Humanities & Social Sciences
The International Conference on Gender Studies in Africa opens at Makerere
Published
3 years agoon
By
Jane AnyangoThe First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Hon. Janet K. Museveni represented by the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda H.E. Jessica Alupo on 23rd February 2022 officially opened the International Conference on Gender Studies in Africa (ICGSA) at Makerere University.
The conference was organized by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) through her School of Women and Gender Studies (SWGS) as part of the celebrations to mark the 30 years of the School’s existence. SWGS was the first and remains the biggest School of Women and Gender Studies in Africa.
The conference was also organized as part of the celebrations to commemorate a century of excellent service to humanity by Makerere University. The conference was organized as a platform for Gender Scholars the world over to network, share experiences and establish lasting collaborations that will shape Gender Studies in Africa.
Among issues on the agenda was the reflection on teaching of gender studies and how to improve it, gender focused research, how gender has been applied in the field of practice as well as impact and benefits of gender studies in Africa.
The conference brought together more than 480 papers from African scholars with an endorsement of more than 30 gender studies programs on the continent and beyond. These have come from universities all over Africa and in the diaspora with representations from the USA, Canada, UK, Hungary, Czech Republic, Israel, India, Australia, and Latin America among others.
The Dean School of Women and Gender Studies, Assoc. Prof. Sarah Ssali in her introductory remarks acknowledged that the School’s establishment in November 1991 was a result of a protracted struggle by the Uganda Women’s Movement, particularly organisations such as Action for Development (Acfode) and the Makerere University Women’s Association.
“These organisations and others that have come on board like UWONET, UN WOMEN and the rest have continued to nurture the School. For example Acfode and UN WOMEN in particular have are even part of the funding of this event,” The Dean lauded.
She paid tribute to former heads such as Prof. Maxine Ankrah, Prof. Victoria Mwaka, Prof. Joy Kwesiga, Prof. Rosemarie McNairn, Prof. Grace Bantebya Kyomuhendo, Prof. Consolata Kabonesa, Prof. Josephine Ahikire on whose shoulders the School has stood throughout its 30year journey.
Assoc. Prof. Ssali acknowledged that the 30year celebration was not simply a Makerere affair but a Pan-African celebration, in appreciation of various actors who have in the recent past contributed to the debate on what neoliberalism has done to the academy, including the teaching of gender studies.
“Several meetings have been held to make sense of what these challenges mean for the academia and particularly for the discipline of gender studies. And it was at one such meeting convened to discuss the effect of neoliberalism on gender studies in the academy in Africa held in Bellagio, Italy in August 2019 that the need to discuss the peculiarities of the discipline faced in a neoliberal Africa gained traction.
This Conference was endorsed by several gender units in Africa and today we are happy to have some of those who attended the Bellagio meeting such as Prof. Amina Mama and Prof. Joy Kwesiga physically joining us for these three days.” Assoc. Prof. Ssali said.
The keynote address on, “Gender Studies in Africa-Current status and Developments” was delivered by Prof. Amina Mama, from the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana.
Prof. Mama’s address dwelt on the history of women’s resistance to oppression as a source of gender studies and what motivated women to organize, come to university, start gender studies and create space for girls and women to mitigate their suffering.
Feminism, according to Prof. Mama, responds to male supremacy and the system of gender that is colonially beguiled to Africa that keeps men and women down and opposed to one another instead of familiarizing with and learning from one another.
Prof. Mama stressed the need for African scholars to study, know and write their own history and broaden their perspectives, noting that without knowing their roots, they may not know their future.
The keynote speaker observed that although Africa is the youngest continent with a median age of 19, 90 % of her potential not realized. She pointed out that the number of youth unemployed is growing and even in their earlier retirements, there is no system to absorb their energy to ensure that the live a decent life.
Prof. Mama also decried Africa’s governments’ captivity to debts paid by people living in poverty.
“So we have to do something serious and education is part of it. We have to educate people and equip them with skills to manage the future. The global focus contradicts but we need to take serious account of our situation and the fact that this poor continent’s brains and resources are flowing from Africa to the West.
So the constant drainage of our public sector and infrastructure should be in the global economic doctrine; they defeat all our aspirations to become a whole people and thriving community of our people”. She said.
