Humanities & Social Sciences
CHUSS Creates Special Journal Issues to Expedite Graduate Publication
Makerere University College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) through her Center of Excellence in Research, Teaching and Learning (CERTL) has partnered with the Mawazo and Journal of Languages, Literature and Communication to expedite graduate publications.
This initiative funded by Andrew Mellon Foundation is aimed at nurturing the next generation of academics to excel and become university ambassadors.
To kick start this intervention, the college organised the Graduate Research Writing and Mentorship Workshop held on 11th December 2023 at Fairway Hotel in Kampala that brought together senior academics and over 30 graduate students.
The workshop answers a particular need for graduate studies at Makerere University where PhD students are required to have published at least two articles before they graduate.
CHUSS Projects Coordinator Dr. Edgar Nabutanyi observed that, publishing tends to be one of the challenges that graduate students face.
Noting that the gestation period of a journal article normally takes between two and three years, Nabutanyi said, by the time a student has enough material to draft a journal article, he or she would be in the second or third year of study meaning that, the student has only one year, in which to draft an article but also complete the thesis.
“This calls for special intervention and this is what the college is doing with these graduate research writing and mentorship workshop, to create a special vehicle, in this case, a special issue which can be managed to get the article out within the specified time
Mawazo and the Journal of Languages, Literature and Communication have partnered with the college to create this vehicle to expedite publication of the graduate students”, The don explained
Dr. Nabutanyi reported that although the original idea was for PhD students only, the college considered and expanded the scope to include masters’ students as the next generation of PhD candidates.
“We hope that this intervention is going to lay a foundation for their future life in the academy. We are creating two special issues: A special issue of Mawazo and another one special of the Journal of Languages, Literature and Communication. These special issues will have someone in charge referred to as the Publishing editor”, Nabutanyi stated.
For the Mawazo stream, Dr. Edward Kaweesi is going to be the Publishing editor while for the Journal of Languages, Literature and Communication, Dr. Linda Nakalawa will be the publishing editor. Dr.Edward Kawesi and Dr. Linda Nakalawa pledged to deliver on this assignment.
The college sent out the call for abstracts including the motivation for inclusion.
On 11th December, 2023 a plenary workshop was hosted at Fairway Hotel in Kampala in where discussions on what goes into a journal article were presented by editors. The journal editors and other facilitators also talked about what journals require and the dos and don’ts of writing a journal article.
A session was dedicated for a-one-on-one students discussions with the editors. Senior academics looked at students’ abstracts and what they were proposing to write about.
After the workshop feedback, students are expected to go back and write the articles and thereafter, they will be allocated to the publishing editors for details.
“This is work in progress and the first we are trying. We may make adjustments and mistakes but we are hopeful that by 30th August, 2024 the articles will be out for launching the special issues at that time”, Nabutanyi pledged.
The Director CERTL Prof. Andrew Elias State said, the college is graced with this wonderful initiative to be funded by Andrew Mellon Foundation.
State noted that, Makerere has gone through changes, and changes of not its own making, but world makings for instance, the implementation of new neoliberal policies which requires that Makerere University scales down.
Highlighting the recruitment ban and the freezing of the positions of teaching assistants which were training grounds for many of the renown professors now, Prof. State observed that the university opened up to many people but with unforeseeable consequences.
“So we went for many numbers but we are not able to handle. It means that the ingredients that go with quality are missing. The people we produced were very good in memory but not good at application”. The Director State added.
“This workshop is to give hands-on but also to allow you live beyond in the academic life. In academics, you either publish or perish. When you publish, you live in glory and the university is very easy to recognise and have you invited back and install you. When you don’t publish, you live in sorrow, you will always complain”, the Professor stressed.
Prof. State challenged students to ensure they publish and share generously the knowledge to make the desired impact on a wider community.
He reported that CERTL has given two journal platforms where students can have an opportunity to publish adding that, they have to go through the process of peer review.
He explained that colleagues in the same discipline will have to read the articles and appreciate that there is knowledge to be communicated and to ensure that sentences are communicating with one another
“We want quality and also to nurture the young talent that we have. Remember that it is a requirement that you have to publish before you graduate. Unless you die young, you have to live to publish”, The Director stated
Senior academic staff presented on different aspects of writing as listed below:
Presentation 1: Publishing with Mawazo: Writing, Revision, Submission, Peer Review and Copy Editing (Prof. Peter Atekyereza, Prof. Paul Omach)
Presentation 2: Publishing with Journal of Language, Literature and Communication: Writing, Revision, Submission, Peer Review and Copy Editing (Assoc. Prof. Saudah Namyalo and Dr Brian Ssemujju)
Presentation 3: The Practice of Academic writing: The Role of Critical Reading, Notetaking and Citation in Writing (Dr. Alfadaniels Mabingo)
Presentation 4: Language and Style for Scholarly Communication (Dr. Levis Mugumya)
Presentation 5: Scholarly Writing: Navigating the Art and Mechanics at Makerere University (Dr. James Taabu Busimba and Dr. Nambi Rebecca)
Presentation 6: The Peer Review Process: What Reviewers Expect and How to Respond to the Feedback while Retaining your Sanity (Assoc. Prof. Susan N. Kiguli)
33 abstracts were reviewed during the breakout sessions. 19 of these were Mawazo destined abstracts while 14 abstracts were destined for the Journal of Languages , Literature and Communication.
