Computing & IS
Over 600 Graduate from CoCIS
Over 600 graduands from the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) have received Degrees and Diplomas of Makerere University in different disciplines during the 72nd Graduation ceremony.
On this third session of Makerere University’s 72nd Graduation Ceremony held on 25th May 2022, CoCIS presented 09 PhDs, 43 Masters and 567 undergraduates and 02 Post Graduate Diplomas. Graduands from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio Security and the College of Business and Management Sciences were also conferred upon degrees.
A total of 12,474 graduands will receive degrees and diplomas of Makerere University during the 72nd graduation ceremony that commenced on on Monday, 23rd May to Friday, 27th May 2022. Of these, 100 graduands will graduate with PhDs, 1,236 with Masters degrees, 10,998 with Bachelor’s degrees and 140 with undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas. 52% of the graduands are female and 48% are male. Forty of the 100 PhD graduands and 492 of the 1,236 Masters graduands are female, representing 40% in each category.
Presiding over the ceremony, the Chancellor, Prof. Ezra Suruma recognized the arrangements made by the administration towards the excellent management of this graduation ceremony and the contributions of various institutions and organizations towards the University notably, the Government of Uganda, the Makerere University Council, the Senate, staff, students, the development partners and all stakeholders, especially the parents, for the vital role you have played in supporting Makerere University to pursue its educational vision of being a though leader of knowledge generation for societal transformation and development.
Prof. Suruma commended the graduands for the spirit of hard work, endurance and self-control that has brought them this far adding that, the awarding of the degrees was to testify to the hardships, the discipline, the commitment, the pain and the tears they have shed over the years and decades of academic and emotional struggle.
“Your graduation testifies to the world that in the face of all adversity, poverty, deprivation, doubt and even danger, you possessed the determination to strive on, to rise after the fall and today you are counted among the survivors”, He said.
The Chancellor also thanked the academic, administration and support staff for guiding students through the complexities of academic life as well as the significant social, emotional and financial support received continually from parents, relatives, friends, religious leaders, fellow students and donors who provided stipends and scholarships.
The Chancellor described Makerere University as a significant player on the continental and global academic and research stage which has opened the graduands to a glimpse into the possibilities and promises of knowledge.
Prof. Suruma said, this was only the beginning of the journey of life and implored graduands to add wisdom and experience to this knowledge.
“Strive for the wisdom to postpone today’s comfort and pleasure to a later time. In other words, learn to save and to invest. Strive for the wisdom to sometimes put the needs of others before your own. It is called love. Strive for the wisdom to be accountable for the time and resources that have been placed under your responsibility. It is called integrity. This wisdom may spell the difference between a great life and a failed one”, Prof. Suruma advised.
Prof. Suruma noted that senior citizens must handover the baton and responsibility for the faithful stewardship and multiplication of Uganda’s wealth and income to the young generation urging graduands to take on aggressively the serious challenges that the economy is facing.
“For example, consider the databases we need to manage the economy of Uganda. They are not yet in existence. The Parish Development Model must have real-time data on population structures, households, livestock populations as well as records of the effectiveness of local institutional performance such as the daily absenteeism of UPE teachers and workers in local Health Centers.
We must know the soil types in various parishes and which products can best grow there. We must be up-to-date on the state of community access roads and the rates of access to clean water in every village. This real time data is very important but it is not yet effectively implemented”, The Chancellor implored and cautioned that:
“The idea that we should leave matters of the economy to the invisible hand of the marketplace to optimize supply and demand may be plausible in the advanced economies of Europe and America. But for us here if we wait for the market to take us out of oblivion we shall wait forever. Indeed we have waited long enough. It is now time to take the economy in our own hands so as to create full employment and to meet the basic human needs of our population. Your training has given you the required preparation for this enormous task. You are all critical actors in the improvement of the lives of the Ugandan people. Please get started and never quit. We are confident that you will excel”.
Noting that the path ahead is lined with both pitfalls and opportunities, the Chancellor urged graduands to be alert to the opportunities and as far as possible to stand firm in the face of adversity, cultivate an attitude of openness, cooperation and gratitude towards the multitudes of people who will form an integral part of their future in order to inspire and help people around them to forge a better world.
Prof. Suruma also advised graduands to be aggressively creative and innovative adding that despite the risks and high costs of innovation and creativity, it is the true path to leadership and standing out of the crowd. He also implored graduands to take to heart all the gifts God has given them and apply them to make a better future for their families, the country and your world.
The Vice Chancellor Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe said, despite the disruption caused by the COVID 19 Pandemic, the university council through the support and guidance of the university Council to push through and minimize the time lost, extending appreciation to staff and students for soldiering on in spite of the devastation and embracing the Open, Distance and e-learning.