For women, the professor said, there are particular things excluding them including rivalry from men and men’s fear of women that makes men oppressive to find the right direction. She said men and women need to be educated about these colonial attitudes including more communication and mutual respect for one another.
In her opening remarks virtually read for her by the Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports applauded the School of Gender and Women Studies for managing to achieve a leading and unique position in global gender and feminist studies, in terms of teaching, research and service to the community. This, she noted, has been complemented by supporting sister universities and colleges across Africa to establish units that address issues of gender inequality and poverty.
Mrs. Museveni noted that although Africa is endowed in terms of natural resources and powered by a potentially dynamic youthful population, the continent will not take her place at the table with other nations until her women, who form half of her population are liberated and enabled to fully participate in the development of the continent.
“Gender inequality significantly hinders the ability of individuals to participate fully and contribute to their families and communities-economically, politically and socially. Gender inequalities limit the ability of women and girls to fully participate in and benefit from development programs in our nations. Institutions such as patriarchy, religion, family and marriage as well as social and cultural practices continue to play a major role in perpetuating gender inequalities”, Part of the speech read.
The Minister pointed out hindrances such as policy making approaches in the higher education sector which continue to reinforce images of women in one field and men in another and urged governments to be cautious of the gaps and weakness in policy making.
“New approaches must be adopted to enable us change history, customs and traditions of college admissions which still largely favour men, and enable us address the conundrum of gender inequality in higher education systems.
Such approaches should seek to achieve gender equality in institutions of higher learning, tackling specific system imbalances that still manifest and plague such institutions. The absence of gender balance in such areas will continue to discourage social advancement and empowerment of disadvantaged groups in the population, specifically women”, the Minister advised.
The other issue of concern according to the Minister is the family and healthcare dynamics that have long-term implications for children as they grow up. She said, achieving gender equality that facilitates health starts with putting the mother and child at the center and prioritizing health at home and in the clinic by supporting breast feeding, and promoting safe and family-friendly access to primary health care.
The Chairperson, Makerere University Council Mrs. Lorna Magara said the University started out as a male-dominated institution with the motto, “Let us be men.” The terrain, she said, gradually changed, and so did the motto, which later became “We Build for the Future,” as more women were admitted. Mrs Magara reported that, it was not until the 1990s that the University started pursuing definite steps towards a broader gender agenda.
“Today the University boasts of the School of Women and Gender Studies, a Gender Mainstreaming Division, a Gender Equality Policy, and an Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy. The University has also championed affirmative action for females entering the university, including a 40% enrolment of females in STEM disciplines. The School of Women and Gender Studies has been at the centre of this advancement, starting from its role in forming the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate to track Makerere’s progress in mainstreaming gender in its systems and processes”, Mrs. Magara stated.
The Council Chair also said, the School has not only produced a critical cadre for the government’s Gender Mainstreaming agenda, but has also trained human resources for other countries on the continent and beyond. Many of its products hold significant positions in academia, government departments, and non-government entities.
“This celebration, therefore, is not just for the School, but a Pan-African and indeed global celebration, with all the sister institutions that the School has walked with over the years. A Pan-African celebration of gender studies is essential for nuance about gender, gender studies, and gender practice”, Mrs. Magara said.
She expressed hope that in addition to providing a platform for a comprehensive review of gender studies in Africa in all aspects of teaching, theorizing, research, and practice, the conference also offers an opportunity to develop frameworks that will be used to study the unique scenarios as a continent, strengthening collaboration between academics and practitioners as we chart the path that will transform the continent.
The Vice Chancellor Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe observed that in order for Africa to move to middle-income status and achieve sustainable development, human capacity development must be put at the fore.
Prof. Nawangwe stressed the need to ensure that issues of gender, historical injustices and women empowerment are tackled acknowledging that the interventions made by Uganda in this matter have already produced positive results.
The Vice Chancellor reported that the School of Women and Gender Studies has been at the forefront of empowering women through her academic programmes and research.
“The School hosts one of the thirteen Centres of Excellence of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) – the Centre of Excellence in Notions of Identity. Through this Centre and other programmes, the School is making a major contribution to understanding the role of gender in socio-economic development. The research conducted in the School is informing policy on gender issues. The students, who have gone through the School are making a difference in society”, the Vice Chancellor said.
