General
Hon. Musenero urges Universities to Forge Stronger Linkages for National Development & Community Transformation
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Hon. Dr. Musenero Monica Masanza has urged Universities to build stronger linkages and focus on specialization to harness science, technology and innovations in transforming Uganda.
Speaking to representatives of over 50 Universities during the Uganda Vice Chancellor’s Forum held at Makerere University on Friday 11th March 2022, Hon. Musenero emphasized that the Head of State, H.E President Yoweri K.T. Museveni envisions Universities playing a fundamental role in delivering a science driven economy, social development and industrialization.
In the same spirit, Hon. Musenero has a strong conviction that universities that create, generate and disseminate knowledge have a crucial role to determine the destiny of a country. “I am here to dialogue and mobilise all of us to rise and harness the vast resources, knowledge and talent in universities. If you impact on universities, you will have quicker interventions,” she remarked.
She however noted the need to change the mindset of leaders and staff in Universities including the way of conducting business if universities are to measure up to the task as well as expectations. For instance, universities should play a central role in addressing poverty and underdevelopment. She highlighted that this strategic direction can only be realized if universities come up with deliberate efforts to link research and innovations to national development.This should be coupled with formation of think tanks at universities with linkages to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations under the Office of the President.
Additionally, Universities should reposition themselves and align several programmes to national development. “I would request that all universities craft a course, maybe one course credit unit or two but in the first year of study to teach the national development plan.” Hon. Musenero said she would be happy to be among the people who would be willing to take part in lecturing students on the national development plan.
If students are taught and understand the national development plan, she said they can be part of the force that is working tirelessly to transform Uganda from a peasant to a modern country in the next three decades.
Hon. Musenero told representatives of universities that her ministry has aligned science, technology and innovation systems and come up with an ecosystem that is focusing on improving industrial value chains. “We want to create a science, technology and innovation ecosystem that facilitates rapid movement of things along the value chain,” she said. If Uganda is to transform, Musenero said universities should focus on research that will help farmers to increase farm productivity.
Instead of focusing on competition, the Minister advised universities to focus on specialised teaching and research and then create strong linkages in which they can benefit from each other.
“How can we make relays? I have been to different universities and found that we are not connected to each other. We may have some MoUs but they are not being implemented. Makerere has certain technologies that could fit into Ndejje and then Ndejje has certain things that could fit into Busitema. If we can create that free flow, then all of us are going to be succeeding together,” Hon. Musenero remarked.
On teaching technology and innovation, the Minister said universities should teach the business of innovation and business opportunities that the science industry presents to Uganda. For instance, Hon. Musenero said she has been to several universities where she found that some of the innovations lack business plans.
On teaching, Hon. Musenero gave an example of the pharmaceutical industry which is one of the three big global industries. Whereas universities teach pharmacy, the Minister said they are not teaching the business opportunities that the sector presents for Uganda.
“You can hardly find in our pharmacy curriculum anyone teaching students how to industrialise around pharmaceuticals. We teach them how to use, how to dispense, to regulate, etc. We don’t teach them how to develop, how to manufacture, or how to develop business around them. We are turning that around,” she said.
In the execution of her Ministry’s mandate, Hon. Musenero will concentrate on working with universities to harness the vast resources, proiritise strategic communication and science communication, evolution of think tanks and community engagements.
Hon. Musenero is optimistic that in the financial year 2022/2023, she will focus on taking science, technology and innovations to the market.
The Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has today, Friday, 26th June 2026 handed over the CCE (Complex) Hall of Residence Site to National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) Managing Director and CEO, Lieutenant General James Mugira for renovation and overhaul works. The UGX 12billion Government of Uganda-funded works, expected to be completed within a year, are the fourth project to be undertaken by NEC. They were preceded by; construction of the University Perimeter Wall, Renovation of Lumumba Hall, and Renovation of Mary Stuart Hall.
NEC’s Record Lauded
Prof. Nawangwe in his remarks at the handover ceremony lauded these projects. “The quality of work done by NEC makes us proud because we can finally say that we have Ugandans who can do the things, which we previously depended on foreigners to do.” He therefore thanked the Government of Uganda for fully funding the projects and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Museveni, whose visit set the renovation projects in motion.
The Vice Chancellor added that as the Alma mater for most members of both the Contractor and Project Management Teams, this was a moment of great pride as their expertise and skills have saved the country billions of taxpayers’ money. “Thank you for being patriotic”, he commended.
Prof. Nawangwe concluded by noting that CCE Hall, by virtue of its location, provides a first impression of Makerere University as a whole. He therefore urged the contractor to ensure that upon renovation, CCE Hall would create a memorable and lasting first impression, exceeding even that of the renovated Mary Stuart Hall.
A Project Fueled by Nostalgia
Speaking of impressions, Lt. Gen. Mugira, with nostalgia recalled that close to 42 years ago, he not only attended his first lectures in Hall 1 of the CCE Complex but also, on a more personal note added, “my wife was a resident, and so I have every motivation to put in a lot of effort and make sure that I deliver more than was done with Mary Stuart and Lumumba.”
He therefore extended heartfelt appreciation to his Alma mater Makerere University for the trust and confidence bestowed in NEC, which underscored their ability to deliver. “Trust is earned through performance, through integrity and consistency, and your decision to engage us motivates us to work even harder to exceed your expectations.”
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) Prof. Henry Alinaitwe reechoed the need to ensure that the project is executed with adherence to the cost, quality, specifications and safety related issues as earlier shared by the Acting (Ag.) Chief Engineer of Estates and Works, Eng. Ezra Sekadde.
“NEC has already demonstrated this (with previous projects), and that is why we have all the confidence that you can deliver this project within 12 months” remarked Prof. Alinaitwe. He equally lauded the Project Management Team (PMT) led by Arch. Dr. Kenneth Ssemwogerere whose supervision ensures timely project completion.
Relatedly, Arch. Dr. Semwogerere was on 25th June 2026, the eve of the handover, promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, a milestone Prof. Alinaitwe attributed to his track record as Head of PMT. He therefore, on a light note, urged him to keep up the good work as this could equally contribute to his promotion to the rank of full Professor.
Also present at the handover ceremony was the Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES) Prof. Anthony Mugagga, whose unit will be greatly affected by the renovations. He nevertheless welcomed and reiterated his full support for the project, noting that just as renovation of Lumumba and Mary Stuart Halls had resulted in many alumni revisiting, the CCE Complex would upon renovation attract former residents and teaching professionals to give back or forge new partnerships.
Student Welfare at the Forefront
On her part, the Dean of Students Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli lauded the renovations of Halls of Residence as a clear demonstration of Government’s dedication to the improvement of student welfare, and creating an environment conducive for nurturing responsible citizens who can contribute to national development. She pledged her Office’s and the Student Leadership’s readiness to ensure that the renovated facilities used responsibly for the benefit of future generations.
As a resident of the recently renovated Mary Stuart Hall, 92nd Guild President H.E. Kadondi Gracious could not help but appreciate how impactful the renovation of CCE Hall would be to student welfare. “The female students will be very excited (to occupy CCE Hall) but the male students will be left complaining – so we shall be expecting more renovations, not just for the female but also the male students,” she amiably concluded.
-
General6 days agoUndergraduate Admission Lists 2026/2027
-
General6 days agoMakerere Hands Over CCE Hall to NEC for Renovation
-
General1 week agoFees Waiver Female Scholarship 2026/2027
-
General1 week agoMakerere University Set to Develop Curriculum to Transform Graduate Supervision and Mentorship
-
Education1 week agoMakerere University Signs MoU with Fukui University to enhance Research, Teacher Development and STEM Education