General
Mak-CAU Discuss Agricultural & Rural Transformation Collaboration
A delegation from China Agricultural University (CAU) led by the President Prof. Sin Qixin on Friday 24th November 2023 visited Makerere University as part of CAU’s mission to broaden international relations. The delegation was received by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Henry Alinaitwe and members of Management.
Prof. Alinaitwe welcomed and thanked Prof. Qixin and his delegation for fulfilling their promise to visit Makerere when the parties met at the 2023 World Agrifood Innovation Conference held in Beijing, from 2nd to 4th November, 2023. He acknowledged that Uganda had a lot to learn from China in terms of advancements in agriculture as showcased at the Conference, and welcomed the visit as an opportunity to work on a framework for close collaboration.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor noted that Uganda despite being well-endowed in terms of wonderful weather, arable land and a hospitable population still faced challenges related to food security, climate change and sustainability. He therefore hoped that the collaboration with CAU would help transfer some of the technology and best practices to overcome these challenges.
Prof. Qixin on behalf of his delegation thanked Prof. Alinaitwe and members of Management for the warm reception accorded them. He was accompanied by Ms. Tang Ying-Director International Office, Mr. Li Xiaoyun-Chair Professor, Honorary Dean, College of International Development and Global Agriculture (CIDGA), Mr. Si Wei-Professor, Dean College of Economics and Management, Ms. Tang Lixia-Professor, Deputy Dean CIDGA, and Ms. Xu Jin-Associate Professor, Assistant Dean, CIDGA.
The President shared that CAU as a 118-year-old institution located in Beijing, China with approximately 23,000 students has over the years built expertise and capacity in the transformation of agricultural and rural communities. In this regard, he said that CIDGA, CAU’s newest college established in 2017, aims at policy and theoretical innovations in international development and nurturing new development knowledge particularly in the areas of agricultural and rural transformation, poverty eradication and green development.
The aforementioned focal areas, Prof. Qixin said, were the main reason why his delegation was in Uganda on a two-fold mission to; a) build formal close working relationships at University and College levels and b) forge partnerships with institutions to serve as local partners so as to interface with village-based and Local Government leaders in CAU’s agricultural and rural transformation projects. The collaboration with Makerere, he added, could also be in the form of research exchanges and co-organization of activities such as the Agrifood Innovation Conference. The 2023 edition of the conference attracted over fifteen million visitors online in addition to physical participants.
The presentation by Prof. Qixin was followed by discussions with Members of Management present. They included the Academic Registrar-Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Dean of Students-Mrs. Winifred Kabumbuli, University Librarian-Prof. Ruth Nalumaga, Director Quality Assurance-Dr. Cyprian Misinde, Director Legal Affairs-Mr. Hudson Musoke, and Director Gender Mainstreaming represented by Mr. Paul Kiggundu. Principals present included; Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga-College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Prof. Eria Hisali-College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Prof. James Okwe Acai-Deputy Principal, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (CoVAB), and Prof. Arthur K. Tugume-Dean School of Biosciences representing the Principal College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS).
Topics touched on included;
Scholarships – CAU support covers tuition, research costs, stipend, and accommodation for Masters, PhD and Postdoctoral students. Scholarships however do not cover travel to and from China.
Duration of Programmes – Masters programmes range from two to three years while PhDs range from three to four years.
Language of Instruction – CAU programmes are conducted in English although students are encouraged to learn Chinese.
Ongoing research focused on Africa – CAU researchers are currently working in Tanzania and Malawi on topics such as malnutrition and food security, and the institution is keen to explore joint research with Makerere.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on 20th April 2026 inaugurated the Second Makerere University Health User Committee (Mak-HUC). The Committee was established by the Vice Chancellor in 2022 as part of his strategic mandate to strengthen and oversee the University Hospital services delivery.
Chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Mak-HUC has as its members; Prof. Josaphat K. Byamugisha-Director Makerere University Health Services (MakHS) and Dr. Daniel Ronald Ruhweza-Department of Law and Jurisprudence, School of Law.
Other members include; Dr. Arthur Kwizera-Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, College of Health Sciences (CHS) and Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) Representative, Dr. Lillian Tukahirwa-Makerere University Administrative Staff Association (MASA) Representative, Mr. Godfrey Othieno- National Union of Educational Institutions (NUEI) Representative, and as Secretariat, Ms. Kevin M. Nabiryo-Directorate of Human Resources.
