The Plagues were handed over by the Chancellor of Makerere University Professor Ezra Suruma in line with the culture of the college that recognizes the academically outstanding students, 27th May 2022, Makerere University.
On Friday 27th May 2022, The College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) presented students to the Chancellor Makerere University Prof. Ezra Suruma for graduation. The event which was the 5th and last session of the 72nd Graduation ceremony saw the award of outstanding students who graduated with First Class Honors degrees.
The Plagues were handed over by the Chancellor of Makerere University Professor Ezra Suruma in line with the culture of the college that recognizes the academically outstanding students.
Mr. Ssempala Joseph (R) and Ms. Asiimwe Vanessa Elina (L)Mr. Musinguzi Denis (R) receiving the award from the Chancellor, Makerere University.
The awardees included Mr. Musinguzi Denis, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, who got a First Class Honors degree with a CGPA of 4.74. In second position was Ms. Asiimwe Vanessa Elina, Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying offered in the School of Built Environment who got a First Class Honors Degree with a CGPA of 4.69. Mr. Ssempala Joseph as the best student from Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Art, First Class Honors Degree with a CGPA of 4.67
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.
The Principal of the College Prof. Henry Alinaitwe presented graduands who graduated with PhDs and thanked God for serving Makerere University in two capacities as the Principal College Engineering, Design, Art and Technology and Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration. He congratulated CEDAT staff that graduated with PhDs namely Dr. Brian Makabayi, Dr. Sarah Nakisanze and Dr. Allan Mazimwe.
The Chancellor Makerere University Prof. Ezra Suruma while addressing the congregation comprised of graduands and their parents and guardians, the members of the University council and invited guests extended his appreciation to the administration and academic staff for their input into the processes that led to the graduation. To Government, development partners and other stakeholders he applauded their tremendous contribution to the growth of the University more so at the time of celebrating 100 years.
The Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Ezra Suruma addresses the Fifth and Final Session of the 72nd Graduation Ceremony on 27th May 2022.
While addressing the graduands, Prof. Suruma said the word out there was filled with a number of challenges citing the war between Russia and Ukraine that has affected the economic stand of the country which calls for new solutions for survival by being more aggressive and creative.
While citing the example of the Uganda Martyrs, the Chancellor said these made a stand for what they believed and paid with their lives. ‘As long as the challenges of poverty and injustice remain, we have no choice but to struggle for solutions for survival in our world’, he counseled the graduands.
The Vice Chancellor Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe noted that the University was able to said through and graduate her students despite the challenges that arose in the onset of Covid- 19 and the subsequent closures. He commended the University Council for the support and guidance that enabled the university to push through and minimize the time lost.
Prof. Nawangwe said Makerere University has continued to grow her research capacity in line with the strategic plan (2020-2030) which seeks Makerere to be a fully research led university, and boasted of the increased number of academic staff holding Ph.Ds. making Makerere 2nd best in Africa in research.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe making his remarks
While addressing himself about the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology, Prof Nawangwe informed that gathering of some of the developments that made the University proud. He said that on July 21st, 2021 The University commissioned a state-of-the-art Scanning Electronic Microscope that was installed at the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology. The equipment, procured by the government at Shs 2.6 billion will help researchers undertake studies and investigations in Materials, Nanotechnology, drug analysis, forensics, and biomedical engineering, among other things. The Equipment was procured under the Presidential Initiative on Epidemics (PRESIDE) and was received under the Africa Center of Excellence in Materials Product Development and Nanotechnology (MAPRONANO ACE). The Microscope is used in the analysis of materials for the production of medicine, vaccines, forensic examinations from crime and accident scenes, and gene analysis among many others.
Further, he said, the College of Engineering, Design Art, and Technology continues to offer professional guidance and support to the University. Led by Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, the Principal, the College helped in redesigning the Main Administration Building of the University whose construction has started. He said some Architecture 4th-year students came up with structural designs for the expansion and improvement of Makerere University Hospital and that although this was part of their study, the designs were very much appreciated.
Makerere University will demonstrate its interest in the preservation and promotion of Uganda’s cultural, social, and political heritage with the opening of the Muteesa II Memorial Museum at the end of June 2022. The Museum will not only contribute to the growth of the tourism industry in Uganda but will also help celebrate the life and time of Ssekabaka Muteesa II as an alumnus of Makerere University, Kabaka, and President of the Republic of Uganda.
