Computing & IS
Gender Mainstreaming Directorate to set up Day-Care Centres & Men’s Spaces
Most of the conversation in the public tends to portray a picture that when we talk about gender, gender equality and gender mainstreaming, it is about women and girls.
Officials from Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate observed that, there is a kind of a divide that exists between men and women that need to breach by creating men’s spaces to specifically build what they termed as male allies.
Strategies proposed involve college identification of male champions who passionately love gender equality and conversations around gender to organize, male-only dialogues and discuss men and boys issues and, to prepare male students by grooming them as ideal men through the different male talks.
The Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD) is currently carrying out college tours to solicit support to create men’s spaces as a forum for involving men and boys to speak for gender equality and also deal with issues that affect men and boys in the university.
A team from the Gender Mainstreaming unit led by Director represented by Ms. Susan Mbabazi was on 23rd May 2023 holding a consultative meeting with staff and management of the College of Computing and Information Sciences on the university Gender Mainstreaming initiatives to solicit support to advance the initiatives.
The team also tabled a proposal for the creation of Day-Care centres for nursing mothers and fathers both centrally and at college levels.
The Senior Gender Officer in the Directorate Mr. Eric Tumwesigye said the male allies for gender equality are men that have been identified and trained to enhance conversations for gender equality. In any space in the university where issues of gender equality are discussed, these men will be the mouthpieces that are going to speak for gender.
“But also, we need men’s spaces to discuss men’s issues. One of the things we have neglected is the fact that men have issues as men, and the issues that come from the way they have been nurtured and brought up”, He said
Tumwesigye contends that society is struggling with drugs and many other crimes because of the traditions believed in and the way men and boys are brought up. Men he says, need to sit as men, understand their issues and how they can be resolved.
“Boys are dropping out of colleges and schools because of the way they have been brought up. They are in betting, chewing tuition to take care of their girlfriends and want to keep this high life profiles they cannot sustain. The gender-based violence between the boyfriends and the girlfriends, the sexual harassment issues are because of the way men are brought up”, Tumwesigye explained
Tumwesigye emphasised the need for men to come out and appreciate that the tradition is a privilege to them, and that, in most cases, disadvantages women and girls and, sometimes that kind of entitlement leads men in bad spots very difficult to recover.
Creation of Day-Care centres at Makerere University
The gender officer asserts that it is now a global conversation beyond Makerere and that it is not enough to discuss issues of increasing women faculty and women in leadership positions. The questions of domestic care have a lot to do with women’s ability to succeed in other areas.
The Gender Mainstreaming Directorate wants to see that women and girls with babies who join the university as staff and students do not withdraw from being productive because they have to take care of the baby at home.
Mr. Tumwesigye said, the directorate has had conversations with Norwegians and colleagues from the School of Public Health and would like the centre and colleges to identify administrative units turned into Day-Care centres where staff and students can bring their babies, and take care of them.
“We want to discuss and get the standard of what it would take so that we help our colleagues who have babies to be able to come with them in these facilities with someone to take care of them. So when you bring your baby, you have registered your baby and you know that when you come back you will find them here. But in case someone wants to come with a maid, we don’t encourage it in public service”, Tumwesigye added
Tumwesigye said the plan is to have adult caretakers trained and have basic structures such as a room, beddings and play centres within these day-care centres.
The Day-Care centres for Mothers and Nursing fathers
Most people are mistaken that babies are for mothers. Makerere’s daycare centres will also take care of nursing men.
“We have men who have babies, maybe their mothers are on study leaves, their mothers are gone, their mothers went for other things, maybe even have the mother in the house, but she is occupied and it is the father taking care of the baby.
So instead of the father driving back and forth to check on this baby, he will just come from home with your baby, place them in the daycare centre and in the evening go home with the baby.” Tumwesigye said adding that students will also be catered for.
” Students should also have space in the day-care centres at colleges. We should encourage them because if they don’t bring these babies, it is going to affect how they concentrate in the library and in the lecture room because they have a babies to run after”, Tumwesigye argues
The Directorate calls upon all colleges to identify and allocate spaces to Day -Care centres and also integrate budgets for these centres within their annual plans. These budgets he said, can also stem from the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate but decentralised in the colleges.
