General
Deans’ Forum lays strategies for better performance
The Makerere University Deans’ Forum (MUDF) on Thursday 29th September, 2022 held a half-day workshop, the third since the inaugural one held on 26th February 2020. MUDF was formed following the Inaugural meeting of Deans and Directors in academic affairs held on 14th June 2019 under the theme “Building Institutional Capacity for Researcher Development, Funding and Management of Sponsored Research”.
Organised by the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-DVCAA the third workshop was aimed at highlighting the purpose of the Deans’ Forum and Constitution as well as the role of Academic Leaders in the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2020-2030 presented by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. The workshop further tackled Monitoring and tracking performance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at Makerere University and provided a platform for sharing of experiences by the DVCAA and MUDF Patron, Prof. Umar Kakumba and two former Deans.
Role of Academic Leaders in Mak’s Strategic Plan
“A research-led university is described generally as having at least 30% of its student body as graduate students. However, our recent graduation statistics showed that only 10% of our graduands were graduate students, of which 108 were PhDs, and so we have a lot of work to do,” remarked the Vice Chancellor as he began his presentation.
Prof. Nawangwe shared that in line with improving this trend, a component of PhD training had been incorporated in the fourth round of the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF). He added that if each of the approximately 900 staff with PhDs supervised another three PhDs, the university could graduate at least 500 PhDs every year.
On the innovation front, the Vice Chancellor shared that Makerere signed a Memorandum of Understanding with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on 20th September 2022, aimed at establishing a state-of-the-art innovation hub to skill students in various sectors, with a view of empowering startups and creating jobs. “The ground floor of the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility is going to be our hub area and we hope that when this phase succeeds, UNDP will work with us to establish an industrial park at the Campus.”
Prof. Nawangwe therefore urged Deans as Academic Leaders to be at the forefront of setting the research agenda and priorities in their units. “Under Mak-RIF, we discussed with Government what areas of research we ought to prioritise but things keep evolving and Deans should be at the centre of discussing these changes as well as knowledge transfer partnerships.”
The Vice Chancellor singled out the Refugee Law Project (RLP) and Public Interest Law Clinic (PILAC) under the School of Law as well as the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) at the College of Health Sciences (CHS) as some of the units that were contributing enormously to communities through knowledge transfer. He nevertheless emphasized that knowledge transfer partnerships ought to ramped up across all units and publicised more rigorously.
Making a presentation on Delivering on the Role of Dean in Makerere, Prof. Umar Kakumba outlined; the curriculum, teaching and learning, research and innovations, taking the university to the community and academic support assistance as the five major niches the School heads oversee.
He added that Deans are entrusted with power and resources by their colleagues and the institution for which they must give account. “Leadership relates to the manner in which the power and resources that are entrusted to us are used to influence group behaviour towards the realization of our goals as a research-led, inclusive 21st century university that can spark impact and transformation of our society.”
The DVCAA added that Deans by virtue of being members of Senate are a critical force in formulating academic policy that can guide, inform, support and foster the achievement of the institutional strategic plan.
Addressing himself to the changing context of Universities today, Prof. Kakumba emphasized that universities, beyond simply producing academic knowledge, must be seen to support the State in its development agenda and address emerging challenges of the global impact such as climate change, public health and food security. “We must increasingly show our organic linkage with the communities around us in terms of shared research.”
Former Deans Share Their Experiences
Prof. Ronald Bisaso served as Dean of the East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development (EASHESD) from 2015 to 2022 before assuming his current role as Deputy Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES). He said that his Deanship revolved around dealing with issues in the three niche areas of; higher education research, higher education policy and advocacy, and higher education practice.
The former Dean shared that the School by virtue of its small size had to deal with issues of limited capacity to facilitate a flagship taught PhD programme and limited resources. It overcame the former through multidisciplinary collaborations both within CEES and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), and the latter through aggressive resource mobilization.
“We won three Mak-RIF projects, small as we were, and combined, we got UGX 500million. We also participate in a research network where we coordinate with CODESRIA (the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa) and we have previously had a multi-institutional network where we sent six PhD students to Finland for six months, others were sent to South Africa and three staff for exchange, and we hope we can continue to build on these networks” reported Prof. Bisaso.
Presenting his experience, Prof. John Mango who served as Dean, School of Physical Sciences, College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) urged his audience to always incorporate the theory of change in all their plans. A theory of change is a purposeful model of how an initiative—such as a policy, a strategy, a program, or a project—contributes through a chain of early and intermediate outcomes to the intended result[1].
