Humanities & Social Sciences
CHUSS PhD students retooled on DRGT Guidelines
About 40 PhD students from the College of Humanities & Social Sciences(CHUSS) were on 16th May 2022 retooled on the guidelines and expectations from the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT).
Besides reviewing guidelines and timelines to funded students, DRGT requirements and expectations, the graduate workshop was also aimed at equipping students with knowledge on how to organise proposals and dissertations electronically as they navigate through their graduate studies.
The blended workshop held physically and virtually at the Makerere University CHUSS Smart Room was compulsory to all the Gerda-Henkel and Andrew W Mellon Fellows who have not yet submitted their dissertations for examination.
“One of the major items is to remind them of the DRGT regulations of doing research. Sometimes in the excitement of admission, they do not read the joining rules very closely, and they go missing certain timelines. For instance, there is a provision in the rules which says that they have to provide progress reports every six months and most of them don’t and we meet challenges when they complete. They are supposed to register every year but most of them do not care.
The other part of the training is how to manage their work using online tools like managing references and quotations. It has been a challenge that they get a book or referencing in year one as they are about to submit, they do not have the details of the book and the quotation”, The Projects Coordinator CHUSS, Dr. Nabutanyi, explained.
Dr. Nabutanyi said the college wants to support the students to be able to do their work effectively and without the challenges they would incur while doing it on their own. He also appealed to all students to attend all college and university wide workshops to gain skills useful to their studies and their future life as academics.
Orienting students on the DRGT requirements and expectation, the CHUSS Coordinator for graduate programs Dr. Zaid Sekito noted that PhD programs in the college are conducted by research, hence the need for such workshops to help students get grounded in policies, approaches and all mechanism that are required of them to ensure successful and timely completion of their studies.
“I reminded them of the DRGT requirements and expectations which are embedded in the revised Graduate manual 2021.The students did not know many of these things. All PhD students should always endeavor to attend these workshops otherwise they will continue to lose out and they should practice what they have practically learnt”, Dr. Sekito said.
He outlined some of the key DRGT requirements including registration, possession of all required certified academic transcripts and certificates, progress reports, the ethical requirements and the examination itself involving the submission of the Dissertation and the viva voce.
During the hands on session, Dr. Jjingo Caesar, guided students on how to organize proposals and dissertations electronically. The graduate manual specifies how dissertations are supposed to be structured.
“Previously, students were not uploading their dissertations online but now, it is a requirement for a student to graduate. If you look at the uploaded dissertations on the portal, they have so many errors that can be easily minimized. Most of the students are not good at the process, but when introduced to the process, they can easily adapt and learn and do as required.
Given that I have shown them the process, let them put in practice what they have learnt today. We need to have these kind of training regularly so that we do not put the students away from the process, it has to be a recurring and continuous process as the way forward”. Dr. Jjingo advised.
Dr. Jjingo practically worked with students and demonstrated issues to do with page setup, formatting marker and navigation panel, inserting blank pages, page numbers, chapter headings and styles. Others were inserting section headings and styles, tables, figures and captions, cross referencing, hyperlinks and inserting table of contents.
The Makerere University fraternity is mourning the loss of a dedicated and hardworking academic, Dr. Brian Semujju. At the time of his passing, Dr. Semujju was serving as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Communication, School of Languages, Literature and Communication, where he had worked for eight years. He was a prolific scholar with more than 20 publications to his name, the most recent of which was published in February 2025.
In a condolence message from the Vice Chancellor delivered by Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, the University extended its heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family. Prof. Ireeta noted that Dr. Semujju was widely known for his enthusiasm and commitment to academic research. Drawing from scripture, he offered comfort to mourners with a quote from Psalms 34:14: “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” He also extended condolences to Dr. Semujju’s students, fellow scholars, and colleagues.
