Education
Gone but still lives on: Makerere University celebrates Prof. Kajubi’s legacy
Professor William Senteza Kajubi, the first African to receive a Fulbright scholarship in 1952 and a renowned educationist who diversified and chaired a committee to review Uganda’s Curriculum in 1990 was remembered and celebrated by Makerere University College of Education and External studies (CEES) in a public lecture that happened on 22nd September 2022 at the Yusuf Lule teaching facility Auditorium at Makerere University.
The ceremony themed “Internationalization of Higher Education in the next Century” presided over by the United States’s Ambassador to Uganda Her Excellency Natalie Brown brought together many academicians, educationists and students across the world to celebrate the life and achievements of the person of Professor William Senteza Kajubi. In attendance were Vice Chancellors from Ugandan universities e.g. Soroti, Muni, Bishop Stuart, Bugema, Ndejje and Busitema.
Besides remembering the life of Prof. Kajubi, this public lecture also happened to be marking the Makerere University’s 100 year anniversary, Uganda’s 60 years of independence and its fruitful relationship with the United States that has paved way for the Fulbright Scholarship program and many other partnerships that have impacted lives of Ugandans.
While addressing the congregation, the Principal College of Education and External Studies (CEES) Professor Anthony Mugagga hailed Professor Kajubi for the 1989 report on Education which the National Resistance Movement government incorporated into its 10-point program.
“In 1954 when Pope Leo the 10th appointed Ben Kiwanuka as the first African Bishop, he cautioned him to be successful so that he can inspire more African theologians. Kajubi never got lost in the States, neither did he do drugs but he clang to studies and paved way for other scholars of the Fulbright Scholarship program,” added Professor Mugagga who concluded his remarks cautioning the congregation to emulate Prof. Kajubi, and also thanked all staff who participated in seeing this event a success.
On behalf of the Senteza Kajubi family, his son Wasswa Kajubi expressed their deepest gratitude and honor to Makerere University and CEES administration for always remembering their loved one even when he passed on long time ago.
The Chairperson Makerere University Council Mrs.Lorna Magara highlighted how the Late Prof. Kajubi’s life symbolized hard work, persistence and courage to pursue excellence and greatness. She added that Prof. Kajubi’s passion for education at Makerere and the University of Chicago resulted into a lot of phenomenal education reforms that saw admission of private sponsored students to Makerere.
“Prof. Sentenza Kajubi’s life symbolized hard work, passion for the profession,
creativity, innovation, and courage to pursue and carry out a vision”. This hard work ethic, Mrs. Magara informed the gathering, was reinforced daily by a family motto in the Kajubi sitting room, “OMULIMU LYE LINNYA LY’OMUNTU,” which may be translated as ONE’S WORK IS ONE’S NAME.
The late Prof. Kajubi’s passion and pursuit for knowledge can be traced through his education journey, from Mengo Junior Secondary school to Kings College Budo, to Makerere University, and on to the University of Chicago on a Fulbright Scholarship graduating with an MSC. with a concentration in Geography. Upon return, he embraced the privilege and honor of serving as a teacher, and Administrator. His dedicated service saw him rise through the ranks to serve as Director, National Institute of Education (1964- 1977) and twice as Vice Chancellor, Makerere University (1977-1979; 1990-1993).
Her Excellency Natalie Brown the United States Ambassador to Uganda said,” Professor Kajubi is a shining star among Fulbright alumni, in Uganda and beyond. He traveled to the U.S. in 1952 as a Fulbright student to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Chicago. He returned to make great contributions to the education sector in Uganda and the region. His two-time tenure appointments at the helm of this university demonstrate his outstanding leadership ability”. Professor Kajubi did not limit himself to education alone, he went on to serve as a delegate to Uganda’s Constituent Assembly which created the new constitution in 1995, among other things. His legacy of service to his country remains an inspiration to generations of faculty and students alike”.
Ms. Brown said the US Mission in Uganda are proud to manage the Fulbright program in Uganda where 12 Ugandan Fulbright grantees were sent this year to academic programs for Masters, PhD and research in the United States, and in exchange Uganda welcomed nine U.S. Fulbrighters to conduct research.
