Left-Right: Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Guild President H.E. Robert Maseruka, Vice Chairperson of Council-Rt. Hon. Daniel Fred Kidega, Her Worship Stella Okwong Paculal, Senior Administrative Staff Representative-Mr. Henry Amanya, Vice Guild President-H.E. Mariat Namiiro, Chairperson Convocation-Mr. George Turyamureeba and University Secretary Mr. Yusuf Kiranda after the swearing in Ceremony held on 18th May 2023 in the Council Room, Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University.
The Makerere University Council 2022 – 2026 was on 18th May 2023 fully constituted as the last four representatives of Senior Administrative Staff, the Convocation and Students were sworn in by Senior Principal Magistrate Grade I, Entebbe, Her Worship Stella Okwong Paculal. The ceremony, held in the Council Room, was attended by the Vice Chairperson of Council, Rt. Hon. Daniel Fred Kidega, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Members of Management, Staff, families of the representatives, and moderated by the University Secretary and Secretary to Council, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda.
One by one, the representatives led by Mr. Amanya Henry-Senior Administrative Staff took the Oath of the Member of Makerere University Council and the Oath of Secrecy, as their constituents applauded. He was followed by representatives; Mr. Mugabi George Turyamureeba-Convocation, 89th Guild President H.E. Maseruka Robert and 89th Vice Guild President H.E. Namiiro Mariat-Students.
Congratulating the representatives, Her Worship Okwong Paculal said that the oath the new members had taken was one of service and a reminder to already sworn in representatives that the public expected the best from them. Quoting from the Holy Bible, she took the opportunity to remind Members of Council to let their ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and ‘No’, ‘No.’ “We have seen your ‘Yes’ (as you swore in) today and we expect that you will abide by that oath.”
Speaking on behalf of the University Management, Prof. Nawangwe congratulated the newly sworn in representatives, and added “you have been appointed Members of Council of one of the most prestigious universities in the world.”
He reminded representatives that Makerere has been governed by very eminent Members of Council over the last 100 years, and that it was the role of this new Council to take the University to greater heights. “We expect that you will work with maximum integrity to ensure that our University not only remains as prestigious but also moves to a higher level.”
Representing the Chairperson of Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara, Rt. Hon. Kidega thanked HW Okwong Paculal for presiding over the ceremony and congratulated the representatives upon being elected to Council by their constituents.
In particular, he congratulated the Guild and Vice Guild Presidents upon their election and requested them to balance between expectations of their constituency and the University Council’s work.
Left to Right: The newly sworn in representatives to Council Mr. Amanya Henry, Mr. Mugabi George Turyamureeba, H.E. Namiiro Mariat and H.E. Maseruka Robert.
“We have had beautiful experiences with your predecessors; they had only three months but these felt like three years of work they have done with us. We really congratulate the outgoing leadership for the great work and we urge you to work closely with them and listen to them” added. Rt. Hon. Kidega.
The Vice Chairperson thanked the University Management led by Prof. Nawangwe for keeping the University in good shape. He added that Makerere is at the brink of being research-led, and that the hope of the whole nation was in the University Council and its members to help the institution achieve this objective.
Making mention of the oaths he took as Head Prefect of Ntare School and later as Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kidega invited representatives to pay critical attention to the words of the oath they had taken, as a guide to all the work they will undertake as Members of Council.
“Reflect or re-read the commitment you have made to this great University and Council and you will not make any mistakes. I would like to assure you that the University Council is a great place to work. This is my second term and I thank my colleagues who have allowed me to serve as the Vice Chairperson of this great University Council” he added.
The Makerere University Council is made up of twenty-four (24) members with appointees from Government, Council, Senate, Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), Ministry of ICT and National Guidance (MoICT) and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). Other appointees are from the National Union of Disabled Persons in Uganda (NUDIPU), Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), Makerere University Administrative Staff Association (MASA), Support Staff, Staff with Disabilities, Makerere University Convocation as well as the Students.
