General
Vice Chancellor’s Roster against Sexual Harassment Meets, Shares Milestones & Experiences
The Vice Chancellor’s Roster of 100 to investigate Sexual Harassment at Makerere University has called upon the University Leadership to reinforce its commitment and support toward elimination of violence, abuse and sexual harassment at the university. This was during the two days (14th– 15th June 2022) of the Refresher Training that was organized by Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate in partnership with UN Women.
In line with section 18 part (a) of Makerere University Policy and Regulations against sexual harassment 2006 (as amended), the Vice-Chancellor on 1st August 2019, appointed 100 members of the Vice Chancellor’s Standing Roster to investigate sexual harassment.
According to Makerere University Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment, the Vice Chancellor’s Roster of 100 includes well-selected persons of integrity from which ad-hoc committees will be drawn to investigate specific reported complaints of sexual harassment. The Roster represents all categories of groups in the University community that is; academic, administrative, and support staff, students (undergraduate and postgraduate) as well as all hierarchical ranks within those categories.
The team appreciated the University Management for taking a bold step aimed at breaking the power-authority chains that had acted as barricades to perpetrators and protected them as untouchables. They further appealed to the University leadership to always cooperate and support the teams/members investigating sexual harassment cases. “We need back up from the leadership to ensure that however powerful a person is, as long as they have been mentioned in any Sexual Harassment scandal, they are not protected.”
During the training, the team recognized the critical importance of their work and also highlighted the possible risks involved when investigating sexual harassment cases including death threats to both the victims and investigators. In addition, the team recorded the need to intensify sensitization campaigns in order to reduce the knowledge gap on Gender-Based Violence, abuse, and sexual Harassment that exists among staff and students as well as the wider University community.
Sharing milestones and experiences
The team also shared experiences, and progress achieved throughout the two years of executing their work. In a presentation made by Ms. Susan Mbabazi, the Principal Gender Officer -Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, since 2019, the VC’s Roster of 100 has been able to investigate to conclusion eight (8) cases out of the twenty-two that were reported.
“Twenty-two cases have been reported for the last two years, eight (8) were investigated to conclusion of which five (5) were successfully handled and three (3) were acquitted, one (1) case has been referred to the police; Three (3) cases were overtaken by events and they lost jurisdiction and one (1) case was withdrawn,” she said.
Ms. Mbabazi noted that the results indicate a stronger step that has been taken by the team to execute their duties amidst recognizable challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the world for two years. She was optimistic that after the lockdown, their work will be much easier, highlighting the Nine (9) cases that are currently being investigated.
In the same training, participants also reflected on the Makerere University Gender Equity Policy and Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment as key tools in the fight against the vice at the university. In an interactive session conducted by the Director of Gender Mainstreaming, Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine, the team called for an enhancement in the dissemination and communication of the two policies to both staff and students.
“It is high time we utilize all the communication and information points of the university to communicate and emphasize the importance of the two policies. The extended knowledge of the policies should be one of the key performance indicators for the University and students’ leadership,” they noted.
In a speech read by Ms. Nina Asiimwe Byarugaba, the Deputy Country Representative of UN Women Uganda Ms. Adekemi Ndieli, commended Makerere University for the review and production of the Policy and Regulation Against Sexual Harassment; noting that the policy provides the much-needed institutional framework to effectively respond to sexual harassment issues in a well-coordinated, coherent fashion, one that will particularly promote perpetrator accountability.
“UN Women in Uganda is committed to ending all forms of violence against women and girls. We recognize that ending violence against women and girls is a critical move to ensure that they have access to justice. We emphasize that access to justice is an essential ingredient for effective, accountable, and gender-responsive to the realization of women’s and girls’ rights which cannot be denied,” she said.
Noting that violence against women and girls is highly pervasive, entrenched and normalized in Uganda, Ms. Ndieli, stressed, that although efforts have been put in place to abate it, through legislation and sensitization of the relevant duty bearers on how to effectively manage gender-based violence cases, obtaining full protection and accountability of GBV crimes remains a challenge.
