General
Mak Deans Forum Deliberates on Safeguarding Policy, Career Guidance & Mentorship
The Makerere University Deans’ Forum (MUDF) was inaugurated on 14th June 2019 following a sensitisation workshop for academic leaders aimed at building a sustainable research culture and research management systems for quality and relevant research output. The Forum, it was further envisaged, would create a platform for Deans to share and network beyond the University Senate Meetings. Four years down the road, these interactions have borne fruit, with several collaborations across the board.
“The Deans Forum has accorded us the opportunity to initiate new Deans, share reports, and embark on collaborative projects between; the Makerere University School of Public Health and the School of Statistics and Planning, as well as with the School of Computing and Informatics Technology, the School of Engineering and the School of Business, and the School of Biomedical Sciences working with a host of other Schools,” explained Prof. Umar Kakumba, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs (DVCAA) and Patron MUDF.
The Patron further congratulated the outgoing MUDF Chairperson-Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Vice Chairperson-Prof. Arthur K. Tugume and Executive Committee members for serving the Forum wholeheartedly. He reiterated that academic leadership in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) rests on the shoulders of Deans as they are “focal people when it comes to building the strengths of the University’s core service delivery.”
Prof. Umar Kakumba made the remarks at the Forum held on 28th September 2023 aimed at onboarding the Deans on the process of enhancing safeguarding at Makerere University through co-creation of the applicable policy. The same Forum was also aimed at validating the Draft Makerere Policy on Career Guidance and Mentorship, currently in its final stage of formulation.
“Today is a great opportunity to highlight the enhancement of safeguarding at Makerere” remarked the DVCAA. He emphasized that safeguarding is a contemporary and important aspect for Makerere University because “It builds the University we expect for everybody to thrive, be they staff, students and all those that come to seek or provide services”.
He added that any incidents that happens in the environs of the University affect the Makerere brand and in the absence of a safeguarding policy, the institution may face harm and all forms of prejudice, while individuals are at the risk of harassment, discrimination and bullying. Prof. Kakumba informed the Deans that Makerere had put in place a drafting team for the safeguarding policy and enlisted a local partner; the Optimal Safeguarding Centre of Excellence (Optimal-SCOE), to conduct an environmental scan and support the technical aspects. “I thank the Mastercard Foundation for supporting our efforts to enhance safeguarding at Makerere University.”
The eight policy frameworks that have been identified for review during the safeguarding policy drafting exercise include; 1) The Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment, December 2018, 2) The Gender Equality Policy, December 2021, 3) The Policy on Students Accommodation, August 2021, 4) The Human Resources Manual (As amended), December 2022, 5) The Makerere University Risk Management Policy, February 2022, 6) The Makerere University Policy on Persons with Disabilities, May 2022, 7) The Makerere University Students Regulations, 2015, and 8) The Makerere University Communications Policy, March 2013.
The drafting team in their presentation reported that the policies were analysed based on five elements of safety and protection and eleven forms of harm/risk recommended in safeguarding frameworks in HEIs. The five elements include; 1) Identification, 2) Prevention, 3) Reporting, 4) Response and 5) Management. Similarly, the eleven forms of harm/risk include; 1) Physical harm/risk, 2) Emotional harm/risk, 3) Neglect, 4) Discrimination, 5) Cybersecurity threats, 6) Financial exploitation, 7) Material loss, 8) Sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH), 9) Academic misconduct, 10) Substance abuse, and 11) Protection of academic freedoms of staff and students.
On validation of the Draft Makerere Policy on Career Guidance and Mentorship, Prof. Kakumba emphasized that it was important to institutionalize and customize these two closely linked aspects so as to produce graduates that not only have good grades but also possess the moral fabric and productivity that boosts their employability. Accordingly, the office of the DVCAA appointed a three-member team to support the policy development process, which is in line with the Makerere University Strategic Plan, 2020-2030. The Plan’s strategic focus on Innovative Teaching and Learning seeks to create an appropriate environment that supports students to meet their academic and professional aspirations.