Prof. Nawangwe advised that as the university celebrates the thirty years of the School, there is need to pause and reflect on achievements made, the challenges still faced and opportunities that present themselves.
With the strategy of becoming a fully research-led University by 2030, Prof. Nawangwe expressed the need to double efforts in research on women and gender issues, find solutions to problems that still deter human development, including issues around domestic violence and exploitation of labour by women, including unpaid domestic work by house wives.
The Vice Chancellor also expressed the need to continue to interrogate the factors that still hinder women participation in science, keeping in mind that a woman, Valentina Tereshkova was the second person to undertake a sole trip into outer space and that another woman, Marie Curie is one of the greatest chemists of all time.
Prof. Nawangwe acknowledged that many African women have set the pace for women participation in science, adding that there is no reason why African women cannot take the lead in science and technology.
The Vice Chancellor stressed the need to carry out research and formulate policies that will unlock the huge potential of women in transforming society and taking advantage of their big numbers to create a critical mass of scientists to move the Continent’s development agenda forward.
“Makerere University remains committed to the promotion of women in all spheres of university life. Over the last two decades, through our affirmative action policies, the enrolment of female students has increased from 15 % to 51% and the participation of women in academic and administrative leadership has grown from 5% to 35%.
Three out of the nine college principals are women, our new Grants Administration and Management Support Unit is headed by a woman and our biggest research portfolio is also headed by a woman. We must be the example that our Continent needs to transform our society through total emancipation of our women from marginalisation. This we will do with all the resources available to us.” The Vice chancellor pledged.
The Principal College of Humanities and social Sciences Assoc Prof. Josephine Ahikire thanked the university and college management, the staff and students for beating all the odds of COVID 19, budget cuts and the malaise to organise the celebrations.
“30 years is no mean achievement. The School has been able to emit transformational energy, in terms of curriculum development, teaching and learning, research, and knowledge transfer informed by critical thinking.
The alumni of the School has played a critical role in government ministries, agencies and departments and many institutions and women group organisations making a difference in society”, The Principal said.
Dr. Ahikire said the School of Women and Gender Studies is one of CHUSS’ youngest units established in 1991 that used to be small but mighty, and has given impetus to the College advocating and promoting gender studies as a cross cutting course permeating through all courses in the college.
She reported that the discourse of gender has been selected as a legitimate consideration that encompasses all human narratives. The Principal thanked the University Management for the institutional support to research and courses that enjoin students at graduate and undergraduate level.
“Management has offered that leadership in mainstreaming gender studies across all units so that we have an institutionalised approach to fighting sexual harassment which is no longer taken for granted.
We appreciate the commitment and the fact that management has been supportive in research and innovations to the point of negotiating research funding from government that has enabled a lot of research across the university”.
Dr. Ahikire also appreciated the gender scholars and activists for investing energy in making a community of women scholars in Africa.
Please click the link below to view a recording of the Opening Ceremony’s Live Broadcast
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Humanities & Social Sciences
Call for abstracts on relationality between the US and Uganda
Published
4 weeks agoon
January 6, 2025By
Mak EditorBackground
This call for abstracts is under the new U.S. Studies Center in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration supported by the U.S. Mission Uganda. As part of the startup grant for the Center, funds were earmarked for the initiation of the research agenda on the Study of the United States. The research agenda is pitched on how Uganda’s civilizational experience—related to progress in culture, economy, peace, science, and technology; can be strengthened by leveraging fraternal relations between the people of Uganda and the United States. Therefore, the Department of Political Science invites contributions to a special publication on, “Relationality Between Uganda and the US since 1945”.
The sense of “Relationality”
We take “Relationality” to connote encounters between civilizations. It speaks to the debate on how civilizations can transform each other through engagement. Where civilizations are suggestively transformed on account of relationality, the outcome is “relational interdependence”— relating to how the aspects drawn from other civilizations become constants in the national life of a people. Relational interdependence is a debate and it is sufficient to note that its generative power is drawn from “cross-fertilization—relating to enriching the existing ways of knowing and understanding life in general and “sharing”—relating to forms of exchange among people from different civilizations.