“In whatever you want to do, you should think of objectives in line with guidance from above, you must identify activities to achieve what you want and what you want may be results at different levels such as immediate outputs and long-term impacts” explained Prof. Mango.
His presentation therefore covered; promoting excellence in research, resource mobilization, preparing human resource, improving on research environment and infrastructure, ensuring quality assurance mechanisms at all stages, facilitating training of high quality graduates, deepening collaborations with industry and community, promoting multidisciplinary research projects and creating, promoting alumni networks and the role of Deans in improving graduation rates.
Prof. Mango noted that research collaborations are an integral part of a research-led university for they lessen the burden on the Government’s resource envelope. He added that graduate training was an important component of fostering Makerere’s research-led aspiration and urged Deans to always be on the lookout for what regional bodies such as the Inter-University Council of East Africa doing to support this. He also proffered think tanks that conduct research relevant to national development as another way of attracting funding that can cater for graduate training.
To illustrate his point, Prof. Mango testified that he had “mobilised resources and trained 35 PhDs in Mathematics out of the approximately 60 PhDs that the country has,” adding that “raising funds is not an event, it is a process and when you are just starting, your percentage of winning is very low.”
All the aforementioned activities aimed at ensuring that the university achieves her research-led aspirations are guided by policy. The new Director of the Quality Assurance Directorate (QAD), Dr. Cyprian Misinde in his address informed Deans that his unit was developing matrices for policies.
“We shall be evaluating quality assurance based on your performance in these policies. And so it is very important that these policies are being discussed here” said the Director. He added that Deans are valuable partners in the quality assurance process, especially as the Directorate sets about establishing an efficient, effective and robust data system to aid accountability and decision making.
Monitoring and Tracking SDGs at Mak
Turning to the SDGs, Makerere University participated in its first Impact Rankings in the year 2022 and was ranked in the 401-600 band. Currently in their fourth edition, the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings are the only global performance tables that assess 1,406 universities from 106 countries/regions against the United Nations’ SDGs across four broad areas of research, stewardship, outreach and teaching.
According to the presentation by QAD’s Mr. Stephen Mpirirwe, Makerere performed best in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the goals) with a score of 83, followed by SDG 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions) with a score of 64. Next was SDG 3 (Good health and well-being) with a score of 63.7, followed by SDG 5 (Gender equality) with a score of 39.6. The best performing institution globally, Western Sydney University, Australia scored 99.0, 93.3, 90.0 and 80.3 in SDGs 17, 12 (Responsible consumption and production), 6 (Clean water and sanitation) and 5 respectively. Please click here to view the detailed Impact Rankings for Makerere University.
MUDF’s Purpose and Constitution
Prof. Ronald Naluwairo who presented the MUDF Constitution noted that for purposes of inclusivity, the Forum is composed of Deans of Schools, Directors of Teaching Institutes including off-campus Centres such as the Makerere University Jinja Campus and the Principals and Deputy Principals of three-tier colleges such as the School of Law.
MUDF’s overall objective is to promote academic excellence through collective action, capacity building and harnessing each others’ capabilities, experiences and best practices. The Forum has six specific objectives namely to; Promote the highest standards of teaching and learning at Makerere University, Promote and provide leadership in cutting edge research and innovation at Makerere University and Build and strengthen the capacity of members of the Forum as academic leaders. Furthermore, the Forum proposes to; Promote debate and dialogue about issues concerning academic excellence, Advise Senate, University Management and other organs of the University about matters concerning teaching and learning, research and innovations, and Promote good governance at Makerere University.
Addressing the workshop the Chairperson, MUDF Executive Committee and Dean, School of Public Health, CHS, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze said that the Forum was aimed at giving the 30 Deans a platform to meet and network beyond the business of Senate. “We are supposed to spearhead change in this large institution and we are supposed to work with one another to break silos and conduct multidisciplinary activities across colleges, but we cannot achieve this unless we know and understand each other.”
The Chairperson therefore paid tribute to the Patron and brainchild of MUDF, Prof. Umar Kakumba for his brilliant idea of bringing Deans together and thanked staff in the DVCAA’s Office for supporting the Executive Committee.
“This Forum is so important in terms of appreciating where we are headed as a University and what we all need to do to ensure that we get there, because we are best placed to shift Makerere to what we want to see” encouraged Prof. Wanyenze. She welcomed the new Deans to MUDF and urged them contribute ideas on how the Forum can be made more vibrant so as to make meaningful contribution to Makerere.