The Vice Chancellor reported that the university has continued to grow her research capacity in line with the strategic plan (2020-2030) which seeks Makerere a fully research led university.
With more than 1,000 of our academic staff holding PhDs, Makerere is a formidable research institution currently ranked No. 2 in Africa as far as research is concerned. Globally Makerere University ranks top in collaborative research and in clinical research”, Prof Nawangwe said.
The Vice Chancellor said Makerere today competes favorably with any other top universities in the world as far as quality research is concerned due to heavy investments in human resource and infrastructure development by government and development partners.
“The university through the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) won the first prize for the Huawei African Information and Computer Technology (ICT) Competition 2021-2022. A-team of three Bachelor of Science in Soft ware engineering second year students designed a Quick Test App for diagnosing Malaria and HIV/AIDS from blood without pricking a patient”, The VC reported.
The Vice Chancellor also reported that using Computer models, a PhD researcher in automation of diagnosis of malaria was able to demonstrate how Artificial Intelligence can be used to diagnose malaria using readily available equipment like a microscope and the smart phone.
Another research break-through in the CoCIS as reported by the Vice Chancellor was the development of a Localized Geometrical Alignment Technique for updating geospatial datasets carried out by the college’s PhD student.
Prof. Nawangwe recognized the Government of Uganda for the release of UGX 21 Billion for the reconstruction of the iconic main building. He also invited the congregation to participate in the celebrations to Mark the 100 years of service to humanity whose climax will be on 8th October 2022.
To the graduands as they leave Makerere University, the Vice Chancellor urged them to always be proud of their Alma Mater and be her good Ambassadors.
“Go and put to good use the knowledge you have received from one of the best universities in the world to change your communities, your country and humanity. Put your trust in God and honor your parents and opportunities will be opened for you. Do not forget the Gates of Makerere”. Prof. Nawangwe advised.
He also informed graduands that transcripts for graduands on 4and 5-year programmes were ready for picking the following week and for those on 3-year programmes, transcripts will be ready for picking beginning the second week of June 2022.
Computing & IS
Makerere Launches Scholarly Guide, Calls for Increased Research, Publication and Innovation in Africa
VC Emphasizes Research as Key to Africa’s Global Integration
Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, has urged universities across Africa to invest in research, publication, and innovation as a pathway to greater participation in the global knowledge economy.
Speaking at the launch of From Records to Publication: A Guide to Academic Authorship, edited by Prof. Elisam Magara of the East African School of Library and Information Sciences, Prof. Nawangwe highlighted Africa’s low contribution to global scholarship. “Although Africa accounts for 15 percent of the world’s population, it produces only 3 percent of global research publications,” he said.
“There are historical reasons for this,” the Vice Chancellor continued, referencing centuries of slavery and colonialism. “You cannot brush away 600 years of subjugation. And we Africans have not even written enough about that. If we want to move Africa back into the global community, we must invest in research, publication, and innovation.”
He cited China as an example, noting how the country’s investment in research and education has translated into economic and global influence. “When we say China is the factor of the world, it is not that people just wake up and begin making things. They invest in education, in publication, in research. If we want to transform Africa, we must do the same.”
Prof. Nawangwe highlighted Makerere’s progress, revealing that annual peer-reviewed publications have grown from about 500 a decade ago, to 700, and now exceed 2,000. He acknowledged that the university still trails South African institutions, partly because they operate numerous local journals that absorb significant volumes of research. “We are not fully utilising the brand of Makerere University Press,” he said, pledging support to strengthen the press and scale up journal production.
He also reaffirmed the university’s strategy to reduce excessive undergraduate enrolment and expand graduate training to boost research output. “Let us create time for professors to do research and supervise more graduate students,” he said.
Commending Professor Magara and his team for producing the authorship guide, Prof. Nawangwe described the book as an essential handbook for Master’s and PhD students, early-career researchers, and universities across the region striving to become research-led. “This is at the heart of the university. If we invest in research and publication, we secure our future,” he said.
Book Recommended as Mandatory Guide by College Principal
Makerere University’s Principal of the College of Computing and Information Sciences, Prof. Tonny Oyana, called for the newly launched volume to be adopted as a mandatory guide for graduate students and newly appointed lecturers. “This is not a bad book for our first-year PhD students to start with,” he said. “Even those who are hired as junior lecturers still need mentorship. If I were the Vice Chancellor, I would put this book as required reading for every new hire.”
Prof. Oyana reflected on his personal contribution to the book, revealing that administrative responsibilities nearly forced him to withdraw. “Because of the work that I do, I was about to give up,” he admitted. “But Professor Magara was persistent. He came back to me and gave me more time.”
He credited a PhD student, Caroline Ilako, for assisting with library research and literature reviews, saying, “She did a wonderful job. We went back and forth through revisions, but finally we produced the work.”
