Makerere University will be hosting the 2nd Annual Consortium of Uganda University Libraries (CUUL) Conference from 19th -20th October 2023. The two-day event will be held in the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility. The first edition of the Conference was held at the Makerere University Business School (MUBS), Campus in Nakawa.
One of the strategic objectives of the consortium is to build the capacity of its members and the wider fraternity to appreciate the processes of scholarly communication, since libraries primarily provide gateways to the scholarly landscape.
The conference theme for this year is “Information Practices and Emerging Technologies in Library and Information Science”. It will include paper presentations, trainings and exhibitions from some of our information service providers. Nine (9) exhibitors have confirmed attendance and these include companies like Clarivate, the proprietors of the ‘Web of Science’ and ‘Jove’, a video database that intends to revolutionize the teaching of science. Jove database is a new addition to Makerere University subscriptions. It was recommended by academic staff from four Colleges; College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) and College of Health Sciences (CHS). The database provides visual demonstrations of scientific experiments and procedures.
About CUUL
The Consortium of Uganda University libraries, (CUUL) was formed in early 2000 in the advent of automation. With computerization of information services’ delivery, there was a need for University libraries to have access to the latest quality literature for scientific inquiry. The Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) and its research arm, the Swedish Agency for Research Cooperation (SAREC), funded the initial access to electronic (e-resources) under the project dubbed ‘Information support for Higher education and Research in Uganda’. The Swedish funding enabled subscription and access to electronic databases to support teaching, learning through negotiating access licenses with another agency, the International Network for Advancing Science and Policy (INASP). The project was coordinated by Makerere University Library and resources were shared by other universities in Uganda.
The consortium was formed to ensure that access remained sustainable in the event that the original donor/s pulled out or withdrew from the agreements at any one time. This was based on the advice of Sida and INASP. The objectives of the association included working together to achieve communal access to reliable sources of information, to cooperate in acquisitions and processing of information and to pool funds to collectively bargain with publishers and international database providers, a role that the International Network for Science and Policy (INASP) was performing when Sida/SAREC was the funder. INASP initially trained librarians from the different institutions on negotiation skills. This is a role that CUUL plays to-date.
Each institution contributes a minimal membership fee and a uniform fund for e-resources subscription to the CUUL account. Every year, member institutions sit and agree on common databases to subscribe to for the subsequent year. Universities can still subscribe to individual databases based on disciplinary peculiarities. The Association was registered and formally recognized by the National Council for Higher Education.
The Makerere University Librarian, Assoc. Prof. Ruth Nalumaga is the current Chair of the consortium for the period 2022-2024. The consortium has an executive and six functional committees.
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.