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
Makerere University and Xiangtan University Advance Strategic Partnership in Chemical Engineering
Makerere University and Xiangtan University are set to update their close to 20-year academic partnership, with a new focus on launching a joint Master’s degree program in Chemical Engineering and expanding student and staff exchange initiatives.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a recent visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University to Makerere University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in the company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively.
While addressing the delegation, Professor Nawangwe highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify academic offerings and contribute to national development through training in Chemical Engineering. Through this new initiative, the University will better prepare graduates for the petrochemical industry and support the country’s industrial growth.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated that the proposed collaboration aims to address Uganda’s growing need for industrial expertise, particularly as the country develops its petroleum sector. The two universities here are working toward a 1+2 training model, which will enable Makerere students to gain practical experience and access advanced laboratory facilities at Xiangtan University.
Professor Nawangwe further reiterated that “our relationship with the people of China, not just for Makerere but also for a big part of Uganda, has been opened wider by the establishment of the Confucius Institute, considering that many other collaborations like one being discussed now have come through this collaboration.”
The head of the Xiangtan delegation, Professor Dingyu Ou, expressed appreciation for the meeting, and acknowledged the history between the institutions. “As mentioned, we have a very long relationship and a very stable friendship between our two universities.”
Professor Ou extended appreciation for the support provided to the Confucius Institute at Makerere, the care shown to his colleagues, and looked forward to the successful start of the Chemical Engineering collaboration.
Assuring the delegation of Makerere’s readiness for the collaboration, Ms. Hawa Ndagire Kajumba the Lead, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, Makerere University Advancement Office, aligned with the Vice Chancellor’s emphasis of University goal to have both theory and practice imparted to the students.
She said “the curriculum of the university and Uganda as a whole is moving towards competence-based education training to ensure students are equipped to demonstrate those skills in the actual field, particularly regarding petroleum exploration.”
Ms. Ndagire Kajumba also emphasised a shift in strategy for the partnership office, saying, “we are moving away from just signing MOUs that collect dust, and moving towards those that are more collaborative to benefit our faculty and students, just like this one.”
Professor Gilbert Kumushabe aligned his remarks with those of the Vice Chancellor and Ms. Ndagire Kajumba, and described the method used at Xiangtan University as “actually competence-based teaching.”
Based on his recent visit, Prof. Gumoshabe shared that students in China are divided into groups with dedicated teachers to perform practical, hands-on work beyond the theoretical lecturers. He expressed gladness that the same was being adopted for the Ugandan context.
Both institutions are now working to finalise the specific agreements for the joint degree and exchange programs. Beyond academic training, the collaboration will advance cultural and professional exchange.
Makerere University on October 8, 2026 commemorated Nkrumah Day with a Public Lecture at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium. The Lecture gathered students, academics, historians and distinguished guests to discuss Kwame Nkrumah’s contribution and its relevance to Africa.
Organised by Nkrumah Hall under the theme “Leadership, Self-Reliance and Transformation: Reimagining Nkrumah’s Vision for the 21st Century African Youth,” the lecture explored how Nkrumah’s ideals of Pan-Africanism, self-reliance and African unity can guide the continent beyond political independence.
Endorsing Nkrumah’s Vision of Investing in Africa
The First Deputy Prime Minister and Chancellor of Makerere University, Rt. Hon. Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga, was the chief guest.
In remarks delivered on his behalf by Dr. Charles Kahigiriza, Dr. Kiyonga said the day was a moment to reflect on Nkrumah’s views on Pan-Africanism and the lessons on self-reliance still held for Africa today and emphasised the importance of keeping Africa’s young talent at home (in Africa).
He then discussed ways of encouraging young people to achieve Nkrumah’s vision, pointing out that Africa is losing skilled people to brain drain as many go abroad to work.
He encouraged young Africans to stay and contribute to the continent’s growth, describing Africa’s potential as a promising asset.
Transformation Requires Discipline
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Gerald Karyeija, a political analyst and Head of Quality Assurance at the Uganda Management Institute (UMI).