Makerere University and the people of America have had great partnerships that have seen America’s public Health enthusiasts and other specialists come to Uganda to conduct research. They include the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and so many others.
The keynote speaker of the day and the Vice President and Associate Provost for Internationalization at the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Michael Pippenger challenged African Universities to ensure solidarity, commitment and transparency if they actually want to internationalize since it not only helps them realize weaknesses, strengths and potential areas of collaboration but also builds transformative and global minded students.
“It is not the MOUs and agreements we sign that show internationalization, but rather the work we do while together on ending pandemics, fostering rule of law and other community impactful engagements. Surprisingly Prof Kajubi knew all this”. Concluded Dr. Pippenger who urged universities to stick to their visions and missions which should reflect on the communities they serve.
Prof. William Senteza Kajubi served as the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University at two different intervals 1977 – 1979 and 1990 – 1993. He was also a member of the constitutional Assembly that drafted Uganda’s constitution of 1995. He devoted his life to Academics and impacting communities until his death on May 1st, 2012.
Background
Prof. Senteza Kajubi was born in 1926, in Singo county (modern day Mityana District), to Yoweri Bugonzi Kajubi and Bulanina Namukomya. His family later moved closer to the capital and settled in Busega, a suburb in the outskirts of Kampala, where he began his long journey with, or rather in, education at the Mackay Memorial Primary School in 1933. He then attended Mengo Junior School from 1941 to 1943 before transferring to King’s College Budo for his Advanced Level, finally making it to Makerere College in 1947 where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts with a Diploma in Education.
Shortly after he graduated, Prof. Kajubi taught at Kako Junior Secondary School before going to the University of Chicago for a Master of Science in Geography. Later, in 1955, he went back to his alma mater, King’s College Budo, and taught Geography. It was during this period that he taught other notable personalities in Uganda’s history such as Mathew Rukikaire and Prof. Apolo Nsibambi in a predominantly white environment. The only other native teachers at Budo, then, were the Deputy Headteacher, Mr. Sempebwa and Erisa Kironde, an English language teacher.
As one of the few Protestant members of a predominantly Catholic Democratic party (DP), Senteza Kajubi was a member of the National Symbols Committee which was tasked with selecting the national anthem, flag and coat of arms.
His political acumen propelled him to chair a number of government boards over the years until he directly participated in electoral politics in 1994 as a delegate of the Constituent Assembly representing Kyadondo North.
Two years after Uganda got independence, now a lecturer at Makerere University, Prof. Senteza was appointed the Director of National Institute of Education. He served there until 1977 when he became Vice Chancellor for the first time.
Education Policy Formation in Uganda
As the Secretary General of the Uganda Teachers’ Association from 1959 to 1962, Prof. Senteza Kajubi was a member of the famed Castle Commission on Uganda’s post-independence education policy framework.
Instituted and appointed in January 1963, the Castle Commission had been tasked with examining the content and structure of education in Uganda in light of the approved recommendations of the International Bank Survey Mission Report, Uganda’s financial position and its future manpower requirement.
In the execution of its mandate, the commission dealt with a dilemma; if the formulated policy disproportionately focused on universal primary education and adult literacy while neglecting secondary, tertiary and higher education, it would fail to produce high level manpower which was required to staff government and teach in schools. However, on the other hand, the country did not have the resources to make improvements across the board and had to prioritise one option to the detriment of the other.
Since Makerere was still under the University of East Africa and higher education was still an inter-territorial responsibility, the commission instead focused on prioritising teacher-training, expanding secondary school enrolment and improving relevance, quality and access of primary education in remote areas.
In 1977, during his first tenure as the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Kajubi went on to chair the Education Policy Review Commission (EPRC) which was appointed by Idi Amin’s Minister of Education, Brig. Barnabas Kili.
Owing to the political climate at the time, the education system was facing even dire problems. The gross human rights violations had led to a mass exodus of highly qualified professionals from civil service, teachers and university faculty into exile. Imploding diplomatic relations rendered external assistance with regard to education inexistent and the government had to deal with shortages from personnel to instructional material.
Prof. Senteza Kajubi was then tasked with the responsibility of leading an effort to circumvent some of these challenges and therefore keeping the education system in Uganda alive. Unfortunately, the findings and recommendations of the report, from its members and constituent sub-committees were overtaken by events in 1979 when war broke out and the Idi Amin regime was overthrown. The report was shelved and never formally presented to cabinet.
