General
MUDF Continuation Emphasizes role of Deans in realization of Academic Policies
The Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-DVCAA organized a continuation of the third Makerere University Deans’ Forum (MUDF) on 21st October 2022 to further acquaint Deans with the policy environment in which they operate. At the previous workshop held on 29th September 2022, Deans received presentations from the Vice Chancellor – Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, DVCAA and Patron MUDF – Prof. Umar Kakumba, Chairperson MUDF Executive Committee and Dean, School of Public Health – Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Quality Assurance Director (QAD) – Dr. Cyprian Misinde as well as policy highlights from the Deputy Registrar (Senate) – Mrs. Patience Mushengyezi and Deputy Director Research and Graduate Training – Prof. Robert Wamala. Also shared at the previous workshop were past experiences of Deans, Prof. Ronald Bisaso and Prof. John Mango.
Welcoming Deans to the workshop, Prof. Wanyenze said MUDF, the brainchild of Prof. Umar Kakumba, was founded on 14th June 2019 out of the need to create a space for Deans to get together outside Senate, get to know each other better and share common interests. “We have had the opportunity to share what’s challenging us and we have passed these on to our patron the DVCAA.”
She added that orientation of Deans and leaders in the university is an important activity and the workshop was an opportunity to specifically acquaint themselves with the foundations of academic policy. She equally advised Deans to take keen interest in the activities of the MUDF particularly its governance, with elective positions that run for two-year terms, renewable once.
The role of Dean is clearly spelled out under section 53 of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (UOTIA), 2001 (as amended). Subsection (4) of the same states that:
“The Dean or Director shall be responsible for the general supervision and administration for the affairs of the faculty, institute, college or other academic body and as such shall be responsible for the promotion and maintenance of efficient teaching and research in the relevant body.”
section 53, subsection (4), UOTIA 2001 (as amended)
Making a presentation on Academic Policies and Roles of Senate to the Deans, Mrs. Mushengyezi noted that the Senate whose membership consists of Deans has executive, advisory and delegated roles. These are further broken down as; Executive – organisation, control and direction of executive matters, Advisory – initiate academic policy and advise Council on implementation requirements, and Delegated – may delegate any of its powers or functions to a School/College board of studies.
The membership to Senate as outlined in the UOTIA section 44 2(c) equips Deans to be, “an implementer of the academic policies at the School, a custodian of the polices, an enforcer of regulations and an instructor of students on Policies” explained Mrs. Mushengyezi.
She added that the School Board of Studies; regulates teaching, monitors attendance of students and lecturers, admission of both undergraduate and graduate students as well as progression of students, and approves examination results. “The question you ought to ask as you admit students is, do you have capacity, infrastructure, and human resource required to teach that programme?”
Mrs. Mushengyezi additionally appraised Deans on the functions of the Academic Programmes and Library Committee which is responsible for approval of developed and revised curricula from departments. She further expounded on the Research and Graduate Training (Higher Degrees) Committee that oversees the appointment of supervisors, internal and external examiners and doctoral committees as well as organises viva voce meetings and public defences of theses.
“The academic leadership role of the Dean is enshrined in the mandate, functions and roles of Senate, hence the Dean is the arm of Senate at the School. Let us all strive to do our best” she concluded.
The roles of Senate and by extension the Deans notwithstanding, whereas the day-to-day affairs of graduate students are handled at each academic Unit, the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) is expected to coordinate the quality assurance and policy oversight roles. Prof. Wamala therefore shared that the Makerere University Graduate Handbook is a living document informed by several University policies including the; Research and innovations policy, Intellectual Property Management (IPM) Policy, and Conflict of Interest Policy among others. “It is very important for us to have that background information as we guide various committees.”
Prof. Wamala equally advised Deans to familiarize themselves with the various Masters’ programme plans and the typical progression of PhD programmes from Year Zero (0) to Year Four (4). Makerere University offers four Masters Plans; Plan A – coursework and dissertation, Plan B – Extended Coursework and Project Report, Plan C – Coursework and Comprehensive Examination, and Plan D – Thesis only.