The fully constituted Council consists of appointees; Mrs. Lorna Magara (Chairperson), Rt. Hon. Daniel Fred Kidega (Vice Chairperson), and Mr. Edwin Karugire-Government; Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe-Vice Chancellor; Prof. Umar Kakumba-Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs); Prof. Henry Alinaitwe-Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration); Mr. Bruce Kabaasa Balaba, Dr. James L. Nkata, and Mr. George Bamugemereire-Council; Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze and Prof. Sarah Ssali-Senate; Dr. Edward Damulira Sengonzi-MoFPED; Mr. Timothy Musoke Sejjoba-MoES; Mr. Silas Ngabirano-MoICT; Mr. Julius Kateregga-KCCA; Mr. John Chris Ninsiima-NUDIPU; Dr. Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi and Dr. Dianah Ahumuza Ateenyi-MUASA; Mr. Amanya Henry-MASA; Mr. Byamukama Jackson-Support Staff; Mr. Amon Muteganda Kabahima-Staff with Disabilities; Mr. Mugabi George Turyamureeba-Convocation; H.E. Maseruka Robert and H.E. Namiiro Mariat-Students.
Makerere University on 23rd January 2026 hosted the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) validation meeting of the draft minimum standards for implementing Competence-Based Education (CBE) in Higher Education Institutions. The meeting held in the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium brought together Vice Chancellors, Rectors, Principals and Academic Registrars from Higher Education Institutions in Uganda.
Prof. Sarah Ssali.
Hosted by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Ssali, the meeting followed institutional input into the draft minimum standards and was aimed at validating them prior to their formal adoption by the NCHE Council at their next meeting in February 2026. The minimum standards cover nine areas namely; 1) Curriculum Design, 2) Teaching and Learning Approaches, 3) Assessment, 4) Faculty Training and Support, 5) Student Support Services, 6) Quality Assurance Systems, 7) Industry and Community Linkages, 8) Monitoring and Evaluation, and 9) Gender and Equity Mainstreaming.
Prof. Mary Okwakol (Left) and Dr. Vincent Ssembatya listen to feedback from leaders.
Following feedback into presentations by the various leaders present, a motion to adopt the draft minimum standards, with institutional input incorporated, was moved by Bugema University, seconded by UMCAT School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and unanimously supported by institutions present.
Prof. Mary Okwakol.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Prof. Sarah Ssali appreciated NCHE for choosing Makerere to host the landmark event, reiterating that the University greatly respects each and every Higher Education Institution and regards them as partners and collaborators in the quest to improve Uganda’s Higher Education sector.
Part of the audience that attended the validation meeting.
The Executive Director NCHE, Prof. Mary Okwakol reassured leaders present that all the pertinent issues raised for input into the draft minimum standards would be incorporated, and urged those with pressing issues to submit them before month’s end. She reiterated NCHE’s readiness to continue lobbying Government for the resources required by Higher Education Institutions, particularly Public Universities, to implement Competence-Based Education (CBE).
Kampala, Uganda – 20th January 2026 – Makerere University has postponed its opening date for Semester Two of Academic Year 2025/2026 from the earlier communicated 24th January 2026 to 10th February 2026.
This adjustment is in response to the Ministry of Education and Sports directive to all Schools and Education Institutions to postpone re-opening until 10th February 2026. Consequently, Semester Two at Makerere University will now run from 10th February 2026 until 6th June 2026. Attached is the detailed Calendar for Semester Two 2025/2026.
Confirmed dates for the 76th Graduation Ceremony
Makerere University also wishes to inform the general public that Makerere’s 76th Graduation Ceremony will be held from Tuesday 24th February 2026 to Friday 27th February 2026.
Specifics including the graduation schedules and standard operating procedures for participants will be communicated officially in due course.
Please see downloads for the statement, Ministry directive and revised calendar.
The Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) TICAD8 African Scholarship for STI is available for all African (Non-Egyptian) students who wish to obtain their M.Sc. degree in the programs of Faculty of Engineering (FoE), Basic and Applied Science (BAS), Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT), Faculty of International Business and Humanities (FIBH) and Heritage Science (HS).
Please note that interested applicants have to apply through E-JUST’ website (online application system). Applications will only be accepted via E-JUST’s website (online application system).
Interested applicants must complete and submit their application forms before February 15, 2026. The applicant will receive an automatic confirmation e-mail as proof of successful submission of the application.