General
Dr. Onoria, Members of Staff Appeals Tribunal Sworn In
The New Chairperson, Dr. Henry Onoria and Members of the Makerere University Staff Appeals Tribunal were on Thursday 16th November 2023 sworn in to commence their four-year term by Her Worship Evelyn Najjuuko, Senior Grade One Magistrate, Wakiso Court. On hand to witness the swearing-in ceremony were the Chairperson of Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara, Chairperson Appointments Board, Mr. Edwin Karugire, Chairperson Legal, Rules, Privileges and Estates Committee, Mr. George Bamugemereire and Members of Council; Dr. Diana Ahumuza Ateenyi, Dr. Deus Kamnyu Muhwezi and Mr. Jackson Byamukama.
Members of University Management present included the Acting (Ag.) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Umar Kakumba, Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, Dean of Students, Mrs. Winifred Kabumbuli, University Bursar, Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha, Ag. Director Human Resources, Mr. Deus Tayari Mujuni, Ag. Director Estates and Works, Eng. Darius Muwanguzi, Ag. Director Internal Audit, Mr. Patrick Akonyet, and Ag. Director Legal Affairs, Mr. Hudson Musoke. Staff Associations were equally well represented by their executives and leaders namely; Chairperson Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), Dr. Robert Kakuru, Chairperson Makerere University Administrative Staff Association (MASA), Mr. Bennet Magara and Ag. Chairperson National Union of Educational Institutions (NUEI), Mr. Isaac Okello. The Ag. Head, Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC), Dr. Busingye Kabumba was in attendance.
Vice Chancellor Welcomes Tribunal Members
Welcoming all present Prof. Kakumba appreciated God for the wonderful opportunity to witness the swearing in of the Staff Appeals Tribunal, one of the important organs of the University. He noted that systems, structures and processes enable institutions such as Makerere to not only exist but thrive. This, in the case of the Staff Appeals Tribunal, is achieved by inculcating a harmonious level of co-existence when contradictions emerge.
“The tribunal is such an important organ to handle issues related to grievances, reconciliation and foster the strategic vision of the institution” said the Ag. Vice Chancellor. He therefore congratulated and thanked Dr. Onoria for accepting to come back to his alma mater and head this important organ.
“We are looking forward to your contribution towards fostering the strategic vision of Makerere University as a thought leader in knowledge generation for societal transformation and development” he added.
Chairperson Appointments Board pledges Cordiality
In his brief remarks, Mr. Karugire couldn’t help but share with the audience how he constantly reminds fellow Council Members how he is more Makererean that they are, having been born, raised, educated and now actively serving on the Governing body. “And so it is an honour and a privilege to serve at this great institution.”
He pledged on behalf of the Appointments Board to ensure that in the exercise of its mandate, his Council Committee would strive to make the Tribunal’s workload is lighter. This, he noted, would be achieved by placing Makerere’s mission to provide transformative teaching and learning as well as research environment responsive to national and global needs at the core of all activities.
Mr. Karugire added that the achievement of this mission requires highly motivated, disciplined and committed staff, which makes keeping them (staff) accountable very important. “In this regard, the Appointments Board as well as the Tribunal have different but complimentary roles.”
He concluded by saying that he was looking forward to working with the distinguished members of the tribunal to serve the great Makerere and renewed his pledge to foster a cordial working relationship between the Appointments Board and Tribunal.
New Tribunal Members Sworn In
The University Secretary, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, who moderated the event shared that Makerere University Staff Appeals Tribunal is by law made up of eight members including a Chairperson; appointed by the Chancellor, and representatives from the University Council (1), University Senate (1), MUASA (2), MASA (2) and the Ministry of Public Service (1). At the time of the swearing-in, the Ministry of Public Service was yet to nominate its representative. As such, the members present were sworn in as listed below;
- Dr. Henry Onoria – Chairperson
- Rt. Hon. Daniel Fred Kidega – Council Representative
- Assoc. Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala – Senate Representative
- Ms. Rhoda Nalubega – MUASA Female Representative
- Dr. Fred Maniragaba – MUASA Male Representative
- Ms. Sarah Wegosasa – MASA Female Representative
- Mr. Joseph Kalema – MASA Male Representative
HW Najjuuko Calls for Confidentiality
Following the administration of oaths, Her Worship Najjuuko congratulated Members of the Staff Appeals Tribunal upon being sworn in and reminded them that “with great power comes great responsibility.
