General
Assoc. Prof. Ruth Nalumaga Receives Office of University Librarian
Assoc. Prof. Ruth Nalumaga on Friday 7th July, 2023 officially received the office of University Librarian from Assoc. Prof. Helen Byamugisha at a ceremony presided over by the Human Resources Directorate represented by Ms. Ikiriza Racheal. The ceremony was witnessed by the Directorate of Internal Audit represented by Mr. Aggrey Luwuliza, University Library Management and other officials.
Assoc. Prof. Byamugisha was appointed as Deputy University Librarian in 2013 and was the first PhD-holding appointee to the position. She was later appointed Acting University Librarian from 2015 until she was substantively appointed in 2018.
However, Assoc. Prof. Byamugisha’s long and illustrious career at Makerere University started close to 44 years ago in 1979 soon after completing her Bachelor of Science (Botany/Zoology), when she secured her first job as Assistant Manager of the University Bookshop. She held this position until 1994 when she was transferred to the University Library to manage the Book Bank that had been established in 1990. “My major task was to take charge of acquisition of print books for the University.”
Faced with new work demands, she enrolled for a Postgraduate Diploma in Librarianship, which she completed in 1996. She would later enroll as one of the pioneers of the Master of Science in Information Sciences in 1997, and later as one of the pioneers of the PhD in Information Sciences, which she completed in 2012.
Assoc. Prof. Byamugisha who admitted that she had never dreamt of ever becoming a professor let alone the University Librarian attributed all her achievements to God who gave her the gift of discovering her own potential, courage and determination; “I have faithfully worked for close to 44 years at Makerere without a break and I go away with rich experiences, feeling proud of the skills and knowledge I not only acquired but also passed on to the many I have mentored, thanks to the great support of my colleagues.”
Sharing achievements from her handover report, Assoc. Prof. Byamugisha noted that she has been able to implement two Library Strategic plans, established a more peaceful and harmonious working environment at the Library, as well as the other units it interfaces with.
On the infrastructure front, she took note of the successful reroofing of the Main Library’s old wing and installation of additional water storage capacity to support the huge volumes of readers that regularly use the Library washrooms. A fire detection system is also currently under installation in the Library’s old wing with the support from the Mastercard Foundation.
Assoc. Prof. Byamugisha also took pride in, with support from the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, successfully lobbying the Parliament to allocate UGX 1.5billion per annum to sustain purchase and subscriptions to electronic resources. This was particularly important after the two-decade support from the Swedish Government through Sida that hitherto annually funded electronic resources came to an end in 2020.
Following the fire that gutted the Main Building in 2020, the University Library in addition to installing fire detection systems in the old wing also intensified its efforts to digitize its rare historical archives. These efforts have been boosted by the Mastercard Foundation through the purchase of a specialized scanner which is due to be delivered within the next 30 days.
Capacity building for University Library staff at all levels was one of Assoc. Prof. Byamugisha’s priorities upon assuming office. She was therefore proud to report that nine (9) staff had enrolled for PhDs during her tenure with one having successfully completed, another one (1) defended, while seven (7) are still continuing. “Additionally, twelve staff completed their Masters degrees while nine are on course” she added. Her term has also witnessed an increase in the output of research publications especially by the Academic Librarians.
Furthermore, nineteen staff were promoted to various positions including the incoming University Librarian who was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor. “Twelve staff were either confirmed or recruited into Library service while several staff have taken up leadership positions in associations at international, regional and national levels” she supplemented. For example, Assoc. Prof. Ruth Nalumaga is the current Chairperson of the Consortium of Uganda University Libraries (CUUL) as well as a member of the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Division Committee of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).
At close to 150 staff, the University Library is home to one of the biggest unit workforce at Makerere University. Staff welfare and activities that promote socialization were therefore serious priorities to Assoc. Prof. Byamugisha during her term. “We mobilise financial contributions for library staff who have family functions such as weddings or burials in the event that we lose a loved one. We usually fuel the library welfare van which takes the staff to the functions. It is through such activities that we strengthen staff bonds and promote unity and socialization.”
