L-R: The Head GAMSU, Prof. Grace Bantebya Kyomuhendo, Mr. Laban Lwasa and Mr. Yunusu Musisi at the sensitization on 8th June 2022, School of Law, Makerere University.
On Wednesday, 8th June 2022, the Makerere University Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU) team led by Prof. Grace Bantebya Kyomuhendo held a meeting with Makerere University School of Law (SoL) staff to sensitize them on the Grants Administration and Management Policy approved by Makerere University Council in 2020. The GAMSU team also highlighted the functions and roles of the Unit as well as the support available to staff in-order to ensure improved research and grants administration for Makerere University. GAMSU is governed by a Steering Committee of 9 members, chaired by the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration. The Steering Committee is supported by the Secretariat led by the Head, GAMSU, currently Prof. Grace Bantebya Kyomuhendo.
The Grants Administration and Management Policy, 2020 outlines the functions of GAMSU as thus: Ensuring that Makerere University is registered with various funding agencies where necessary; Supporting Faculty and other staff of the University in the preparation of grants applications including; eligibility checks for grant opportunities, proofing adherence to applications; Support award winners in the grant negotiations and coordinate with relevant University authorities for project account set up wherever necessary; Following up with Principal Investigators to ensure timely compliance with grant contract conditions and University Policies; Maintaining a database of all grants in the University; Ensuring that all projects comply with the laws and policies of the university; Undertake monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance in the execution of grants at the University; Follow-up with Principal Investigators to ensure timely compliance with grant contract conditions and University policies; Ensuring that concluded projects are appropriately closed out in accordance with University policies and guidelines; and Maintaining a database of all grants in the University.
In his remarks, Prof. Christopher Mbazira, Principal School of Law (Ag.) welcomed the GAMSU team to SoL. “We all are aware that Makerere University’s current strategy is premised on becoming a research-led University, therefore we are excited to host GAMSU today, learn more and look forward to working with you to attract more research funds as well as streamline grants administration”, Prof. Mbazira said. He invited Prof. Bantebya to address the meeting.
Prof. Bantebya thanked participants for making the time to attend the meeting. She explained that the main purpose of GAMSU is to streamline the administration and management of grants and contracts within the various units of the University as well as provide a supportive eco-system for grants mobilization and management. Prof. Bantebya added “Specifically, the objectives of GAMSU include: establishing a framework for grants mobilization and management within the University; creating a platform to track and monitor grants within the University; establishing strategic global partnerships with other institutions with the intent to solicit funds for scholarships, research and infrastructure development; providing guidelines through which projects funded by grants link to existing laws, policies and regulations governing Makerere as a public University; and defining the roles of different University Officials in the mobilization, management, and administration of grants at the University”. Prof. Bantebya reiterated that GAMSU will work to support both Academic and Administrative Staff to develop proposals, she encouraged everyone to get involved adding that this will allow PIs to concentrate on research and proposal development rather than the time consuming administrative processes. She further revealed that trainings will be organized and encouraged everyone to attend when opportunity arises. Prof. Bantebya encouraged members to consider GAMSU as a one-stop centre for all needs to do with grant administration and management.
Ms. Susan Winfred Kyamulabi, Accountant – GAMSU made a presentation on grants financial management, focusing on financial planning, financial control, administration and records management, as well as reporting and auditing. Ms. Kyamulabi also highlighted the warning signs to look out for in grants administration including sudden massive unexplained requests; unusual patterns in deposits and cash in transit; photocopied documents and electronic signatures among others. “Reports on Income and Expenditure, Physical Performance, Accountability, and Audit will be expected to be submitted to GAMSU to streamline documentation” she added.
Mr. Yunusu Musisi, End User Support Administrator briefed staff on the GAMSU Database Management System under development, its benefits and some of its features. Mr. Laban Lwasa, GAMSU – Administrator informed staff that a Capacity Needs Assessment Survey was initiated to establish the needs of staff in the various Colleges and Departments. The survey will guide GAMSU on support activities required for each unit. He encouraged participants to take the survey.
Some of the issues arising in the discussions after presentations were: Monitoring progress and close out reports when Post Award phase underlined as a major weakness; monitoring of project expenditure sometimes for unplanned activities which has resulted into penalties for the University; amount of institutional overheads and sharing at various management levels; the need for regular guidance and sensitization on grant administration; funders that give in kind support in lieu of overheads; projects where staff are fully funded by project funds as opposed to University employees and support required for the groups; the need to harmonise reporting formats; always ensuring aligning all grants and projects to Government of Uganda guidelines under which we operate.