Speaking on behalf of the Director, Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, Ms. Susan Mbabazi, said the team was in the college to consult about how the directorate can implement the gender mainstreaming programs of the University together.
“We are implementing the Gender Policy, and regulations against sexual harassment. We need the support of each one of the stakeholders of this university. We are moving around colleges to talk to the college management, but also the college membership about what we are doing and about the support that we shall need from them,” Mbabazi said.
At the moment, Mbabazi explained that the directorate was collecting data on the situation analysis of gender mainstreaming initiatives in the university and seeking the support of the colleges to update the statistics.
Statistics sought include; the gender representation of men and women as staff in leadership and academic positions, university committees and as students.
Ms. Mbabazi commended the College of Computing and Information Sciences for promoting gender in research and, in terms of gender representation of staff and the many upcoming women.
“We are so excited that the level of associate professor is 50-50% male and women. We have been informed that the general representation of women and students is good and we want to see how to get this model and share experiences, especially with other colleges where we think that the numbers of women are still fewer. ” Mbabazi commended.
The Ag. Principal College of Computing and Information Sciences Dr. Peter Nabende called upon all staff to support the university initiatives by reporting gender-related cases pledging management support to the Gender Mainstreaming unit.
Dr. Nabende welcomed the move to create day-care centres to serve students, male and female staff as a means of protecting the innocent babies and mothers who enrol to the university.
” It gives them an opportunity to be comfortable , concentrate and it will enable them to work effectively and to complete their studies. We are fortunate to have these daycare centres for both staff and students, given the fact that all come from different backgrounds and have different experiences of life”. Dr. Nabende said.
The Principal pledged the college management readiness to support the directorate even in areas of technical expertise such as developing Apps to map the gender mainstreaming initiatives in the university.
Computing & IS
Makerere Launches Scholarly Guide, Calls for Increased Research, Publication and Innovation in Africa
VC Emphasizes Research as Key to Africa’s Global Integration
Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, has urged universities across Africa to invest in research, publication, and innovation as a pathway to greater participation in the global knowledge economy.
Speaking at the launch of From Records to Publication: A Guide to Academic Authorship, edited by Prof. Elisam Magara of the East African School of Library and Information Sciences, Prof. Nawangwe highlighted Africa’s low contribution to global scholarship. “Although Africa accounts for 15 percent of the world’s population, it produces only 3 percent of global research publications,” he said.
“There are historical reasons for this,” the Vice Chancellor continued, referencing centuries of slavery and colonialism. “You cannot brush away 600 years of subjugation. And we Africans have not even written enough about that. If we want to move Africa back into the global community, we must invest in research, publication, and innovation.”
He cited China as an example, noting how the country’s investment in research and education has translated into economic and global influence. “When we say China is the factor of the world, it is not that people just wake up and begin making things. They invest in education, in publication, in research. If we want to transform Africa, we must do the same.”
Prof. Nawangwe highlighted Makerere’s progress, revealing that annual peer-reviewed publications have grown from about 500 a decade ago, to 700, and now exceed 2,000. He acknowledged that the university still trails South African institutions, partly because they operate numerous local journals that absorb significant volumes of research. “We are not fully utilising the brand of Makerere University Press,” he said, pledging support to strengthen the press and scale up journal production.
He also reaffirmed the university’s strategy to reduce excessive undergraduate enrolment and expand graduate training to boost research output. “Let us create time for professors to do research and supervise more graduate students,” he said.
Commending Professor Magara and his team for producing the authorship guide, Prof. Nawangwe described the book as an essential handbook for Master’s and PhD students, early-career researchers, and universities across the region striving to become research-led. “This is at the heart of the university. If we invest in research and publication, we secure our future,” he said.