“We are mindful of the fact that efficient and effective management of gender-based violence cases requires extensive preparation, specific skills, substantive knowledge and resources, and the Policy and Regulation Against Sexual Harassment is a critical solution to these needs,” she noted.
She extended sincere appreciation to the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate and Makerere University for conducting a refresher training for members of the Vice Chancellor’s Roster of 100 as a follow-up on progress as well as re-equipping the team with skills and techniques for addressing some of the persistent challenges of access to justice for women and girls.
Members also highlighted the role of men in the elimination of gender-based violence and particularly, sexual harassment among communities. In a presentation made on Male Engagement in Gender equality interventions: What can men do to work with women in challenging sexual harassment and gender-based violence at Makerere University, Dr. Julius Kikooma noted the manner in which the socialization processes are embedded within the men’s sexuality and their psyche is ill-explored. According to him, the socialization processes that men undergo in their sexual development can lead them toward normalizing sexual violence.
He called for collective efforts to harness positive masculinities to promote an educational environment that is free of sexual harassment. In the same spirit, Dr. Kikooma urged the Makerere University community to open up opportunities to question hegemonic beliefs and practices upon which harmful forms of masculinities in Higher education institutions are constituted.
“We need to rethink and re-imagine institutions of higher learning as intellectual spaces with Institutionalized structures and spaces that promote conversation on progressive male behaviors and practices,” he stated.
Participants were also engaged on:
- Legal and Policy Frameworks for Gender-Based Violence and Violence against Women and Girls by Mr. Mayanja Idi Mubarak, Principal Women in Development Officer- Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development
- Sexual Harassment Prosecutions; Lessons from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions by Samali Wakooli, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions and Head of Gender Children and Sexual Offences Department.
- Sexual Harassment Investigations; Lessons from the Uganda Police Force by Rose Nalubega, Commissioner, Sexual, Children Offences and Trafficking in Persons Department, Directorate of CID, Uganda Police Force.
- Strategies for effective staff and student mobilization against sexual harassment by Prof. Fred Babweteera
By Moses Lutaaya
The Directorate of Graduate Training at Makerere University has equipped several Senior ranking lecturers with expert knowledge in a Training of Trainers’ workshop on “Philosophy of Methods”.
In his remarks at the opening of a 3-day training workshop at Level4 Conference Hall – Senate Building, the Director of Graduate Training Prof. Julius Kikooma said, “The teaching of Philosophy of Methods gives all participants the fundamentals to extend knowledge to other learners, hence its importance in upholding the Makerere University values.”
Kikooma urged and challenged the participants to also attend and actively participate in the follow up of learners’ training of students, stating that the PhD students need support as the directorate continues to coordinate the curriculum of PhD by-research that was approved by the senate recently.
“To holistically implement the senate approved PhD curriculum, we are coordinating capacity building trainings of all stake holders in a structured approach with the different units of the University. Many more trainings including Training of Trainers in advanced research methods course are on the way.”
He further urged the participants to be intentional in their teaching profession and in whatever they were doing, adding “Apart from focusing on practices as teachers and researchers, we can engage in wider philosophical debates in our research areas so that we are relevant in the society and in the empowerment of PhD research students.”
The participants for the Philosophy of Methods training were from College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Education and External Studies, Makerere University Business School among others.
During the same training, Dr. Dickson Kanakulya stressed the need to train senior lecturers in the Philosophy of Methods, saying, “The biggest connection is that societal problems require concrete research to find solutions. Our challenge in Africa is that we employ a short barrow approach to find solutions to problems. This cannot work. We need consistent researchers to solve problems. Lasting solutions to societal issues can only be got through training such as Philosophy of Methods, where researchers come up with new models for societal solutions.”