Content as she might be to have successfully completed her service to the University Library and Makerere University in general, Assoc. Prof. Byamugisha nevertheless pointed out a few challenges that her successor ought to follow up. These include; inadequate staffing and library space especially at the College level, inadequate funds to meet the demand for print books, inadequate space for staff recreation, the need to secure a permanently stationed plumber, renovation of worn out infrastructure, among others.
She concluded by wishing her successor a fruitful term and God’s blessing.
Delivering her acceptance remarks, Assoc. Prof. Ruth Nalumaga congratulated Assoc. Prof. Helen Byamugisha upon successfully completing her term and restoring a more peaceful and harmonious working environment among staff at the University Library. She equally thanked her predecessor for being intent on mentoring and showing her the way as a senior colleague.
“We have been able to work together, write grants together, write papers together and above all to discover each other’s talent and expertise… so as I take on the mantle, I will endeavour at all times to create an environment where staff members are able to do their work productively… the Library staff would like to be known by how distinct their outputs and contributions are to the University’s strategic priorities” shared Assoc. Prof. Nalumaga.
She added that as University Librarian, she will continuously look out for opportunities of academic excellence. “I thank you Prof. Helen for mentoring me and wish you the best in your future endeavours.”
The Chair of the handover ceremony Ms. Ikiriza Racheal thanked Assoc. Prof. Helen Byamugisha for her long and dedicated service to Makerere University and the Library in particular, noting that it was increasingly rare to encounter individuals who had served the same institution throughout their career. In the same breath, she congratulated Assoc. Prof. Ruth Nalumaga upon her appointment to the position of University Librarian. She wished both the outgoing and incoming University Librarians God’s blessings as they embark on the next phase of their careers.
Following the formalities where the outgoing and incoming officials exchanged the report and toured the office, the handover ceremony was crowned by staff from the University Library presenting a gift to Assoc. Prof. Helen Byamugisha and cutting cake in honour of their former boss.
General
Hands-On RIMS Training Equips Makerere University College Registrars to Power Graduate Success and Research Excellence
By Moses Lutaaya
Kampala, April 10, 2026 — College Registrars and Senior IT Technicians at Makerere University have undergone intensive, hands-on training in the Research Information Management System (RIMS), in a move aimed at strengthening graduate training, improving completion rates, and advancing the university’s research agenda.
The training, held on Friday at the CFT 2 Building, Lecture Room 4.1 Computer Lab, brought together key custodians of academic records to gain practical skills in using the system that university leadership says will transform graduate education management.
In his opening remarks, the Director of Graduate Training, Julius Kikooma, underscored the strategic importance of RIMS, linking it directly to the university’s long-standing challenges in tracking graduate students and supporting research progression.
“Graduate training is central to the research mission of this university,” Prof. Kikooma told participants. “Yet for years, we have struggled to answer simple but critical questions, where exactly are our graduate students in their academic journey, and why are many not completing on time?”
He pointed out that the issue has consistently drawn concern from top university leadership, including Council, particularly as Makerere rolls out its new five-year strategic plan. “One of the key priorities identified is improving graduate completion rates,” he said. “But we cannot improve what we cannot measure.”
Prof. Kikooma explained that unlike undergraduate programmes, graduate studies are largely research-driven and therefore more complex to monitor. “The research component of graduate programmes has not been adequately captured in any system,” he noted. “That is why it has been difficult to track progress, supervise effectively, and provide accurate reports.”
Positioning RIMS as a transformative solution, he emphasized its role in bridging this gap. “RIMS is not just a system, it is the backbone of how we are going to support graduate students and research going forward,” he said. “With it, we can track every stage, from concept development to proposal, to thesis completion in real time.”
He stressed that the system will enhance both efficiency and accountability across the university. “This is the tool that will enable us to confidently assure Council and management that we know the status of every graduate student at any given time,” he said.
