental and social sustainability.
Together, the two institutions aim to equip professionals across government, the private sector, and development organizations with the skills required to ensure that Uganda’s development pathway remains inclusive, responsible, and environmentally sustainable.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University
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