Dr. Kanakulya said that Makerere University remains the biggest research University in Africa and philosophy of Methods helps to come up with good research tools that produce good research outputs. “Research has shown that the higher the number of PhD researchers in any given country, the higher the levels of development of that country e.g. the USA, China etc., adding that research is not limited to only medicinal or agricultural related issues.”
He said philosophy of methods, encourages philosophical creativity in research, “It is meant to bring out philosophical generation of concepts, theories and ideas. It is meant to encourage students to question the existing philosophical assumptions and status quo in a given field of knowledge such that new philosophical concepts are created.”
For successful rollout of government programs like the National Development Plan 4, Dr. Kanakulya said that Philosophy of Methods training needs to be integrated into such systems. “Philosophy of Methods focuses on ethical thinking aspects. For example, for a better rollout of the Parish Development Model, we need implementers to be ethical.” He added.
Prof. Sulait Tumwiine, the associate Dean of Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at MUBS said, “This is a discussion where new ideas are shared to guide and gauge applicability in the current knowledge diversity coupled with lots of technological development including Artificial Intelligence and Chat GPT.”
He added, “As professors of Universities, we need to understand how we leverage on what comes up so that it does not take our space, but also appreciate how we can support growth of knowledge. The Philosophy of Methods training is the answer.”
Dr. Jim Spire Ssentongo highlighted that Philosophy uses more of the critical mind than Science. He added that philosophy is more of speculation of the mind.
“Sustainability of philosophy Education encourages us to continue training. Philosophy being the oldest discipline retained special status in the academia as a pinnacle of pursuit of knowledge. All disciplines have major elements of philosophy citing examples in the philosophy of Mathematics and Physics.
Dr. Spire added, “If you do not understand philosophy, you cannot deeply investigate anything because philosophy is the reality of understanding everything. Philosophy is the basis of understanding what knowledge is and how it is arrived at.”
Also participating in the workshop was Prof. Joseph Ntaayi from MUBS, in his remarks he said PhD students need the philosophy of methods training to understand how to best to create knowledge. He added that ontological and epistemological questions that lead to good research design methods can only be answered by this training.
Dr. Robert Kakuru, a Lecturer in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences said that the Philosophy of Methods training is needed by every graduate student as well as supervisors to critically determine the choice of methods to use in academic research. For example, “If one wants to use a questionnaire as an interview approach, one should understand, why that approach and yet without this training, the why cannot be answered.” He added.
The Philosophy of Methods training was organized by Directorate of Graduate Training with funding support from the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA).
16th May 2025 started on a high note as over 100 newly appointed staff at Makerere University convened to participate in the second day of the Induction workshop organized by the Directorate of Human Resources.
The Chief Human Resources Officer, Mr. Deus Tayari Mujuni highlighted that Makerere University presents staff with enormous opportunities for career and professional growth, research, partnerships, and valuable networks in the respective fields.
Re-affirming the statement from the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta who joined the University service in 2001 testified that the institution has presented him with opportunities for growth in the academia, research and leadership. He served as the Head of the Department of Physics for nine years, where he rose through the ranks from Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor to Professor. Additionally, he has served as a Member of Council, and the University Senate. Currently, he is the substantive Principal of the College of Natural Sciences.
Prof. Ireeta congratulated the new staff upon joining Makerere University, which he described as a merit-based institution. “I can confirm that the recruitment process is based on merit. It is highly competitive and every step is followed to recruit the best candidate,” he said.
The second day of the Induction workshop featured the following topics: Legal instruments, the collegiate system, human resources management, the electronic human resource management system (ehrms), understanding the human resource functions, policies on gender equality, the policy and regulations against sexual harassment, academic policies, the Safeguarding policy, the procurement function, the audit function, and library resources.
The induction workshop presented the newly appointed staff with a golden opportunity to understand the evolution of Makerere University from a faculty-based to a collegiate system. Established in 1922 as a humble technical school with 14 male students, Makerere has evolved into one of the leading universities in the world. It boasts of a student population of over 35,000 and hundreds of thousands of alumni spread across the globe.
