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
During a ceremony hosted by The French Embassy in Uganda on Wednesday, October 7 2026, four Makerere-affiliated academics were honoured with French Order of Academic Palms for their effort in strengthening working relations between France and Uganda.
The individuals recognised for their dedication to education, research, and the teaching of French include; Professor Edith Ruth Natukunda Togboa, Dr Agatha Tumwine, Professor Christian Kakuba, and Professor Enoch Sebuyungo.
During the ceremony, the French Ambassador H.E. Virginie Leroy highlighted that the partnership between France and Uganda partly thrives on the commitment of teachers and researchers who facilitate dissemination of knowledge and build lasting connections between the two nations.
One of the recipients, Professor Edith Ruth Natukunda Togboa, who was promoted to the rank of Officer of the Academic Palms is a long-time French instructor at Makerere University.
Professor Natukunda Togboa focused her career on bilingualism, translation, and language policy since returning from her studies in France in the 1980s.
Dr Agatha Tumwine the other recipient was appointed Knight of the Academic Palms.
As a Lecturer at Makerere University and President of the Association of French Teachers in Uganda (APFO), Dr Tumwine is recognised as instrumental in strengthening the French-teaching community and facilitating cooperation with the French Embassy.
The third is Professor Christian Kakuba who also received the rank of Knight. With nearly 30 years of experience at Makerere University in socio-demography and applied statistics. He has been a key figure in training new researchers and maintaining ties with the French National Institute for Demographic Studies (INED).
The fourth, Professor Enoch Sebuyungo, was equally appointed Knight of the Academic Palms.
Professor Sebuyungo is a linguist trained in France, and has worked to promote French as a tool for professional training and dialogue. He has also supported French-speaking refugees through translation services.
The Academic Palms (Ordre des Palmes Académiques) is an official National Order of Merit bestowed by the French Republic to honor distinguished academics, teachers, and individuals who have made valuable contributions to universities, education, science, and French culture.
Humanities & Social Sciences
MISR Director Assoc. Prof. Lyn Ossome Publishes New Book, Democracy’s Subjections
We are pleased to announce the publication of a new book by the Director, Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR), Assoc. Prof. Lyn Ossome titled Democracy’s Subjections: Colonial Modernity and the Gendered Subject of Violence. It was published by Bloomsbury Academic.
In this ground-breaking study, Lyn Ossome offers an authoritative, interdisciplinary theory of how postcolonial capitalist democracies reproduce the gendered forms of violence essential to colonial rule.
Through an interdisciplinary methodology traversing political studies, feminist political economy, historical and literary studies, Ossome shows how postcolonial, capitalist democracies in Africa, like their colonial antecedents, use various identity-markers to determine whose rights and bodies are violable, to what extent, and whether and how the violated have a right to resist. The book critically reflects on the dilemmas and contradictions produced by the colonial encounter and its subjugative orders for the postcolonial democratizing state, interrogating why the failures of democratic institutions target gendered, labouring bodies. Through evidence gathered from colonial archives in Kenya, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, as well as through critical comparisons of two artistic responses to gender-based violence and rape in South Africa and India, Ossome offers a trenchant critique that, beyond the contexts analysed, is relevant across the postcolonial Global South.
The Makerere University community heartily congratulates Assoc. Prof. Lyn Ossome on this new milestone!
Book cover
Reviews
Humanities & Social Sciences
Prof. Walakira takes over as CHUSS Deputy Principal, pledges research-driven leadership
New Deputy Principal Prof. Eddy Joshua Walakira has pledged to build on the existing foundations at Makerere University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), with a focus on strengthening research, innovation, partnerships and the college’s income-generating capacity.
Prof. Walakira made the pledge on Monday, September 14, 2026, after officially taking over as Deputy Principal of CHUSS from Associate Prof. Eric Awich Ochen, who completed his four-year tenure after assuming office in April 2022.