Similarly, the PhD progression consists of; Year Zero (0) – Admission and appointment of supervisors, Year One (1) – Coursework, examination and start of thesis work, Year Two (2) – Continuation of coursework, approval of research topic, and thesis work. Year Three (3) is characterized by thesis work, while Year Four (4) entails conclusion of thesis work, formal approval for thesis defence and actual public defence. All this takes place in the midst of continuous extracurricular writing labs, seminars and conference presentations as well as evaluation.
Prof. Wamala particularly emphasized the need for Deans to appreciate the scope of the IPM Policy and its provisions for Intellectual Property (IP) created by staff and students. Under scope, he shared that the policy applies to all staff members, students and visitors who participate in a research project or produce inventive, creative, scholarly or artistic works.
Further explaining the spirit of the policy, Prof. Wamala shared that the University is the primary owner of all IP created by staff during the course of their employment or contract by the university. However, he noted that exceptions of ownership will be made in cases where IP is created outside the scope of a member of staff’s employment and without substantial use of university resources.
Delivering the day’s concluding remarks, Prof. Umar Kakumba noted that Deans as leaders need to always seek ways of adding value to the institution, especially since it is a living entity that is constantly growing. “At the end of the day we have a contribution to make to our institution either individually or collectively as well as a duty to leave a good legacy.”
He acknowledged that the COVID-19 lockdown had affected the sitting of Advanced Level examinations in 2020 and 2021 and by extension, the admissions process, which the Deans are responsible for at School level. He nevertheless reassured the Deans that the full reopening of the economy had brought forth stability that would henceforth normalise the number of students admitted to the various degree programmes and ease their work.
On initiatives to improve Makerere’s contribution to knowledge generation, the DVCAA and Patron MUDF noted that the university had allocated a portion of Government support through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) to PhD students to enable them complete their research. “What we are targeting for this year is completion; for PhD students to collect data, analyse it and write their reports.”
Prof. Kakumba thanked the Deans for sparing time to attend the workshop and expressed his readiness to continue championing their various causes in the relevant fora.
On 20th January 2025, the blazing afternoon sun was temporarily obscured by cloud cover as a convoy complete with VVIP security detail quietly made its way to the Main Building. As the convoy came to a stop at the Main Building’s Eastern staircase, all eyes were peeled to see who this VVIP was. As she emerged, there was no fanfare whatsoever as she proceeded to pleasantly greet the welcoming party. Princess Zahra Aga Khan, graceful by all standards, had arrived at Makerere University, an institution fondly talked about by her father His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.
It was indeed humbling that Princess Zahra Aga Khan, a Member of the Board of Directors of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and Trustee of the Aga Khan University (AKU) could include Makerere University on her itinerary. She had earlier on the same day paid a courtesy call on the President H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House Nakasero, and presided over the graduation of 120 students of the Aga Khan University-Kampala.
Princess Zahra who was received by the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi and the Dean Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze was thankful for the warm reception and Makerere’s unwavering legacy.
“My whole life, my father always told me that Makerere was the best University in Africa,” relayed Princess Zahra, before adding “And my whole life he told me how sad it was that tertiary level degrees had been de-funded and what fragility that bred in these countries.” She went on to explain that her father’s philosophy was that if a country cannot train its upper degrees, it cannot build a free, fair and successful economy.
Princess Zahra nevertheless expressed how glad she was to see that Makerere still remains a beacon of higher education, and that the Main Building that was gutted by fire was reconstructed to perfection. “So to come here and see it looking so amazing and beautiful is really good.”
She confessed that her itinerary, though involving many hops to preside over graduations in Kenya, Tanzania and finally Pakistan, was testimony of how much Aga Khan Institutions had evolved over the past twenty years. Princess Zahra explained that partnerships with Makerere and other universities, especially in the aftermath of events such as CoVID-19, were crucial in helping Aga Khan Institutions to adjust. “An institution can become far stronger and more resilient,” she explained.
In his welcome remarks, Prof. Buyinza thanked Princess Zahra for including Makerere on her eventful itinerary. “We are more than a century old and have greatly impacted the development and economy of this country, not on our own, but with the big network of our partners in many respects. Your coming reinforces the resolve that we must work together for the good of humanity.”