[1] Serrat, O. (2017). Theories of Change In Knowledge solutions: tools, methods and approaches to organizational performance. Singapore: Springer. DOI:10.1007/978-981-10-0983-9_24
General
Are We Giving Enough Attention to the People Around Us Who Quietly Influence Lives Every Day?
By Marion Apio
On March 21, 2026, I felt a strong urge to reconnect with a close colleague and passionate leader, Owekitinisa Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki. We had not spoken since I moved to the United States to pursue my dream of becoming a journalist. The following day, I learned that he had been quietly undergoing treatment in and out of the hospital. True to his character, he had chosen to keep his condition private. I was shocked and saddened, wishing I had known earlier so I could offer support.
At first, reports from family and friends were encouraging. He had been diagnosed with malaria and low blood platelet counts and was receiving treatment. Respecting his wish for confidentiality, members of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community at Makerere University rallied discreetly around him.
However, on April 29, his condition worsened. He was transferred between medical facilities and underwent extensive tests, including a biopsy, as doctors searched for answers. Sadly, on May 29, Sylas passed away.
His death sparked an extraordinary outpouring of love and solidarity. Friends, colleagues, and former scholars mobilised to support his family, settle medical expenses, organise virtual vigils, and plan a dignified farewell. Hundreds gathered at St. Augustine Chapel to pay their respects. Within three days, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community raised approximately UGX 11 million, a testament to Sylas’ impact on countless lives.
In the days that followed, I found myself wrestling with difficult questions. In a world where we spend so much time following people online, are we paying enough attention to those quietly transforming lives around us? Why do we invest so much emotional energy in distant personalities while overlooking the people God has placed right in front of us?
Sylas lived with humility and served with grace. His death left more than 1,500 Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni grieving, alongside many others around the world who knew him. Yet his passing also exposed a contradiction in modern life.
We live in an age of unprecedented connectivity. Uganda has millions of internet users and WhatsApp subscribers, while globally, people spend hours each day on social media. We have more tools than ever to stay connected, yet many of us are becoming increasingly disconnected from the people who matter most.
Sylas resisted this trend. Through mentorship, service, and community-building, he remained deeply present in others’ lives. While many people retreat into individual pursuits, he consistently chose connection.
This challenge is especially relevant for Mastercard Foundation scholars and alumni. Every year, young Africans leave home to pursue education and professional opportunities abroad. Distance, time zones, visa restrictions, and rising travel costs make it difficult to maintain relationships and remain actively involved in the communities that helped shape us.
For Sylas, the answer was simple: show up. Celebrate others. Offer support. Stay connected.
He never allowed geographical or personal barriers to become excuses for disengagement. Even while facing his own struggles, he invested in others. He embodied the values the Mastercard Foundation seeks to cultivate—ethical leadership, service, and community empowerment.
Sylas did not wait for a perfect platform to create change. He simply served where he was. He helped build bridges between education, culture, and professional development while remaining grounded in his values. He dreamed of creating a stronger alumni ecosystem and brought both passion and compassion to every initiative he touched.
Since his passing, social media has been filled with memories of his infectious smile and unwavering commitment to others. Those tributes reveal an important truth: people gave generously because Sylas had first given himself generously to them. People from different backgrounds, generations, and communities showed up because he had spent his life showing up for them. His legacy now challenges all of us.
The greatest tribute we can offer is not simply to mourn his loss but to continue his work. That means supporting the causes he cared about, helping the children whose education he championed, strengthening alumni networks, and pursuing the dreams we discussed with him.
The tragedy of modern life is not that we follow people online. It is that too often our attention to distant lives comes at the expense of meaningful relationships nearby. Yet strong relationships are as essential to our well-being as physical health.
As Ugandans, we take pride in our faith, culture, and sense of community. We contribute to fundraisers, attend ceremonies, and support family members in times of need. But increasingly, genuine connection is being replaced by passive digital interaction. Families and communities cannot thrive on likes, retweets, and emojis alone.
They require presence—phone calls, visits, conversations, and the willingness to notice when someone is struggling.
Before spending another hour immersed in the lives of strangers online, look around. Call the friend you have not spoken to in years. Check on a family member. Reach out to a colleague who seems withdrawn. Communities are not built by algorithms or celebrities. They are built by ordinary people who choose, day after day, to care for those within their reach.
