Humanities & Social Sciences
CHUSS orients Cohort 2022 of the PhD fellows funded by Gerda Henkel
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) on 30th January 2023 officially welcomed the Cohort 2022 of Gerda Henkel funded PhD fellows in a ceremony that was presided over by the Principal represented by her Deputy Assoc. Prof. Eric Awich Onen.
11 fellows in this Cohort 2022 were facilitated with new Mac Book Air laptops to help the in their studies in a ceremony attended by college leardership including Principals,Deans, Heads of Departments, project and programme coordinators, administrative and technical staff.In 2021, the college received 10 PhD fellows, another 10 in 2020 and 14 PhD fellows 2019 funded by Gerda Henkel Siftung Foundation.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Eric Awich congratulated the fellows upon admission to Makerere University saying, they were fortunate to secure the scholarship.
“Now it is up to you to convert the confidence of the selection committee in you and reward them by your hard work. All our students awarded under the Gerda Henkel scholarship have done very well and most of them finish on time. In the next 73rd Graduation ceremony, 8 out of the 23 PhD graduands are funded by Gerda Henkel.
That tells you the productivity of the programme, it also gives the encouragement that you are going to have all the support you need as long as you want to study and attain your objective. You can lead a horse to drink water but you cannot force the horse to drink water”, Dr. Awich advised.
Dr. Awich challenged Ugandan students not to be scattered doing many things but focus and take their PhD programme serious to complete in time and also to contribute part of their time to support the departments.
Awich gave an overview of CHUSS as an important and one of the biggest colleges in the university constituted by five schools, instititutes and centres with a student population of eight thousand among other features.
He reported that the college is ranked high in the production of the highest number of PhDs with 23 candidates to be presented in the upcoming 73rd graduation. In 2022, the college presented 25 PhDs while in 2021 CHUSS presented 22 PhD graduands .
In terms of support, Dr. Awich reiterated that the college has what is needed, from supervisors and all physical and online resources for the fellows to succeed.
Introducing students to the PhD candidature in CHUSS, the Dean, School of Liberal and Performing Arts Associate Prof. Patrick Mangeni reminded students that they are funded and expected to graduate within three years.
“I welcome you to the PhD programme. We are starting in January 2023 and you are graduating in February 2026. Be clear about that, that you have three years and in three years, you should be done with your work and anything to do with extension after three years, is something not welcome”, The Dean warned.
Prof. Mangeni informed students that in addition to having the supervisors, they will have doctoral committees to support the supervision. Between this orientation and one year, Mangeni said students will be expected to be developing their proposals as well as attending courses. He implored them to utilise online resources such as getting a link from the graduate school that guides on expectations from a PhD candidate.
“You will need, as graduate students to utilise online resources under the graduate school. There is also a post graduate handbook that you can get online. Please acquaint yourself with that. It will give you all the information about supervision, procedures, policies and all stages from entry to exit”. Mangeni advised.
Other pieces of advice were on changes on topics that may move away from the mother departments, the need to have at least two publications before graduation, utilisation of support spaces such as seminars, conferences, libraries and submission of progress reports.
The project coordinator, Dr. Edgar Nabutanyi reported that 11 fellows out of the 162 applicants succeeded for the scholarship, imploring students to be proud of themselves for having succeeded among the many who showed interest. He however cautioned that this success comes with responsibility.
“That comes with a big responsibility to the effect that when you think of yourself and your position in this cohort, know that you will take one position for 161 potentially good applicants and therefore, it is imperative on you to do what you have to do but also to reward the college which saw potential in you and gave you this opportunity”, Dr. Nabutanyi emphasised.
Dr. Nabutanyi underscored that being a full time PhD training, the only job for the fellows was to read books, write proposals, articles and dissertations for the next three years. Nabutanyi implored the fellows to study the almanac, follow it and convert it with the help of the supervisors into their own working document.
Nabutanyi cautioned students against describing themselves as Gerda Henkel students but rather, first of all, as students of Makerere University that offered them the provisional admission and then the department where the intellectual supervision is to be undertaken.
“Therefore, familiarise yourself with your department, its traditions, work ethics and its research interests and resources. Don’t isolate yourself but locate yourself in the department and be a visible member of the department”, He urged.
He alerted the fellows that PhD training is a serious academic activity, and an initiation into the world of scholarship that sometimes tends to be lonely with high impact draining on physical and intellectual resources. He advised them to utilise the cohort as a support system in this hard task.