Chairing the session on the collegiate system, Dr. Ronald Bisaso, the Deputy Principal of the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), described Makerere University as an intelligent organization that presents staff with career growth and excellence in life. Dr. Bisaso joined the university service in 2008 with a substantive appointment as Assistant Lecturer, and has risen through the academic ranks up to Associate Professor. He has also served as an academic leader; formerly as Dean and currently Deputy Principal. Reflecting on his impactful journey since 2008, he referred to Makerere University as the land of possibilities. As the new staff begin tapping into this rewarding resource, he advised them to maximally utilize their potential to contribute to the growth of Makerere University.
Dr. Bisaso informed the participants that Prof. Ireeta who witnessed the transition from the faculty- based system, was the best university leader, member of staff and alumnus of Makerere University to present the operations and functions of the collegiate system.
Presenting the collegiate system to the newly appointed staff, Prof. Ireeta highlighted that the collegiate system kicked off in 2011. The strategic decision was informed by the continuous growth of Makerere University and the need to enhance service delivery to students, staff, alumni and society.
Prof. Ireeta pointed out that the university has nine (9) colleges, two (2) stand-alone schools and two (2) institutes. The Colleges include: Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; Business and Management Sciences; Computing and Information Sciences; Education and External Studies; Engineering, Design, Art and Technology; Health Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; Natural Sciences; and Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity. The stand-alone schools include: School of Law, and the School of Public Health. He also mentioned the two (2) institutes namely: Makerere University Institute of Social Research (MISR) and the Institute of Gender and Development Studies (IGDS). Prof. Ireeta advised the new staff to visit the Makerere University website (https://mak.ac.ug) to acquaint themselves with in-depth information about the institution, the respective colleges and units.
Focusing on the operations of the collegiate system, he outlined the reporting hierarchy that ensures a smooth and harmonious relationship among the colleges and the central administration. He explained that the College Principals report to the Vice Chancellor. In addition, College work plans, budgets, procurement plans and among others, are presented and approved by the mandated offices at the Centre.
Prof. Ireeta urged the new staff to respect the reporting hierarchy with special reference to the Immediate Supervisor mentioned in the appointment letter. He encouraged the newly appointed staff to utilize the following offices at the Colleges: Office of the Principal, School Deans, Heads of Departments, College Bursar, College Registrar, College Communication Office, College Procurement Office, College Librarian, and among others.
Responding to a participant who expressed the desire to join a SACCO, Prof. Ireeta who acknowledged being a member of one of the SACCOS in the University, advised the members of staff to study the different SACCOS within the administrative units, and, at the respective colleges and make informed decisions. “With time, you will learn about the different SACCOS within the University. It is important that you listen to what each SACCO has to offer including the laws available to safeguard your savings. After thorough scrutiny, you will make a personal decision on whether to join a particular SACCO,” he said.
Tackling the legal instruments, the session Chair, Dr. Zahara Nampewo, who is the Deputy Principal of the School of Law, and the Presenter, Ms. Sumaiyah Nanyondo, the Chief Legal Officer discussed the relevant provisions of the laws and policies governing the University. These included: The Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, Employment Act, Human Resources Manual (as amended 2009), and the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders. In addition, Ms. Nanyondo referred staff to the Makerere University policies website (https://policies.mak.ac.ug) to access and read the specific policies in detail.
The Chair for the academic policies session, Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu-Musoke, who is the Head, Department of Humanities and Language Education at CEES informed the participants that he joined the University service in 1999. Dr. Kiggundu-Musoke who shared his focus on becoming a Professor, mentioned that Makerere University had enabled him to serve as the PRO of Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), the Chairperson of MUASA, Acting Manager, Communication and International Relations at Makerere University. Currently, serving as Head of Department, he looks forward to more leadership opportunities. Dr. Kiggundu-Musoke implored new staff to understand their roles and serve diligently, emphasizing that leadership demands vision, integrity and alignment with the core functions of teaching and learning, research and community engagements.