Prof. Nawangwe urged the graduands to put to good use the knowledge received to change communities, the country and humanity. He informed graduands that the transcripts for graduands on 4 and 5-year programmers were ready for picking the following week and for those on 3-year programmers, would be ready for picking beginning the second week of June 2022.
On August 21, 2025, a delegation from the Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment (OSHE) improvement project visited Roofings Rolling Mills’ facility in Namanve Industrial Park. The visit represented the project’s fourth major engagement with industry stakeholders, continuing its goal to foster a world-class safety culture within Uganda’s engineering and industrial sectors.
This OSHE initiative is a collaboration among Makerere University, Busitema University, and Kyambogo University, with support from the Royal Academy of Engineering in the United Kingdom. It aims to establish Centres of Excellence at each university, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical industry application of Occupational Safety, Health and Environment(OSHE) standards.
The Makerere University team, led by Dr. Abubaker Matovu Waswa, Head of the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT) and Principal Investigator of the project, received a warm welcome from a senior delegation of Roofings Rolling Mills. The reception involved key engineers from the Health and Safety Department, along with Human Resources and Production Managers, highlighting the company’s strong commitment to collaborative innovation and industrial partnership.
A high-level delegation from the Department of Construction Economics and Management, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), led by Head of Department Dr. Nathan Kibwami, has engaged the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE) in strategic discussions aimed at unlocking new financing avenues for Ugandan businesses through asset securitization.
Accompanied by staff members Ronald Kaweesi and Tulikuno Collins, the delegation met with USE officials to explore collaborative opportunities focused on transforming both tangible and intangible assets into viable financial instruments for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Among the key proposals was the development of a postgraduate programme in securitization of tangible assets, designed to build local expertise in asset-backed financing and capital markets. The team also discussed guest lecturing opportunities on the Bachelor of Science in Valuation programme, aiming to enrich academic instruction with practical insights from Uganda’s financial sector.
The dialogue emphasized the importance of building synergies between academia and capital markets to guide Ugandan businesses, particularly SME, in leveraging their asset portfolios to access financing. This initiative is expected to enhance financial inclusion and stimulate economic growth by empowering enterprises to tap into alternative funding mechanisms.
Dr. Kibwami noted that the partnership could “reshape how Ugandan businesses perceive and utilize their assets, not just as operational tools, but as strategic financial resources.”
The Uganda Securities Exchange welcomed the initiative, highlighting its alignment with ongoing efforts to deepen Uganda’s capital markets and support enterprise development. This collaboration marks a significant step toward bridging the gap between academic research, professional training, and real-world financial innovation.
The inaugural cohort of the ReSus Summer School Series 2025–2027, held from August 3rd to 12th, 2025, successfully concluded their engagement at Makerere University.Guided by the theme “Renewable Resources for Sustainable Development in Africa (ReSus-AFRICA),” the program convened emerging African researchers to explore innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability through renewable resources.
Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships at Makerere University, officiated the closing ceremony held at the Rotary Peace Centre. In his address, he urged participants to carry forward the knowledge, networks, and collaborations forged during the Summer School. “The challenges we face in energy, environment, and resource management demand sustained research, bold innovation, and unwavering commitment,” he emphasized. He encouraged the inaugural cohort to keep the conversations alive and to translate the ideas explored into tangible actions that will positively impact communities and drive transformation across the continent.
Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships at Makerere University, gave the closing remarks
Prof. Wamala highlighted the alignment of the Summer School with Makerere University’s vision of becoming a research-led institution. He emphasized that convening early-career scholars from across the continent was a strategic move to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, foster South-to-South knowledge exchange, and equip participants with practical skills in renewable resource management. By hosting 21 outstanding PhD students and postdoctoral researchers from various African countries, Makerere University demonstrated its commitment to addressing shared challenges in sustainable development.
It has indeed been an honour for Makerere University to host 21 outstanding PhD students and postdoctoral scholars from across Africa. Your contributions, questions, and shared experiences have highlighted the immense value of bringing together diverse minds to address the complex challenges of sustainable development, noted Eng. Dr. Assoc. Prof Dorothy Okello, the Dean of the School of Engineering. This Summer School has demonstrated the power of collaboration in advancing research that is both locally relevant and globally impactful.