“I pray that you are able to run this office for the term that you are appointed. Please serve it with integrity, professionalism, and I need to emphasize, with confidentiality…and may God bless and keep you,” remarked Her Worship. She concluded by observing that there was no Muslim member of the Tribunal and prayed that there would be one at the next opportunity.
Acceptance Remarks by Dr. Onoria
Delivering his acceptance remarks, the Chairperson of the Staff Appeals Tribunal thanked all present for sparing time to come and witness the swearing-in ceremony. However, he was quick to add that he looked forward to receiving the eighth and final member, the nominee from the Ministry of Public Service. He went on to share that as one who completed his Bachelor of Laws in 1992 and returned to teach for fourteen years from 1998 to 2011, it gave him great pleasure to come back and serve Makerere University, where he spent a significant part of his adult life.
“From where I stand, this is a great opportunity to do one final round in terms of service to the University because I’m not getting any younger…what I can pledge as we start after this tribunal inauguration and swearing-in is that we begin to look at how to fast track resolving some of the matters that have been pending for over six months” said the Chairperson.
The pending cases notwithstanding, Dr. Onoria was particularly happy that the Staff Appeals Tribunal is guided by rules of procedure, and thanked the Legal, Rules, Privileges and Estates Committee of Council for drafting them. He was also pleased that the Tribunal’s membership was largely made up of staff, who will offer a deeper understanding of the cases presented by aggrieved colleagues. “The constituency brings a lot to work out how best to resolve disputes and I am hoping that with the team that is continuing their tenure, my tasks will be much easier as Chair.”
He thanked the Chairperson Appointments Board for his commitment to a culture of collaboration, which will help map out the best ways of resolving disputes as they arise. “I want to thank everybody for coming and I look forward to executing this role…may God bless everybody on the tribunal and give us wisdom and understanding,” he prayed.
Concluding Remarks by Chairperson of Council
Concluding the day’s remarks, the Chairperson of Council expressed pleasure at participating in the inauguration of the Staff Appeals Tribunal and thanked Her Worship for presiding over the swearing-in of the new team. She congratulated Dr. Onoria, the new, as well as continuing members upon being appointed to serve in the critical role.
“The University Council looks forward to your team as a strong pillar of the university’s grievance handling mechanism, which should promote good governance, foster staff confidence and motivation and at the end of the day, improve service delivery” remarked Mrs. Magara. She equally thanked the outgoing Chairperson Justice John Patrick Mashongo Tabaro and his team for their service to the university.
The Chairperson of Council reiterated that the overarching goal of the Makerere University Strategic Plan to position the institution as “a sustainable research-led and responsive university with a highly productive workforce churning out versatile graduates” ought to remind staff of the shared responsibility to deliver on the national development agenda and to push collectively to achieve the plan’s targets.
Turning to the Staff Appeals Tribunal, Mrs. Magara was pleased to note that Dr. Onoria not only has the legal experience and knowledge but also an emotional attachment to the university as a former staff and student. She nevertheless cautioned that the rule of law ought to be the cornerstone of service, “whether in Council, whether in Management or the Staff Tribunal.”
The swearing-in ceremony was followed on 16th and 17th November 2023 by inauguration and orientation activities for members of the Staff Appeals Tribunal as well as relevant Council Committees. The University Secretary also used the occasion to recognise Dr. Josephine Ndagire and Mr. Peter Eneru, the Secretary and Clerk of Staff Appeals Tribunal respectively as well as Mrs. Naome Kiconco Ocheing and Ms. Annet Nakayovu as staff who contribute to its smooth running.
Students from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences on Tuesday 17th March 2026 walked away with Shs 3million after emerging winners of the 2026 Annual Safeguarding Message Contest grand finale.
