Humanities & Social Sciences
CHUSS Researchers Call for Review of Rules on Acquisition of National IDs to Address the Aguu Phenomenon in Northern Uganda
Researchers from Makerere University College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) led by Prof. Josephine Ahikire – the Principal Investigator have called on government to revise rules pertaining to the acquisition of National Identity Cards (IDs) to address the question of the Aguu floating population of the Acholi sub- region in Northern Uganda.
The Aguus are largely the Acholi floating population who were displaced during the LRA war. Some lost their parents or were born during captivity. They think they are not part of society. Most of these, are largely street children without fathers and mothers and, do not own or have access to land and all sorts of amenities. For that reason, they have to struggle to survive and in the struggle to survive, they engage in criminal and violent activities. They way-lay people, rape, steal and storm functions to loot food.
The researchers are also calling for the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, particularly to address the human aspect, repair their souls and skill them for survival if the region is to return to the original social cohesion.
The communities according to the researchers have to change the orientation that creates the floating population and to accept that they were disrupted by the war and therefore understand that these children need to regain their humanness.
Since 2019, CHUSS in collaboration with Amani Institute, Uganda in Gulu, has been conducting a study on Gender Justice, Livelihood and Rights in Northern Uganda. The collaborative study was conducted under the Gender Justice and Security hub, funded by the London School of Economics and Political Science, through the UK Research Innovation.
The Research team comprised Prof. Josephine Ahikire (Co Director Gender Justice and Security Hub), Dr. Amon Ashaba Mwiine (Lead Researcher), Ms. Acayo Gloria (Researcher), Ms. Harriet Pamara (Researcher) and Mr. Aklam Amanya, (Researcher). The study covered the Acholi sub-region where the team purposively sampled four districts of Gulu, Pader, Amuru and Omoro.
On 14th December, 2023, CHUSS, in collaboration with Amani Institute, Uganda hosted a national convention at Fairway Hotel I Kampala to foster a national conversation with a special focus on the issue of floating populations, specifically the Aguu phenomenon in the Acholi sub region as one of the factors that undermines return to social cohesion.
This convention built on previous conversations that have highlighted categories of populations that emerged from war with a loss of social identity and belonging aimed at amplifying voice on these post war social struggles as issues with broader national implications.
The convention brought together national level stakeholders, policy makers from ministries, Departments and Agencies, local governments, academics and researchers, cultural leaders, and civil society organizations in and beyond the Acholi sub region region under the Theme: The Aguu Phenomenon: Floating Populations and the Quest for Social Belonging in Acholi, Northern Uganda.
The Principal Investigator Prof. Josephine Ahikire said, Northern Uganda was chosen on the argument that, even though the guns are silent and despite the significant investments in post war recovery, there is still violence of another kind.
The Research team according to Prof. Ahikire, explored the existing post-conflict conflicts and the gender layering within them, examined the dynamics within rights claims on land, livelihoods and gender justice and took stock of the community’s resilience, efforts and initiatives towards return to sustainable peace.
“We started with land conflicts and then as we were looking at women’s land rights, we bumped into this issue of Aguu – children mainly whose fathers are not not known, they are castigated and they are floating in a sense.
And the conversation in the fora that we have been in Gulu is that, according to the Acholi culture, there is no child that should float. That a child is always a child. So, if a child is born out of wedlock or if the father is not known, that particular child, is supposed to belong to the mothers clan,” Ahikire explained.
That sort of cultural terrain according to the PI was disrupted by the war as people got displaced, as land got grabbed and got individualized, they created new norms which have castigated these children because it means that they do not have a claim to land.
Prof. Ahikire said, the research team also heard from government officials that because the Aguus do not have claim from known clans, they cannot have national Identity cards.
“This is a very big issue but which has been securiticised as criminal gangs. These are not criminals. These are children that have been excluded from belonging and that is why we thought of performances using the theater to bring the point home that these children need belonging. It is a cry, a voice from Aguu –give us social belonging and an identity. If we don’t, in all discussions, it has been seen as a new war – they kill, rape, steal and some are armed, it is a big national issue, a gender issue and a development issue.”, the Professor warned.
As a government, Ahikire stressed that there is need to engage the communities to change that orientation that creates the floating population and to accept that, they were disrupted by the war but now, need to regain humanness.
Prof. Ahikire emphasized that government has a role to play, because it has a bigger mandate to ensure that the region returns to the original social cohesion.
She credited government for the reconstruction of materials things like roads etc but observed that, the repair of the human aspect and the soul was not done. The disgruntled people and children born in captivity according the researchers came back to a strange place that castigates them and that is where the energy needs to be put.
“The Ministry of Gender, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and rules around national IDs have to change because, if a child is born and does not know the origin or the father, does that mean that a child was not bon in Uganda? These are artificial things we put as human beings to organize ourselves as clans but this should not be a major determinant for a person to get a national ID. That is something simple that government can do to ensure that these children can be long and function as citizens”, the Professor advised.
Prof. Ahikire further called for more rehabilitation of the Aguus in terms of skills- building to make them productive and self-reliant. Those who can go to school can be enabled to go to school and those who can be helped in terms of vocational skills can be helped, but, the bottom line according to Prof. Ahikire is that something has to be done quickly because the region is going into the silent war, and if it becomes of a major scale, it will not be managed because these children are becoming adults giving children and therefore the whole region and nation will be at stake.
Ahikire reported that the Aguu is subculture and un underground culture whose numbers are not known. What is known is what they do. They way-lay people from the markets, those going to the university, and storm functions such as parties, funerals and weddings causing harvoc, looting and eating food as a means of survival and some even have guns.
Because it is an under culture, Prof. Ahikire said, there has not been an effort to count them and this is the time, if they are given that chance to come out.