In 1987, after the ascendancy of the NRM government into power, another commission, once again headed by Prof. Senteza Kajubi, was appointed. Still under similarly unique circumstances, this commission too had to work within the socio-economic confines of a post-war society riddled with scarcity of resources. Eighteen months later, the commission’s report was produced in January 1989.
The most notable outcome of this committee report was a government white paper which brought to life the famous Universal Primary Education. This recommendation alone, for all its limitations, has contributed significantly to literacy levels in Uganda and to the education system as a whole.
After chairing the second Kajubi commission, he then became the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University for the second time, from 1990 to 1993, preceded by Prof. George Kirya and succeeded by Prof. John Ssebuwufu.
The Fulbright Program
In 1952, Prof. Senteza went on to the University of Chicago, on a Fulbright Scholarship, to pursue a Master of Science in Geography, making him the first African beneficiary of this scholarship program.
The student exchange scholarship program, which was started shortly after the Second World War by an act of Congress, was named after the American Senator J. William Fulbright, its framer. He made the case that “educational exchange could turn nations into people, contributing as no other form of communication can to the humanising of international relations.”
Through his notable achievements and illustrious career, it is clear that this initiative to bridge cultural gaps through an international education exchange program had Prof. Senteza as one its successes.
Education
Makerere University Signs MoU with Fukui University to enhance Research, Teacher Development and STEM Education
Education
Makerere Vice Chancellor tasks CEES to re-position into Africa’s leading Centre for Graduate Training and Education Research
“Graduate Training, especially PhD production, is at the heart of Makerere University’s strategy for growth, national transformation and Africa’s development,” stated Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor.
The Vice Chancellor made the pronouncement during his visit to the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) on Tuesday 16th June 2026. The meeting which started at 2:00pm, focused on strengthening graduate training and research at Makerere University, and positioning CEES as the leading centre for graduate training and educational research in Africa.
This discourse comes at a time when Pan-Africanists, the African Union, governments, universities and research institutions, are pushing for a more dominant role of Africa in global research and development. To realise this agenda, one of the key targets involves the training of 1 million PhDs in the next 10 years.
The strategic plan stipulates the transition of Makerere University into a research-led institution, a strategic direction that positions the University, to significantly contribute to Africa’s development and transformation through graduate training, research, innovations and community impact.
“Africa must train 1 million PhDs in the next 10 years. Makerere University must lead and make its impact. Graduate Training is our core strategy for the future. We must significantly increase graduate student numbers. We have the expertise and academic strength to train many more, with strict adherence to quality assurance and academic standards,” said the Vice Chancellor.
The Vice Chancellor’s engagement with faculty and staff on PhD training is focused on the need to consolidate the gains so far achieved. At the 76th graduation ceremony of Makerere University (24th to 27thFebruary 2026), a total of 213 students graduated with PhDs. Out of these, the College of Education and External Studies presented the highest number, a record 27 PhD graduates.
Acknowledging the positive contribution of CEES to PhD training, the Vice Chancellor’s engagement with the college leadership, faculty, researchers and staff was aimed at leveraging this strength to support higher education development in Africa.
At the College level, the meeting brought onboard, Prof. Anthony M. Mugagga-Principal, Prof. Ronald Bisaso-Deputy Principal, Associate Prof. Mathias Mulumba Bwanika, Dean-School of Education, Dr. Harriet Nabushawo, Dean-School of Distance and Lifelong Learning, Associate Prof. Jude Ssempebwa-Dean, East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development, Heads of Departments, Teaching and Research Centres, Coordinators of Graduate Training, Senior faculty, researchers and staff.
At the University level, given the centrality of CEES to Makerere University’s mission of advancing knowledge, building capacity, and transforming lives, the meeting attracted the following University Officials who enriched the discourse on graduate training and research: Prof. Henry Alinaitwe- Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi-Academic Registrar, Prof. Julius Kikooma-Director, Graduate Training, Prof. Robert Wamala-Director, Research, Innovations and Partnerships, Prof. Sylvia A.N. Nannyonga-Tamusuza-Head, Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU), Associate Prof. William Tayeebwa-Managing Editor, Makerere University Press, Dr. Margaret Nagwovuma-representative from the Makerere University Technology and Innovation Centre, Prof. Fredrick Jones Muyodi-Head of the Makerere University Writing Centre, Mr. Andrew Mwesigwa-from Makerere University Library, and Mr. Gordon Murangira-Personal Assistant to the Vice Chancellor.
