General
MURBS Trustees Declare 12.34% Interest for FY 2022/2023
The Makerere University Retirements Benefits Scheme (MURBS) on 26th October 2023 declared an interest of 12.34% on members’ balances for the financial ended 30th June 2023. The declaration was made at the MURBS 13th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Thursday 26th October 2023 in the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium. The MURBS Fund value grew from UGX 299billion at the start of Financial Year 2022/2023 to UGX 352billion as at 30th June 2023. This growth resulted in a net return of UGX 42billion, which was distributed to members as interest.
The declaration was preceded by a presentation of the MURBS Performance for Financial Year 2022/2023 to members of the University Council and Management at a meeting held on Tuesday 24th October 2023 at the Telepresence Centre, Senate Building, Makerere University. The presentation was attended by the Chairperson of Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara represented by the Chairperson Finance, Planning, Administration and Investment Committee (FPAIC) of Council, Mr. Bruce Balaba Kabaasa, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe represented by the University Secretary, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeeta, Director Quality Assurance, Dr. Cyprian Misinde, Acting Director Human Resources, Mr. Deus Tayari Mujuni and Acting Dean of Students, Mr. Peter Rivan Muhereza. The CEO Uganda Retirements Benefits Authority (URBRA), Mr. Martin A. Nsubuga was represented by his Head of Supervision, Mr. Lubega Rodgers.
During the Year, the Trustees operationalised the Trust Deed and Scheme Rules (TDSR) as amended on 30th May 2023. Overall, the amendments facilitated governance, policy, and operational changes and enhancements, further streamlining and strengthening the Scheme. Effective with the new TDSR, the Board composition changed from five (5) to seven (7) Trustees. As at 30 June 2023, the Board was composed of six (6) Trustees, pending appointment of the independent Trustee.
Changes in the Board of Trustees
During the year, the Board discharged one member and appointed three members. The changes involved the retirement of Mr. Wilber Grace Naigambi who completed his term on 31 March 2023 and he was replaced by Dr. Elizabeth Patricia Nansubuga as MUASA’s representative. In a special way, the Trustees recognise and appreciate the contribution of Mr. Wilber Grace Naigambi, who served on the Board of Trustees from 2016 to 2023. In addition, Dr. Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi and Mr. George Bamugemereire, who are Council representatives, joined the Board in May and June 2023 respectively.
Presentation of FY 2022/2023 Performance
Presenting the 2022/2023 performance on behalf of the Chairperson, Dr. Elizabeth Patricia Nansubuga, the Secretary Board of Trustees, Dr. Godwin Kakuba announced that on June 2021, MURBS became the first mandatory Employer-based Scheme in Uganda. Furthermore, he shared that the aforementioned TDSR amendment of 30th May 2023 that changed the Board of Trustees’ size from five to seven also introduced the “Midterm” access by members to 12% of their accrued benefits, provided they are at least 45 years old and have saved with the Scheme for at least ten years .
The Chairperson’s presentation nevertheless cautioned that whereas members were entitled to Midterm access of their funds, it had long-term effects on fund value and return on investment of their cummulative retirement benefits. For example, due to Midterm access in 2022/2023, sixteen Members’ savings shifted from the UGX 200-250million to the UGX 150-200million range, while five members shifted from the UGX 50-100million to the below UGX 50million range.
The shifts due to Midterm access notwithstanding, one members’ savings moved from the UGX 400-450million to the UGX 450-500million range, while three members joined the UGX 400-450million range. The largest number of members; 1,640 out of a total of 3,041 active accounts (53.9%) fall in the category of savings below UGX 50million, a slight improvement from 54.8% last year.
“In a period of five years the Scheme has moved from no one holding benefits above UGX 250million to having 270 members holding benefits above UGX 250million with five of them being above UGX 400million as of 30th June 2023… The Scheme strives to move more members from the lower bands to the upper bands by ensuring timely collection and prudent investment of their contributions” remarked Dr. Kakuba on behalf of the Chairperson.
Dr. Kakuba concluded the Chairperson’s presentation by thanking the University Council and Management for their cooperation and timely remittance of all members’ contributions to the fund. “We thank all the stakeholders who have worked with MURBS to ensure a successful Financial Year, in a special way, we thank you the sponsor for making time for this occasion.”
Responses to Chairperson’s presentation
Responding to the presentation, Mr. Bruce Balaba Kabaasa appreciated the Board for successfully sustaining the Scheme’s operations for the last thirteen years. He nevertheless urged the Trustees to consider a long and detailed strategic plan to serve as the blueprint for the Scheme Funds’ management and investment, so as to safeguard member benefits from challenges that may arise as the value appreciates.
“I am particularly happy that those of you who have been at the forefront of agitating for staff welfare are now very close to the management of MURBS”, he added in reference to Dr. Deus Kamunyu, former Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) Chairperson.
Mr. Kabaasa nevertheless took difference with the MURBS opinion that Midterm access to funds before retirement should be discouraged. He noted that from the sustainable development perspective, “you don’t compromise today because you are planning for the future.
“My view therefore, is that man or woman should be given an opportunity closer to retirement to start putting one leg into the waters to test how deep they are in order to be able to put in both legs later, well knowing the depth of the river or lake” he remarked. This he justified by noting that it is better for one to lose 12% of their retirement benefits to poorly researched investment now, than lose 100% at retirement when they have no chance for reprieve.
On this note, Chairperson FPAIC urged MURBS to step up its member education programmes on what works or doesn’t work for various investment vehicles they are likely to engage in. “You should be involved in making sure that our people have the required skill, the required mindset and the required understanding of the opportunities available within our economies and beyond.”
Delivering the Vice Chancellor’s remarks, Mr. Kiranda noted “the story of MURBS is simply one of the many good stories that will continue to stream out of Makerere year after year.” He added that “The Chairperson’s presentation of MURBS’ good performance for the year 2022/2023 is very much appreciated by the University Management for it encourages the employees of Makerere University to remain focused on their core mandate, confident that their retirement benefits are secure.”
He lauded the MURBS Board of Trustees for upholding professionalism and integrity, noting that the University Management has not received complaints concerning retirement benefits from any former employee of Makerere University over the last five years. The Vice Chancellor equally acknowledged the tremendous contribution by the Government of Uganda to a thriving sector by paying salaries on time, contributing to retirement benefits and creating an enabling environment for Schemes and their service providers to invest member funds.
On the subject of Midterm access, Mr. Kiranda re-echoed the Chairperson Council’s call to invest more in training members on how best to invest their retirement benefits. “Chairperson (of MURBS Board of Trustees), Management committed to work with you to do further sensitization and that commitment is still open.”
On behalf of the CEO URBRA, Mr. Lubega commended the MURBS Board for always addressing matters raised by the regulator during onsite inspections. He noted that the retirement benefits sector growth over the last ten years has not been by coincidence, but rather due to strengthened supervision. According to the URBRA website, Uganda currently has UGX 20.56trillion worth of assets under management in the retirement benefits sector.
“I am happy to communicate that Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme is one of those schemes that have really implemented these regulations of retirement benefits… the controls put in place by this Scheme can actually show you that they are moving in the right direction so thank you so much Board” commended Mr. Lubega.
Delivering the closing remarks at the presentation, Mr. Bamugemereire thanked all members and service providers for attending the event, reminding all present that planning for retirement starts the day one is employed. As a Trustee, he appreciated the lengths that URBRA goes through to ensure that Trustees are well trained and equipped to perform their duties. “I want to inspire you with confidence that the Scheme is in safe hands.”
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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