The DICTS Team conducts a training for Student Leaders of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) on 23rd February 2022 in the CHUSS Smart Room, Makerere University.
In the month of February 2022, the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS) was involved in the orientation of first year students/Freshers and training of student leaders.
It has been a productive, engaging and fruitful month where we had face-to-face and virtual sessions to introduce students to the key ICT services they will be accessing while they study at the University.
Key things Trained On
How to activate their student portal
How to create a University email address
How to create a MUELE account for E-learning
How to connect to MAKAIR and Eduroam WiFi
How to be Cyber Alert
A Fresher’s orientation guide was documented and uploaded on our knowledge base and may be accesed using the Title and Link below:
The guide is loaded with content about DICTS; how students can access ICT services, how they can use the student portal for Payment Reference Number (PRN) generation to facilitate payments in the bank, via mobile money and through VISA. It also shows students how to activate their student portal, enrol and register for their programmes and course units.
DICTS worked closely with Exploits Fellowship; a group of students from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS). We also had the opportunity to work with another group of students from CHUSS led by Clinton Wandera. The students were trained on the different ICT services at DICTS’ College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) office. They were then equipped with tools (Laptops) to be able to support fellow students.
To broaden our reach, we set up a tent at the Freedom Square and publicized the engagements using our social media presence. Over 2,234 students were supported through this setup at the Freedom Square.
We equipped over 173 student leaders with skills in ICT services that enabled them better support students within their colleges. This training was groundbreaking as students got first hand information from their colleagues about the different challenges of the ICT services. This made them both good candidates and beneficiaries of the training.
Key observations
Student leaders can do a great deal in enabling students to embrace the ICT services through knowledge sharing.
Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) were not well catered for except for one orientation held at the Central Teaching Facility 1 (CTF1) for students of Social Sciences where an interpreter was present. DICTS will arrange for specialized training that will bring them up to speed.
A number of students faced difficulty with digital literacy, basic reading of instructions and technophobia, which was at high play. These factors will be addressed through continuous training.
Many students have embraced social media as a way of getting support. DICTS has a strong social media presence where we do not only give support but ensure students enjoy a good customer experience.
We thank the University Management, College Principals and Leadership, Student Leaders, the DICTS team, College ICT teams and our Director for enabling this to happen successfully.
Arthur Opio End User Support Administrator Directorate For ICT Support(DICTS) Twitter @DICTSMakerere Facebook @MakDICTS Email: arthur.opio@mak.ac.ug Phone: 0782294711
Makerere University on 23rd January 2026 hosted the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) validation meeting of the draft minimum standards for implementing Competence-Based Education (CBE) in Higher Education Institutions. The meeting held in the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium brought together Vice Chancellors, Rectors, Principals and Academic Registrars from Higher Education Institutions in Uganda.
Prof. Sarah Ssali.
Hosted by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Ssali, the meeting followed institutional input into the draft minimum standards and was aimed at validating them prior to their formal adoption by the NCHE Council at their next meeting in February 2026. The minimum standards cover nine areas namely; 1) Curriculum Design, 2) Teaching and Learning Approaches, 3) Assessment, 4) Faculty Training and Support, 5) Student Support Services, 6) Quality Assurance Systems, 7) Industry and Community Linkages, 8) Monitoring and Evaluation, and 9) Gender and Equity Mainstreaming.
Prof. Mary Okwakol (Left) and Dr. Vincent Ssembatya listen to feedback from leaders.
Following feedback into presentations by the various leaders present, a motion to adopt the draft minimum standards, with institutional input incorporated, was moved by Bugema University, seconded by UMCAT School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and unanimously supported by institutions present.
Prof. Mary Okwakol.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Prof. Sarah Ssali appreciated NCHE for choosing Makerere to host the landmark event, reiterating that the University greatly respects each and every Higher Education Institution and regards them as partners and collaborators in the quest to improve Uganda’s Higher Education sector.
Part of the audience that attended the validation meeting.
The Executive Director NCHE, Prof. Mary Okwakol reassured leaders present that all the pertinent issues raised for input into the draft minimum standards would be incorporated, and urged those with pressing issues to submit them before month’s end. She reiterated NCHE’s readiness to continue lobbying Government for the resources required by Higher Education Institutions, particularly Public Universities, to implement Competence-Based Education (CBE).
Kampala, Uganda – 20th January 2026 – Makerere University has postponed its opening date for Semester Two of Academic Year 2025/2026 from the earlier communicated 24th January 2026 to 10th February 2026.
This adjustment is in response to the Ministry of Education and Sports directive to all Schools and Education Institutions to postpone re-opening until 10th February 2026. Consequently, Semester Two at Makerere University will now run from 10th February 2026 until 6th June 2026. Attached is the detailed Calendar for Semester Two 2025/2026.
Confirmed dates for the 76th Graduation Ceremony
Makerere University also wishes to inform the general public that Makerere’s 76th Graduation Ceremony will be held from Tuesday 24th February 2026 to Friday 27th February 2026.
Specifics including the graduation schedules and standard operating procedures for participants will be communicated officially in due course.
Please see downloads for the statement, Ministry directive and revised calendar.
The Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) TICAD8 African Scholarship for STI is available for all African (Non-Egyptian) students who wish to obtain their M.Sc. degree in the programs of Faculty of Engineering (FoE), Basic and Applied Science (BAS), Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT), Faculty of International Business and Humanities (FIBH) and Heritage Science (HS).
Please note that interested applicants have to apply through E-JUST’ website (online application system). Applications will only be accepted via E-JUST’s website (online application system).
Interested applicants must complete and submit their application forms before February 15, 2026. The applicant will receive an automatic confirmation e-mail as proof of successful submission of the application.