On the quality of the book, Prof. Oyana said, “When you pick up a book, look at how it is laid out. The quick judgment tells you about the quality. This is well put together. We are beginning to show quality comparable to Western presses.”
He also challenged traditional notions of “publish or perish,” noting, “As scholarship evolves, those who evaluate scholarship must also adjust. Impact, innovation, and tangible products are increasingly valued alongside journal articles.”
Editor Highlights Research-Based Approach
Prof. Elisam Magara, the book’s editor, explained that the guide is designed to support scholars from the moment they conceive a research idea to the point their work is published and read. “I looked at the books we were using and asked myself: which kind of book can truly guide students? We needed a clear guide from the time a scholar thinks of writing up to the time the book is read,” he said.
He detailed the rigorous editorial process that began in 2022, including international calls for contributions, peer review of abstracts, writeshops for feedback, and multiple rounds of chapter reviews. “Don’t write and keep,” he advised. “Your book must have impact. It must reach the public and be used.”
Prof. Magara also acknowledged the sabbatical granted by the Vice-Chancellor, which enabled him to balance teaching and editorial responsibilities. “This book is meant not just for Makerere but for scholars across the region and beyond,” he said.
Mak Press Outlines Rigorous Publishing Process
Dr. Isaac Tibasima, representing the Managing Director of Makerere University Press, explained the publication pathway. “Once you bring your manuscript to the press, we take it through evaluation, external peer review, revisions, copy-editing, typesetting, and pre-press review before printing,” he said.
He also highlighted the press’s efforts to strengthen college-based journals. “We will not run the journals, but they will be published under the imprint of Makerere University. If we produce consistent issues, we can then move toward global indexing,” Dr. Tibasima said.
All new journals and articles now carry Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) to enhance discoverability, while past publications are being retroactively assigned DOIs. “We are not there yet, but we are moving there, and we are intentional about getting there,” he added.
School Leaders Celebrate Scholarship and Mentorship
In welcome remarks, Dr. Sarah Kaddu, Dean of the School, said, “This event is a celebration of scholarship, intellectual discipline, and the journey of knowledge creation. This book speaks directly to one of the most critical challenges facing scholars—transforming research records into publishable work.”
Dr. Sylvia Namujuzi, Head of the Department of Records and Archives Management, added, “This book is timely. It responds to real challenges faced by early-career researchers, postgraduate students, and even seasoned academics—questions of structure, authorship ethics, citation, collaboration, and navigating the publication ecosystem.”
She concluded: “Well-managed records are not endpoints; they are the beginning of inquiry, reflection, and publication. This guide demonstrates that pathway.”
Book Outline
- Introduction: Publication Journey. (Prof. Elisam Magara)
PART I: Foundations of Academic Authorship.
- Conceptual Foundations of Academic Authorship
Elisam Magara and Joseph Kiplangat.
- Archives as a Source of Information for Academic Writing
David Luyombya, Sylivia Namujuzi and Francis Ekwaro
- The place of Oral History in Contemporary Writing
Elisam Magara, James Nkanshah-Obrempong and Nthan Nzyoka Joshua
- Managing Ethical Dilemmas in Academic Writing
Maria Tsvere, Tsitsi Kanonge and Joselin Chigwada
- The Role of Copyright and Neighbouring Rights in Protecting Works of Authors and Publishers in Uganda
Ronald Kakungulu Mayambala
PART II: Managing the Publication Process
- A Manuscript: From Inception to Publication
Sarah Mirembe Kyankya
- Managing Co-Authorship in Academic Writing
Gankhanani Moffat Moyo
- Managing Illustrations and Visual Artworks in Academic Writing
Bob Magara Rutatugirwa
- Tapping into Open Access Platforms for Gainful Authorship
George Muganga
- Managing the Costs in Academic Authorship
Aloysius Rukundo
- The Important Translation in Publication
Monica Mweseli
- Citations and Referencing in Academic Writing
Clement Lutaaya Nabutto, Namujuzi Sylivia, and Daviv Luyombya, Makerere University
- Referencing Management Software In Academic Writing
Odeke Moses Osamai and Constant Okello-Obura
- Compliance with International Bibliographic Control Standards in Academic Authorship
Elisam Magara and Dniel Osinde
PART III: Secondary Services in Academic Writing
- Journal Impact Factor and its Role when Submitting a Publication Article
Tonny J. Oyana and Caroline Ilako
- Managing Mentorship Programmes for Scholarly Writing
Diyoshak Rhoda Danladi and Elisam Magara
Report by
Jane Anyango, Principal Communication Officer CoCIS
Ritah Atukwatse, Journalism and Communication Student (2nd Year)
Fred Kanwagi, Journalism and Communication Student (3rd Year)
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