On behalf of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Principal, Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala and the Deputy Principal, Dr. Eric Awich Ochen, shared heartfelt condolences. The College Leadership acknowledged Dr. Semujju’s immense contributions and the deep void his death left in the college following his passing on 3rd August 2025. Equally commended was Dr. Semujju’s remarkable journey from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer—a clear testament to his passion and commitment to research. Dr. Semujju’s dedication to his work was described as extraordinary, and Dr. Awich Ochen confirmed that he was due for promotion to Associate Professor at the time of his death, a reflection of his unwavering pursuit of academic excellence.
Prof. Gorretti Nassanga delivered a message on behalf of the Head of the Department, Dr. Aisha Nakiwala, describing Dr. Semujju as a man who left behind a strong legacy of academic excellence. She traced his academic journey at Makerere University, beginning as a Master’s student in 2010, graduating in 2012, and completing his PhD in 2017—the same year he joined the Department as a Lecturer. She highlighted his significant research contributions, including publications in high-impact international journals and involvement in diverse research projects covering community media, gender and media, environmental and climate change communication, and the use of mobile phones in journalism practice. Prof. Nassanga praised his critical mind and eagerness to explore new frontiers of knowledge, adding: “Apart from his work at the Department of Journalism and Communication, he took interest in other areas like music, he composed several songs including some on how to tackle climate change.”
Prof. James Kiwanuka-Tondo, Dean at the School of Journalism, Media and Communication at Uganda Christian University, and Prof. Monica Chibita both spoke about Dr. Semujju’s insatiable curiosity and commitment to his work. Prof. Chibita noted his exceptional sense of duty, as evidenced by his latest publication in February despite battling illness. She emphasized the importance of preserving his legacy: “He leaves a gap in many people’s hearts but Brian also leaves a legacy of academic excellence. As many of his mentees who are here, we all have a duty to keep this legacy alive.”
Dr. Robert Kakuru, Chairperson of the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), reflected on the collective loss felt by the academic fraternity: “As the academic fraternity we have lost a hardworking man. We have lost a man that was destined to achieve much.” He expressed appreciation to the University Management, especially the Vice Chancellor, for their support during this difficult time. Dr. Kakuru also used the occasion to promote the MUASA Social Support Fund, encouraging both new membership and mutual support among existing members.
Representing the Fulbright Scholars where Dr. Semujju served as President of the Alumni Association, Dr. Saul Daniel Ddumba also expressed his sympathies: “He accepted to be our Fulbright President, which was another job on top of what he already had,” he said, praising Dr. Semujju’s enthusiastic spirit.
Mr. Baker Batte, one of Dr. Semujju’s earliest Master’s students, shared a memory that reflected his high standards and intolerance for mediocrity: “I think I gave him approximately 15 drafts for him to accept that my dissertation was good for submission.”
A family representative, Dr. Semujju’s brother, spoke of his strong work ethic and obsession with quality, recounting his frequent reminder to the family: “Every time he would tell us that we cannot teach if we are not doing research.” He expressed gratitude to the Department of Journalism and Communication and the University for their support, particularly through financial assistance.
The funeral service held on 5th August 2025 at St. Francis Chapel and was presided over by the Chaplain, Rev. Canon Dr. Lydia Kitayimbwa. In her sermon, the Chaplain urged the bereaved family to turn to God for comfort, describing Him as “not distant, but… the God of Comfort.” She read from 2 Corinthians 1:3–7, reminding the congregation of God’s enduring presence in times of suffering: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction… Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort,” she preached.
The event was graced by several dignitaries from the Media, including the CEO of Vision Group, Mr. Don Wanyama, and the Head of Bukedde TV, Mr. Richard Kayiira.
-
General1 week agoAdmission Lists for Postgraduate Programmes 2025/26
-
General2 weeks agoMakerere University Repositions Doctoral Training to Build Africa-Centered Scholarship
-
General2 weeks agoAcademic Year 2025/2026 at Makerere Begins With Freshers’ Orientation
-
Health2 weeks agoMakerere University College of Health Sciences marks Centenary with expansion of Super-Specialized healthcare Training
-
General1 week agoAdmission Lists -Successful Appeals 2025/26