General
Students Disciplinary Committee gets new Chairperson
Mr. Isaac Newton Kyagaba has been sworn-in as the new Chairperson of Makerere University Students Disciplinary Committee.
Accepting the appointment, Mr. Kyagaba thanked Members of Management and the Student Guild for sparing time out of their respective schedules to attend the ceremony. He expressed readiness to abide by the oath he had taken and maintain to confidentiality of all information that he will receive by virtue of his office.
“I personally believe in three guiding principles that I use in the different capacities or boards where I sit” shared Mr. Kyagaba “and these are communication, systems and transparency,” he added.
Mr. Kyagaba noted that in order for these three to be achieved, there must be discipline. “If you can effectively communicate, you can stop a war or dispute from actually happening.” He further explained that systems indicate a known manner in which things are done and procedures are followed. Observance of these by the committee on one hand and students on the other, he noted, would greatly reduce incidences that necessitate hearings.
The Commissioner of Oaths, Hajji Farouk Kamulegeya presided over the swearing-in-ceremony held on Friday 18th March 2022 in the Makerere University Council Room.
Section 5 (a) of the University Students Disciplinary Committee stipulates that the Committee shall be composed of members appointed by the University Council.
Following the swearing-in of the Chairperson, the Committee is now fully constituted. It consists of the following personalities:
Mr. Isaac Newton Kyagaba – Chairperson
Dr. Godfrey Akileng – Member
Dr. Sylvia A. Nannyonga-Tamusuza – Member
Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe – Member
Hon. Beatrice Kiraso – Member
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe congratulated Mr. Kyagaba on his appointment and thanked him for accepting to take on the responsibility of chairing the Committee and thanked Hajji Kamulegeya for administering the oath.
Prof. Nawangwe reiterated the importance of discipline and its correlation to development. “There is no way we can progress when there is indiscipline all around us. The countries that are advanced have had to instill discipline in different ways; the communists did it differently and the capitalists did it differently but they had to instill discipline in their societies.”
He therefore congratulated the members of the Committee upon their appointment and acceptance to serve Makerere University in this capacity and encouraged them to dispense justice without fear or favour.
“Makerere should become a university where people are thinking about how to move this country and this continent forward” concluded the Vice Chancellor.
The University Secretary, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, who is also the Secretary to the University Council noted that the top governing body had executed its mandate by appointing the Committee as stipulated in Section 5 of the Makerere University Students Regulations.
“All societies that have been able to transform and develop are those where citizens have followed the rule of law. Rules apply everywhere, whether in how we interact with each other, how we conduct business, or how we manage public resources and facilities bestowed in our care. And when we break the rules without sanction, we create a perverse incentive which motivates other people to also act in their self-interest” remarked Mr. Kiranda.
He therefore hoped that with the Student Disciplinary Committee in place, meetings would be convened more for the purposes of counseling, guiding and advising the students than handling cases of indiscipline.
The Vice Guild President H.E. Nelson Ssewanyana and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Mr. Bbosa Henry Price represented the student’s leadership at the ceremony. The following University officials also witnessed the Swearing-in-Ceremony: Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, Dean of Students Mrs. Winifred Kabumbuli and Legal Officers namely Ms. Phiona Natukunda, Mr. Gonzaga Mbalangu and Ms. Naome Kiconco.
According to Section 5 (c), the terms of reference of the University Students Disciplinary Committee include:
- To handle disciplinary cases directly brought to it;
- To handle cases referred to it by Hall Disciplinary Committee;
- To handle appeals from parties dissatisfied with the ruling by the Hall Disciplinary Committee; and
- Any other functions assigned by Council.
Written by: Ritah Namisango, Mak Public Relations Office
The Director of Makerere University Jinja Campus, Associate Professor Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, has urged students to familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding policy aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment.
Speaking during the safeguarding policy sensitization meeting held today Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, emphasized the importance of awareness and adherence to the policy, which seeks to protect students, staff, and other stakeholders from all forms of abuse, harassment, exploitation, and discrimination.
“As Management we want every student to enjoy their stay at the University without being tormented and that can only happen, if students know their rights by reading about different policies on our website. You are meant to be living in a safe environment. We do not want anybody’s dream to be shattered or somebody to drop out from University,” Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, said.
In his speech, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, also called upon students who have complaints but do not know the reporting lines, to approach staff safeguarding champions to make sure that they live in a safe environment.
Addressing guests, Emmanuel Muchake, the Guild Administrator at Jinja Campus, pointed out that the launch of the safeguarding policy is timely because as a University, without creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, they will not have students graduate.
On Friday, April 4,2025, the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Right Honourable Lukia Isanga Nakadama, officially launched the Safeguarding Policy and commended Makerere University for crafting a policy that lays out the University’s framework for embedding viable safeguarding measures into its ethos and all institutional activities and processes to: Identify, detect, and act swiftly on safeguarding risks.
The Safeguarding Policy was developed in response to the growing need for institutions of higher learning to implement proactive measures that address concerns related to student welfare, mental health, gender-based violence, and power imbalances in academic settings.
Some of potential safeguarding risks in Institutions of higher learning include emotional distress, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH); material loss, financial exploitation, discrimination and neglect, unfair and illegitimate response to civic engagements, cyber security/threats, psychological and emotional harm, substance abuse and physical assault. Discrimination and neglect which are often high risks for students with disabilities and international students.
The safeguarding policy sensitization meeting in Jinja Campus brought together students and staff in a meaningful dialogue on safeguarding issues affecting learning.
The event was graced by Dr. Rodney Rugyema, from the Dean of Students Office, who emphasized the University’s commitment to the well-being of all its members. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of safeguarding policies in preventing abuse, harassment, exploitation, and other forms of misconduct within the Jinja Campus community.
“Safeguarding is not a one-time action, but a continuous culture of care and accountability. We all have a role to play in ensuring a safe and respectful space for learning and growth,” Dr Rugyema, said.
The sensitization session covered key topics including; recognizing signs of abuse, understanding reporting procedures on the MakSafeSpace and fostering mutual respect among peers.
Participants were encouraged to actively engage and reflect on their roles in upholding safety standards both on and off campus.
Students who attended the sensitization welcomed the initiative, with many expressing optimism that the policy would improve campus safety and encourage victims to come forward without fear of retaliation.
“We have seen issues go unreported in the past because students didn’t know where to turn. This policy provides clarity and assurance that the university is taking these matters seriously,” noted, a third-year student.
The University plans to conduct a series of sensitization workshops and distribute printed copies of the policy to ensure that every member of the campus community is well-informed. This initiative is part of Makerere University‘s broader strategy to reinforce its values of integrity, respect, and protection for all.
The Safeguarding Sensitization Meeting concluded with a collective pledge to uphold safety, dignity, and mutual respect within the University community.
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