The Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance & Administration) and Principal CEDAT, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe (L) presents candidates for the conferment of degrees and other awards for excellent performance during the Fifth and Final Session of Makerere University's 72nd Graduation Ceremony on 27th May 2022. Right is Dr. Allan Birabi, Graduation Emcee and CEDAT Member of Staff.
LWANYAGA Joseph Ddumba Application of process technologies for improved salt production from Lake Katwe, Uganda
Eng. LWANYAGA Joseph Ddumba designed a process that selectively extracts salt from the brines of Lake Katwe coupled with a techno-economic analysis to foster commercial exploitation of the Salt Lake. Through thermodynamic modelling, the study revealed that the mineral precipitation sequence mainly started with sulfate followed by chlorides and lastly carbonates with halite as the most abundant mineral. His study further revealed that the salt pan should be as shallow as practically possible with an optimal depth of 0.1 m. Results from the techno-economic analysis showed that halite of purity >99% was produced after the flotation of burkeite and trona. Additionally, soda ash and sodium sulfate were produced by a combination of flotation, carbonation and calcination techniques. The unit production cost of halite was 0.2629 and 0.4724 $/kg with a NPV of $2,447,853 and -12,085,796 of the solar salt and mechanical evaporation processes respectively. As a result, the solar salt extraction process proved feasible from both engineering and economic standpoints and thus can be scaled up to a pilot scale using conventional industrial equipment. The study was funded by SIDA and was supervised by Prof. John Baptist Kirabira and Dr. Hillary Kasedde.
MAKABAYI Brian
MAKABAYI Brian Ground Deformation Modelling Based On Causal Factors in Landslide-Prone Areas. A Case Study of Bududa District, Uganda.
Mr. MAKABAYI Brian undertook a study to model ground deformation in Bududa landslide-prone area. He developed a model for predicting ground deformation hence the occurrence of landslides resulting from a number of casual factors such as rainfall, soil, slope and infiltration. He tested the model using two space technologies namely Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) techniques. This model can be used by stakeholders such as the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees and local authorities to predict ground deformation as a precursor to landslides. This study was funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and supervised by Prof Moses Musinguzi and Dr John Richard Otukei.
MAZIMWE Allan
MAZIMWE Allan Pattern Driven Data interoperability in situation awareness systems. A case of the disaster management community in Uganda
Mr. MAZIMWE Allan studied how to manage semantic barriers to data sharing and integration in disaster situation awareness systems for early warning purposes. Such barriers arise from the fact that stakeholders manage information using different policies and interfaces while at the same time describing data using different vocabularies and conceptualisations. As a solution, the study adopts the use of patterns (best practices) as building blocks for interoperable architectures that address semantic barriers in line with Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) principles. The study examines the extent to which vocabularies and related best practices for organising data in the disaster risk community are FAIR. A pattern-driven architecture for organising disaster risk knowledge is developed based on existing data-sharing challenges in the disaster community. As a proof of concept, the drought risk-informed response prototype was developed to illustrate the use patterns as building blocks for managing data interoperability in disaster situation awareness systems. The study was funded by SIDA and supervised by Prof. Imed Hammouda and Assoc. Prof Anthony Gidudu.
NAKISANZE Sarah
NAKISANZE Sarah Social Sustainability and the Ugandan Haute Couture Visual Aesthetic: Articulating The Contemporary Value of Past Tradition
Ms. NAKISANZE Sarah interrogated haute couture artefacts which exhibit Uganda’s traditional cultural heritage fused with aspects of contemporary dress to produce haute couture as a visual language representing social sustainability. Sarah was intrigued by the stride backwards to move forward amidst modern fashion aesthetic innovations, and has established and articulated the value of the traditional aesthetic in the present. The traditional aesthetic is an engender of sustainable development; and haute couture shaped by the aesthetic is an inclusive knowledge dissemination platform. In addition, the past traditions are an agential tool that facilitate agents’ negotiation of contemporary global stage dynamics. The study recommends that the traditional aesthetic is developed beyond traditional culture heritage, but as an aesthetic with contemporary socio-economic sustainability value towards the development of the creative industry and safe environments. The study was jointly funded by the researcher and Makerere University, and supervised by Dr. Nakazibwe Venny and Dr. Ssengendo May.