The Makerere University fraternity is mourning the loss of a dedicated and hardworking academic, Dr. Brian Semujju. At the time of his passing, Dr. Semujju was serving as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Communication, School of Languages, Literature and Communication, where he had worked for eight years. He was a prolific scholar with more than 20 publications to his name, the most recent of which was published in February 2025.
In a condolence message from the Vice Chancellor delivered by Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, the University extended its heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family. Prof. Ireeta noted that Dr. Semujju was widely known for his enthusiasm and commitment to academic research. Drawing from scripture, he offered comfort to mourners with a quote from Psalms 34:14: “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” He also extended condolences to Dr. Semujju’s students, fellow scholars, and colleagues.
On behalf of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Principal, Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala and the Deputy Principal, Dr. Eric Awich Ochen, shared heartfelt condolences. The College Leadership acknowledged Dr. Semujju’s immense contributions and the deep void his death left in the college following his passing on 3rd August 2025. Equally commended was Dr. Semujju’s remarkable journey from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer—a clear testament to his passion and commitment to research. Dr. Semujju’s dedication to his work was described as extraordinary, and Dr. Awich Ochen confirmed that he was due for promotion to Associate Professor at the time of his death, a reflection of his unwavering pursuit of academic excellence.
Prof. Gorretti Nassanga delivered a message on behalf of the Head of the Department, Dr. Aisha Nakiwala, describing Dr. Semujju as a man who left behind a strong legacy of academic excellence. She traced his academic journey at Makerere University, beginning as a Master’s student in 2010, graduating in 2012, and completing his PhD in 2017—the same year he joined the Department as a Lecturer. She highlighted his significant research contributions, including publications in high-impact international journals and involvement in diverse research projects covering community media, gender and media, environmental and climate change communication, and the use of mobile phones in journalism practice. Prof. Nassanga praised his critical mind and eagerness to explore new frontiers of knowledge, adding: “Apart from his work at the Department of Journalism and Communication, he took interest in other areas like music, he composed several songs including some on how to tackle climate change.”
Prof. James Kiwanuka-Tondo, Dean at the School of Journalism, Media and Communication at Uganda Christian University, and Prof. Monica Chibita both spoke about Dr. Semujju’s insatiable curiosity and commitment to his work. Prof. Chibita noted his exceptional sense of duty, as evidenced by his latest publication in February despite battling illness. She emphasized the importance of preserving his legacy: “He leaves a gap in many people’s hearts but Brian also leaves a legacy of academic excellence. As many of his mentees who are here, we all have a duty to keep this legacy alive.”
Dr. Robert Kakuru, Chairperson of the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), reflected on the collective loss felt by the academic fraternity: “As the academic fraternity we have lost a hardworking man. We have lost a man that was destined to achieve much.” He expressed appreciation to the University Management, especially the Vice Chancellor, for their support during this difficult time. Dr. Kakuru also used the occasion to promote the MUASA Social Support Fund, encouraging both new membership and mutual support among existing members.
Representing the Fulbright Scholars where Dr. Semujju served as President of the Alumni Association, Dr. Saul Daniel Ddumba also expressed his sympathies: “He accepted to be our Fulbright President, which was another job on top of what he already had,” he said, praising Dr. Semujju’s enthusiastic spirit.
Mr. Baker Batte, one of Dr. Semujju’s earliest Master’s students, shared a memory that reflected his high standards and intolerance for mediocrity: “I think I gave him approximately 15 drafts for him to accept that my dissertation was good for submission.”
A family representative, Dr. Semujju’s brother, spoke of his strong work ethic and obsession with quality, recounting his frequent reminder to the family: “Every time he would tell us that we cannot teach if we are not doing research.” He expressed gratitude to the Department of Journalism and Communication and the University for their support, particularly through financial assistance.
The funeral service held on 5th August 2025 at St. Francis Chapel and was presided over by the Chaplain, Rev. Canon Dr. Lydia Kitayimbwa. In her sermon, the Chaplain urged the bereaved family to turn to God for comfort, describing Him as “not distant, but… the God of Comfort.” She read from 2 Corinthians 1:3–7, reminding the congregation of God’s enduring presence in times of suffering: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction… Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort,” she preached.
The event was graced by several dignitaries from the Media, including the CEO of Vision Group, Mr. Don Wanyama, and the Head of Bukedde TV, Mr. Richard Kayiira.
-
General4 days agoAdmission Lists for Postgraduate Programmes 2025/26
-
General7 days agoAcademic Year 2025/2026 at Makerere Begins With Freshers’ Orientation
-
General1 week agoMakerere University Repositions Doctoral Training to Build Africa-Centered Scholarship
-
Health1 week agoCall for Apllication: The James M. Ntambi Postdoctoral Fellowship
-
General2 weeks agoIGAD Board Visits Mak, Reiterates Commitment to Promoting Academic Mobility