General
Prof. Nawangwe Commissions state-of-the-art Fire Detection & Protection System for Senate Building
By Bernard Buteera
On Monday afternoon the 13th of March 2023, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, commissioned the state-of-the-art fire detection and protection system for Senate Building, one of the buildings that houses the academic documents and records for the University.
In a speech read for him by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof. Umar Kakumba, the Vice Chancellor thanked all the key partners; Mastercard Foundation and the Government Uganda, through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF), for funding the project to completion.
The Vice Chancellor pointed out that, learning from the horrific incident when the Main Building was gutted by fire in September 2020, the University could not risk having another sensitive building like Senate not to have fire detection and protection system.
“I would like to thank the Government of Uganda, through Mak-RIF and our partner Mastercard Foundation, for funding such an important project in the University. This fire detection and protection system is very essential for our institution in order to protect the lives of our stakeholders and our academic records.” Prof. Nawangwe noted.
Prof. Nawangwe further thanked Mrs. Patience Mushengyezi and the entire committee that steered the project right from phase 1 to completion.
“I would like to thank Mrs. Patience Mushengyezi, the PI and her team for the thoughtfulness and for the passion that came through during the proposal writing. The University Management can have strong proposals, but it doesn’t have a strong team to support in implementation, then all the good proposals would go to waste.” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
On his part, Prof. Kakumba, thanked the University Management for supporting the first phase of the project through Mak-RIF.
“I would like to appreciate my Colleagues in Management for delivering the first phase of the proposal for digitization of our records under Mak-RIF. Digitization of our academic records is very critical to the institution.” Prof. Kakumba noted.
Prof. Kakumba also thanked Mastercard Foundation for the recovery support, which supported in the second phase of the project, which was the installation of fire detection and protection system.
“When our building got burnt, the first partner to extend a hand of support was the Mastercard Foundation, for which we are very grateful. Mastercard Foundation has supported Makerere University in many other projects, and we thank them very much.” He remarked.
Prof. Kakumba called upon the Estates Department and all other stakeholders, to ensure that the fire detection system is well maintained and serviced for effective and efficient use of the system.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, thanked the University Management, the Government of Uganda, the Academic Registrar’s Department, and the Mastercard Foundation for making the project possible.
“We all know what happened when the main building got burnt, it was a reflection that we could have done better. I hope that the people who have installed the equipment will give us manuals and offer training to staff on safe evacuation in case of any fire alerts with a fire exit plan in every room.” Prof. Alinaitwe remarked.
“I would like to join my colleagues to thank Mastercard Foundation for funding this project and many others in the University. Mastercard Foundation is here to catalyze us, we should look at this project as an example, so that we replicate it in other buildings across the university with our own resources.” Prof. Alinaitwe remarked.
Prof. Alinaitwe acknowledged the need for the University Management to enhance the issue of access control beyond the archives rooms in the Senate Building to other facilities at the University.
“We need to install CCTV cameras across all the facilities in the university, and be able to use them all the time.” Prof. Alinaitwe noted.
The Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi thanked members of the University Administration for always gracing events that celebrate achievements, such as the completion of the Fire detection and protection system.
“It feels good when you’re part of a progressive agenda. I wasn’t really in stewardship when the project started, but I have heard good things about it. I would also wish to convey our regards to Mastercard Foundation for enabling us to progress towards the achievement of our vision and dreams.” Prof. Buyinza remarked.
Prof. Buyinza further thanked the Digitizing Academic Records and Processes (DARP) Committee led by Mrs. Patience Mushengyezi for the job well done.
“I sincerely thank my colleague, Mrs. Patience Mushengyezi and her team, for having a heart for the institution, serving beyond self, and the visionary leadership you’ve offered to your team.” Prof. Buyinza pointed out.
On her part, the Principal Investigator (PI) of the project, Mrs. Patience Mushengyezi, thanked the University Management, Mak-RIF and Mastercard Foundation for the tremendous support rendered to the project.
“It gives me great pleasure that we are commissioning the Fire Protection and Detection System for Senate Building, including the banks housed in this building. This is a dream come true!” Mrs. Mushengyezi remarked.
Mrs. Mushengyezi informed the gathering that the project was mainly funded by Mak-RIF under the Government of Uganda for the first phase, which was mainly digitizing the academic records, and Mastercard Foundation which supported the second phase of the project, which was the fire detection and protection system.
“This project was a multiphase process; the first phase was to prepare for system and digitization of our records, and the second phase was mainly the installation of fire detection and protection system. We are very grateful to Mak-RIF and Mastercard Foundation for funding the project to completion” Mrs. Mushengyezi informed the gathering.
The DARP project was implemented in collaboration with East African School of Library and Information Sciences (EASLIS), College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS) and the College of Education and External Studies (CEES).
Bernard Buteera, is the Communications & Web Officer of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
General
Announcing the 3rd Sarah Ntiro Memorial Lecture with Allen Kagina as the 2025 Distinguished Speaker
Makerere University will host the 3rd edition of the Sara Nyendwoha Ntiro Memorial Lecture in honor of a gallant alumna whose groundbreaking legacy as Uganda’s first female graduate continues to inspire generations of women in higher education across Africa and beyond.
The Inaugural Edition was held on 1st December 2022 as part of Makerere University‘s centennial celebrations. The lecture was delivered by another distinguished alumna and passionate advocate for women’s rights, the Late Hon. Joyce Mpanga. Her moving lecture unpacked the topic Bold Ideas Need System Support to Thrive; The Case of Sarah Nyendwoha Ntiro, highlighting how Ntiro’s determination to pursue education required institutional backing to achieve lasting impact.
The Second Edition was held on 31st August 2023 and graced by Her Royal Highness, Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda, Queen of Buganda, as the distinguished keynote speaker.