A presentation from the drafting team revealed the goal of the policy as to “Ensure all students at Makerere University access career guidance and mentorship support that enables them to make informed-career choices and builds their capability to effectively transition into the world of work.” The policy will be implemented at college level, with support from the Career Guidance and Mentorship Desk under the office of the DVCAA.
The two polices were welcomed by the Deans as essential and timely. Feedback from the Forum further called for the need to; consider adding the notion of identities to the Safeguarding Policy, integrate a framework for positive passive mentorship for students as well as staff, and factor in two levels of active mentorship at basic and specialized levels.
The Deans further called for the; inclusion of Graduate mentorship fellows in the framework, continuous retooling of staff on mentorship and career guidance, and holding weekly mentorship workshops for students and staff. Mechanisms for identification and orientation of international and industry-based mentors for specialized areas as well as the need to take advantage of staff trained on mentorship and career guidance were also proposed in response to staffing shortages or areas where there was lack of expertise.
Furthermore, the Forum called for the inclusion of; The Makerere University Information and Communication Technology Policy Framework, March 2020 and The Open, Distance and eLearning (ODeL) Policy among the policies identified for review. The feedback also called for the establishment of well-facilitated student support centres to help boost mentorship and career guidance efforts.
The day’s forum concluded with the election of new office bearers for some of the positions of the MUDF Executive Committee. The former Vice Chairperson, Prof. Arthur K. Tugume was successfully elected to the position of Chairperson, while Committee Member, Prof. Saudah Namyalo was elected Vice Chairperson. Dr. Martin Baluku, Dr. Claire Mugasa and Dr. Justus Twesigye were elected as new committee members.
Delivering his acceptance remarks, Prof. Tugume thanked fellow Deans for entrusting him with the Forum’s leadership and called for the promotion of multidisciplinary research. He recognized that whereas the Deans lead different disciplines, their leadership style should increase consensus both within their Schools and with other schools. “If we did that even the work of Senate would be much easier” he added.
Makerere University, through the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) and the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), has signed an open Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). This MoU is one of several initiatives aimed at strengthening the university’s global collaborations and research partnerships.
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe highlighted Makerere’s recent centenary celebrations as a testament to its long and influential history in Africa. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to serious, research-driven collaboration, noting Makerere’s aspiration to become a leading student-centered research university that develops solutions to regional challenges.
Prof. Nawangwe emphasized that Makerere’s research addresses critical issues such as widespread poverty, high youth unemployment, the devastating effects of climate change on agriculture, rapid population growth, and political interference in production. These challenges, he explained, call for climate-resilient agriculture, stronger health systems to address emerging diseases, and more inclusive governance. He further observed that Africa’s ambitious goal of producing one million PhDs in the next decade remains constrained by inadequate supervision capacity across the continent, stressing that collaborations like this MoU are key to bridging that gap.
EPRC Executive Director, Dr. Sarah Sewanyana, described the signing as particularly significant for EPRC and its Board of Directors as they embark on a new five-year strategic plan (2025/26–2029/30). She explained that the plan strongly emphasizes strategic collaborations, with this partnership serving as a prime example of leveraging collective strengths to deepen impact. She underscored EPRC’s role in advancing evidence-based policymaking for national development, aligning with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
Prof. James Wokadala, Acting Principal of CoBAMS, emphasized that the collaboration seeks to preserve and expand vital human knowledge while strengthening partnerships between academic institutions and global research networks. He noted that these networks are instrumental in advising legal and policy professionals, as well as aligning research agendas with both national and corporate priorities. He expressed pride in the extensive efforts of the School of Economics that have expanded these activities in recent years. He pointed to significant accomplishments that have been achieved in collaboration with IGC, including hosting a 2025 high-level international conference on mobile money payment systems, which positioned Makerere University as a thought leader on critical African economic issues. He also celebrated the successful bid by the School of Economics to host the ‘Africa Meeting of the Econometric Society’ in 2027, further demonstrating its contribution to impactful scholarship and policy influence.
The Acting Principal further emphasized that the new partnership with LSE will build on these achievements, offering immense benefits such as expanding capacity-building opportunities for faculty and students, especially in research and Public Infrastructure Management (PIM). The collaboration will also provide platforms for knowledge dissemination and policy dialogue, while addressing pressing socio-economic and health challenges. Ultimately, he said, formalisation of the partnership amplifies CoBAMS’ commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation.
