General
Project Financial Management Training Kicks Off
The Directorate of Finance, Makerere University on 23rd March 2022 embarked on a four-day training aimed at equipping Makerere University Staff with Project Finance Management skills, especially in line with guidelines and regulations of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. The training to be held in the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bio-engineering Conference Hall was officially launched by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, represented by the University Bursar, Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha.
“The Government informed us that all grants must be declared to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development during the budgeting process. Any grant or project that has not been declared to the Ministry and approved by Parliament is not supposed to be in operation. Following all these developments, Makerere University had to ensure harmonisation with Government programmes. Thus Makerere University put in place the Grants Administration and Management Policy of 2020 as well as the Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU)” remarked the Bursar.
Mr. Bainomugisha added that all these developments are aimed at ensuring that public funds entrusted to the University and her staff are properly managed and reported. “And so we have organised this meeting to ensure that you are oriented in these key developments in terms of laws and in terms of the administrative procedures that have been put in place.”
Addressing the role of GAMSU in grants management, the Unit Head Prof. Grace Bantebya Kyomuhendo informed participants that one of the reasons for holding the meeting was to facilitate the process of declaring projects that exist in the University, so as to comply with the University policy guidelines and Government requirements.
Prof. Bantebya Kyomuhendo clarified that GAMSU’s role is not to handle finances. “The funds are going to be governed by other structures and systems that deal with funds. However, we are part of the system to make sure that these processes are made easy and fast for us as researchers.”
She shared that GAMSU derives its functions from the Grants Administration and Management policy, with the top three outlined as:
- i) Undertake regular mapping and maintain an up-to-date database of grants and funding opportunities and ensure that these opportunities are communicated to faculty and staff in a timely manner;
- ii) Ensure that Makerere University is registered with various funding agencies wherever necessary; and
- iii) Support faculty and other staff of the University in the preparation of grants applications;
Prof. Bantebya Kyomuhendo said that GAMSU will support researchers and innovators at Pre-Award, Award and Post-Award levels. GAMSU will also look out for donor opportunities and announcements as well as compile information on donors’ and partners’ interests from the submitted projects. These will be compiled and published on quarterly.
The University Secretary Mr. Yusuf Kiranda who was asked to speak about how the Grants Administration and Management Policy can better be understood emphasised that researchers and faculty ought to read and internalise the document.
Mr. Kiranda reiterated that the University’s stature as a Government Institution, implies that all funds received through and in the name of Makerere automatically become public funds, subject to rules and regulations governing resources therein.
“One of the key laws we must know in this regard is the Public Finance Management Act of 2015 as amended. Interestingly this law also discusses in detail the issue of how we manage projects funded by grants, that is under section 44” he said.
Reverting to the Grants Administration and Management Policy, the University Secretary said, “the idea of the policy was to streamline the administration and management of grants across the entire chain from identification to close up.” He emphasised that the spirit behind the policy was to support as opposed to control the grants process.
Mr. Kiranda further outlined the objectives of the Grants Policy as;
- i) To establish a framework for grants mobilisation and management within the University;
- ii) To create a platform to track and monitor grants within the University;
- iii) To establish strategic global partnerships with other institutions with the intent to solicit funds for scholarships, research and infrastructure development;
- iv) To provide guidelines through which projects funded by grants link to existing laws, policies and regulations governing Makerere as a Public University;
- v) To define the roles of different University officials in the mobilisation, management, and administration of grants at the University.
Prior to introducing BVL Consultants, the firm tasked with training staff on project financial management, the Manager Accounts and Reporting, Mr. Gyaviira Lubowa urged participants to seriously consider the calls to adhere to the Public Finance Management Act and Grants Administration and Management Policy guidelines.
He further tasked them to adhere to timelines for preparation of quarterly reports as raised by Mr. George Turyamureeba, the GAMSU Head of Finance. “George informed you that the University will be expected to produce your quarterly reports within two weeks following the end of the quarter. This implies that your reports ought to be produced latest, within a week after close of the quarter.”
The Team Leader, BVL Consults, Mr. Owor Julius while pointing out issues of best practice that the training will tackle, urged participants to always be cautious about closing out projects. “There should be coordination of financial and non-financial information at this stage.”
The University Bursar concluded the day’s proceedings by thanking all attendees for their participation and ideas, adding that it is up to us as an institution to prove to the Government that we have the capacity to manage grants within the institution’s structures. He pledged the Finance Department’s readiness to continue supporting GAMSU’s sensitization meetings for all colleges and at different units of the university.