During the grand finale held in the Main Hall, five finalists from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), College of Education and External Studies (CEES) and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (CoVAB), captivated the audience with their powerful safety and inclusion messages. The show was filled with joy.
The finalists took part in a series of activities such as a collaborative video, written poems and arts works, among others.
Speaking on behalf of the winning team, Allan Mugisha, a third-year Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences student, explained that their video aimed to highlight everyday safeguarding issues that are often overlooked.
“Creating this video was both a collaborative effort and a challenge, especially since we used our phones to record. But our goal was to show the public that safeguarding is not just a policy or a University requirement, it is about protecting our dignity, safety, and wellbeing here at Makerere University. We depicted some of the risks and incidents students may face, and importantly, highlighted who to approach when encountering such challenges,” Mugisha, who also serves as a student safeguarding champion, said.
Mugisha thanked the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for giving students like him and his colleagues an opportunity to actively engage, noting that it has made them feel empowered rather than dormant.
Khamala Elphas Makokha, a master’s student in Peace and Conflict Resolution, who produced a poster about safeguarding claimed the 1st runner-up position, earning Shs 2million and Mildred Aine Nicks, a first -year student pursuing Early Childhood Care and Education was 2nd runner-up with her spoken poem.
In the popular award, Khamala clinched the top spot with a prize of sh500,000.
Makerere University has an obligation and has committed to continue providing a Safe and Supportive learning and working environment for all Students, Staff and other Stakeholders. Therefore, the Annual Safeguarding message is a celebration that brings together students to come up with a message that will be identified as the Institutional main message.
The potential safeguarding risks in Institutions of higher learning include emotional distress, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH); material loss, financial exploitation, discrimination and neglect, unfair and illegitimate response to civic engagements, cyber security/threats, psychological and emotional harm, substance abuse, and physical assault.
The guest of honour and the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, congratulated the winners and noted that the University is very intentional about ensuring that students are safe at all times because people achieve their full potential in any endeavor when they feel safe.
“Over the years, we have put in place various policies to safeguard our students. In addition to the Safeguarding policy, we have the Anti sexual harassment policy and the policy to support Students with Disabilities. Every student should know these policies so as to know the steps to take in case they feel threatened,” Prof Nawangwe, said.
In her welcoming remarks, the Dean of Students thanked the students who took time to participate when they saw the Safeguarding Awareness message call in September 2025, noting that their enthusiasm and commitment reflect a shared responsibility to promote safety, dignity, and wellbeing across the university community.
“Your creativity, commitment and passion for promoting safety and wellbeing are truly commendable,” Dr Winnie Kabumbuli, the Dean of students, said.
Addressing guests, Prof Justine Namaalwa, the Co-ordinator of the Mastercard Foundation Initiatives at Makerere University, explained to the audience why the Mastercard Foundation has supported the University to Improve the learning and working environment to make it safe for everyone.
Prof Namaalwa described the Safeguarding Annual contest as an inclusive and interactive platform that brings together students, to amplify voices, showcase creative messages, and strengthen commitment to a safe and supportive environment for all.
“The safeguarding initiative although student-led has not only student but also staff champions. Through the Office of the Vice Chancellor, we commit to continue supporting the Annual Safeguarding contest every year till 2032,” Prof Namaalwa, said.
On behalf of the 6 panel of judges, Dr Viola Karungi, a senior lecturer at the department of Performing Arts and Film, explained that they received 22 entries compromising of seven written poems, three posters, two songs, eight short videos, one slogan, and one comic book.
“We assessed submissions based on five key criteria, including originality and creativity. During the review, we found that some entries contained or replicated existing work, which was verified using digital tools by one of our panelists.” Dr Karungi, said.
Other winners included Job Diryo, a 5th year student of Veterinary Medicine who performed a poem and Abraham Tumwine who presented a poster.
The grounds of Makerere University came alive with energy and ambition as students, graduates, and industry leaders gathered for the 2026 Makerere Careers Fair, an engagement that continues to cement the University’s role as a bridge between academic training and the realities of the modern workplace.