The 2nd Mak-HUC has been appointed for a period of four years effective 1st January 2026 with a mandate to: Guide, monitor and oversee delivery of health services by MakHS; Represent the interests and concerns of staff and students that use MakHS; Advise on alignment with sustainable health financing and insurance models; Strengthen systems for fraud prevention, digital transformation and access to specialized treatment, among other responsibilities.
The 1st Mak-HUC was chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi and had as members; Prof. Josaphat Byamugisha, Dr. Fred Mayambala, Dr. Zahara Nampewo, Mr. Othieno Godfrey, Mr. Apunyo Paul Okiria and Ms. Ikiriza Racheal. Milestones during the first era included; Outpatient Department visits growth from 4,802 (2022) to 7,388 (Nov 2025) for staff and 14,641 (2022) to 19,069 (Nov 2025) for students.
Others milestones included; Commissioning of a fully equipped Operating Theatre, Establishment of a modern Imaging Hub, Development of a fully functional Audiology Unit, Expansion of the Temporal Bone Laboratory, Launch of the Olink Proteomics Platform and Enhancement of the Dental Unit with 32 dental chairs and experienced personnel.
Related article: https://news.mak.ac.ug/2025/12/three-years-of-impact-makerere-university-health-user-committee-presents-status-report/
By Gerald Ochwo
On Monday, 20th April 2026, the Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi and his Senior Management Team (SMT) convened to witness the official handover of office within the Senate Division. The ceremony, attended by representatives from the Directorate of Internal Audit, marked an important moment of transition and continuity in the University’s academic administration. The outgoing Deputy Academic Registrar in charge of the Senate Division, Mrs. Patience Mushengyezi, formally handed over office to Ms. Gladys Khamili, who assumes the role in an acting capacity.
In his remarks, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi underscored the significance of the transition, situating it within a broader institutional context. He observed that the Department of the Academic Registrar has, over the years, experienced a steady wave of retirements, particularly among senior staff. He noted that this trend is expected to continue, with a considerable number of experienced personnel due to retire within the next two years.
While acknowledging the institutional gaps created by these departures, he reassured staff that the University is actively addressing the situation to ensure the continued efficiency of the Department.
“You will agree with me that the Department has, over the years, witnessed the retirement of many senior colleagues. Their departure leaves behind a significant institutional gap. However, the University is fully aware and will address it through targeted recruitment,” he stated.
In her detailed handover report, which she delivered verbatim, Mrs. Patience Mushengyezi reflected on her tenure with gratitude and a deep sense of fulfillment. She paid tribute to the Vice-Chancellor, in his capacity as Chairperson of the University Senate, for his steadfast guidance and support throughout her service. She also expressed sincere appreciation to the Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, for his pragmatic and results-oriented leadership.
“I remain deeply grateful for the support from the Vice-Chancellor and all members of Senate for the trust they accorded me. I equally thank the Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza, for his results-oriented approach to administration. His support enabled us to achieve remarkable progress under the DARP (Digitalization of Academic Records and Processes) Project, including the successful digitalization of Senate minutes, some dating as far back as the 1990s, which are now easily retrievable,” she noted.
Her remarks painted a picture of dedication, progress, and institutional strengthening, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to benefit the University.
In her acceptance remarks, Ms. Gladys Khamili expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Academic Registrar for the confidence placed in her. She acknowledged the weight of responsibility that comes with the role and pledged her commitment to upholding the standards and gains established by her predecessor.
She paid glowing tribute to Mrs. Mushengyezi’s exceptional service, noting that her impact within the Senate Division is both profound and enduring.
“I am truly honored by the trust bestowed upon me. I am committed to building on the strong foundation laid by Mrs. Mushengyezi, whose remarkable contribution and dedication will continue to inspire us all,” she said.
The ceremony not only marked the end of a distinguished era in the Department of the Academic Registrar, but also the beginning of a new phase, underscored by continuity, renewal, and a shared commitment to excellence in academic administration at Makerere University.
Gerald Ochwo is the Liaison and Communication Officer, Office of the Academic Registrar
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