We, therefore, invite researchers from the disciplinary boundaries of humanities and social sciences to engage with the notions of “cross-fertilization” and “sharing” to examine how Uganda-United States relations have impacted Uganda’s civilizational experience as reflected in the different domains of (our) Uganda national life, including:
- Peace and Security
- Development/Foreign Assistance
- Public Health
- Education
- Press and media
- Socio-economics
- Political organization
- Arts, Music
- Literature, Language
- Visualization of national history and heritage
The researchers should interrogate the extent to which relations between Uganda and the United States have impacted one of the domains of Uganda’s national life (as listed above) since 1945.
The Plan
- We plan to commission researchers to undertake studies on the domains of Uganda’s national life and how Uganda-US relations have impacted them since 1945. We shall publish an edited book volume with Routledge Publishers as part of the dissemination of the findings.
- We thus ask interested researchers to submit 500-word abstracts proposing a paper contribution to the research agenda. The abstracts should revolve around one of the domains of Uganda’s national life. Researchers should also provide the titles of two recent publications on related topics.
- Selected researchers will receive a research grant of USD 4000, to facilitate data collection and writing.
The Process
A. Abstracts should be submitted by 15th January 2025, to the investigators:
- Dr. Edward S Kaweesi (PI) edward.kaweesi@mak.ac.ug
- Prof. Paul Omach (Co-PI) paul.omach@mak.ac.ug
- Prof. Phillip Kasaija(Co-PI) phillip.kasaija@mak.ac.ug
B. The selection process will be concluded on 20th January 2025, and the results will be communicated on 22nd January 2025
C. The meeting between the selected researchers and the investigators will take place on 30th January 2025.
D. Launch of the research agenda will take place on 21st February 2025.
E. Data Collection will take two months, from 1st March to 1st May, 2025
F. Review meeting, 9th May 2025
G. Writing process to take two months, from 15th May to 15th July
H. Peer Review of the first drafts (August)
I. 15 August, 2025, U.S Studies Center Public Dialogue on “Relationality Between Uganda and the United States since 1945”.
J. Revision of the drafts to take one month (September)
K. Peer review of the second drafts (October)
L. Revision of the drafts to take one month (November)
M. Submission of the final paper, 1 December 2025
N. Editorial Review and Proof Reading (January 2026)
O. Submission to the Publisher (February 2026)
Please direct inquiries to the investigators listed above.
Humanities & Social Sciences
Mak Reviews Bachelor of Chinese and Asian Studies Program to Address Key Gaps
Published
2 months agoon
December 16, 2024By
Jane AnyangoThe School of Languages, Literature, and Communication at Makerere University held a stakeholders’ workshop to review the Bachelor of Chinese and Asian Studies (BICAS) program. The workshop, held on 5th December, 2024 aimed at refining the curriculum to meet the evolving academic and professional needs of students and employers.
The Dean of the School, Associate Professor Saudah Namyalo emphasized the significance of engaging stakeholders in the curriculum review process. She noted that feedback from students, employers, and academia is crucial for identifying gaps and improving the program.
“It’s a very important stage in our curriculum review to ensure that we have stakeholders’ workshops. This is an opportunity to hear from potential employers, students, and academic experts. Today, for example, we’ve learned that many of our graduates are not fully grounded in the science of the language, and because of that feedback, we are going to improve on it,” she said.
The Dean highlighted gaps in the current curriculum, such as limited focus on linguistic aspects like syntax, morphology, phonology, and semantics, which are essential for students pursuing advanced degrees. Additionally, the cultural component of Chinese language education was found to be inadequate.
“There’s no way you can teach a language detached from its culture. We are going to introduce courses emphasizing the culture of the Chinese so that the two go hand in hand,” she added.
The review aims to address these gaps by incorporating courses that build linguistic competence and cultural understanding. The program will now cater to both beginners and advanced learners, allowing graduates to pursue academic careers, including master’s and PhD programs, in Chinese linguistics. It will also strengthen the Asian Studies strand, enabling students to specialize in either Chinese language or broader Asian studies.
