General
Mak Public Fair on Academic Transcripts Opens
Makerere University on Tuesday 8th November, 2022 officially commenced a two-week Public Fair on Academic Transcripts and Certificates at the Freedom Square. Spearheaded by the Department of the Academic Registrar, the Public Fair is technically supported by the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS), Finance Directorate and staff from Makerere University Business School (MUBS). The interdepartmental effort was flagged off at a Press Conference addressed by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi and the Deputy Registrar (Examinations, Transcripts and Certificates), Mr. Otim Lynd Tom.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor noted this was a special day in the history of Makerere as it held its first ever Public Fair to handle the most important documents issued to graduates of the University.
“We took a decision that as we celebrate 100 years, we should hold this public fair to enable anybody who has any issue with their transcript or certificate to get that issue resolved so that they can walk home with their document” remarked the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Nawangwe added that statistics revealed that while a few thousands of transcripts remained uncollected or issued, certificates formed the bigger number of uncollected academic documents. “That probably speaks to the fact that most employers are satisfied with transcripts.”
The Vice Chancellor thanked the Department of the Academic Registrar for working hard to ensure that all the issues affecting the issuance of transcripts and certificates are resolved. “The Department has got a very good record of the transcripts and certificates that have not been collected and as you have seen in the media previously, these date back to the fifties.”
Prof. Nawangwe therefore appealed to the media to ensure that the public fair receives wide publicity so that all alumni who may have any issues regarding their academic credentials are reached. He reaffirmed that the public fair was demonstration of the University’s readiness to resolve any issues.
Additionally, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi noted that the public fair was aimed at mobilizing public participation in the attainment of Makerere University‘s core values of professionalism, integrity and responsiveness to customer needs in as far as academic documents are concerned.
The Academic Registrar shared that as the custodian of all transcripts and certificates, the Department was mindful that there we some alumni who could have lost their documents in various circumstances. He equally invited all those that might fall in this category to visit the public fair and receive assistance.
“We want to renew our commitment to all our alumni and those interested in pursuing their academic careers at this university that we are a credible flagship university, and we remain committed to our ideals to develop the human resource capacity in this country, region and globally. Therefore the internal challenges you face are core to our business and we want to solve them jointly” concluded Prof. Buyinza.
Elaborating on the joint nature of the public fair, Mr. Otim who doubles as the Chairperson of the Interdepartmental Task Force Tracer Process to Address all Outstanding Transcripts Issues at Makerere University remarked that the assembly of various departments under one roof was aimed at resolving all pending issues transparently.
Mr. Otim acknowledged that although there have been technical issues surrounding issuance of some transcripts, a lot has been done to resolve them and all matters raised by stakeholders going forward will be handled on a case-by-case basis. He thanked the Vice Chancellor and University Management for the support accorded to the organisation of the Public Fair and the Media for covering the event.
The Public Fair on Academic Transcripts and Certificates will run for two weeks starting 8th November 2022, from 9:00AM to 4:00PM on all weekdays including Saturdays. A mobile application to help alumni check the status of their transcripts is being developed and a link will be shared in due course.
Makerere University staff have been urged to embrace servant leadership, integrity and compassion as they prepare to welcome students for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.
The call was made during the Makerere University Staff Prayer Breakfast held on 31st July 2026 at St. Francis Students Centre Upper Hall under the theme “Faithful Stewards: A Servant Heart with Integrity and Wisdom,” drawn from Colossians 3:23–24 and Mark 10:35–45.
The prayer breakfast brought together members of Council, University Management, academic, and administrative staff to dedicate the new academic year to God while reflecting on their responsibility of serving students with excellence, humility and integrity.
A Call to Seek God’s Wisdom
Host Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa reminded staff that no amount of professional experience or academic expertise can replace God’s guidance.
She noted that the University’s mission can only be fulfilled when staff continually seek God’s wisdom in serving students and one another.
“There is no amount of experience or expertise that can replace God’s wisdom.”
Rev. Dr. Kitayimbwa observed that students remain the reason universities exist and challenged staff to approach their work as a calling rather than merely employment.