The handover ceremony, held at the CHUSS Smart Room, brought together the College Principal, Associate Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, deans, heads of departments, academic, administrative and support staff, as well as representatives from the Directorate of Internal Audit.
Walakira said he was taking over at a time when CHUSS had established a strong foundation and pledged to work with the Principal and staff to take the college to greater heights.
“I’m coming in with a lot of hope, a lot of courage and a lot of optimism because the foundations are already in place and the structures are already in place,” Walakira said.
He said his immediate priority would be to understand the needs of the different schools and departments and develop practical interventions, particularly in research, innovation and partnerships.
The incoming Deputy Principal said he intends to undertake a tour of CHUSS schools and departments to assess their research, innovation and partnership needs. said the exercise would help management identify existing capacities, gaps and opportunities that could be developed into practical plans for the college.
“My thinking is that we are going to form the best team ever that has led CHUSS,” he said, stressing that the college has the human and institutional capacity to become a leading unit within the University.
Walakira said CHUSS should make greater use of the networks and partnerships already established by its academic units, arguing that these could provide opportunities for research collaboration, innovation and resource mobilisation.
He also challenged departments that have faced long-standing equipment shortages to explore sustainable solutions rather than relying entirely on external funding.
“If the Department of Journalism for the last 20 years is still crying about equipment, I don’t think that is a good song. There must be a way out from within,” Walakira said. He pledged to work closely with Principal Nambalirwa Nkabala and other college leaders to identify opportunities for strengthening research capacity, publication and partnerships.
Walakira pledges loyal and collaborative leadership
Walakira pledged to work closely with the Principal, deans, heads of departments and staff while respecting University policies and structures. He said his leadership approach would be based on humility, consultation and practical problem-solving.
“My pledge, first of all, is to be loyal and humble to my boss and, above all, to serve in the fear of the Most High and to respect the rules, the principles and the structures of the University,” he said.
Walakira said he would seek to strengthen existing research groups and explore opportunities for the college to generate more resources internally. He urged staff to embrace a collective vision and work together to address challenges facing the college.
He expressed confidence that CHUSS could become a leading college within Makerere University if its existing human resource and institutional capacity were effectively harnessed.
“We have people who can work in leadership, but we have to develop a collective vision. We have to respect and accept the capabilities that we have, and also accept to work together to address the challenges that confront us,” he said.
Assoc. Prof. Ochen highlights four years of academic and research gains
In his handover report, outgoing Deputy Principal Prof. Eric Awich Ochen highlighted progress made during his four-year tenure, including improvements in teaching and learning, academic programme development, research, internationalisation, staff capacity building and digitalisation.
Ochen said he assumed office in April 2022, in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and worked under two College Principals—Prof. Josephine Ahikire and Associate Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala.
He attributed the achievements recorded during his tenure to collective efforts by the Principal, deans, heads of departments and staff.
“Whatever I did in the office of the Deputy Principal for the last four years has been in the best interest of the students. I tried to act in good faith,” Ochen said.
He acknowledged that leadership involves mistakes and said one of his major lessons had been the importance of consultation before making decisions.
Ochen advised his successor to maintain close consultation with the Principal, particularly when dealing with issues requiring clarification.
Ochen reported that the college had developed and revised several academic programmes during his tenure, including postgraduate programmes in French language studies, African languages and anthropology.
He said several existing programmes had also undergone accreditation and urged deans and heads of departments to begin preparations early for programmes due for re-accreditation.
He warned that delays in accreditation could disrupt student admissions and programme delivery, citing previous cases where some programmes were temporarily affected.
The outgoing Deputy Principal also highlighted efforts to revive and establish scholarly journals within CHUSS, including journals in history, peace, humanities, literature and communication.
He called for greater regularity in journal publication and continued digitisation to improve the visibility and accessibility of the college’s scholarly output.
Ochen said CHUSS had also made progress in modernising teaching and learning through the adoption of digital academic management systems.