Dr. Enock Sebuyungo: Aligning Uganda’s Needs with Global Opportunities
Dr. Enock Sebuyungo, Head of the Department of European and Oriental Languages, underlined the growing importance of Chinese proficiency in Uganda. He noted that China’s rise as a global economic superpower has strengthened ties with Uganda in trade, education, and infrastructure development.
“Chinese companies dominate Uganda’s major infrastructure projects, and increasing numbers of Ugandans engage in trade and studies in China. Proficiency in Chinese offers competitive advantages for accessing the Chinese market,” he said.
Despite this, students under previous programs faced challenges achieving desired proficiency levels in international tests like HSK3. Employers expressed dissatisfaction with graduates’ language skills, and scholarships for study in China remained underutilized. The proposed BICAS program aims to bridge these gaps by producing graduates proficient in Chinese, knowledgeable about Asia’s economic and geopolitical landscape, and skilled in business, tourism, and diplomacy.
The BICAS program aligns with Makerere University’s expertise in foreign language instruction and supports Uganda’s strategic need to engage with Asia’s rapid development. It is expected to attract students from Uganda and East Africa, where Chinese is currently offered only as a short course. The program projects an annual revenue increase of UGX 865 million from an estimated 200 enrolled students. Partnerships with Chinese companies will provide scholarships for 10-15 students per intake, ensuring financial sustainability and accessibility.
Uganda joins a growing list of countries incorporating Chinese studies into higher education, with similar programs established in Botswana, Australia, and the United States. Makerere University, which already trains secondary school Chinese teachers, is poised to create a critical mass of experts to sustain Chinese language education and strengthen Uganda-China bilateral relations.
Dr. Sebuyungo expressed gratitude to Associate Professor Helen Nkabala, Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), for her moral and financial support in organizing the workshop. He also thanked the Confucius Institute and Xiangtan University for their invaluable contributions to the program.
“Confucius Institute and Xiangtan University sent us professors who reviewed this course. What we are looking at is a revised course done by professors from Xiangtan University, and we deeply appreciate their support,” he said.
The Bachelor of Chinese and Asian Studies program positions Makerere University as a regional leader in language and cultural studies. It prepares graduates to address gaps in trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange while enhancing Uganda’s ability to benefit from China’s global influence. The workshop marked a pivotal step in ensuring the program aligns with both local and international demands.
Humanities & Social Sciences
Inaugural CHUSS Non-Academic Staff Retreat Highlights Customer Care, Quality Services and Professionalism to Improve University Image
Published
2 months agoon
December 13, 2024By
Jane AnyangoThe College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) at Makerere University held its first-ever non-academic staff retreat on December 7-8, 2024, at the Grand Global Hotel in Kikoni, a Kampala suburb. The retreat focused on customer care, quality assurance, professional work ethics, and human resource management. This landmark event, organized under the guidance of CHUSS Principal Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, was aimed at fostering teamwork, reflecting on work practices, and strategizing ways to enhance service delivery and the university’s overall image.
The retreat brought together administrative and support staff to build networks, improve working environments, and align individual efforts with the university’s strategic goals. “We are here to learn, dialogue, and strategize together to improve our services in line with the university’s strategic direction. It starts with us,” said Prof. Nkabala in her opening remarks. She emphasized the collective responsibility of staff in achieving Makerere University’s vision.
Prof. Nkabala also highlighted challenges such as inadequate staffing, particularly among security personnel and custodians, and called for the Human Resources Directorate to reconsider housing policies to support this vital group of workers.
In addition to formal sessions, the retreat featured interactive dialogues between staff and management, work place role plays, team-building exercises, and fitness training. A fireplace dinner provided a relaxed setting for staff to share concerns and suggestions. Activities like these rejuvenate the spirit and promote a sense of belonging.
Key Presentations and Insights
The retreat featured presentations from Makerere’s Director of Human Resources, Deus Tayari Mujuni; Chair of the CHUSS Quality Assurance Committee, Prof. Sylvia Nanyonga Tamusuza; Dr. Dickson Kanakulya, Head of the Department of Philosophy; and Dr. Gilbert Gumoshabe, Head of the Department of African Languages.