“Without students, there is no university,” she said, encouraging members of staff to remain united, avoid unhealthy competition and trust God as they begin another academic year.
She further urged staff to become faithful stewards who work together in harmony, which she summed up as, “United we stand; divided we fall.”
A Community, Not Just a Centre of Research
In her remarks, Dean of Students Dr. Winnie Kabumbuli welcomed the Council Chairperson, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Members of Management to the breakfast, and reminded staff that a university’s value cannot be measured by research and innovation alone.
She described Makerere as a community held together by the spiritual as well as academic wellbeing of its people, and called on staff to renew their commitment to one another as much as to the institution they serve.
Draw Inspiration From Stewardship
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. Sarah Ssali told staff that this year’s breakfast carried special significance.
“This is the first prayer breakfast we are having ever since we launched our strategic plan,” she said, referring to the University’s new Strategic Plan, launched on 2nd July 2026.
She encouraged staff to hold on to the morning’s reflections as a guide for implementing the plan over the next five years, describing Makerere as an institution many families choose above all others for the vision and training it offers their children. She urged staff to see themselves as stewards of that trust rather than simply employees carrying out a job.
Compassion and Discipline Must Go Together
Delivering her remarks, Makerere University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara challenged staff to strike a balance between compassion and discipline when dealing with students.
She observed that many students face different personal and academic challenges, making encouragement and timely support essential throughout their university journey.
“A word of encouragement can restore hope and prevent costly mistakes,” she noted.
Dr. Lorna encouraged lecturers and administrators to respond promptly to students’ concerns, explaining that delays, insensitive decisions and abuse of authority can discourage students and negatively affect their academic experience.
She reminded staff that students often remember how they were treated long after they have forgotten what was taught in class.
“Students may eventually forget what we teach them, but they will always remember how we treated them.”
She added that education goes beyond transferring knowledge.
“Education is more than knowledge. We communicate life, character and values.”
Quoting Mark 10, Dr. Lorna called upon staff to embrace servant leadership by exercising authority with humility, integrity and accountability.
She encouraged members of staff to ask themselves whether they would treat every student the same way ashey would treat their own child.
“We may not always have all the answers,” she said, “but we can communicate honestly, take responsibility and treat every student with dignity.”
She concluded by urging different colleges and administrative units to work together instead of operating in isolation, noting that unity strengthens the University community.
Referring to Galatians 6:2, she reminded staff to carry one another’s burdens and remain faithful stewards of the responsibility entrusted to them.
Servant Leadership Begins with Faithfulness
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. James Magara, husband to Dr. Lorna Magara, called on members of staff to embrace servant leadership grounded in humility, faithfulness and service to others.
Drawing from Mark 10:35–45, Dr. Magara reflected on the account in which James and John asked Jesus for positions of honour in His kingdom, prompting discontent among the other disciples. He observed that despite walking closely with Christ, the disciples continued to struggle with the desire for status and recognition. He noted that such competition remained evident even during the Last Supper, where concerns over positions and prominence persisted.
Dr. Magara said that Jesus responded to these human tendencies by redefining leadership through service rather than authority. He described Christ’s act of washing the disciples’ feet as the ultimate demonstration of servant leadership, explaining that genuine leaders are willing to undertake even the humblest responsibilities in service of others.
Referencing Philippians 2, he urged staff to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness, contrasting it with the pride and self-exaltation illustrated in Isaiah 14. He emphasised that lasting influence and greatness are not measured by titles, positions or recognition, but by one’s willingness to serve faithfully and put the needs of others before personal ambition.
Drawing on his own leadership journey spanning several decades, Dr. Magara challenged leaders across the University to cultivate humility, integrity and a servant heart in the execution of their responsibilities. He cautioned that leadership driven by pride and personal ambition undermines both individual effectiveness and institutional progress, whereas servant leadership strengthens organisations and fosters lasting impact.
The prayer breakfast concluded with a call for unity and collective commitment as Makerere University prepares to begin a new academic year. Organisers noted that the reflections on stewardship, integrity and servant leadership would provide a strong foundation for the University community as it advances the implementation of the Makerere University Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
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