Vice Chancellor’s presentation to CEES
Prof. Nawangwe appreciated the College for championing the Competence-Based Education (CBC) agenda at Makerere University, other Universities in Uganda, and in the region. He commended the School of Education for training staff in teaching pedagogy, which is a core component in the delivery of teaching and learning at Makerere University.
Prof. Nawangwe’s presentation highlighted the following: Graduate training as a core strategy, the central role of CEES and teachers to national transformation, enabling increase in graduate student enrolment through online and flexible learning (IODel), adherence to quality assurance and academic standards, positioning Makerere as a continental leader, resource mobilization and sustainability.
CEES and national transformation
The Vice Chancellor reiterated the central role of preparing quality teachers and education professionals. “Teachers are critical to the nation. If we transform teachers, we transform the nation. Quality teacher education must be at the heart of what we do,” he stressed.
Online and Flexible Learning
Acknowledging the reality that many teachers and working professionals cannot leave their jobs to study, the Vice Chancellor called for the expansion of online and blended programmes. “Online and flexible learning will allow more people to study while staying where they are. This will significantly increase access and enrolment,” he said.
Resource mobilization and Sustainability
Submitting that growth requires adequate resources, the Vice Chancellor called upon staff and researchers to attract more partnerships, grants and subscriptions. He stated that increased enrolment and innovative programmes will strengthen sustainability.
Envisioning the desired future
According to the Vice Chancellor, if the College of Education and External Studies implements the aforementioned strategies, more PhDs will be trained, more teachers and professionals will be upskilled, online programmes will lead to greater access to education, stronger research output and impact will be registered, and as such, Makerere University will be recognized as Africa’s graduate training hub.
CEES Principal presents report on graduate training and research
Renowned for his consultative and team-building approach, Principal, Prof. Mugagga engaged staff and the various research teams, during the preparation for the Vice Chancellor’s visit to the College. Consequently, on 14th May 2026, staff and researchers, convened in the CEES Smart Room, to discuss and provide input, into the proposed College’s presentation on research and graduate training. The members of staff agreed that the College’s presentation to the Vice Chancellor should feature the following: Graduate Training and Research at CEES, Research Priorities, Schools, Institutes and Centres, CEES Research and Graduate Training Strategy, Journals at CEES, the Books Project, Funding Challenges, Teaching, Learning and Quality Assurance, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and Networking.
Principal presents CEES Research Priorities
Welcoming the Vice Chancellor and his delegation, the Principal mentioned that 16th June 2026, will be remembered as a special and historic day at CEES, with respect to the execution of graduate training and research.
Pleased to share a detailed report with input from staff and various research teams, the Principal outlined the following research priorities:
- Graduate Training and Research (GTR)
- Competence Based Education (CBC)
- Inclusive Education
- Teacher Wellbeing and Mental Health
- Educational Technology
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
- Early Childhood Education and Development
Artificial Information (AI) Centre, and Development of Play materials for Children
On behalf of the College, Prof. Mugagga expressed the commitment of CEES to set up an AI Centre, as well as, developing play materials that are crucial in the children’s formative years, early child education, nursery and primary school levels. To appreciate this strategic approach, Prof. Mugagga called upon the Vice Chancellor and the University officials to read the works titled: The Challenges of Play materials in rural Uganda.
CEES Research and Graduate Training Strategy
The Principal presented that the College had embarked on a wide plan to build a robust research-culture promoting practitioner action research and aligning graduate programs with macro policies such as the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) implementation, inclusive education, teacher well-being and mental health, the National Teacher Education Policy 2019, Uganda’s Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Policy 2026, the National Development Plan (NDP IV), Uganda’s Vision 2040 agenda, plus other relevant global policies such as the Sustainable Development Goals-UN SDGs Agenda, and the Makerere University Strategic Plan.
