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Mak Council Members Interact with CEDAT Leadership

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Members of the Makerere University Council under the leadership of Mrs. Lorna Magara reached out to the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) with a view of getting acquainted with the college and how it operates especially for the new members on the Council.

Mrs. Lorna Magara in the middle, the Chairperson Makerere University Council with Mr. Karugire Edwin, the Chairperson of the Appointments Board (Right), and the Principal CEDAT, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe (Left).
Mrs. Lorna Magara in the middle, the Chairperson Makerere University Council with Mr. Karugire Edwin, the Chairperson of the Appointments Board (Right), and the Principal CEDAT, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe (Left).

The team had an interface with the CEDAT leadership and staff on Wednesday 1st March, 2023 during which issues of mutual interest were discussed. Key among these was the need to quicken the accreditation process of programs offered by the college.

‘The purpose of our visit is to get to know you, know what you are bringing on the table of the University and the nation’, said Mrs. Lorna Magara during the meeting held in the college Boardroom, attended by the Principal, Heads of Departments, Deans and other staff of the college.

The entourage of members of the Council included Mr. Karugire Edwin, the Chairperson of the Appointments Board, Dr. Sarah Ssali, Chairperson Quality Assurance, Gender & ICT Committee, Mr. Ssenngonzi Ddamulira, a Council member, Mr. George Bamugemereire, the Chair Chairperson – Legal, Rules, Privileges & Estates Committee, Mr. Bruce Kabaasa, Chairperson of the Finance, Planning, Administration & Investment Committee.

The Principal College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology Prof. Henry Alinaitwe while welcoming the delegation to the college extended his congratulations to the Chairperson and other members of Council for their election to the University’s top governing body.  He informed the meeting that by June 2023, he was leaving the office of Principal and also took off a moment to extend his appreciation to his constituents in the college that gave him the mandate to serve two years term.

Prof. Eng. Henry Mwanaki Alinaitwe, The Principal College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Makerere University.
Prof. Eng. Henry Mwanaki Alinaitwe, The Principal College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Makerere University.

Prof. Alinaitwe highlighted a number of programs and activities ongoing in the College, citing some programs that were getting phased out namely Computer Engineering and the Bachelor of Fine Art that was replaced by three individual programs including Visual Communication, Design and Multi Media, Industrial Art and Applied Design and Fine Art.

Prof. Alinaitwe introduced the Council members to the International Centers operating at the College such as the African Center of Excellence in Materials, Product Development and Nano-Technology, MAPRONANO, the East African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE) among others. 

The Principal also highlighted staffing issues at the College noting that the high staff turnover coupled with the big number of part time staff needed urgent attention. He appealed to Council to render all the necessary support to ensure that the staff matters are handled with the urgency they deserve.  The low number of technicians and support staff that left a serious challenge in the administrative functioning of the college was also noted.

In the area of research,Members of Council were informed that the college benefited greatly from Government of Uganda support through PRESIDE, as well as the MakRIF project that continues to support the ever increasing research output by staff. He noted that until recently when it came to a close, CEDAT benefited greatly from SIDA support which helped address the area of staff training and research. The Principal further informed the Council members of the need to increase the laboratory spaces as well as equipping them with modern equipment and software.

Members of the College leadership listen to proceedings.
Members of the College leadership listen to proceedings.

During the deliberations, it was revealed that majority of the challenges were cutting across colleges and CEDAT as the home of Engineering programs was encouraged to support the University by coming up with solutions to some of the challenges faced by the University for instance infrastructure.  It was proposed that CEDAT was well placed to design a staff performance monitoring system as well as come up with measures to curb the dropout rates in programs like Architecture.

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Harriet Musinguzi

Engineering, Art & Tech

Uganda Urged to Strengthen OSHE Enforcement Amid Rising Workplace Injuries

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Dr. Abubaker Waswa Matovu (R) Head of the Department of Computer and Electronics Engineering at Makerere University, emphasized the importance of the training in promoting workplace safety.

In response to Uganda’s growing workplace safety concerns, staff at the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT) participated in an Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment (OSHE) training session aimed at increasing awareness and improving adherence to safety standards in professional and academic environments.

The workshop, organized by the School of Engineering, was part of a larger effort led by the OSHE Centers of Excellence, an initiative launched at Makerere, Kyambogo, and Busitema Universities on May 4, 2023. This program seeks to enhance workplace safety education, with a focus on hazard prevention, PPE usage, risk mitigation, and integrating OSHE principles into engineering curricula and industrial practices.

Speaking at the training, Dr. Abubaker Waswa Matovu, Head of the Department of Computer and Electronics Engineering at Makerere University, emphasized the importance of the training which was aimed at creating awareness about the need for the College, the university and the industry to proactively plan for safety at the place of work. It was indicated that Uganda was faced by alarming workplace injury rates, with over 25,000 workers suffering from job-related injuries annually, yet fatality statistics remain largely unreported.

Dr. Matovu highlighted the urgent need for OSHE integration in higher education, pointing out that 99% of engineering and science graduates enter the workforce without formal safety training. This lack of preparedness has led industries to withdraw internship placements, fearing liability if trainees suffer injuries or fatalities while on the job, he noted.

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Alex Isemaghendera

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Engineering, Art & Tech

Makerere University and Nile Basin Discourse Partner on Water Resource Management Initiative

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The NBD team and their hosts led by Dr. Robinah Kulabako pose for a picture at the CEDAT Block

Makerere University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has partnered with the Nile Basin Discourse (NBD) to collaborate on a World Bank-funded, two-year project aimed at improving transboundary water resource management in East Africa.

During a meeting held on 5th June 2025 at CEDAT, Eng. Sylvesta Matemu, head of NBD, engaged with Makerere University representatives, including Dr. Philip Nyenje and Dr. Seith Mugume, to discuss strategies for effective implementation. The project seeks to employ citizen science approaches to involve local communities in water governance, data collection, and policy formulation.

The team also met with Prof. Dorothy Okello, Dean of the School of Engineering, and Dr. Robinah Kulabako, Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, to explore key areas of collaboration. Experts stressed the importance of regional cooperation in water management, citing growing concerns over resource sustainability and environmental challenges.

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Alex Isemaghendera

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Engineering, Art & Tech

Driving Innovation by Strengthening Ugandan Universities for the Fourth Industrial Revolution

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The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) convened a meeting at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) focused on the critical role of research in national development. The meeting attended by college leaders’ and staff emphasized the shift from basic research which makes up nearly 80% of research efforts to applied research, which has the potential to generate revenue, create industries, and provide employment opportunities.

The discussion held in the CEDAT Board room Thursday 29th May 2025, highlighted the government’s agenda to prioritize applied research, ensuring universities become hubs of innovation rather than just centers for academic publishing. The meeting also stressed the importance of pilot testing and learning from early experiences to refine university support systems for commercialization.

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Alex Isemaghendera

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