Book Recommended as Mandatory Guide by College Principal
Makerere University’s Principal of the College of Computing and Information Sciences, Prof. Tonny Oyana, called for the newly launched volume to be adopted as a mandatory guide for graduate students and newly appointed lecturers. “This is not a bad book for our first-year PhD students to start with,” he said. “Even those who are hired as junior lecturers still need mentorship. If I were the Vice Chancellor, I would put this book as required reading for every new hire.”
Prof. Oyana reflected on his personal contribution to the book, revealing that administrative responsibilities nearly forced him to withdraw. “Because of the work that I do, I was about to give up,” he admitted. “But Professor Magara was persistent. He came back to me and gave me more time.”
He credited a PhD student, Caroline Ilako, for assisting with library research and literature reviews, saying, “She did a wonderful job. We went back and forth through revisions, but finally we produced the work.”
On the quality of the book, Prof. Oyana said, “When you pick up a book, look at how it is laid out. The quick judgment tells you about the quality. This is well put together. We are beginning to show quality comparable to Western presses.”
He also challenged traditional notions of “publish or perish,” noting, “As scholarship evolves, those who evaluate scholarship must also adjust. Impact, innovation, and tangible products are increasingly valued alongside journal articles.”
Editor Highlights Research-Based Approach
Prof. Elisam Magara, the book’s editor, explained that the guide is designed to support scholars from the moment they conceive a research idea to the point their work is published and read. “I looked at the books we were using and asked myself: which kind of book can truly guide students? We needed a clear guide from the time a scholar thinks of writing up to the time the book is read,” he said.
He detailed the rigorous editorial process that began in 2022, including international calls for contributions, peer review of abstracts, writeshops for feedback, and multiple rounds of chapter reviews. “Don’t write and keep,” he advised. “Your book must have impact. It must reach the public and be used.”
Prof. Magara also acknowledged the sabbatical granted by the Vice-Chancellor, which enabled him to balance teaching and editorial responsibilities. “This book is meant not just for Makerere but for scholars across the region and beyond,” he said.
Mak Press Outlines Rigorous Publishing Process
Dr. Isaac Tibasima, representing the Managing Director of Makerere University Press, explained the publication pathway. “Once you bring your manuscript to the press, we take it through evaluation, external peer review, revisions, copy-editing, typesetting, and pre-press review before printing,” he said.
He also highlighted the press’s efforts to strengthen college-based journals. “We will not run the journals, but they will be published under the imprint of Makerere University. If we produce consistent issues, we can then move toward global indexing,” Dr. Tibasima said.
All new journals and articles now carry Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) to enhance discoverability, while past publications are being retroactively assigned DOIs. “We are not there yet, but we are moving there, and we are intentional about getting there,” he added.
School Leaders Celebrate Scholarship and Mentorship
In welcome remarks, Dr. Sarah Kaddu, Dean of the School, said, “This event is a celebration of scholarship, intellectual discipline, and the journey of knowledge creation. This book speaks directly to one of the most critical challenges facing scholars—transforming research records into publishable work.”
Dr. Sylvia Namujuzi, Head of the Department of Records and Archives Management, added, “This book is timely. It responds to real challenges faced by early-career researchers, postgraduate students, and even seasoned academics—questions of structure, authorship ethics, citation, collaboration, and navigating the publication ecosystem.”
She concluded: “Well-managed records are not endpoints; they are the beginning of inquiry, reflection, and publication. This guide demonstrates that pathway.”
Book Outline
- Introduction: Publication Journey. (Prof. Elisam Magara)
PART I: Foundations of Academic Authorship.
- Conceptual Foundations of Academic Authorship
Elisam Magara and Joseph Kiplangat.