Love Your Work and Serve Clients Diligently- Dr. Gilbert Gumoshabe
Dr. Gilbert Gumoshabe, the Head of the Department of African Languages, presented on the importance of customer care in the workplace, focusing on how staff should attend to clients, particularly students, and the behavior expected of them while on the job. He began by emphasizing the importance of loving one’s work, regardless of the role. “Love your work. You applied for it. If you’re a secretary, PR, cleaner, or messenger, love your job. There is nothing more rewarding than people trusting you. Do your work with a smile,” he advised.
Dr. Gumoshabe discussed several key aspects of professional conduct, beginning with the importance of time management and serving clients diligently. He also highlighted the need for staff to leave personal beliefs, especially those related to witchcraft, outside the workplace. “Leave your beliefs like witchcraft behind the office. Witchcraft is real, and it moves in families. If you’re bewitching, what will happen when you’re bewitched? Always do to others what should be done to you. Avoid being jealous of those who do their work. If you focus on doing your job well, you won’t be chased, but if you indulge in witchcraft, you will be deceived. Sometimes you condemn yourself and slander others,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of professionalism in the workplace. Dr. Gumoshabe lectured staff on maintaining confidentiality, being polite in communication, greeting people with respect, and handling personal problems privately. He emphasized the need for staff to be friendly, responsible, and cooperative with colleagues and their leaders. Furthermore, he advised staff on maintaining personal hygiene and cultivating good habits. “Dress appropriately and be mindful of your shopping. Look for what fits you. No matter how much you want to attract love, your dressing matters. Avoid talking negatively about your supervisors, as all information that goes around comes around. There is no perfect person, and administrators want results,” Dr. Gumoshabe concluded.
Upholding Quality Standards: There must be a change in the image of our college and university- Prof. Tamusuza
Professor Sylvia Antonia Nanyonga Nakimera Tamusuza, the Chair of the CHUSS Quality Assurance Committee, addressed staff on the essential role of quality assurance in enhancing service delivery and improving the university’s reputation. She emphasized that quality begins with personal responsibility, encouraging staff to reflect on their work environments and professional conduct. “Quality is about doing things the best way and ensuring they meet the required standards,” she remarked, highlighting that teamwork, cleanliness, and attention to detail are vital components in maintaining high standards.
Professor Tamusuza warned against complacency and urged staff to embrace continuous improvement. She explained that quality assurance not only leads to better services and a more conducive working environment but also reduces complaints. “When there is quality, we will always smile when things are done well,” she said. She added that quality assurance contributes significantly to the university’s reputation, resulting in happier students and staff, and fostering a sense of pride within the university community.
To further elaborate, Professor Tamusuza highlighted the principles of quality assurance. She emphasized the importance of doing the right things consistently, checking work to ensure it aligns with assigned tasks, correcting mistakes, being efficient, managing time effectively, and promoting clear communication and teamwork. “We cannot change what we do unless we improve the quality of what we do. Let us think about efficiency and time management, and we should be people who pay attention to detail,” she stressed.
In addition, she underscored the critical role of staff in maintaining quality assurance, including keeping offices clean, greeting visitors politely, filing documents properly, ensuring cleanliness in toilets and compounds, arriving on time, and maintaining self-discipline at work. Creating a daily checklist for tasks, she suggested, is another way to ensure quality.
“Remember, you hold the quality of the work in the place where you work. Whether it’s a professor, student, or visitor, please handle them properly because we are here because they are here,” Professor Tamusuza emphasized. She concluded by stressing the need for a shift in the image of the college and university, noting that this change starts with each individual. “There must be a change in the image of our college and university because of the services we offer. It begins with me,” she declared.
Offering motivational advice, she shared that quality is not just an action but a habit that everyone must cultivate. “Every small thing makes a difference. Doing your work well helps you remain healthy. Your work helps Makerere shine,” she concluded.
Work Ethics and Professionalism by Dr. Dickson Kanakulya
Dr. Dickson Kanakulya delivered a compelling session on the importance of work ethics and professionalism, emphasizing that a strong work ethic is the foundation for high performance and institutional success. He discussed how attitude, ethical behavior, and professionalism are integral to creating a productive and harmonious work environment.
In his presentation, Dr. Kanakulya underscored the transformative power of a positive attitude, describing it as essential for workplace success. “A negative attitude is like a flat tire—you won’t get anywhere until you change it,” he remarked. He explained that cultivating a positive outlook not only boosts personal engagement but also fosters productivity and collaboration among colleagues.