The Nnabagereka’s lecture was based on the theme Catalyzing Change: Women as Pillars of Society. Therein, she appropriately stated that “An empowered woman is a better person, mother, worker, and citizen capable of taking advantage of opportunities to contribute, lead, make change, have her voice heard and skills employed.”
This year’s edition of the Lecture will be held on the eve of International Women’s Day, Friday 7th March 2025, in the Makerere University School of Public Health Auditorium starting at 2:00PM. The Third Edition will focus on the theme Pioneering Change and Transforming Institutions, aptly reflecting Sarah Ntiro’s legacy as a transformative figure who broke institutional barriers and pioneered change in Uganda’s educational landscape.
Sarah Ntiro’s own life embodied this year’s theme profoundly. As Uganda’s first female graduate who earned her degree from Oxford University in 1951, she returned home to transform educational institutions by advocating for girls’ education and challenging exclusionary systems.
Her work as an educator, politician, and advocate exemplifies how pioneering individuals can reshape institutions to become more inclusive and equitable. This year’s theme honors her approach to institutional transformation—creating sustainable change through strategic leadership, advocacy, and persistence.
To set the tone for the day’s discussion will be a distinguished speaker who, like Ntiro, pioneered change and transformation as the first female Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and the first female Executive Director of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA).
“Sarah Ntiro’s legacy reminds us that true transformation requires both pioneering individuals and responsive institutions. In Ms. Allen Kagina, we see this dual impact—a leader who not only broke barriers but reshaped organizational cultures. Our discussion will explore how women leaders like Ntiro and Kagina don’t merely occupy positions but fundamentally transform the institutions they serve, creating pathways for generations to follow.” Professor Sarah Ssali
Ms. Allen Kagina, an eminent alumna of Makerere, will in her keynote address explore how Ntiro’s trailblazing spirit has influenced her journey of institutional leadership and transformation, unpacking practical strategies for women leaders to effect meaningful change in traditionally male-dominated spaces.
“Transforming institutions isn’t just about being the first woman to enter the room—it’s about ensuring you’re not the last. Like Sarah Ntiro, who understood that true leadership means creating pathways that others can follow, I’ve learned that our greatest legacy lies not in the barriers we break, but in the sustainable systems we build that outlast our tenure. When women lead with both courage and vision, we don’t just change organizations—we redefine what leadership itself can accomplish.” Ms Allen Kagina
The panel discussion will be moderated by Professor Sarah Ssali, Dean of the School of Women and Gender Studies. She will be joined by another expert on a panel to examine how Ntiro’s educational philosophy and public service ethos continue to offer valuable lessons for today’s institutional leaders seeking to create more inclusive organizations.
“Makerere University is privileged to welcome home one of our most accomplished alumnae whose career exemplifies the institutional impact Sarah Ntiro envisioned when she championed education as a vehicle for national development. Just like Sarah Ntiro, Allen Kagina has consistently demonstrated how visionary leadership can transform our national institutions. Her groundbreaking work at both URA and UNRA embodies the very essence of this year’s theme—pioneering change that outlasts individual tenure.” Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor
We look forward to hosting you all on this platform that will promote the exchange of ideas and best practices among stakeholders to enhance strategies for greater gender equality in institutional change and transformation—continuing Sarah Ntiro’s vision of education as a pathway to societal transformation.
For updates, follow #SarahNtiroLecture25 on our social media platforms, or email us at advancement@mak.ac.ug
General
10 years on: ‘My story as one of the first cohort Mastercard Foundation Scholars at Makerere University’
By the Program Communication Team
Seven years after graduating in 2018, Alex still exudes a warm and approachable demeanor. Despite his esteemed position, he carries no air of superiority. He is an accommodating and attentive listener, and our conversation about his journey flowed effortlessly.
“I don’t think I would have pursued a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering if it had not been for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University,” Alex Mirugwe recalls.
Alex’s journey was one of purely humble beginnings, began 30 years ago in Kyotera District, where he was the third of six children born to the late Charles Kalimirwa and Margaret Nampija.
His academic path led him to Broadway High School for both O’ and A’ levels, where he studied Physics, Economics, Mathematics, and ICT.
Alex recounts that when his Senior Six results were released, he had scored 17 points, but was uncertain of the following steps since his family could not afford his university tuition.
“If it hadn’t been for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, my family would have struggled to raise my tuition,” he notes.
Faced with his results, Alex sought all possible opportunities to further his education. As luck would have it, while reading the New Vision Newspaper one day, he saw an advertisement for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
“I applied, got shortlisted, attended interviews, and I succeeded. That is how I gained the opportunity to join Makerere University,” he remarks.
The Program offers scholarships to bright but underprivileged children who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of others.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering.
Upon completing his first degree, he received another opportunity from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town to pursue his Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Data Science.
After attaining his M.Sc. from the University of Cape Town, he returned to Uganda and began applying for jobs.
“When I returned, I relaxed for only three months, and in the fourth month, when I decided to send out my applications, I secured a job at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support (METS) project as a data scientist,” Alex pointed out.
When Alex landed his dream job, it was the perfect opportunity to continue researching something he has always loved; supporting the analysis of HIV data. His dream job exposed him to data from more than 1,600 health facilities across the country.
“It has been an intriguing journey; I am pursuing what I studied. I would advise people to seize postgraduate opportunities because, when I completed my Master’s, I encountered no obstacles in securing a job.”
For now, he is focused on raising his young family.
His story is a powerful reminder of the significance of education for all. His journey from a humble village upbringing to a national role has been driven by a profound sense of purpose and a commitment to creating a better world for everyone.
Alex’s parting words, “Take your studies seriously, and learning never ceases.
“Continue to enhance your academic qualifications. You will transform your story.”
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