On the first day of the Induction Workshop (15th May 2025), the Secretary to Council, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda sensitized the new staff on the role of the University Council-the supreme governing body of the university. Consequently, on day two, Mrs. Patience Rubabinda Mushengyezi, the Deputy Academic Registrar (Senate) briefed the new staff about the University Senate-the chief academic organ of the university. She stated that the University Senate plays a pivotal role in the formulation of academic policies. She explained that the Department of the Academic Registrar performs functions of great value to the university. She noted that academic policies are implemented through school committees, college academic boards and designated academic leaders. Mrs. Mushengyezi rallied staff to actively participate in the implementation of academic policies. “The academic policies guide and shape the academic journey of the students at the university. Let us do our best to implement them,” she stated.
Inspiring the new staff, Mrs. Mushengyezi revealed that she joined the university service in 1998 as a part-time Lecturer. Makerere University has presented her with room to serve in the different offices under the Department of the Academic Registrar, and, widened her spectrum to the field of research, where she has been in position to serve as a Principal Investigator on some of the research projects.
As a Principal Investigator she led a team of University staff, which contributed to a collection of organized archives of university records from 1922 to 2009. Through the Digitalization of Academic Records and Processes (DARP) project, Mrs. Mushengyezi and her research team, significantly contributed to the digitization agenda of the University.
Delivering a special message to the Administrative staff, Mrs. Mushengyezi re-echoed that her story is testimony that when you focus, you can become a researcher, grant writer and principal investigator.
In the strategic plan, Makerere University commits to gender equality, a process which involves engendering its processes and operations. The session was chaired by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Acting Director of the Institute of Gender and Development Studies (IGDS). Prof. Ssali who joined the university service in 2003 as a Lecturer has risen up to the rank of Professor. She has served as the Dean of the School of Women and Gender Studies, a Member of Senate and Council, and a Member of the Appointments Board. She acknowledged Makerere University for its contribution to building her profile, which has presented her with international recognition and appointments on national and internationally recognized boards. “The University has nurtured me to be a teacher, researcher and professor. I have been nominated to serve on international bodies/organs because of Makerere University,” she remarked.
At the institutional level, Makerere University established the School of Women and Gender Studies, and the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate to champion the gender equality agenda. Prof. Ssali informed the new staff that Makerere University is undertaking several programmes to conform to the international standards embodied in the gender equality seal.
In her presentation, the Chief-Gender Mainstreaming, Dr. Euzobia Mugisha-Baine highlighted some of the historical issues that dictated the need for gender mainstreaming. She reported that Makerere started with 14 male students. This continued up 1945 when the first female students joined the institution. In addition, its founding motto was, “Let us be Men.” With time, the motto changed to the more inclusive, “We Build for the Future.” Dr. Mugisha-Baine pointed out that the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate will continue to work with the University leadership, government, ministries and stakeholders to implement policies and programmes that advance gender equality.
The policy and regulations against sexual harassment featured prominently as different University leaders on 15th and 16th May 2025, underscored the aspect of zero-tolerance. The following leaders and members of staff amplified the voices against zero tolerance: The Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, the Chief Human Resources Officer-Mr. Deus Tayari Mujuni, the Chief Legal Officer-Ms Sumaiyah Nanyondo, the Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, Prof. Sarah Ssali and Dr. Euzobia Mugisha-Baine.
During the induction workshop, the Chief Human Resources Officer, Mr. Mujuni presented an overview of human resources management, structure and functions. He explained the human resource management function at the centre, unit levels and at the Colleges. He implored staff at the Colleges and Unit Levels to always consult the respective human resource officers.
On the aspect of digitalization, Mr. Joshua Muhumuza demonstrated the electronic Human Resource Management System (ehrms), a platform available to staff, supervisors and the Directorate of Human Resources, to execute their human resource functions, roles and expectations.