Held in partnership with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) as part of the wider NSSF Career Expo, and the US-Mission Uganda, the three-day event created a vibrant space where conversations about careers moved beyond theory into lived, practical experience. The Yusuf Lule, Central Teaching Facility, Auditorium, the Freedom Square and exhibition spaces transformed into arenas of exchange, where students interacted directly with employers, asked difficult questions about their futures, and began to map out their professional journeys with greater clarity.
At the heart of this year’s engagement on day one, 11th March, 2026, was a theme that resonated deeply with a generation stepping into uncertainty: “Man or Machine: Exploring AI’s Impact on Careers.” Across panel discussions and keynote sessions, speakers challenged students to confront the realities of a rapidly shifting job market. The message was consistent: technology is not simply displacing jobs; it is reshaping them, demanding a workforce that is adaptable, digitally fluent, and grounded in distinctly human skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
Day Two, 12th March, 2026, led by the United States Mission to Uganda, shifted the focus to global opportunities, equipping students with practical guidance on U.S. university applications, scholarships, and visa processes, as well as fully funded fellowships they can apply for. Through direct engagement with credible experts, students gained clarity on navigating international academic pathways and positioning themselves competitively beyond national borders, expanding the Careers Fair’s scope from local employability to global mobility.
The final day, 13th March 2026, under the theme “Connecting potential to purpose: Partnerships for sustainable impact,” brought together Makerere University and key partners, including Stanbic Bank, Absa Bank Uganda, TotalEnergies Uganda, the Uganda Police, Pslams Food Industries, among others, to emphasise collaboration as the cornerstone of career readiness. The conversations underscored a shared commitment to aligning education with industry needs, demonstrating that sustainable career pathways are built through strong partnerships that connect talent to opportunity in a rapidly evolving world.
What stood out most was not just the content of these conversations, but the way students engaged with them. There was a palpable sense of curiosity and urgency, as young people sought to understand where they fit in a future increasingly defined by automation and innovation. For many, the Careers Fair became more than an event; it was a bridge to internship and graduate trainee opportunities, and to careers whose balls were set rolling. It was a moment of reckoning and possibility.
This transformation was made possible through a strong network of partners whose presence underscored the importance of collaboration in shaping career pathways. NSSF Uganda anchored the engagement with insights into financial planning and long-term security, reframing how young professionals think about work beyond immediate income. Stanbic Bank Uganda brought industry perspective, offering students a clearer understanding of the competencies required to thrive in the financial sector. The United States Mission to Uganda contributed to broadening horizons through knowledge exchange and exposure to global opportunities, while TotalEnergies Uganda highlighted the evolving energy sector landscape and the role of innovation in driving sustainability, among other players.
Together, these partners did more than exhibit; they participated in shaping a narrative about the future of work that is inclusive, dynamic, and grounded in real-world demands.
For Makerere University, the Careers Fair represents more than an annual engagement; it is a reflection of its enduring commitment to preparing students for life beyond the lecture room. By convening diverse actors from academia, industry, and development spaces, the University continues to position itself as a national hub for talent development and thought leadership. It is within these spaces that education becomes truly transformative, where knowledge meets opportunity, and where ambition is matched with access.
Advancing Partnerships for Sustainable Impact
The Careers Fair also speaks directly to Makerere University’s Advancement agenda, which is increasingly focused on building purposeful, long-term partnerships that extend the University’s impact beyond its campus.
Through such engagements, Makerere is intentionally cultivating relationships that create shared value. The presence of industry leaders and development partners is not incidental; it is part of a deliberate strategy to align academic training with market realities while opening up pathways for mentorship, internships, and employment. These collaborations are gradually shaping an ecosystem in which students are not only educated but also actively supported in their transition into the workforce.
What emerges is a model of engagement that moves beyond transactional interactions to something far more meaningful. Partners are not just sponsors or participants; they are co-creators in preparing the next generation of professionals. In turn, Makerere strengthens its position as a trusted partner, one capable of convening, connecting, and contributing to national and global development priorities.