The Acting Vice Chancellor equally welcomed members of Princess Zahra’s delegation who included; her daughter Sarah Boyden, Mr. Zakir Mahmood-Chairman Board of Trustees AKU, Mr. Amin Mawji, OBE-Trustee AKDN, Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin-President and Vice Chancellor AKU, Dr. Tania Bubela-Provost and Vice President Academic AKU, Zeenat Shahabuddin-Regional CEO for Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) in East Africa, and Joseph Mwizerwa-Associate Vice Provost AKU-Uganda.
Contributing to the day’s discussion, Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin the President and Vice Chancellor AKU who has been in Kampala for the last twenty years, admitted that the new campus in Nakawa heralds a new era of growth as they commence student activities in June 2025.
“Makerere has been and is a distinguished University in Africa. We look forward to engaging and discussing how best we can come up with programmes that can benefit Uganda and Ugandans” he remarked.
As a rejoinder, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze admitted that AKU’s and Makerere’s academic programmes present a number of potential synergies both in training and research. “Cancer clinical care and research is a big issue for us here; the burden is growing and we need to do more work to be able to characterize exposures and what it is that’s driving it.”
Other areas singled out in the discussion as potential for collaboration included; the environment, climate change and its linkage with health and other issues, and harnessing of the potential Electronic Medical Records (EMR). Makerere University currently partners with the Ministry of Health to roll out EMR systems nationwide, so as to optimize health service delivery in line with the Uganda Vision 2040.
“We have already done quite a number of facilities across the country for HIV, probably more than 1,000, but right now we are moving towards having an integrated electronic system for all care, the interoperability of multiple systems that exist, and being able to scale that up” complemented Prof. Wanyenze.
Prof. Buyinza who brought the lively discussion to a close concurred that a lot of potential areas for collaboration exist between the two partners and reassured Princess Zahra Aga Khan and her delegation of the Makerere’s readiness to undertake joint activities for the good of humanity. He also used the occasion to observe a moment of silence in honour of His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, who passed away on 4th February 2025.
Following the signing of the Vice Chancellor’s Visitors Book, Princess Zahra Aga Khan and her delegation proceeded to the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak UniPod), where they received a guided tour from Dr. Cathy Ikiror Mbidde, the Director.
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe on 20th February 2025 officially handed over the Office of Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-DVCFA to Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta at a ceremony presided over by the Acting (Ag.) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi. The handover was witnessed by the University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, Chief Human Resources-Mr. Deus Tayari Mujuni, Chief Internal Audit-Mr. Patrick Akonyet, University Bursar-Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha and Chief Legal Affairs-Ms. Nanyondo Sumaiyah Sebuta.
Equally present to witness the ceremony were the Chief Estates and Works- Eng. Okuk Geoffrey, Dean of Students-Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, Deputy University Secretary-Mr. Simon Kizito, Mr. Juma Katongole-Representing Director ICT Support, Ms. Susan Mbabazi-Representing Director Gender Mainstreaming, Ag. Manager of Planning and Development-Mr. Emmanuel Kitamirike as well as staff from the Vice Chancellor’s and Deputy Vice Chancellors’ Offices.
Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi in his remarks thanked Prof. Alinaitwe for the effort and support rendered to the University through the DVCFA’s Office and prayed that Makerere could continue tapping into his knowledge.
“As colleagues we have a shared agenda and a common destination as we do the best for Makerere. I thank Prof. Henry Alinaitwe for being a hardworking colleague of great humility, collegiality, and being open-heartedly committed to the principle of trust” remarked Prof. Buyinza, who also expressed belief that God has bigger plans for him as he exits office.
In the same breath, Prof. Buyinza congratulated Prof. Ireeta on his new role, admitting that he has what it takes to carry on from where his predecessor left off. “Thank you for accepting to take on this appointment; it takes a person of great responsibility to accept the huge mandate of this office.”
The Chief Human Resources Officer, Mr. Mujuni thanked Prof. Alinaitwe for steering the Office of the DVCFA and pledged to correspondingly support his new supervisor, Prof. Ireeta. The University Secretary, Mr. Kiranda equally thanked Prof. Alinaitwe for the guidance, support, and flexibility accorded to his office to fulfil its mandate.
