General
Mak International Office holds Orientation for new students for the Academic Year 2022/2023
On Friday 28th October 2022, the Head International Office, Ms Martha Muwanguzi welcomed new international students to Makerere University, a premier institution on the African continent for Academic Year 2022/2023.
The Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe thanked Ms Muwanguzi, the Dean of Students-Mrs Winifred Kabumbuli and student leaders for mobilizing new students for orientation as well as providing them with information and guidance as they pursue their studies in Uganda. Prof. Alinaitwe remarked that he was once an international student when he studied for his masters degree in Australia and his PhD studies in the United Kingdom. Prof. Alinaitwe urged the students to settle down without having divided attention so that they can perform well. “Always look for information and seek guidance from the relevant offices. I thank the University officials who have gathered here to speak to the new students. I encourage the international students to listen attentively to the presentations. Welcome to Makerere University. I wish you a successful and rewarding stay at the University.”
In her remarks, the Dean of Students Mrs Winifred Kabumbuli said the world is a global village and the enrolment of international students at Makerere University enriches our experience and environment. She pointed out that each student is attached to a Hall of Residence and urged the new students even those staying off campus to register with the Halls of Residence they are attached to as well as the University Hospital. There are recreation grounds for sports with a Sports Tutor; places of worship such as the University mosque near the Main Gate, the Anglican and Catholic Chapels for divine intervention and uplifting. Other denominations places of worship are located in town and easily accessible. Noting that there is a tendency of feeling lonely and homesick when you are away from your families and friends for a long time, the Dean of Students advised the students to make use of the Guidance and Counseling Centre. She informed the international students that the Department also provides immigration support for students passes and renewal of expired visas. The Dean of Students advised students to focus on their studies and to desist from engaging in strikes. “If you want to succeed, focus on your studies. Do not involve yourself with bad groups. Do not engage in strikes because this will lead expulsion from the university,” she said. Mrs. Kabumbuli encouraged students to stand for leadership positions at the different levels while at the University.
In the same spirit, the Deputy Registrar Undergraduate Admissions and Records, Mr. Charles Ssentongo congratulated them upon their admission into the University as it celebrates 100 years of existence (1922-2022). He advised them to pay tuition and functional fees.
Emphasizing the need for registration, Mr. Ssentongo reminded the students to follow the registration time table and requirements. “When you register, your name and details are captured in the University system. So, registration is very central and one of the requirements for you to become a recognized student of Makerere University.” He advised students to go straight to the bank and pay the university tuition and functional fees. He cautioned them to be alert to avoid conmen and women who may take advantage of them and swindle money from them. In case of doubts, visit the Dean of Students Office or the International Office for assistance. He strongly advised the students to make sure that the names appearing on their Admission letters are the same as those on their academic documents at the time of registration.
Mr. Ssentongo disclosed to the students that any forgery detected would lead to automatic disqualification and cancellation of admission. “Everyone is supposed to read and understand the University policies, rules and regulations which will guide their studies. Poor performance and bad behaviors towards fellow students or members of staff will result into dismissal from the University.” He concluded his remarks by thanking the Head International Office Ms Muwanguzi for organizing the orientation meeting which is very important at the start of their studies at the university.
The Senior Assistant Registrar, Ms Joyce Nyiramahoro welcomed the new students and advised them to have insurance for the duration of their studies. “Make sure you have a valid visa and avoid staying illegally in Uganda. Register with the College, the University Library (both Main and College Libraries),” she said.
The Gender Officers from the Gender Main Streaming Directorate sensitized the new students on the university’s Anti Sexual Harassment Policy. “No student or member of staff should be harassed or intimidated by a fellow student or a member of staff. Such incidents or challenges should be reported to the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, Senate Building Level 4 or to the International Office or to Principals of Colleges.”
The End User Support Officer from the Directorate of ICT Support, Mr. Arthur Opio welcomed the students and demonstrated to them the procedures followed to connect to the University ICT systems. “The first interaction will be with one’s admission letter and then visit the link: https://myportal.mak.ac.ug. You can only access the link after you have paid 60% of your tuition. You start by creating an email address so that you connect to MakAir and access the E-Learning platform (MUELE). Hotspots are located in different places on campus and can get communications and lecture notes from the lecturers,” he said. He cautioned the students against downloading links and attachments from unknown sources. He informed them of space in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) where they can go for help regarding ICT support. College Registrars can also be approached for more assistance regarding registration and online classes.
The Manager Guidance and Counseling, Mr. Henry Nsubuga said that for one to perform well in their studies, he or she needs a clear and perfect mental health. “Since you will be far away from your families and friends, it is inevitable that loneliness will set in and you might feel upset and regret why you are here. Try to be focused but above all, get friends to walk with during this journey that you have started. You cannot manage alone, have someone to lean on. You can lean on the Guidance and Counseling Centre, your religious place of worship and even course mates for guidance,” he said. He encouraged the students to utilize the Counselling and Guidance Centre. “You need to grow not only in academics but also personal improvements in other areas of life. Tragedy can set in anytime and therefore counseling is very important when it happens. No one is immune. We will counsel you and you get better mental health and so urged students to use their services.”