Uganda needs more people like Sylas. At just 32 years old, he achieved what many spend a lifetime striving for. He served as Minister of Information in the Toro Kingdom and as President of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Association in Uganda. More importantly, he dedicated himself to serving others.
While his death is deeply painful, his life remains a powerful example of how we should live. My prayers and condolences go to his family, friends, and the entire Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni community.
Rest in perfect peace, Owek. Sylas Ruhweza Atwooki.
The author is a Mastercard Foundation Alumna from Makerere University and the University of California, Berkeley. She is a journalist based in Southern California and the CEO of the Debunk Media Initiative.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at St. Augustine Chapel, Makerere University on May 30, 2026 to pray for the soul of Mr. Sylas Ruhweza, the first President of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Community at Makerere University.
The requiem mass was filled with emotional tributes celebrating Ruhweza’s life of service, leadership and dedication to community causes. Ruhweza passed away on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Mildmay Uganda Hospital.
Speaker after speaker described him as a humble and visionary leader who was passionate about uplifting others and deeply committed to excellence.
“We thank God for the life of Sylas, for the years he granted him among us, and for the impact he made on countless lives. He carried himself with humility and grace, and wherever he went, he built friendships, inspired confidence, and left people better than he found them,” Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister, Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki, said during the Mass.
Mr. Rwomiire urged mourners to honour Ruhweza’s legacy by embracing the values he stood for, including integrity, compassion, hard work, service to community, and his unwavering love for Tooro Kingdom.
The main celebrant, Rev. Fr. Charles Lwanga Makoboza, echoed the message in his homily, reminding Christians to remain rooted in Jesus Christ throughout their lives.
“Sylas has gone to be with God, in a place where there is no pain, missed calls, struggle, corruption, betrayal, jealousy and tears. He is in a place with absolute peace. So, in life, never be the cause of someone’s tears, and if you do, seek reconciliation,” Fr. Lwanga, said.
Fr. Lwanga also reminded mourners that what Ruhweza needs most are prayers, not wreaths.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Ms. Grace Kabasita, Ruhweza’s maternal aunt, described him as a loving and dedicated young man whose life touched many people.
“Sylas was a counsellor, teacher, and a brilliant, loveable young man who fitted into every society. His life was marked by service, friendship, dedication, and commitment to the wellbeing of others and his culture,” she said.
Addressing mourners, Prof Justine Namaalwa, the Coordinator of the Mastercard Foundation Initiatives at Makerere University, noted that though Sylas’s life was cut short, he leaves behind a lasting legacy of service, leadership and impact on the communities he served.
“Sylas, you have gone too soon. But it is well with our souls. May your legacy of Transformative Leadership live on,” Prof. Namaalwa, said.
She thanked the Mastercard Foundation for supporting his education through BRAC Uganda, supporting his university education through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, and nurturing his leadership journey through the Youth Advisory Board.
Ruhweeza at glance
Born on 19th July 1994 to the late Mr. Paul Tinkasimire Paul Adyeeri and Ms. Ategeka Margret Abwooli of Bunyangabu District.
The ninth born of eleven children attended Kaboyo Primary School for his Primary Education, and later joined Fort Portal Secondary School where he sat for his O-Level. He then proceeded to A-Level at Hannah International School.
He joined Makerere University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geoscience and Production in 2022, supported by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at Makerere University.
At the time of his passing, he was pursuing a Master’s degree at Victoria University.
Leadership, Service and Professional Contributions
Mr. Ruhweza served as Chairperson of the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network at BRAC from 2020 to 2022, demonstrating transformative leadership and commitment to social change.
He later became the President of the Makerere AlumNet Foundation, an umbrella organization that brings together the Scholars Makerere Alumni chapter.
He worked as an eLearning Support Officer at the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) under the e-learning initiative at Makerere University.
He was a member of the Steering Committee of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, representing the Scholars Makerere Alumni chapter.
At the time of his passing, he was serving as the Minister of Information in the Tooro Kingdom, Strategy and Engagement Lead for the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network-Uganda Chapter, and Programme Associate at the Africa Climate Collaborative, one of the Mastercard Foundation initiatives at Makerere University.
Legacy
Ruhweza is remembered for his dedication to education, leadership, mentorship, and community service. He passionately championed youth empowerment, collaboration, and social responsibility.
His life reflected the transformative power of education, servant leadership, and a commitment to uplifting others.
May Sylas’s soul rest in eternal peace.
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