Makerere University staff have been urged to embrace servant leadership, integrity and compassion as they prepare to welcome students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The call was made during the Makerere University Staff Prayer Breakfast held on 31st July 2026 at St. Francis Students Centre Upper Hall under the theme “Faithful Stewards: A Servant Heart with Integrity and Wisdom,” drawn from Colossians 3:23–24 and Mark 10:35–45.
The prayer breakfast brought together members of Council, University Management, academic and administrative staff to dedicate the new academic year to God while reflecting on their responsibility of serving students with excellence, humility and integrity.
A Call to Seek God’s Wisdom
Host Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa reminded staff that no amount of professional experience or academic expertise can replace God’s guidance.
She noted that the University’s mission can only be fulfilled when staff continually seek God’s wisdom in serving students and one another.
“There is no amount of experience or expertise that can replace God’s wisdom.”
Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed that students remain the reason universities exist and challenged staff to approach their work as a calling rather than merely employment.
“Without students, there is no university,” she said, encouraging members of staff to remain united, avoid unhealthy competition and trust God as they begin another academic year.
She further urged staff to become faithful stewards who work together in harmony which she started as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research.
Speaking on behalf of students, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson and the Deputy Vice Chancellor to the breakfast, and reminded staff that a university’s value cannot be measured by research and innovation alone.
She described Makerere as a community held together by the wellbeing of its people, spiritual as much as academic, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
A Season to Draw Inspiration From.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who sent his greetings but could not attend in person, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Sarah Ssali told staff that this year’s breakfast carried special significance.
“This is the first prayer breakfast we are having ever since we launched our strategic plan,” she said, referring to the University’s new Strategic Plan, launched on 2nd July 2026.
She encouraged staff to hold on to the morning’s reflections as a guide for implementing the plan over the next five years, describing Makerere as an institution many families choose above all others for the vision and training it offers their children. She urged staff to see themselves as stewards of that trust rather than simply employees carrying out a job.
Compassion and Discipline Must Go Together.
Delivering her remarks, Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara challenged staff to strike a balance between compassion and discipline when dealing with students.
She observed that many students face different personal and academic challenges, making encouragement and timely support essential throughout their university journey.
“A word of encouragement can restore hope and prevent costly mistakes,” she noted.
Dr. Lorna encouraged lecturers and administrators to respond promptly to students’ concerns, explaining that delays, insensitive decisions and abuse of authority can discourage students and negatively affect their academic experience.
She reminded staff that students often remember how they were treated long after they have forgotten what was taught in class.
“Students may eventually forget what we teach them, but they will always remember how we treated them.”
She added that education goes beyond transferring knowledge.
“Education is more than knowledge. We communicate life, character and values.”
Quoting Mark 10, Dr. Lorna called upon staff to embrace servant leadership by exercising authority with humility, integrity and accountability.
She encouraged members of staff to ask themselves whether they would treat every student the same way they would treat their own child.
“We may not always have all the answers,” she said, “but we can communicate honestly, take responsibility and treat every student with dignity.”
She concluded by urging different colleges and administrative units to work together instead of operating in isolation, noting that unity strengthens the University community.
Referring to Galatians 6:2, she reminded staff to carry one another’s burdens and remain faithful stewards of the responsibility entrusted to them.
Servant Leadership Begins with Faithfulness.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. James Magara, husband to the Chairperson of the University Council, Dr. Lorna Magara, called on members of staff to embrace servant leadership grounded in humility, faithfulness and service to others.
Drawing from Mark 10:35–45, Dr. Magara reflected on the account in which James and John asked Jesus for positions of honour in His kingdom, prompting discontent among the other disciples. He observed that despite walking closely with Christ, the disciples continued to struggle with the desire for status and recognition. He noted that such competition remained evident even during the Last Supper, where concerns over positions and prominence persisted.
Dr. Magara said that Jesus responded to these human tendencies by redefining leadership through service rather than authority. He described Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet as the ultimate demonstration of servant leadership, explaining that genuine leaders are willing to undertake even the humblest responsibilities in service of others.
Referencing Philippians 2, he urged staff to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness, contrasting it with the pride and self-exaltation illustrated in Isaiah 14. He emphasised that lasting influence and greatness are not measured by titles, positions or recognition, but by one’s willingness to serve faithfully and put the needs of others before personal ambition.
Drawing on his own leadership journey spanning several decades, Dr. Magara challenged leaders across the University to cultivate humility, integrity and a servant heart in the execution of their responsibilities. He cautioned that leadership driven by pride and personal ambition undermines both individual effectiveness and institutional progress, whereas servant leadership strengthens organisations and fosters lasting impact.
The prayer breakfast concluded with a call for unity and collective commitment as Makerere University prepares to begin a new academic year. Organisers noted that the reflections on stewardship, integrity and servant leadership would provide a strong foundation for the University community as it advances the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
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