Gerda Henkel Siftung Foundation was established in June 1976 by Lisa Maskell in memory of her mother Gerda Henkel as an incorporated foundation under civil law, headquartered in Düsseldorf. The Foundation provides financial support for the historical humanities and particularly, research projects that explore current issues in a larger historical context or consciously focus on topics of relevance to the present or the future.
The Makerere University fraternity is mourning the loss of a dedicated and hardworking academic, Dr. Brian Semujju. At the time of his passing, Dr. Semujju was serving as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Communication, School of Languages, Literature and Communication, where he had worked for eight years. He was a prolific scholar with more than 20 publications to his name, the most recent of which was published in February 2025.
In a condolence message from the Vice Chancellor delivered by Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, the University extended its heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family. Prof. Ireeta noted that Dr. Semujju was widely known for his enthusiasm and commitment to academic research. Drawing from scripture, he offered comfort to mourners with a quote from Psalms 34:14: “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” He also extended condolences to Dr. Semujju’s students, fellow scholars, and colleagues.
On behalf of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Principal, Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala and the Deputy Principal, Dr. Eric Awich Ochen, shared heartfelt condolences. The College Leadership acknowledged Dr. Semujju’s immense contributions and the deep void his death left in the college following his passing on 3rd August 2025. Equally commended was Dr. Semujju’s remarkable journey from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer—a clear testament to his passion and commitment to research. Dr. Semujju’s dedication to his work was described as extraordinary, and Dr. Awich Ochen confirmed that he was due for promotion to Associate Professor at the time of his death, a reflection of his unwavering pursuit of academic excellence.
Prof. Gorretti Nassanga delivered a message on behalf of the Head of the Department, Dr. Aisha Nakiwala, describing Dr. Semujju as a man who left behind a strong legacy of academic excellence. She traced his academic journey at Makerere University, beginning as a Master’s student in 2010, graduating in 2012, and completing his PhD in 2017—the same year he joined the Department as a Lecturer. She highlighted his significant research contributions, including publications in high-impact international journals and involvement in diverse research projects covering community media, gender and media, environmental and climate change communication, and the use of mobile phones in journalism practice. Prof. Nassanga praised his critical mind and eagerness to explore new frontiers of knowledge, adding: “Apart from his work at the Department of Journalism and Communication, he took interest in other areas like music, he composed several songs including some on how to tackle climate change.”
Prof. James Kiwanuka-Tondo, Dean at the School of Journalism, Media and Communication at Uganda Christian University, and Prof. Monica Chibita both spoke about Dr. Semujju’s insatiable curiosity and commitment to his work. Prof. Chibita noted his exceptional sense of duty, as evidenced by his latest publication in February despite battling illness. She emphasized the importance of preserving his legacy: “He leaves a gap in many people’s hearts but Brian also leaves a legacy of academic excellence. As many of his mentees who are here, we all have a duty to keep this legacy alive.”
Dr. Robert Kakuru, Chairperson of the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), reflected on the collective loss felt by the academic fraternity: “As the academic fraternity we have lost a hardworking man. We have lost a man that was destined to achieve much.” He expressed appreciation to the University Management, especially the Vice Chancellor, for their support during this difficult time. Dr. Kakuru also used the occasion to promote the MUASA Social Support Fund, encouraging both new membership and mutual support among existing members.
Representing the Fulbright Scholars where Dr. Semujju served as President of the Alumni Association, Dr. Saul Daniel Ddumba also expressed his sympathies: “He accepted to be our Fulbright President, which was another job on top of what he already had,” he said, praising Dr. Semujju’s enthusiastic spirit.
Mr. Baker Batte, one of Dr. Semujju’s earliest Master’s students, shared a memory that reflected his high standards and intolerance for mediocrity: “I think I gave him approximately 15 drafts for him to accept that my dissertation was good for submission.”
A family representative, Dr. Semujju’s brother, spoke of his strong work ethic and obsession with quality, recounting his frequent reminder to the family: “Every time he would tell us that we cannot teach if we are not doing research.” He expressed gratitude to the Department of Journalism and Communication and the University for their support, particularly through financial assistance.
The funeral service held on 5th August 2025 at St. Francis Chapel and was presided over by the Chaplain, Rev. Canon Dr. Lydia Kitayimbwa. In her sermon, the Chaplain urged the bereaved family to turn to God for comfort, describing Him as “not distant, but… the God of Comfort.” She read from 2 Corinthians 1:3–7, reminding the congregation of God’s enduring presence in times of suffering: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction… Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort,” she preached.
The event was graced by several dignitaries from the Media, including the CEO of Vision Group, Mr. Don Wanyama, and the Head of Bukedde TV, Mr. Richard Kayiira.
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