Dr. Kanakulya also reminded staff of the importance of aligning their actions with Makerere University’s core values of integrity, accountability, and respect. Ethical conduct, he emphasized, is critical for building trust, strengthening teamwork, and enhancing the university’s reputation as a global knowledge hub. “Ethical conduct builds trust, strengthens teamwork, and contributes to Makerere’s standing as a global knowledge hub,” he stated, highlighting how these principles serve both the individual and the institution.
He further stressed the importance of efficient use of time, urging staff to manage their schedules effectively and ensure that their tasks are completed in a timely manner. Efficiency, he noted, is a hallmark of professionalism and a vital component of high performance. Additionally, he encouraged staff to pay close attention to detail in their work, explaining that professionalism requires care and precision to uphold the university’s high standards.
Through his engaging presentation, Dr. Kanakulya illustrated how embracing ethical principles, maintaining a positive attitude, and demonstrating professionalism can enhance individual performance while contributing to Makerere University’s strategic vision.
HR Reforms to Streamline Operations– Chief HR Deus Mujuni
Chief Human Resource Officer, Deus Tayari Mujuni detailed Makerere University’s revised Human Resources policies, aimed at enhancing efficiency and compliance with employment laws. Addressing the retreat, he outlined updates from the amended 2009 HR Manual, which emphasize recruitment protocols, leave management, and payroll accuracy.
Mujuni reported that Makerere University has rolled out significant updates to its Human Resources (HR) policies, aiming to streamline staff management and ensure compliance with labor laws. The changes, unveiled by the university’s Human Resources Director, Deus Tayari Mujuni, focus on recruitment, leave management, performance evaluation, and payroll systems, as detailed in the revised 2009 HR Manual.
“The manual consolidates policies, procedures, and practices to guide the recruitment, development, and retention of staff,” Tayari explained, emphasizing its critical role in defining the responsibilities of the University Council and employees.
A key reform mandates that, starting FY 2024/2025, unit-level appointments funded by non-wage budgets will be prohibited, ensuring such funds prioritize teaching and research. The University Council reaffirmed this during its May 9, 2024, meeting, emphasizing that all salaries must align with the designated wage budget.
Tayari also underscored the expanded duties of line managers, which include monitoring performance, overseeing leave compliance, and ensuring accurate payroll management. Notably, staff on study leave must now submit signed bonding agreements and periodic progress reports, with failure to return from leave classified as misconduct under Section 9.6 of the HR Manual.
The revisions also enhance payroll accuracy by requiring timely updates about inactive staff receiving salaries. Occupational safety and health measures have been bolstered to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
“These updates aim to propel Makerere into becoming a high-performance institution by aligning individual and organizational goals,” Tayari concluded. The reforms are expected to improve efficiency, accountability, and institutional alignment with Makerere’s strategic vision.
Participants react
The retreat underscored the critical role of non-academic staff in achieving Makerere University’s vision as a global knowledge hub. The event concluded with a collective commitment to apply the insights gained, ensuring that CHUSS remains a model of excellence within Makerere University.
Participants expressed gratitude for the retreat and praised its relevance to their roles.
Sunday Seezi, Chief Custodian, shared:
“This retreat was a first of its kind for us as non-teaching staff. Many times, we hear of workshops for academic staff, but this time we felt seen and valued. The activities were well-organized, and we left with valuable lessons to implement in our daily work. We appreciate our Principal for this initiative.”
Rebecca Talikaza, another custodian, added:
“We are indeed happy to be included in such an event. The choice of the hotel was excellent—we slept well, ate well, and learned a lot. The presentations were rejuvenating, and I believe everyone who attended has a changed mindset. However, I suggest that next time, participants be given certificates of attendance. It would mean a lot to many of us who don’t have formal academic qualifications.”
Annet Nakaye, a cleaner and messenger, noted:
“This was my first time attending such a workshop. I learned a lot about how to improve my work and serve better. I am grateful to our Principal for thinking about us. We promise to improve where we have been falling short.”
The retreat reaffirmed that achieving institutional goals requires the dedication and collaboration of every member of the university community.
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