“Although it is difficult for us to sit here and witness this handover, we are comforted to have previously worked with Prof. Ireeta and look forward to the continuity in service that his experience presents” added Mr. Kiranda.
The Chief Internal Audit Officer, Mr. Akonyet in his tribute thanked Prof. Henry Alinaitwe for his guidance as immediate supervisor, which helped shape the internal audit function. Like Mr. Kiranda, Mr. Akonyet thanked Prof. Ireeta for his support as a member of the University Council’s Audit Committee and expressed confidence that his passion for service would greatly benefit the University in his new role.
Presenting his handover report, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe reflected on a number of achievements such as: Mobilising resources for the Makerere@100 Celebrations and other activities; establishing the Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU); realigning Makerere’s Ten-Year Strategic Plan to the Five-Year NDP-recommended interval; Payment of outstanding In-house Benefits; Harmonization of staff salaries; as well as Recruitment, Promotion and Training of staff.
Prof. Alinaitwe equally highlighted achievements such as: Formulation of the ICT Policy and purchase of related equipment; Developing a Security Masterplan and enhancing surveillance, personnel numbers and equipment; Support to Student Affairs Management and Governance including overseeing the Emerging Leaders Program; Renovation of Student Halls of Residence; Establishment of the Disability Support Centre; Leading the Design Team for the Reconstruction of the Main Building; Improving Competitiveness of the Staff Housing Policy; Improving the University Fleet and Vehicle Access Control; Improving the Budgeting Process through Unit Ledgers and Accounts; among others.
He concluded by thanking the University Council and the Vice Chancellor for entrusting him with the role of DVCFA as well as all the support rendered to his office in the execution of his duties. “Whereas I have read out all these various achievements, they have largely been due to all your respective contributions and I thank you for that.”
In his acceptance remarks, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta similarly thanked the University Council and Vice Chancellor for entrusting him with the responsibility of overseeing the Office of the DVCFA. He acknowledged that despite the fact that he was taking over from Prof. Alinaitwe on whose behalf he had acted a number of times, he still has big shoes to fill. “However, with my God, all things will work out” he prayed.
The incoming DVCFA requested Prof. Alinaitwe to always accept consultation on matters relating to the office and pledged to be as results-oriented as his predecessors. “Let’s all work together for the good of our University” he concluded.
Following the Handover Ceremony, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi on behalf of Members of Management presented a plaque to Prof. Henry Alinaitwe in appreciation of his dedicated service as Ag. DVCFA from 16th November 2021 to 19th February 2025.
In a pivotal meeting held earlier this morning, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, met with project implementation partners from the Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS) and the Korea National Open University (KNOU) to discuss the upcoming Project for Enhancing the Distance Education Environment at Makerere University in Uganda (2024-2028). This collaboration, set to launch on February 27, 2025, is poised to revolutionize the university’s distance learning initiatives.
The project, which is generously funded by the Korean Government through KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency), will receive a substantial investment of USD 12.2 million. It aims to address critical areas in e-learning at Makerere University, with key components focusing on the development of a comprehensive e-learning master plan, capacity building for staff in Open and Distance eLearning (ODeL), equipping two state-of-the-art content development studios, and the development of necessary infrastructure.
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “This project marks a significant milestone for Makerere University as we strive to enhance our distance learning capabilities. The integration of advanced technology and capacity building will not only improve the quality of education but also ensure greater accessibility for learners across the region. We are grateful for the generous support from the Korean Government and look forward to the successful implementation of the project.”
The delegation from Korea, led by Prof. Chun Se yeoung, also expressed their commitment to the success of the project. Prof. Chun Se yeoung remarked, “We are excited to partner with Makerere University on this transformative project. We believe that by enhancing the distance education environment at Makerere, we will not only benefit the university but contribute to the development of higher education in Uganda and the broader East African region. Our goal is to build a sustainable and scalable model that empowers educators and students alike.”
The project is expected to have a lasting impact, significantly strengthening Makerere University’s capacity to offer high-quality education remotely, thereby increasing access to learning opportunities for students across Uganda and beyond.
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