Engineering, Art & Tech
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe outgoing Principal College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) hands over office
Prof. Henry Alinatwe handed over the office of the Principal College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) to Assoc. Prof. Moses Musinguzi after a ten-year tenure.
Similarly, Dr. Venny Nakazibwe, who has served in the position of Deputy Principal for two terms also handed over office to Assoc. Prof. Kizito Maria Kasule.
The handover ceremony was held in the CEDAT Boardroom on Friday 29th September 2023 and was witnessed among others by Deans and heads of departments including Assoc. Prof. Dorothy Okello from School of Engineering, Assoc. Prof. Anthony Gidudu, School of the Built Environment, Dr. Lydia Mazzi, Head Department of Geomatics and Land Management, Dr. Nathan Kibwami, Head Construction Economics and Management, Dr. Abubaker Matovu Wasswa, Electrical and Computer engineering, Dr. Moses Matovu from Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Dr. Ronald Mpindi Kibudde from Industrial Arts and applied Design.
The Administrative staff that witnessed the hand over included Mr. Luwuliza Aggrey from Internal Audit, Mrs. Hellen Ssali, the College Registrar, Mrs. Apolot Opolot Josephine, the Principal Human Resource officer, and the College Bursar Mr. Ronald Sambwa.
While handing over the office to his successor, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe said he served a two term tenure as the head of the college effective 2nd January 2014, a period of ten years and three months, albeit with some intermittent periods of acting appointment.
‘I have served as Principal for ten years and three months. It has been an enriching experience for me to serve Makerere University. I owe the success and achievements made to the cooperation of the members of staff and students at CEDAT’, said Prof. Alinaitwe while addressing a number of staff that witnessed the handover ceremony.
Further, he commended the support rendered to him by the Vice Chancellor and the central administration as a whole, the development partners, Government Ministries and the private sector, citing the World Bank that funded the Africa Centers of Excellence and the Presidential Initiative as examples.
He highlighted some of his roles as the Chief Administrative, Academic and Financial officer that included ensuring implementation of the University policies. He said as Principal he was responsible for the proper implementation of academic programs, promotion of research and innovation as well as budget management and resource mobilization among many others.
In an elaborate hand over report, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe highlighted the key administrative units of the college that included the centres, the three Schools and the various programs offered, namely School of Engineering, School of the Built Environment, and the Margaret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Art. Also highlighted were the staff and students at the College, the assets, office facilities and equipment in the office of the Principal and the basic and applied research projects ongoing.
The incoming Principal was also informed of the Budget and College finances noting the challenge of the budget ceilings remaining constant despite the increase in commodity prices and other costs.
Concerning the various laws, policies and regulations governing the activities at the University, Prof. Alinaitwe urged the incoming leaders to get acquainted to laws and regulations as contained in the Constitution of Uganda, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act, the Public Finance Management Act, The national Audit Act and the National Development plan..
While emphasizing the need for proper planning for the College, Prof. Alinaitwe urged the new leaders to adhere to the University and College Strategic Plans that are in line with the National Development plan. He said it was also a requirement for the Principal to ensure that quarterly and Annual Reports are submitted to the University management.
He informed the incoming Principal that it will be his duty to chair a number of meetings including the Academic and Administrative Board meetings that are charged with the administration of academic activities and administrative support services respectively.
In the area of collaboration and networks that the college in engaged in. Prof. Alinaitwe said there were a number of memorandums of Understanding between CEDAT and other Institutions and encouraged the incoming Principal to regularly make reference to them when dealing with the various institutions. He said starting with 2022, all memorandums of understanding were required to be cleared by the Solicitor General, and signed by the Vice Chancellor.
In some of the recommendations made by the outgoing leadership, the incoming team was asked to reinstitute the resource mobilization and research grants office and to encourage staff to participate more in grant writing. He charged them to make close follow up of the progress of post graduate students in order to ensure timely completion of programs and to aim at enrolling more graduate students up to 30% in the near future. As a new team, they were also encouraged to lobby for increased funding to cater for the increasing teaching and laboratory requirements.
The incoming Principal Assoc. Prof. Moses Musinguzi extended his appreciation to the outgoing College leadership, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe and Dr. Venny Nakazibwe, the Principal and Deputy Principal respectively for the great input they made in the management and leadership of the college. He said he was honored to be in the position of Principal and appreciated the University Council and management, senate and the Chancellor for the opportunity to serve.
‘I thank all CEDAT staff who gave me encouragement, motivation and support to offer my candidature’, he said and expressed his commitment to uphold the CEDAT legacy and more so look for opportunities to make it even better.
He said the disciplines taught at CEDAT constantly evolve, demand adaptability and a forward thinking approach. We need to put CEDAT at the forefront of Innovation and progress.
He said his task in the first month as Principal will be to gain a deeper understanding of each unit of the College at the level of Departments, research centres, research groups and other units in order to gain an appreciation of the College problems and in line with the recommendations from the outgoing Principal work towards redressing them.
He congratulated his Deputy Principal Dr. Kizito Maria Kasule for taking up the office and pledged to have a cordial working relationship with him and the rest of the team in the effort to uplift the college, the university and the nation as a whole.
The incoming Principal and Deputy Principal will serve a four-year term.