He noted that staff had transitioned from the Academic Information Management System to ACMIS for the management and uploading of students’ results.
Timetable coordinators had also been trained to upload teaching timetables and workloads electronically.
The college also installed smart interactive screens in several lecture rooms, which Ochen said had improved the teaching environment and supported blended learning.
He urged the incoming leadership to continue investing in digital infrastructure, particularly for smaller postgraduate teaching spaces.
Ochen reported that CHUSS had significantly expanded its research and grants portfolio, with the college managing grants estimated at about US$12 million.
He attributed the growth partly to the development of research groups across departments and encouraged the new leadership to strengthen these groups to increase grant applications and scholarly publications.
“I believe in the last four years we have grown as a college. I think we have quite a higher portfolio of grants,” Ochen said.
He also cited numerous conferences, public lectures and international academic events as having contributed to CHUSS’s visibility nationally and internationally.
These included philosophy events, social work conferences, peace-related events, language celebrations, history and climate-migration conferences and other scholarly engagements.
Ochen said CHUSS had expanded its international collaborations through mobility programmes, academic partnerships and international conferences.
He pointed to Erasmus+ programmes and other collaborations involving universities in Europe, Africa and other parts of the world.
He also highlighted the Rotary Peace Centre and its growing international student community as important contributors to the college and University’s internationalisation agenda.
Despite the progress, Ochen identified inadequate equipment, particularly in journalism and multimedia production, as one of the challenges requiring attention.
He also cited concerns around support for staff supervising students, marking dissertations and other academic work, as well as the need to better recognise academic work conducted outside normal university hours.
He urged the incoming leadership to continue engaging staff and seeking practical solutions to these challenges.
Leadership transition will not disrupt CHUSS
Principal Associate Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala thanked Ochen for his service and said the transition would not destabilise the college.
She described Ochen as a committed colleague whose passion, energy and humility had contributed to the college’s progress.
Nambalirwa said the college was entering a new phase under Walakira, whose appointment comes as CHUSS implements its strategic priorities.
She said the college’s newly developed strategic plan provides a framework for advancing research, social protection, innovation, partnerships and other institutional priorities.
“We are very ambitious. We are hoping that we shall get a lot of wealth. For this college to move further, we are moving with stability,” Nambalirwa said.
The Principal also urged staff to continue supporting the new Deputy Principal as they had supported Ochen.
“Please, support that you have given Professor Ochen should be extended to Professor Walakira, because service is only fun when you have all your hands,” she said.
Staff commend Ochen, welcome Walakira
Staff members who spoke during the ceremony commended Ochen for his leadership and commitment to students while welcoming Walakira to the new role.
Mr. Gidange Moses from the Directorate of Internal Audit praised the Principal for nurturing staff and creating opportunities for them to take up leadership responsibilities.
He commended Ochen for completing his tenure and urged Walakira to embrace the responsibility of leading the college alongside the Principal.
Dr. Charlotte Mafumbo, Head of the Department of History, Archaeology and Heritage Studies, described Ochen as a passionate leader and thanked him for his contribution to the college.
She pledged the department’s support to the incoming Deputy Principal.
Dr. Denis Muhangi, Head of the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, representing the Dean of the School of Social Sciences, praised Ochen for his resilience in following up decisions and his commitment to student welfare.
He assured Walakira of the school’s support as he takes on his new responsibilities.
Maria Gyezaho, from the Principal’s office, also thanked Ochen for his guidance and leadership, saying the skills he had imparted to staff would continue to benefit them.
The handover formally marked the end of Ochen’s tenure as Deputy Principal and the beginning of Walakira’s term, with the college leadership calling on staff to maintain the momentum achieved over the previous four years while pursuing new opportunities for growth.
For details about Prof. Eddy Joshua Walakira, please click on the link below:
https://chuss.mak.ac.ug/en/personnel/eddy-joshua-walakira/
Jane Anyango is the Principal Communication Officer CHUSS
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