It is my pleasure to share the School of Law Annual Report for 2024. The report highlights the major activities undertaken and the key outputs realized in light of our core mandate of teaching, research, knowledge transfer and community outreach.
I am happy to report that we successfully implemented all scheduled activities concerning teaching and learning. These included teaching, continuous assessments, final examinations, orientation for new students, field attachment for our LLB III students and graduation among others. At the 74th graduation ceremony held in January 2024, the School of Law presented 285 graduands (1 Doctor of Laws, 20 Master of Laws and 264 Bachelor of Laws). During this ceremony, Hon. Justice Fredrick Egonda Ntende and Hon. Betty Bigombe whom the School of Law had recommended, received their Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees of Makerere University for their distinguished service and contribution to society. The School of Law is very proud of these distinguished citizens. We thank Makerere University Council for having approved their awards.
Our students continued to excel in the different national and international moot court competitions. During the Phillip Jessup International Law Moot Competition held in Washington in April 2024, Makerere University School of Law was recognized as the highest ranked team from Africa. In the area of research, our faculty undertook a number of research projects and published many scholarly articles and research reports on different subjects. I congratulate them for the research outputs realized.
The Judiciary of Uganda and the Parliament of Uganda are some of our key partners and stakeholders. During the reporting period, through our staff and students, the School of Law participated in and contributed to a number of activities organized by these two arms of Government. Key among these included the Africa Judiciaries’ Summit on Alternative Dispute Resolution (5th March 2024), the 7th Annual National Plea Bargaining Conference (21st June 2024), the Alternative Dispute Resolution Week (5th – 9th August), the Family Justice Summit (12th -13th August 2024) and the 7th Chief Justice Benedicto Kiwanuka Memorial Lecture. In May 2024, our students appeared before the Health Committee of Parliament and presented their views on the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill, 2023.
Through mainly our different advocacy and outreach entities including the Public Interest Law Clinic (PILAC), the Refugee Law Project (RLP) and the Human Rights & Peace Centre (HURIPEC) our staff and students conducted and participated in a number of community outreach activities. Key among these included: training of police officers on juvenile justice; training of judicial officers on juvenile justice; providing legal aid services to female prisoners in Luzira Prison; and conducting the Administrative Law short course for public officers in various parts of the country.
In December 2024, the First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni officially opened our new School of Law building. The three-storied building has several facilities including staff offices, lecture rooms, seminar rooms, state of art moot court room, a library, a lactation room and a cafeteria. These facilities will greatly enhance the teaching and learning environment at our School, which is key to providing high-quality legal education and training. The building worth 7.3 billion UGX was fully funded by the Government of Uganda.
I thank the Government of Uganda, Makerere University Council, Makerere University Top Administration and all our partners and well-wishers for the continued support that enables us to implement our programme of work. I also thank my fellow leaders and colleagues at the School of Law for the support and participation in the different activities.
As We Build for the Future
Ronald Naluwairo, PhD Associate Professor PRINCIPAL
The Academic Registrar Makerere University announces that the Pre-Entry Examination for admission to the Bachelor of Laws for 2025/2026 will be held on Saturday 12th April, 2025 from 9am – 12pm.
To be eligible to sit the examination, Applicants must possess the minimum admission requirements of the University, and any one of the following specific requirements:
A’ Level leavers: Must hold an ‘O’ Level Certificate (UCE) or its equivalent with at least 5 Passes plus ‘A’ Level Certificate (UACE) or its equivalent having obtained a minimum of 13 points (Males) and 12 points (for Females) in any ‘A’ Level combination for both Humanities and Sciences. Candidates who did ‘A’ Level before 2013 should have 15 and 14 points for male and female applicants respectively.
Diploma Holders: Must possess at least a 2nd Class or Credit Diploma from a recognised institution. Certified Copies of Diploma Transcripts (No Provisional Results) from the Awarding Institutions must be attached to the Application Forms.
Mature Age Applicants: Must have passed the Makerere University Mature Age Entry Examination (for Bachelor of Laws) for February 24, 2024 and December 14, 2024.