He discussed Nkrumah’s role in championing Pan-Africanism and the formation of the African Union. He acknowledged that “his legacy was also very complex” due to a number of challenges.
Regarding leadership, the professor argued, “leadership does not begin with the title. It begins with responsibility,” adding that “leadership is not only about power, privilege, entitlement, or status. It’s about service. It’s about stewardship.”
He encouraged attendees to emulate Nkrumah by using their knowledge and power for good.
“Don’t get the intellectual power from Makerere to become evil,” he cautioned, stressing that transformation requires discipline.
Universities Turn Knowledge into Action
Associate Professor Gorettie Nabanoga, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, represented Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University.
She aligned herself with the previous speakers and urged participants to move beyond simply celebrating Kwame Nkrumah’s memory and begin implementing his vision.
She called for practical action, urging the mobilisation of Pan-Africanism beyond slogans. “Perhaps the Pan-Africanism of this generation must therefore move from solidarity to capacity, from rhetoric to institutions, from potential to production, and from aspirations to implementation,” she said.
On the role of universities, she reiterated that Makerere University is a hub for innovation rather than just a degree-granting institution.
“We are building for the future when we develop people who can think critically, when we generate knowledge, when we challenge perceived knowledge and wisdom, and when we innovate,” she said.
Addressing the students present, she said, “You are not simply the leaders of tomorrow; you are citizens of Africa today. The opportunity you enjoy at Makerere University comes with responsibility.”
Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, the Dean of Students at Makerere University, set the tone at the 2026 Nkrumah Day Public Lecture.
She revealed that this lecture organised under Nkrumah Hall highlights its significance as a symbol of Makerere University‘s commitment to Pan-Africanism. “The name Nkrumah Hall has stood the test of time and sounds like a horn beautifully over the African continent and beyond,” she said.
She elaborated on the lecture’s theme of leadership, self-reliance and transformation, noting its alignment with the university’s mission to nurture future leaders.
Direction of Pan-Africanism
During a panel discussion, speakers questioned how far Africa has come. Associate Professor Zahara Napeewo, Deputy Dean of the School of Law at Makerere University, stated that the continent was still lagging behind the progress Nkrumah would have wanted.
She shared that while educational institutions provide knowledge, they must go further and encourage graduates to become problem-solvers who can create employment for themselves rather than wait to be employed.
Dr. Zaid Sekitto, a Lecturer in the Department of History, Archaeology and Heritage Studies at Makerere, added that the structures of colonialism that Nkrumah fought against were still in place. “They must be addressed”, he said, or Africa would remain trapped in colonialism and lose sight of Nkrumah’s vision.
The Youth and the Unfinished Struggle
The students also had an opportunity to share their perspectives on the unfinished struggle for Pan-Africanism.
Nkrumah Hall Chairperson Joseph Sekabira noted that the Africa Nkrumah fought for was not the Africa that exists today.
He urged young people to take up leadership now rather than wait until they were older.
Mark Kwikiriza, a final-year Bachelor of Arts in Music student and resident of Nkrumah Hall, said Nkrumah’s legacy remained relevant because the problems he faced in Ghana were similar to those society faces today.
He recommended that society could rejuvenate the spirit of “Osagyefo,” the title meaning “redeemer” by which Nkrumah was known.
Honouring 13 Years of Service
The event also recognised Mr. John Kamya for his 13 years of outstanding service as Warden of Nkrumah Hall, a position he held from 2007 to 2020.
He received an appreciation award presented by the Chief Guest’s representative in the presence of the Hall Chairperson and other dignitaries.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Kamya noted that the 2018 visit to the Hall by Kwame Nkrumah’s daughter, Ms. Samia Yaba Nkrumah, was one of the fondest memories of his time in office. He thanked Makerere for the opportunity to serve the University community and its stakeholders.
At the peak, the event concluded with tree planting and cake-cutting activity in front of Nkrumah Hall. The audience was left contemplating one message of Kwame Nkrumah’s vision of a united, self-reliant Africa, freed first in the mind, that remains unfinished and in the words of some speakers, has been handed to the current generation as a task to accomplish.
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