General
Finance Dept. & DICTS to Digitize Requisitions and Vouching System
The Finance Department and Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS) are in the final stages of developing a system to electronically manage the hitherto manual process of generating requisitions and vouchers. Code-named RAVIS (Requisitions and Voucher Information System), the system will upon completion also enable the Finance Department and Management to monitor budget performance and generate reports at the click of a button.
Addressing staff from the Finance Department, DICTS and other units in the Council Room on 28th March 2023, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Henry Alinaitwe commended the Project Coordinator and Manager Accounts and Reporting, Mr. Lubowa Gyaviira upon the progress made on RAVIS. He noted that automation of these processes will facilitate seamless transactions and provide a digital backup of all transactions.
“As a key stakeholder, I want to see this system operational as it will help us to efficiently track balances on various votes, reduce on procurement delays due to missing vouchers and enable the units at the centre to efficiently monitor their budget lines” added Prof. Alinaitwe.
The University Secretary, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda commended the initiative and advised that the system should make it as simple as possible for users to attach all supporting documents. He also cautioned the Finance Department Staff at Units to ensure that originators of the requests provide hard copies of the same for reference and future audit purposes.
As with all Information Systems, notifications are generated with each transaction to alert users of the system of pending actions on their part or to update on actions taken. Owing to the number of transactions a system processes, these can turn out to be too numerous to the point of being overwhelming. In light of this, Mr. Kiranda advised the developer DICTS to ensure that all notifications remain on RAVIS and not be sent via email as is the case with some systems.
The University Bursar, Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha welcomed the intervention, noting that it would not only automate but also proved a fallback position in the event damaged or missing physical vouchers. He added that unlike the physical requisitions and vouchers, their digital equivalents will be easier to backup and search in the event of follow-up.
“This system is going to great help us and our hope is that it will be implemented efficiently and effectively. I thank DICTS for stepping forward and working with the Finance Department to develop the system” added the University Bursar.
The Project Coordinator, Mr. Lubowa thanked members of the University Management for sparing time to attend the meeting, noting that development of RAVIS was an important milestone in the University’s financial management initiatives. He added that the system will facilitate the smooth management of budgets, especially for units at the centre where it will be pioneered.
“With this system in place, each unit especially at the centre will be able to monitor its budget performance and quickly address any mischarges or promptly provide any supporting documents that can aid quick processing of requisitions” added Mr. Lubowa.
Representing the Director DICTS, Mr. Samuel Mugabi, the Principal Systems Administrator, Mr. Juma Katongole shared that the system was developed after several interactions with the Finance Department and users at the Colleges. “These back and forth interactions were aimed at ensuring that we have a true record of requirements from the user units so as to develop a fitting system.”
He added that DICTS looked forward to more interactions with users of the system as part of the current baseline assessment of all information systems at Makerere University. DICTS in partnership with some developers from the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) is at the heart of digital transformation of university business processes. This is one of the core objectives of the Makerere University Strategic plan 2020-2030.
The partnership between DICTS and CoCIS has over the last six years led to the automation of a number of fourteen business processes such as: Human Resource Management, Student Academic Business Management, Student Electoral Business Management, Integrated Financial Management, Electronic Learning Management, Library Business Management, Grants Management, Student Documents Management, Customer Relationship Management, Hospital Business Management, Motor Vehicle Management, Requisitions and Payment Management, Teaching Time Table Management and Alumni Management.
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
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