Speaking on behalf of LSE’s International Growth Centre (IGC), Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Leape expressed delight at formalizing the long-standing collaboration with Makerere and EPRC. He highlighted current joint projects, including research on the impact of the 2020 gender-based vaccine program on women’s skills and learning, studies on reforms in STEM education, and investigations into barriers limiting business growth for entrepreneurs. He stressed that the core mission is to bring researchers and policymakers together to address pressing policy challenges with robust, reliable evidence and innovative solutions.
The event, held on 27th August 2025, was attended by several dignitaries including Dr. Richard Newfarmer, Country Director for Uganda and Rwanda (IGC); Dr. Nhial Kuch, Senior Country Economist (IGC); and Mary Teddy Nakyejwe, IGC Programme Officer. Also present were the Director of Research, Dr. Ibrahim Kasirye and other members of EPRC leadership.
Makerere University has hosted a delegation from the Ghent University Association, led by Prof. Mieke Van Herreweghe, Vice Rector of Ghent University. The delegation included representatives from Howest University and Hogent University of Applied Sciences.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe welcomed the team and highlighted Makerere University’s commitment to addressing the pressing challenges in the region. These include climate change, which continues to hinder investment, and Uganda’s rapidly growing population that has surged from 5 million in the late 1940s to nearly 50 million currently, creating socio-economic challenges such as high youth unemployment.
He emphasized that Makerere’s research agenda focuses on understanding the fast-growing population, tackling health challenges, advancing governance and human rights, and fostering peace through initiatives such as the Rotary Peace Center—the only one of its kind on the African continent. Research at Makerere also seeks to provide solutions to youth unemployment in one of the world’s youngest nations.
The Vice Chancellor further noted that Makerere University teaches and conducts research across a wide spectrum of disciplines, organized into colleges including Agriculture, Business and Management, Computing, Education and External Studies, Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine. The university also hosts over 60 specialized research centers, among them Centers of Excellence such as the Regional Centre for Crop Improvement, which works to enhance food security, manage pests and diseases, and improve agricultural productivity. Another key institution is the Infectious Diseases Institute, which leads research on HIV/AIDS. With these initiatives, he added, Makerere continues to expand its research footprint while strengthening global partnerships.
Prof. Van Herreweghe provided an overview of Ghent University, founded in 1817 and ranked among the top 100 universities globally for decades. With its motto “Dare to think,” Ghent University has built a strong international reputation. It also holds the distinction of being the only Belgian, and currently the only European, university with a campus in South Korea. Established in 2014, the campus offers bachelor’s programs in applied biotechnology.
She highlighted Ghent’s joint PhD programs, which are structured as sandwich programs to support African universities. Under this arrangement, PhD candidates spend two years funded at Ghent University and another two years at their home university (such as Makerere), with joint supervision from both institutions. These programs, she noted, are a strategic way of fostering international collaboration.
During the visit, Ghent University signed a Student Exchange Agreement with Makerere University to complement the existing Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement will pave the way for more joint initiatives and strengthen collaboration in the years ahead.
The delegation also included Mr. Lieven Theys, International Coordinator for Business Management at Howest University, who explained that Howest clusters its programs into three key domains: Design and Technology, Human Well-being and Health, and Business and Organization. Dr. Robin Stevens represented Hogent University of Applied Sciences, which runs programs across nine schools including Business and Management, Computer Sciences, Biosciences, Industrial Technology, Teacher Training, and Healthcare.
The visit, held on 27th August 2025, was attended by Makerere University officials and members of various colleges, among them Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) and Principal of the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Prof. Tonny Oyana-Principal College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), Prof. Moses Musinguzi-Principal College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Prof. Julius Kikooma-Director Graduate Training, Assoc. Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze-Deputy Principal College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Assoc. Prof. James Wokadala-Deputy Principal College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Assoc. Prof. Richard Idro-Deputy Principal College of Health Sciences, and Dr. Cathy Mbidde, Manager of the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak UniPod).
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