Research Institutes and Centres
The Principal reported that the following institutes and centres are crucial in the promotion of graduate training activities and research: Makerere Institute of Teacher Education and Research (MITER), Centre for Teaching and Learning Support (CTLS), Makerere University Early Childhood Care and Education Research Centre, The Centre for Wisdom Pedagogy (CWP), The Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL), and the Institute of Open, Distance and e-Learning (IODel).
Research Outputs and Projects
The Principal outlined some of the following research outputs and projects: Competence-Education Blueprint designed to transition higher education regulators and universities toward CBE in East and West Africa, MiSet Project-Mindset Change and Social Economic Transformation from the People’s World, PhD Pedagogy and Mapping, Department of Adult and Continuing Research Seminar Series, Online postgraduate diploma in Education and the ongoing curriculum development steps, CEES and the National Council for Higher Education are implementing the TRUCE project (funded by the European Union) to transition East and West African Universities to Competence Based Education, Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) Exhibition, and School Stakeholders Workshop.
Book Projects and Journals at CEES
The meeting noted in partnership with the Makerere University Press (MakPress) several books on different disciplines have been authored by CEES faculty members, and old journals in the Education Journals are being revitalized. The MakPress scans the old journals, applies for the ISSN, and ensures that articles are given the digital object identifier.
The College Journals include:
Makerere Journal of Higher Education (MAJOHE) (ISSN: 1816-6822 [print]; 2707-6113 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/majohe
Makerere University Journal of Research and Innovations in Teacher Education (RITE) https://rite.mak.ac.ug/editorial-board
The College is also in advanced stages of re-establishing the Uganda Journal of Education.
Key Challenges affecting graduate training and research at CEES
The Principal reported that the desire for CEES to become a graduate training hub is constrained by the following factors: Low staffing levels, financial constraints, and overwhelming workload for staff with respect to teaching, learning and supervision.
Low staffing levels: CEES faces a challenge of under-staffing in both academic and administrative units.
Financial constraints: “The budget is inadequate. We are running the same budget for the last five years, yet the College has new programmes, and subject areas, which have raised the undergraduate student numbers by almost 1000 more students,” he revealed.
Overwhelming supervision workload: Each supervisor at CEES has over 16 PhD and Masters’ students to supervise. The overwhelming workload for staff in teaching and learning, and equally affects time dedicated to research and supervision. In addition, “Graduate supervision is not officially considered as a teaching load except during promotion or at post retirement contract.”
Wrapping Up
After listening to the detailed presentation by the CEES Principal, and the brief reports from the ten (10) offices/entities, which indicated the existing working relationship with the College, the Vice Chancellor congratulated the College leadership and staff upon the milestones in teaching and learning, research, graduate training, teacher education, and knowledge transfer partnerships.
Responding to the issue of graduate financing, the Vice Chancellor revealed that he had noted the concerns raised in the College’s presentation, and pointed out that the views therein will enrich his submission to government as he puts across a strong case for funding.
The Vice Chancellor informed the faculty members at the College that the University Management had embarked on discussions and consultations aimed at providing incentives to staff who supervise PhD students. “The issue of incentivizing staff who supervise PhD students is being discussed by the University Management. We will prioritize this key component of graduate training,” he said.
On the issue of limited space for graduate students, and their supervisors, the Vice Chancellor informed the meeting, that this was being addressed through the USD 8 million investment building for graduate training and research (being constructed opposite Lumumba Hall of Residence).
Vote of Thanks
The Deputy Principal, Prof. Ronald Bisaso, expressed the readiness of the College to continue working with the University leadership, staff and stakeholders to align CEES programmes with the University-led agenda.
“We commit to do much better. We commit to engage with the various Offices to propel the Makerere University research-led agenda. We will continue to be intentional on graduate training and research,” he said.
East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development
The meeting climaxed with a brief tour the Vice Chancellor, and the University Management Members, to the East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development. Spearheaded by the Dean, Associate Prof. Jude Ssempebwa, the engagement at this particular entity, focused on gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of the mandate of the East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development in graduate training and research.
Conclusion
The meeting which underscored the centrality of the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) to Makerere University’s mission of advancing knowledge, building capacity, and transforming lives ended at 6:00pm.
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