Ending the session, Ms Muwanguzi introduced the student leaders who would assist the new international students with information needs and provision guidance to the right offices and personnel while on campus.
Written by: Ms Martha Muwanguzi, Head-International Office, Makerere University
General
RIMS Implementation to End Supervision Delays, Enhance Transparency, Close Gaps and Boost Research Excellence at Makerere University
By Moses Lutaaya
Kampala, Uganda — 27th March 2026: Makerere University has intensified its push toward digital transformation in graduate education with the implementation of the Research Information Management System (RIMS), a platform expected to end supervision delays, enhance transparency, close long-standing gaps, and boost research excellence.
Leading this shift, the Director of Graduate Training at Makerere University, Prof. Julius Kikooma, emphasized that the initiative is part of ongoing collaboration with academic units.
“Our visit to the Institute of Gender and Development Studies is part of continuous engagement to strengthen graduate training,” Prof. Kikooma said. “RIMS is not just about technology—it is about improving how students and supervisors work together, how progress is tracked, and how the university ensures quality and timely completion.”
He noted that the university is already making strides in graduate output, citing a recent milestone of over 200 PhD graduates, with 40 percent female representation—an indicator of progress toward gender equity.
“We want to push that to 50 percent,” he said. “RIMS will help us get there by providing data, improving coordination, and addressing inefficiencies in supervision and monitoring.”
Prof. Kikooma emphasized that the system will also support the university’s broader goals, including internationalization and improved research productivity, by streamlining application, supervision, and reporting processes.
“With digitization now fully underway, we cannot go back,” he said. “RIMS will allow supervisors to track student performance in real time, and management will be able to access accurate reports at the click of a button.”
He added that adoption of the system is mandatory for all academic staff, noting that it will become a key tool for measuring performance and institutional accountability.
Building on this vision, Prof. Ruth Nsibirano, Director of the Institute of Gender and Development Studies, highlighted how RIMS will directly address supervision gaps that have historically affected graduate completion.
“I’m very certain RIMS is going to bridge the gap between supervisors and supervisees,” she said. “It will ensure constant updates, structured engagement, and clear records of progress for every student.”
Prof. Nsibirano explained that one of the major challenges in the past has been the lack of visibility in supervision, where both students and supervisors operated without clear documentation of their interactions.
“Knowledge of what was happening was often missing because supervisors and students remained distant,” she said. “Now, there will be records showing when supervision took place, what was discussed, and who has not been responsive.”
She noted that this transparency will significantly improve efficiency and reduce delays on both sides.
“Both students and supervisors will know that their work is being tracked,” she said. “This awareness alone will improve accountability and reduce unnecessary delays.”
However, she cautioned that while RIMS will strengthen supervision systems, financial challenges facing graduate students remain a critical issue.
“We must also address the reality of limited financial support,” she said. “Even with strong systems, students still need resources to complete their studies.”
Prof. Nsibirano expressed confidence that both staff and students are ready to adopt the digital platform, noting that familiarity with technology is no longer a major barrier.
At the operational level, Dr. Julius Mugisa, Coordinator of Graduate Studies at the Institute, underscored the practical impact RIMS will have on day-to-day supervision.
“In fact, it is a very good system. It will facilitate easy supervision,” Dr. Mugisa said. “Previously, you could send comments to a student and wait five weeks without a response. Now, the system will clearly show who is delaying and who is not.”
He emphasized that the transparency of RIMS will eliminate guesswork and misunderstandings by ensuring that all supervision activities are recorded and accessible.
“There will be clear evidence of engagement—comments, timelines, and responses,” he said. “This removes the blame game and helps everyone focus on progress.”
Dr. Mugisa dismissed concerns that increased monitoring might intimidate supervisors, instead framing it as a positive step toward professionalism.
“We are here to do our work for the university,” he said. “The system is not about punishment—it is about improving efficiency and ensuring that responsibilities are fulfilled.”
He added that the accountability introduced by RIMS will encourage timely feedback and active participation from both supervisors and students.
“When you know the system is tracking progress, it helps you stay on course,” he said. “Monitoring is important, and it benefits everyone.”
Dr. Mugisa also noted that improved supervision and faster feedback could enhance Makerere University’s attractiveness to prospective graduate students.
“Students want assurance that their work will be reviewed on time,” he said. “With RIMS, that confidence will increase, and more students will be encouraged to enroll.”
As Makerere University continues to implement RIMS across its academic units, leaders believe the system will mark a turning point in graduate education—driving efficiency, strengthening accountability, closing supervision gaps, and positioning the institution as a leader in research excellence in Africa.
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