General
GAMSU Trains Mak Accountants on Compliance to Grants Financial Policies
By Elvis Lubanga
The Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU) on 29th June 2023 trained accountants and project administrators at Makerere University on finance policies and procedures regarding grant administration and management, so as to ensure transparency and smooth processes in the auditing of grants.
The training was conducted during a workshop at the Telepresence Conference Hall in the Senate building, Makerere University, which was attended by College Accountants, Project Accountants, and Project Administrators, who gained valuable insights from prominent figures in the university’s financial leadership.
Professor Sylvia Antonia N. N. Tamusuza, the head of GAMSU emphasized the importance of empowering accountants and project administrators with the necessary knowledge and skills to facilitate grant acquisition and ensure compliance. She noted that “GAMSU intends to facilitate the acquisition of grants and promote adherence to policies. “
Evarist Bainomugisha, the University Bursar, highlighted the university’s grant policies and procedures while emphasizing the crucial role of the financial team in supporting grant administration. He cautioned the administrators and accountants to refrain from projects that are not appropriated by the government of Uganda, to avoid adverse consequences during audits.
George Turyamureba, the head of Finance at GAMSU, emphasized the significance of adhering to policies and procedures governing quarterly reporting, which are imperative in grant management. He added that timely and accurate reporting was highlighted as vital, with accountants playing a pivotal role in providing and updating ledgers on behalf of Principal Investigators.
During the workshop, Turyamureeba highlighted several challenges encountered in the consolidation of the quarterly reports, such as inconsistent reports and information, non-compliance with reporting formats, inadequate knowledge to perform assigned tasks, and mixing reporting currencies, among others.
CPA Christine Ninsiima, an accountant at GAMSU, who facilitated a session on data entry on to the GAMSU database emphasized the need for cooperation among all stakeholders to simplify the reporting process, stating, “If we collaborate, it will be to our advantage.”
Attendees expressed their appreciation for the knowledge shared, which they said it has not left them the same. Mr. Walter Odoch, the College Bursar at COVAB, said that the workshop deepened their understanding of the university’s grant administration policies and provided practical tips for improving the financial reporting process.
Throughout the workshop, interactive sessions and discussions allowed participants to raise questions and seek clarification on specific challenges they faced. The expertise of the GAMSU finance team and administrators, proved instrumental in addressing these concerns and offering practical solutions.
Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. The tournament was held in three preliminary rounds, followed by semi-finals and a grand finale.
The first round covered democracy and youth participation in politics, while the second round covered inequality and wealth distribution, and the third, the ban on export of raw materials. The semi-final round debated apprenticeship for blue-collar jobs, while the grand finale debated national budget allocations for healthcare and education. In the spirit of inclusivity, all colleges, including the Jinja Campus participated in the tournament.
Commenting on the choice of topics, the organisers noted Makerere University as a bastion of academic excellence has a profound responsibility to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of our nation. These leaders, they added, ought to be equipped with 21st century skills of self-expression, critical thinking, and problem-solving so as to navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving world.
On the whole, Makerere Inter-college Debates were conceived as a strategic initiative to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and innovation. The Debating Union aims to empower the future leaders by providing a platform for students to engage in respectful discourse, articulate their thoughts, as well as develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Furthermore, the Debates serve as a platform for not only honing the intellectual prowess of students but also cultivating leadership skills, teamwork, and communication abilities that are essential for success in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It is envisaged that this initiative will have a lasting impact on the lives of students, by exposing them to debates on topical issues that can shape the mindsets of transformative leaders our nation needs.
After a thrilling two days of debate, Daphine Kemigisha and Jibril Ssekandi from the School of Law (SoL) emerged as winners of the Makerere University Inter-college Debate Tournament 2025, while Olara Emmanuel George from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) was the Public Speech Champion, and Namujuzi Martha Mociita from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) was the Poetry Champion.
The 2025 Tournament was organized by Mayanja Owen and Nkalubo Oprah – 91st Guild Representative Councils (GRCs) of the Debate Union, Akatwijuka Arthur – Chairperson Debate Union, and Debate Union Representatives from colleges. The Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF) partnered with the Debate Union to deliver the 2025 edition.
Addressing students at the award ceremony, UNNGOF’s Mr. Derrick Baluuku encouraged the youth to step out of their comfort zones and think of solutions to inspire change in their communities.
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