Degree Holders: Must be graduates in any Discipline from a Chartered University. Certified Copies of Degree Transcripts (No Provisional Results) from the Awarding Institutions must be attached to the Application Forms. (Degree holders are not eligible for Government sponsorship)
Note:
All applicants wishing to be admitted to the Bachelor of Laws programme offered by Makerere University are required to sit and pass the pre-entry examination of Makerere University.
All applicants interested in Government sponsorship, must have applied for Bachelor of Laws( LAW) by filling in the Government application form. All applicants interested in Private Sponsorship for Bachelor of Laws (LAW) -Day and Afternoon (LLA) will apply afresh when the advert comes out.
All applicants who hold diplomas and degrees must present a certified copy of the academic transcript. Provisional results shall not be accepted to register for this examination.
Applicants should note that admission is based on performance in the pre-entry examination and intake capacities for private day and private afternoon for all categories i.e. ‘A’ level, Diploma Holder, Mature Age, Degree holder and international applicants.
All applicants must attach a PDF Format of scanned copies of their original academic documents, original identification documents (A’ level former school IDs, the rest should have valid IDs s ) and the most recent coloured passport size photograph with a white background as shall be specified on the online application portal.
Each Applicant MUST without fail avail his/her e-mail address and an active mobile phone number that will be used appropriately as may be required to reach out to her/him in case of any communication after submitting the application. Applicants are encouraged to regularly check with the e-mail address/ mobile phone number availed/ application account(portal) for any future communication/information.
All Applicants with visual impairment are advised to come with laptops installed with the computer BRAIL Programme which they will use to write/sit for their pre-entry examination.
Further information detailing how to submit the application are contained in the document below:
At the 75th Graduation Makerere University School of Law (SoL) presented a total of 285 graduands including (3) Doctor of Laws (LLD), (48) Master of Laws (LLM) and (234) Bachelor of Laws (LLB).
The Bachelor of Laws awardees were 98 female and 136 male. Mr. Alado Lawrence emerged the best student among the LLB class attaining a 1st Class degree with a CGPA of 4.56; Ms. Nakalema Stella Maris who attained a Second Upper Class was the best performing female student with a CGPA of 4.26.
Best LLB Graduand: Alado Lawrence
Alado Lawrence, a humble soft-spoken gentleman who hails from Lira District in the northern region of Uganda emerged the best student attaining a 1st Class for the LLB with a CGPA of 4.56 out of 5.00. First class degrees are very rare at SoL; Lawrence is the 15th graduand to have attained this class of degree since 1971 when Makerere University produced the first LLBs.
Mr. Alado Lawrence, best performing LLB student who attained a 1st Class degree.
Lawrence is number four in a family of 6 children born to Mr. Okio Patrick (businessman) and Mrs. Angom Juspine Okio (a farmer).
In his words, he hopes to specialize in International Law; his inspiration is the environment he witnessed in his community following the Kony insurgence and war which lasted over a decade. The situation was dire with families separated, displaced communities, abduction of children, deaths and widespread poverty in the region.
When asked if he thought he would perform highly when he joined SoL, he said, ‘initially no, because everyone said the LLB was hard. However, he worked hard and got the results’. I am grateful to the support from my father and mother, lecturers and collegiality of fellow classmates, he added.
His message to other students, “Each of us, by taking actions in our lives, can achieve impossible results. Our dreams are not beyond reach and by diligence and determination, we can not only accomplish them but even exceed them. Therefore, I encourage every dreamer to take relentless action and never give up. Everything is possible to whoever believes it so”.
Best Female Graduand: Nakalema Stella Maris
Nakalema Stella Maris is a cheerful lady with a twinkle in her eye, she emerged the best performing female student for the LLB attaining a Second Class Upper with a CGPA of 4.26 out of 5.00.
Stella Maris hails from Buvuma District, the 3rd child among 4 children born to Mr. Nsubuga William (an Economist) and Ms. Nagujja Judith (a teacher).
Ms. Nakalema Stella Maris, best performing female LLB student.
Her message to other students, “Success in law school is not just about talent but about consistency, discipline, and resilience. My journey has taught me the importance of hard work, collaboration, and learning from others. To my fellow students, remember that every challenge is an opportunity to grow, and every setback is a lesson in disguise. Don’t fear the challenges; embrace them. Don’t aim for perfection; aim for progress. Stay curious, remain humble, and never lose sight of the values that make you passionate about the law. Together, we can inspire change and build a better society. The best is yet to come!”
Congratulations to all the SoL high performers, a further 13 LLB graduands also attained Second Class Upper.