Feeding into the aforementioned presentations, the session chair, Mr. Julius Lebo called upon the four (4) line managers in the Directorate of Human Resources to brief the new staff on the specialized tasks in their dockets. Ms. Josephine Nalweyiso presented the staff development, welfare and retirement benefits. Ms. Mavis Kansiime presented the employment systems, guidelines, policies and implementation. Ms. Lawrence Sanyu tackled records and information management while Ms. Janet Nabukeera focused on performance management, the payroll and the appraisal system.
On ensuring that Makerere University continues to be a safe space for students, staff and stakeholders, the Deputy Dean of Students, Dr. Rodney Rugyema flanked by Ms Carol Kasujja, the Senior Communication Officer (Safeguarding) presented the Makerere University Safeguarding Policy. They requested staff to report safeguarding risks and incidents such as harassment, a case of unsafe situation, torture, through the MakSafeSpace-the online reporting system, https://safespace.mak.ac.ug.
Emphasizing the collective responsibility for everyone (staff and students) to safeguarding, he appealed to the newly appointed staff to work with the Safeguarding Champions, who are members of staff in the respective Units, to report safeguarding incidents to the Offices highlighted in the policy for immediate action/response. He underscored the need to read the safeguarding policy to appreciate the language and terms when handling such cases/incidents. For instance a member of staff or student who has overcome a safeguarding challenge is referred to as a survivor, and not a victim. He tasked the newly appointed staff to access and read the safeguarding policy, https://policies.mak.ac.ug/policy/safegaurding-policy.
The Principal Legal Officer, Ms. Naome Kiconco Ochieng chaired the sessions on procurement and audit functions of the University. The Deputy Chief, Procurement and Disposal Unit, Mr. Paul Agaba informed the new staff that the procurement process should be planned and participatory, with each Unit within the University expected to have a procurement plan for each financial year. He appealed to the Colleges and Administrative Units to follow the procurement plans and submit the requisitions early to avoid delays. He also emphasized the need to involve the Unit procurement offices and accountants so that all the required documents are received and attached on the procurement requests.
The Chief Internal Auditor, Mr. Patrick Akonyet explained that the audit function focuses on the proper utilization of university funds and resources. He stated the need to account for funds, and resources as well as executing tasks and duties within the set timelines. Presenting the audit areas of focus, he outlined the need for compliance with the Law, Memoranda of Understanding, policies and procedures, and best practices. In the area of performance, he indicated interest in directional achievement of objectives, ethical issues, budget performance, award process and project closure. He sensitized the new staff about their role in the audit process. He requested staff to provide all audit information on time, provide explanation to audit queries, provide supporting documents required for audit, and volunteer information on control weaknesses.
In a session chaired by Dr. Julius Kikooma, the Ag. Director of Graduate Training, the University Librarian, Dr. Ruth Nalumaga rallied staff to utilize the library services for research, reading, access to print and electronic resources. She pointed out some of the physical spaces in the Main Library designated for members of staff. She called upon staff to access the library online via https://mulib.mak.ac.ug.
The end of the presentations set the pace for the closing ceremony. The Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Ireeta represented by Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala reiterated that staff are the most important asset for Makerere University. The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) assured staff of the University Management’s total support and cooperation in the execution of their work. He urged staff to be pragmatic and to always be part of the team that provides solutions to challenges. He commended the Chief Human Resources Officer and his team for inducting the newly appointed staff.
On her part, Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, the Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) who has served Makerere University for 21 years said: “Makerere University has given us the best. The institution has nurtured us and availed us with numerous opportunities to shine.”
The closing ceremony climaxed with the award of certificates to staff who successfully completed the two-day induction workshop (15th and 16th May 2025).
Ms. Ritah Namisango who joined the university service in May 2006 as an Administrative Assistant in the Office of the Vice Chancellor, and has over the years, served in the capacity of Public Relations Officer, Communication Officer, Senior Public Relations Officer, and Principal Public Relations Officer moderated the proceedings of the two-day induction workshop.
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