However, Prof. Kikooma made it clear that the success of RIMS depends heavily on the commitment of college registrars. “You are the custodians of graduate records. You are central to this process,” he said. “If RIMS succeeds, it will be because of your efforts. If it fails, it will be because you did not play your part.”
He revealed that registrars will now form part of the steering committees overseeing the full implementation of RIMS across university units. “You are not just users of this system, you are its drivers at the college level,” he emphasized.
Calling for seriousness and full participation, Prof. Kikooma set clear expectations for the training. “No one should leave this room without knowing how to use RIMS in their daily work,” he said. “You must understand the kind of data required, the information on students, supervisors, and every stage of the research process.”
He added that incomplete data has already limited the system’s effectiveness in some units. “Graduate students are already on the system, but some of the critical information is missing,” he noted. “That gap must be closed by you.”
In his technical presentation, Juma Katongole, the Manager Information Systems, highlighted the limitations of existing systems and how RIMS is designed to address them.
“We can only produce accurate statistics for students on coursework,” he said. “But we cannot tell how many graduate students are at proposal level, concept level, or thesis level. That is a major gap.”
He explained that RIMS will provide comprehensive, real-time tracking of graduate students throughout their academic journey. “This system will enable us to produce accurate reports of which student is where,” Katongole said. “It will help us identify delays and take action.”
On the issue of prolonged completion times, he added, “With reliable data, we can see where students are getting stuck and introduce administrative or strategic measures to address those bottlenecks.”
Describing the system as a turning point, Katongole noted, “We are moving towards having valid statistical information at our fingertips, which is critical for a research-led institution.”
From the administrative perspective, Eleanor Nandutu, Senior Assistant Registrar from MISR, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a practical solution to long-standing inefficiencies.
“RIMS will ease the tracking process and help us know exactly where each student is and how long they take at each stage,” she said. “It will also help us understand where the challenges are and how to better support students.”
She emphasized that the system will improve completion rates by identifying bottlenecks early. “We shall be able to see where we are stuck and take corrective action in time,” she noted.
Addressing concerns about possible conflict of interest between supervisors and students, Nandutu clarified that the system is designed to enhance transparency, not create tension. “This is about ensuring that processes are followed and that students succeed,” she said. “It brings everyone, administrators, supervisors, and coordinators onto one platform.”
She added that the system will even improve interaction between students and supervisors. “It will make follow-ups easier and ensure timely feedback, which is critical for research progress,” she said.
As the university intensifies efforts to strengthen its research output and graduate training, the hands-on RIMS training marks a significant step toward a more efficient, transparent, and data-driven academic environment, one that leaders believe will finally address the long-standing challenge of delayed graduate completion.
Pupils, parents and authorities at Bwera Primary School in Kabale District were filled with joy as the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, in partnership with dfcu Bank, handed over a four-classroom block to the school.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, one of the parents, Saison Tumukuratire, expressed gratitude for the support.
“We thank God for this gesture. Our children can now attend classes without interruptions caused by rain. Previously, whenever it rained, lessons would stop. The old building was on the verge of collapsing, had no windows, and the floor was dusty,” she said.
Uganda has made significant progress in expanding access to education through Universal Primary Education (UPE); bringing millions of children into school. However, in hard-to-reach communities, physical access and the quality of learning environments continue to shape how effectively that opportunity translates into consistent attendance and meaningful outcomes.
Bwera Primary School, a government-aided institution located in the remote and hard to reach village in Kahama Sub-County, has an enrollment of 275 pupils. For decades, the school has faced significant challenges related to access and infrastructure.
With no road access and limited infrastructure, the school has long struggled to provide a conducive environment for learning. Efforts to improve facilities have often been constrained by high transportation costs and logistical barriers; with some contractors previously declining to take on construction work due to the difficulty of accessing the site.
“The school structures are not sufficient for our learners, and we do not have a single staff house. We are deeply grateful to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and dfcu Bank for coming to our rescue after the school’s plight was highlighted in the media,” Edson Bikorwomuhangi, the headteacher, said.
On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University and dfcu Bank officially handed over the new facilities. These include a four-classroom block equipped with 60 bench desks, a four-stance modern pit latrine, and a 10,000-litre rainwater harvesting system.