WADEMBERE M. Ismail
WADEMBERE M. Ismail A Localized Geometrical Alignment Technique for updating Geo-Spatial Databases
Mr. WADEMBERE Mugumbu Ismail developed a Localized Geometrical Alignment Technique (LGAT) for Updating Geo-spatial databases. The innovative technique uses differences between corresponding objects so that only the changed parts are updated than copying entire objects between geodatabases. This helps to minimize geometrical errors emanating from openings or overlaps of objects. This technique will facilitate efficient data update within the Uganda national spatial data infrastructures. It will also exploit the potential presented by the Internet computing paradigm in terms of data sharing, utilization of Volunteered Geographic Information, and lead to more use of spatial information in decision-making. This study was funded by Kyambogo University, Makerere University, and Nuffic Project of Dutch Ministry of Development Cooperation; and was supervised by Prof. Patrick Ogao and Prof. Moses Musinguzi.
Dr. Abubaker Waswa Matovu (R) Head of the Department of Computer and Electronics Engineering at Makerere University, emphasized the importance of the training in promoting workplace safety.
In response to Uganda’s growing workplace safety concerns, staff at the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT) participated in an Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment (OSHE) training session aimed at increasing awareness and improving adherence to safety standards in professional and academic environments.
The workshop, organized by the School of Engineering, was part of a larger effort led by the OSHE Centers of Excellence, an initiative launched at Makerere, Kyambogo, and Busitema Universities on May 4, 2023. This program seeks to enhance workplace safety education, with a focus on hazard prevention, PPE usage, risk mitigation, and integrating OSHE principles into engineering curricula and industrial practices.
Speaking at the training, Dr. Abubaker Waswa Matovu, Head of the Department of Computer and Electronics Engineering at Makerere University, emphasized the importance of the training which was aimed at creating awareness about the need for the College, the university and the industry to proactively plan for safety at the place of work. It was indicated that Uganda was faced by alarming workplace injury rates, with over 25,000 workers suffering from job-related injuries annually, yet fatality statistics remain largely unreported.
Dr. Matovu highlighted the urgent need for OSHE integration in higher education, pointing out that 99% of engineering and science graduates enter the workforce without formal safety training. This lack of preparedness has led industries to withdraw internship placements, fearing liability if trainees suffer injuries or fatalities while on the job, he noted.
The NBD team and their hosts led by Dr. Robinah Kulabako pose for a picture at the CEDAT Block
Makerere University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has partnered with the Nile Basin Discourse (NBD) to collaborate on a World Bank-funded, two-year project aimed at improving transboundary water resource management in East Africa.
During a meeting held on 5th June 2025 at CEDAT, Eng. Sylvesta Matemu, head of NBD, engaged with Makerere University representatives, including Dr. Philip Nyenje and Dr. Seith Mugume, to discuss strategies for effective implementation. The project seeks to employ citizen science approaches to involve local communities in water governance, data collection, and policy formulation.
The team also met with Prof. Dorothy Okello, Dean of the School of Engineering, and Dr. Robinah Kulabako, Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, to explore key areas of collaboration. Experts stressed the importance of regional cooperation in water management, citing growing concerns over resource sustainability and environmental challenges.
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) convened a meeting at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) focused on the critical role of research in national development. The meeting attended by college leaders’ and staff emphasized the shift from basic research which makes up nearly 80% of research efforts to applied research, which has the potential to generate revenue, create industries, and provide employment opportunities.
The discussion held in the CEDAT Board room Thursday 29th May 2025, highlighted the government’s agenda to prioritize applied research, ensuring universities become hubs of innovation rather than just centers for academic publishing. The meeting also stressed the importance of pilot testing and learning from early experiences to refine university support systems for commercialization.