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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

Empowering Africa’s Future: The first of the ReSus Summer School Series on Renewable Resources Concludes

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The inaugural cohort of the ReSus Summer School Series 2025–2027, held from August 3rd to 12th, 2025, successfully concluded their engagement at Makerere University.Guided by the theme “Renewable Resources for Sustainable Development in Africa (ReSus-AFRICA),” the program convened emerging African researchers to explore innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability through renewable resources.

Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships at Makerere University, officiated the closing ceremony held at the Rotary Peace Centre. In his address, he urged participants to carry forward the knowledge, networks, and collaborations forged during the Summer School. The challenges we face in energy, environment, and resource management demand sustained research, bold innovation, and unwavering commitment,” he emphasized. He encouraged the inaugural cohort to keep the conversations alive and to translate the ideas explored into tangible actions that will positively impact communities and drive transformation across the continent.

Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships at Makerere University, gave the closing remarks

Prof. Wamala highlighted the alignment of the Summer School with Makerere University’s vision of becoming a research-led institution. He emphasized that convening early-career scholars from across the continent was a strategic move to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, foster South-to-South knowledge exchange, and equip participants with practical skills in renewable resource management. By hosting 21 outstanding PhD students and postdoctoral researchers from various African countries, Makerere University demonstrated its commitment to addressing shared challenges in sustainable development.

It has indeed been an honour for Makerere University to host 21 outstanding PhD students and postdoctoral scholars from across Africa. Your contributions, questions, and shared experiences have highlighted the immense value of bringing together diverse minds to address the complex challenges of sustainable development, noted Eng. Dr. Assoc. Prof Dorothy Okello, the Dean of the School of Engineering. This Summer School has demonstrated the power of collaboration in advancing research that is both locally relevant and globally impactful.

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Alex Isemaghendera

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Engineering, Art & Tech

OSHE Project Team Engages with Isimba Hydropower Station on Critical Safety Standards

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On August 7th, 2025, a team from the project to advance Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment (OSHE) knowledge and skills in Uganda visited the Isimba Hydro Power Plant for its second industry stakeholder engagement. The project, a collaborative effort among Makerere, Busitema, and Kyambogo Universities, is supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK. The team was led by Dr. Abubaker Matovu Waswa, the Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT), who is also the Principal Investigator of the project.

The visit to the run-of-the-river hydroelectric plant, managed by the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), focused on understanding the real-world application of OSHE principles and fostering collaboration between academia and industry.

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Alex Isemaghendera

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Engineering, Art & Tech

The China-Africa Symposium on Urban Water hosted at CEDAT, Makerere University

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The China-Africa Symposium on Urban Water held at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Makerere University, on Friday, 8th August, 2025, proposed the establishment of a dedicated laboratory in Uganda to support collaborative research and innovation in urban water systems. The symposium was organized under an ongoing research exchange between Ningbo University’s Institute of Hydraulic and Ocean Engineering and Makerere University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, aiming to strengthen academic ties and address pressing water environment challenges through joint initiatives.

The symposium sought to foster meaningful dialogue and strengthen collaboration on urban water challenges and solutions within African and Chinese contexts. Centered on reviewing ongoing research efforts between Makerere University and Ningbo University, the primary objective was to foster the establishment of a joint research laboratory in Uganda. This envisioned facility would serve as a vibrant hub for collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and capacity development in water engineering and environmental sustainability, driving innovation and shared expertise to address critical water issues across both regions.

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Alex Isemaghendera

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