Education
Makerere University Charts New Future with the unveiling of the Open, Distance and E‑Learning Building and Strategic Plan
By Harriet Musinguzi, CEDAT
Makerere University has embarked on a transformative journey in higher education with the official launch of its Open, Distance and E‑Learning (ODeL) Strategic Plan and the laying of the foundation stone for a new ODeL facility at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT). The event, attended by dignitaries, university leaders, and international partners, marked a milestone in Uganda’s quest to harness digital technology for accessible, innovative, and inclusive education.
Presiding over the ceremony, Ms. Jihee Ahn, Country Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), underscored the spirit of collaboration that has defined the project. She praised the collective efforts of Korean partners, Makerere’s project management team, and the construction and consulting teams.
Quoting an African proverb, she reminded the audience that “a single stick cannot make fire”, emphasizing that the success of the initiative lies in shared purpose and unity. Drawing from Korean wisdom, she added, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” noting that this launch is the first step toward positioning Makerere as a leader in open and distance education across Africa.
“This new building will not be just a physical structure but a driving force that advances our shared vision,” Ms. Ahn said. “KOICA looks forward to continued cooperation with Makerere University and all partners as we move forward together.” she added.
Representing the University Council Chairperson Dr. Lorna Magara, Dr. Silas Ngabirano highlighted the broader significance of the ODeL project. He described it as a turning point in bridging the gap between traditional teaching methods and modern learning needs. “This project is more than just providing technology,” he said. “It’s about enhancing capacity for our students, faculty, and staff. It’s about making education more accessible and affordable, fostering innovation, creativity, and lifelong learning.” He urged staff and students to embrace the opportunities offered by online distance learning, reaffirming the Council’s commitment to supporting initiatives that expand access to higher education.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Sarah Ssali, emphasized that e‑learning is a central pillar in Makerere’s Strategic Plan (2026–2030). She noted that the initiative aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, which prioritizes digital transformation by 2030.
“ODeL provides opportunities for students inside and outside Uganda to engage in learning, access cutting-edge research, and participate in innovation and entrepreneurship,” he said. “Now that ODeL is getting a home, there is no excuse for not delivering.”
Prof. Nawangwe expressed gratitude to KOICA and the people of Korea for the US$12.2 milliongrant, describing it as a testament to Makerere’s reputation as a center of academic excellence and innovation. He also acknowledged the support of Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
The Principal Investigator, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, outlined three core components of the project: the development of the ODeL Masterplan, the enhancement of e‑learning infrastructure through a state‑of‑the‑art facility and modern equipment, and capacity building to equip staff with the skills needed to create high‑quality digital content. He explained that the construction, valued at USD 3.7 million, is being undertaken by SMS Construction Ltd, with designs developed by ArchForum Consultants Ltd, and is scheduled for completion by September 29, 2027.
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe explained that the ODeL Masterplan was developed through a highly consultative process, engaging numerous Makerere University staff and working closely with project consultants to ensure inclusivity and relevance. He expressed deep appreciation to the implementing partners, the Korea National Open University (KNOU) and the Korea Institute ofDevelopment Strategy (KDS) for their invaluable support in making the initiative a success.
Prof. Alinaitwe also commended the Makerere University Council for approving the allocation of space and committing to maintain the building and systems once operational. He recognized the dedication of the project implementation team, which includes Dr. Venny Nakazibwe(Co‑PI), Prof. Paul Muyinda, Dr. Godfrey Mayende, Mr. Samuel Mugabi, Mr. Alex Mwebaze, Dr. Kenneth Ssemwogerere, and Dr. Lydia Mazzi Ndandiko, for their tireless efforts in managing the project. He further acknowledged KOICA Country Director Ms. Jihee Ahn for expanding the scope of the project beyond the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) to encompass
Written by Musinguzi Harriet, Principal Communication Officer, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology.
Engineering, Art & Tech
Civil Engineering Students Witness Borehole Drilling at Kasozi Health Centre III
Year 4 Civil Engineering students at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology recently stepped beyond the classroom and into the field, visiting Kasozi Health Centre III inWakiso District to witness the drilling of a new borehole. This is a transformative project set to address the center’s persistent water supply challenges. For both staff and patients, this infrastructure promises a more reliable and sustainable resource.
For the students, the experience was more than just observation. It was a vivid demonstration of how theoretical knowledge in hydraulics and soil mechanics translates into practical solutions for real-world problems.
From Data Collection to Community Impact
This milestone was the culmination of months of collaboration. The Rotary Club of Kiwenda first identified the need for a borehole and mapped out the most strategic location for drilling. Earlier, as part of the WALLACE project facilitated by Engineers Without Borders – EastAfrica, a multidisciplinary team of our students collected site data at the health center. Their insights directly informed the borehole’s placement, allowing them to see their academic work evolve into a tangible community asset.
CEDAT extend our sincere gratitude to the Rotary Club of Kiwenda for funding and organizing this vital project, and for inviting our students to witness the drilling. Special thanks also go to Engineers Without Borders – East Africa for providing such an impactful learning opportunity through the WALLACE project. This initiative highlights the power of partnerships in bridging the gap between education and meaningful action, empowering students to contribute to solutions that improve lives.
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