As conversations from the Careers Fair continue to echo across campus, one thing remains clear: the future of work will belong to those prepared to evolve with it. Makerere University, through platforms such as this, is ensuring that its students are not merely observers of change but active participants in shaping it.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.
General
Makerere University and Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation Sign MOU to Advance Centre of Excellence for Private Sector Development
Makerere University and the Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance the Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile Centre of Excellence for Private Sector Development, marking a significant step toward strengthening collaboration between academia, policy actors, and the private sector.
The agreement formalises a strategic partnership aimed at promoting research, policy dialogue, entrepreneurship development, innovation, and knowledge exchange to support Uganda’s economic transformation and the growth of its private sector.
The MoU, which will run for an initial five-year term, brings together Makerere University’s academic and research expertise with the Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation’s commitment to advancing the legacy of the late Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, one of Uganda’s most influential economic reformers and a proud alumnus of the University.
Advancing a Shared Vision for Private Sector Development
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi, SC, Chairman of the Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation, described the occasion as an important milestone that establishes a purposeful partnership between two institutions committed to knowledge, national development, and the advancement of Uganda’s private sector.
“This is an important occasion because it formalises a partnership between two institutions with a shared commitment to knowledge, to national development, and to the advancement of Uganda’s private sector,” he noted.
Rt. Hon. Mbabazi emphasised that Uganda’s future prosperity will depend on the strength and competitiveness of its private sector and the country’s ability to nurture innovation, entrepreneurship, and sound policy.
According to him, the Centre will provide a practical platform through which research can inform policy, young people can be trained and inspired, partnerships can be built, and innovation can be supported to help enterprise flourish.
“These are not separate concerns,” he said. “They are all part of the same national task: building an economy that creates jobs, expands opportunity, and improves the lives of our people.”
Makerere’s Role in Hosting the Centre
Makerere University will host the Centre of Excellence and support its work through its research capacity, innovation ecosystem, and network of scholars and experts. The University leadership noted that the partnership aligns closely with Makerere’s mission as one of Africa’s leading research universities and its commitment to knowledge-driven development.
In her remarks, Prof. Sarah Ssali noted, “Makerere University is fully committed to hosting, resourcing, and championing the Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile Centre of Excellence, and we look forward to working closely with the Foundation to attract additional partnerships that will strengthen its impact.”
The collaboration will bring together academic excellence and practical engagement with the private sector, positioning the Centre as a national resource for policy research, entrepreneurship development, and dialogue on economic transformation.
She also reaffirmed Makerere’s commitment to working closely with the Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation to attract additional partnerships and funding to strengthen the Centre and expand its impact.
Honouring the Legacy of Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile
Beyond its institutional significance, the establishment of the Centre represents a tribute to the enduring legacy of Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, who served for many years as Governor of the Bank of Uganda and played a central role in shaping Uganda’s economic policy and institutional development.
Governor Mutebile was widely recognised for his intellectual rigour, commitment to sound economic policy, and dedication to building strong institutions that could support sustainable growth and stability.
Through the Centre of Excellence bearing his name, Makerere University and the Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation seek not only to commemorate his contributions but also to continue advancing the values he championed, including policy discipline, intellectual seriousness, and a commitment to national development.
As Rt. Hon. Mbabazi noted that legacy should be understood not merely as remembrance but as meaningful work that benefits future generations. “It is about creating a platform through which research can inform policy, through which young people can be trained and inspired, and through which innovation can be supported,” he said.
A Platform for Ideas, Innovation, and National Development
The Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile Centre of Excellence for Private Sector Development is expected to serve as a hub for research, capacity building, entrepreneurship support, and policy engagement aimed at strengthening Uganda’s private sector and expanding economic opportunity.
By bringing together academia, policymakers, business leaders, and innovators, the Centre will help foster practical solutions to the challenges facing enterprise development while nurturing the next generation of Ugandan entrepreneurs and economic leaders.
Through this partnership, Makerere University and the Tumusiime Mutebile Foundation have taken an important step toward ensuring that Governor Mutebile’s legacy continues to inspire ideas, institutions, and opportunities that contribute to Uganda’s long-term prosperity.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.
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