- Archives as a Source of Information for Academic Writing
David Luyombya, Sylivia Namujuzi and Francis Ekwaro
- The place of Oral History in Contemporary Writing
Elisam Magara, James Nkanshah-Obrempong and Nthan Nzyoka Joshua
- Managing Ethical Dilemmas in Academic Writing
Maria Tsvere, Tsitsi Kanonge and Joselin Chigwada
- The Role of Copyright and Neighbouring Rights in Protecting Works of Authors and Publishers in Uganda
Ronald Kakungulu Mayambala
PART II: Managing the Publication Process
- A Manuscript: From Inception to Publication
Sarah Mirembe Kyankya
- Managing Co-Authorship in Academic Writing
Gankhanani Moffat Moyo
- Managing Illustrations and Visual Artworks in Academic Writing
Bob Magara Rutatugirwa
- Tapping into Open Access Platforms for Gainful Authorship
George Muganga
- Managing the Costs in Academic Authorship
Aloysius Rukundo
- The Important Translation in Publication
Monica Mweseli
- Citations and Referencing in Academic Writing
Clement Lutaaya Nabutto, Namujuzi Sylivia, and Daviv Luyombya, Makerere University
- Referencing Management Software In Academic Writing
Odeke Moses Osamai and Constant Okello-Obura
- Compliance with International Bibliographic Control Standards in Academic Authorship
Elisam Magara and Dniel Osinde
PART III: Secondary Services in Academic Writing
- Journal Impact Factor and its Role when Submitting a Publication Article
Tonny J. Oyana and Caroline Ilako
- Managing Mentorship Programmes for Scholarly Writing
Diyoshak Rhoda Danladi and Elisam Magara
Report by
Jane Anyango, Principal Communication Officer CoCIS
Ritah Atukwatse, Journalism and Communication Student (2nd Year)
Fred Kanwagi, Journalism and Communication Student (3rd Year)
Computing & IS
Makerere University and SoonPay Sign Landmark MoU to Champion Blockchain Innovation and Financial Inclusion Across Africa
On Saturday 6th December 2025, Makerere University entered into a ground-breaking partnership with the U.S.-based fintech company SoonPay, marking a major breakthrough in Uganda’s push to integrate emerging technologies into research, innovations, higher education and national development.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Mr. Frantz Morency, Chief Executive Officer of SoonPay L.L.C, during the Makerere University Financial Innovation Day, a high-energy event that brought together over 800 students, faculty, industry partners, and technology leaders.
The MoU institutionalizes the collaboration of Makerere University through the Makerere University Technology and Innovation Centre and SoonPay LLC. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Dr. Cathy Ikiror Mbidde-Manager of Makerere University Technology and Innovation Centre and Ms. Vuyani Jones-Blockchain Infrastructure Manager.
Organized by the Makerere University Technology and Innovation Centre (MUTIC) in partnership with SoonPay, the event ran under the theme “Innovation and Financial Inclusion for a Secure Future.” It featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, live demonstrations, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will usher in a new era of blockchain training, research, and innovation at Uganda’s premier university.
The event was supported by several partners, including the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), the Uganda Blockchain Association, the National Planning Authority (NPA), Prudential Uganda, and other technology and financial sector stakeholders.
A Strategic Partnership to Transform Africa’s Digital Landscape
The newly signed MoU between Makerere University and SoonPay is expected to unlock a broad set of opportunities for students and academic staff. These include blockchain education and certification, joint research projects, internships and apprenticeships, the development of new financial inclusion tools, and the integration of emerging technologies into existing academic programs.
SoonPay’s entry into Uganda is part of a larger vision to expand blockchain-driven solutions across Africa—a continent its executives say has historically been excluded from global technological revolutions.
Impressed by the overwhelming numbers of students who filled the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium to the brim, the Vice Chancellor, said: “Dear students, by choosing to stay on campus, on a Saturday, and after completing your examinations, you have demonstrated your willingness to learn and embrace the blockchain technology as well as emerging technologies in general.”
Stating that blockchain technology is the future for Africa, the Vice Chancellor challenged the students to take charge of Africa’s digital transformation.
“You are the people to emancipate Africa from marginalization,” he declared. “What will liberate our continent is not politics—we have done too much of that. It is education, research, innovation, and technology.”
Prof. Nawangwe delivered a sweeping historical reflection, tracing Africa’s technological setbacks to the destruction of its civilization over several centuries.
