Humanities & Social Sciences
DGRT & DICTS embark on the development of a tracking system for staff & graduate students’ research
Whereas Makerere University has a number of systems, these have not been addressing a number of issues such as the ability to track and consolidate information in various schools and the Graduate school.
As the university moves towards being research led, the Directorate of Graduate Research and Training (DGRT) and the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS) have embarked on developing a tracking system that will help collect and consolidate information about all research in the university, the researchers and graduate students generally.
With support from the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF), DGRT received the needs-based-funds for a project called, Research Information Management System (RIMS).
The project which commenced about six months ago will collect information about all staff involved in research, about the research they are doing, what areas, to make up the research agenda of the university.
On the side of graduate students who are research students, the Directorate would like to have information on where they are in their research so that they can be tracked.
Assoc. Prof. Julius Kikooma emphasising the need to understand the Graduate Handbook 2013This initiative was disclosed by the Deputy Director, DGRT Associate Prof. Julius Kikooma while speaking at the opening of the three-day CHUSS 2023 Graduate Supervisors induction workshop at Essella Hotel on 18th April 2023.
Prof, Kikooma was invited to present on the general rules for graduate studies at Makerere University and the Research Ethics and guidelines for information and use by supervisors of graduate students.
Kikooma said, one of the key problems in the Directorate has been information about research and researchers and graduate students generally in the way they are handled and scattered. The system he said will track every process about researchers in Makerere University both academic and graduate students.
“The system will support us to have all information about graduate students in one place so that we can be able to address key questions because we have never been able to develop a system that can quickly tell us beyond those students who have completed course work, and where they are”.
It will be possible to know that if a student had a two-year program, and they completed their course work, when did they complete it, when did they start a research proposal, where is it, was it approved, if it was approved, are they doing field work and if it is field work, when was it approved, who are their supervisors etc?”
Noting that the Directorate is a coordinating unit for graduate training with the actual work on graduate students in terms of teaching and supervision taking place in the schools. Prof. Kikooma said, the system will be helpful in terms of record keeping and reduction of reliance on information in hard copy files.
“Meaning that while we have a file for these people because we admit them, the school also keeps hard copy files of the students and sometimes depending on what is happening to the student at what level, the school may have information but which we do not have. And therefore we have been missing a system that can help us all consolidate that information about students and researchers”. He said.
The system according Prof. Kikooma is being designed to ensure that what is held on ACMIS system is the same as what is held on RIMS of the DGRT so that there is no conflict of information for different management purposes. The ACMIS is for the academic registrar’s department which is mainly registration, but RIMS will be for all processes about research for staff and graduate students.
Two weeks ago, Prof. Kikooma said, the Directorate carried out a stake holder consultation where they tried to pilot some of the modules of the program. The different users of this information system gave feedback and the system experts were revising it.
It is hoped that in the next two-three months, the system will be rolling out the first modules.
Graduate supervisors’ induction training a good development
Kikooma commended CHUSS for initiating the program for retooling graduate supervisors saying, it is supposed to be a practice for a graduate school.
The capacity for supervisors should according to Kikooma continuously be built. As DGRT, he encouraged colleges to work with the directorate to ensure that every year supervisors are given some kind of refresher regarding what they are supposed to do as supervisors.
“It is one of the best practices for capacity building and colleges should go ahead to organise them tailored to their specific needs.
The way things happen in the world of academia, research and theory keep changing and so, it is right that continuously, there is a time created where supervisors are taken through some of the new developments, thinking, and how to support graduate students”. He added.
He urged participants to acquaint themselves with the university graduate handbook where different policies and guidelines are put together. The university has a current Graduate Handbook 2013 but the directorate is undertaking an exercise of revising it. The draft he said, will in two to three weeks be presented to the Board of Graduate research for approval and eventually to Senate.
Dr. Zaid Ssekitto giving the background to the graduate supervisors training CHUSS Coordinator for Graduate programmes Dr. Saidi Ssekito said the idea to have the Graduate supervisor’s induction trainings emerged last year when some staff enrolled on a similar program in the university.
While enrolment and graduating numbers of PhD and Masters students were increasing in CHUSS, Dr. Ssekito said, the number of staff was constant or reducing. In many departments many staff were retiring and leaving but not replaced.
At the same time, the college had over 40 Assistant Lecturers with PhDs, yet to be a graduate supervisor, the policy allows those at a rank of Lecturer.
“Some of the PhD Assistant Lecturers had applied pending promotions and as they kept on waiting, the college management bought into the idea and organised induction training to take them through what a graduate supervisor should do.
We want to be taken through the issue of graduate supervision training as a pedagogy. We are here to be trained as we wait for promotion so that we can be legally allowed to be graduate supervisors”. He said.
The 2023 Graduates supervisor’s induction workshop brought together over 40 Junior staff facilitated by officials from the Graduate school and the College of Education and External Studies (CEES).
On day one, Dr. Peter Ssenkusu handled the aspect of Graduate supervision and knowledge production, a pedagogy and the Trainees Expectations.
Dr. Dorothy Ssebowa presented on Graduate student’s experiences of graduate supervision at Makerere or in other University while Dr. Betty Ezati handled the aspect of the roles of Heads of departments, Deans and Principals in the management of Graduate Training and Supervision at Makerere University.
Presentations
- Roles of HoDs, Deans and Principals in Graduate Training and Supervision-Dr. Betty Ezati
- Graduate students’ experiences at Makerere/other Universities-Dr. Dorothy Kyagaba Sebbowa
- Fitting your supervision within the DRGT Rubric and Timelines-Dr. Betty Ezati
- General Rules for Graduate Studies at Makerere University-Assoc. Prof. Kikooma Julius
- Knowledge discourses in the research field of Graduate Supervision-Dr. Peter Ssenkusu
- How to Manage Graduate Supervision-Dr. Peter Ssenkusu
- The Theory and philosophy of graduate supervision-Dr. Betty Ezati
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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