The new infrastructure is expected to significantly improve the learning environment and support better educational outcomes for the pupils.
Since 2014, Mastercard Foundation Scholars at Makerere University and alumni have contributed to communities across Uganda by constructing classrooms, providing clean water and supporting vulnerable communities.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Nelson Dumba, the Chairperson of the Scholars giveback Committee, noted that the event was not about commissioning structures, it is about celebrating impact, partnership and the power of giving back.
“As scholars we are deeply aware that we are beneficiaries of opportunity, and because we have been given a chance, we carry a responsibility to extend that opportunity to others and contribute meaningfully to the communities that shape us,” Mr. Dumba, said.
Mr. Dumba called upon the Bwera community to take ownership, protect the property, and ensure that it continues to serve generations to come.
“To the pupils of Bwera Primary, this investment is for you, use it well, take care of it and believe in your dreams. You are capable of achieving better outcomes,” Mr. Ddumba, said.
One of the central pillar of the Scholars Program is community service and giveback, grounded in the belief that leadership is best demonstrated through service to others.The Scholars Program is not only about access to education, it is about transformation and impact.
In her speech, Ms. Jolly Okumu, the Program Operation Lead of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, noted that through mentorship and structured engagement, Mastercard Foundation Scholars are encouraged to initiate community-driven projects, improve livelihoods, promote inclusion and foster sustainable development.
“Today is not just about handing over infrastructure, it is a celebration of partnership, shared purpose and our collective commitment to improving learning environment for young people. It reflects our belief that when institutions and communities come together, we can create lasting impact and open up greater possibilities for the next generation,” Ms Okumu, said.
Ms Okumu extended special appreciation to the Jane Goodall Institute for providing a 10,000 litre water tank and dfcu Bank for a financial contribution of UGX 20Million used to renovate two classrooms and purchase desks.
“As we officially hand over this project, we hope these improved facilities will provide a safe environment and a space conducive for learning. Our Scholars are not just beneficiaries, they are committed to building a stronger and more inclusive communities,” Ms. Okumu, noted.
Speaking on behalf of dfcu Bank, Ms Helena Mayanja, the Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, noted that the giveback project reflects the Bank’s commitment to elevate education, financial literacy and health in intended communities.
“The journey to the school itself reflects the realities these children face every day. Improving infrastructure in such communities is essential to ensuring that access to education translates into real learning outcomes,” she said.
dfcu Bank has various partnerships and programs targeting vulnerable and hard to reach communities which are aimed at elevating financial literacy, health and education.
Kabale District Education Officer, Mr. Moses Tumwijukye Bwengye welcomed the development, noting that previous efforts to upgrade the school had failed due to inaccessibility.
“We thank our partners for renovating this classroom, with these projects, results are going to change because now the learning is conducive. Before contractors were unable to take on the work because of the terrain. Partnerships like this are important in unlocking development in hard-to-reach communities and improving education outcomes,” Mr. Tumwijukye, said.
Parents speak out
Evidence Tumwebaza, who has a child in Primary One noted that the infrastructures are going to help them improve the school’s sanitation.
“The tank is big and I am happy that my child will now study in a conducive environment and will have clean water for drinking,” Tumwebaza, said.
Ann Turyasima, a parent and former pupil said that the project is going to help pupils to stop carrying water from a long distance.
“These pupils have been moving from down the valley to go and fetch water for the school but now everything is here. They can now concentrate in school.”
-
General2 weeks agoApplication for Admission to Graduate Programmes 2026/27
-
General1 week agoMastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University Celebrates the Last Cohort of Phase One Graduates
-
Agriculture & Environment1 week agoCPUg Project Equips Waste Management Personnel with Essential Skills
-
Veterinary & Biosecurity1 week agoFrom Classroom to Cattle Farms: Makerere Unleashes 100+ Job Creators in Bold Skills Revolution
-
Health1 week agoMak Transitions $100 Million Digital Health Systems Assets to Health Ministry