“For 400 years, Africans were taken away as slaves. For another 200 years before that, our lands, knowledge systems, and technologies were disrupted,” he said. “This represents around 600 years of destruction and marginalization of African civilization.”
He urged students not to miss the opportunity that modern technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence present.
“We are lucky to be living in an era where Africa is free,” the Vice Chancellor said. “My hope is that we do not wait another 600 years to take advantage of this freedom. The most important resource we have is not minerals; it is human resources—you, the youth.”
Prof. Nawangwe reminded students that Makerere’s reputation as the “intellectual capital of Africa” places immense responsibility on their shoulders.
“You are among the very few Ugandans privileged to study at Makerere University. University graduates are not supposed to wait for jobs—you are the ones expected to create them,” he said.
Why Blockchain? Transparency, efficiency, and global competitiveness
The Vice Chancellor highlighted the transformative potential of blockchain technology, especially in improving financial systems—a sector he described as the backbone of any modern economy.
“Without efficient financial systems, nothing else works,” he said. “Blockchain offers transparency, reduces fraud, and minimizes corruption. If applied properly, it could transform how we manage finances, education, and even our natural resources, including the oil that Uganda is about to exploit.”
He added that Makerere’s students are already demonstrating global competitiveness in innovation, winning international competitions and creating products across multiple disciplines.
“The brains are here,” he said. “What we need is exposure to opportunities and technologies that will help you turn your ideas into impactful solutions.”
In a passionate keynote address, SoonPay CEO, Mr. Frantz Morency underscored why his company chose Uganda as its launchpad for blockchain adoption in Africa.
“As the Professor said, we have been excluded for more than 400 years,” he stated. “Even though we’re an American company, we know our roots. Look around the SoonPay team—you will see yourselves. We chose Uganda intentionally.”
Mr. Morency pointed to Africa’s dismal participation in the global blockchain economy. “In the U.S., blockchain generates $2.6 billion—61.7 percent of the world’s share. The rest of the world generates $1.6 billion. And Africa, just $14 million, or 0.33 percent,” he said. “That is unacceptable.”
He attributed the gap not to a lack of interest among young Africans, but to a lack of opportunity. “You want to learn—what you lacked was opportunity,” he said. “With the support of Professor Nawangwe, Dr. Cathy Ikiror Mbidde, and Dr. Margaret Nagwovuma, SoonPay wants to bridge that gap in education, technology, and economic opportunity.”
Mr. Morency also shared his personal journey, connecting his Haitian background to the aspirations of African youth.
“Many of you may see me as ‘the guy in the green suit,’ but I come from a small island—Haiti,” he said. “My mother never finished first grade; my father never finished second grade. What they gave me was integrity, work ethic, and the determination to seize opportunities when they came.”
He urged students not to seek opportunities abroad out of desperation, but to build meaningful careers in Africa. “Africa does not need to lose its talent. Why can’t you build here? Why can’t businesses, innovation, and prosperity thrive here?” he said. “Educate yourselves. Build. Create. Grow.”
A milestone for Makerere and Africa
Dr. Cathy Ikiror Mbidde, Head of the Makerere University Technology and Innovation Centre (MUTIC), described the event as a “major milestone” in the institution’s evolution.
“We are here to witness one of the key emerging technologies and to reflect on how universities can embrace such milestones,” she said. “Everyone has a role to play in transforming our lives through research, ideas, and projects.”
She thanked SoonPay for choosing Makerere University, noting that students had been “instrumental” in pushing for blockchain education.
“You have been constantly asking questions, pushing us, and showing deep curiosity about blockchain. Today, we finally have answers,” she told the students.
Beyond the speeches, the event showcased SoonPay’s blockchain infrastructure, student-led innovations, and a roadmap for integrating digital finance tools into university programs. Partners such as NSSF emphasized the importance of preparing young people for a digital future.
With the MoU now in force, Makerere University is positioning itself as a regional hub for blockchain education, research, and innovation. The partnership with SoonPay aims not only to train students but to shape Uganda’s—and Africa’s—next generation of tech leaders.
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