She acknowledged that local government in Gulu district has tried to bring some of the Aguus out through initiatives such as cleaning the city but this is not enough-it has to be a very intentional intervention that seeks these children out, show them love, and nurture them as citizens that belong to nation called Uganda, to the culture called Acholi and the neighboring districts.
Representing the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Assoc. Prof. Henry Arinaitwe commended CHUSS for an inquest into the Aguu floating population in search for solutions.
“Aguus are people who are displaced, people who have no identity and for survival, are forced to involve in criminal activity and seem not to belong to a particular society. So this function is basically to find solutions for such people in Acholi sub-region.
Makerere is a research-led University. So, we research on all aspects of life in order to find solutions. This research is on Aguu population and our researchers are presenting their findings and engaging MPs from the region, government representatives, the CSOs and the representatives of the Aguus, in order to find solutions”, He said.
The dissemination involved theatrical performances using art and music as a tool directed by Dr. Viola Karungi and Dr. Milton Wabyona from the Department of Performing Arts and Film (PAF) From the performance, the Aguus think society is the problem and society thinks Aguus are the problem but concludes that if the common solution can be found, everybody will live a decent life have a sense of belonging and Acholi sub-region will be secure.
Government reminded to fully implement the Juba Peace Agreement
Presiding over the convention as Chief Guest, the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Hon. Norbert Mao expressed the need for government to fully implement the Juba Peace Agreement if the question of the Aguus is to be resolved.
The function was also graced by officials from the Gender Ministry, members of parliament from Acholi sub-region, NGOs and CSO, Members of the academia, children called by the derogatory name Aguu and students of Performing Arts and Film.
Minister Mao commended the researchers for the collaborative nature of the study and shading light on the status of the people of Northern Uganda. He also interested the research team to highlight the cause of the Aguu phenomenon describing the academicians as the Gurus (dispellers of darkens).
“In that respect, a university has a very important role because a university is supposed to be a protected area – a knowledge reserve, the way forests, lakes and wetlands are …what we call academic freedom – the freedom to research, the freedom to publish, the freedom to think and the freedom to express what you have found out. This therefore is a collaboration which we should salute- a collaboration between an academic institution which has the duty to shade light”. The minister commended.
Hon. Mao called for more government commitments to building a post conflict society especially the full implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement. The minister implored parliamentarians from Acholi, Teso and West Nile regions to treat the Juba Peace Agreement as their key document and manifesto.
“You must master it and use it as the standard of debating with government. Treat it as a written and bounced cheque by government, where you should go back and demand”, Hon. Mao advised
The minister also implored all stakeholders to address the Aguu question by moving away from the symptomatic assessment to finding out the causal relationship between the abortive demobilization, disarmament, reintegration and resettlement project.
“As a government of Uganda, we have framed the Aguu issue as a problem of the criminal justice system. So, we are directing the Aguu as a security problem, as criminal justice and were are not looking at it as a social and humanitarian problem”, Mao stated and hailed the university for creating awareness through theatre. The performance concluded that the blame game creates a vicious cycle as the Aguus blame society and vice –versa .
The Minister assured participants that it is the duty of the state to ensure that it is very risky to kill any Ugandan, to snatch ladies handbags, injure anyone or threaten anybody going home from the market and that, it is the duty of the state to draw that line and make sure that whoever does it, does it at a very high risk and there should be no incentive.
Hon. Mao’s central thesis is that the Aguu phenomenon which is characterized by violence and disorderly conduct is neither, genetic nor hereditary. It is a learned behavior, a coping mechanism and a response to circumstances and social environments.
“So we must look at the social environment and the circumstances. Our children have been exposed to a lot of violence and that partly explains their aggressive behavior because the major feature of being an Aguu is aggressiveness. Aguus are well-known for mobs. If there is a burial they go and position themselves and when the time for food comes, they physically disrupt the serving. When there is a wedding, there are there but they fear guns”, the minister explained.
The minister also reported that the Aguus have become mercenaries and hired gangs because there is a vacuum by the security forces to enforce the laws. Otherwise, he said, they would have become irrelevant. They see that violence is the only way to get what they want and only way to solve problems.
Hon. Mao further said, the Aguu is largely, a local government issue on grounds that it is their duty to put these people in places where they can acquire new habits of waking up and knowing that money is worked for.
“These young people should get new habits because, if your habit is to wake up in the morning with a list of where there is a funeral, public function, with spies everywhere, how can it be un done?- by inculcating a culture of work. Our young people must be made to love to work”, the minister stated.
Minister Mao also attributed the Aguu phenomenon on parenting as another frontier.
“I also know that parents have resigned. It is natural to be rebellious. Given how young Uganda’s population is , we must have a program which gives young people an opportunity to turn that corner, it is never too late, let us tell our young children that it is possible to change . We must plant a seed in the minds of all children that they have potential to change for better and be useful to society”, Mao advised all including parents and relatives.
The Research Process
The Lead Researcher Dr. Amon Mwine from the School of Women and Gender Studies said the study investigated people’s everyday experiences of return from protracted war, their relationships on land, livelihood patterns, emerging post conflicts and how these influence gender relations.
The study, he said drew on a mixture of methods of collaborative knowledge production in different phases of field visits.
Dr. Mwine said the dominant discourses identified by participants in postwar Acholi was on the emerging categories of population called the floating population, a social term referring to categories of people with precarious identities in the post-conflict setting ie those born in camps, returned from the bush, people with no known parents, no clan identity and no ancestral land (identity) also, described as people who are detached from Acholi history and culture, described by denigrating labels.
Besides the theme of the floating population, Dr. Mwine said several social concerns were identified. These included land conflicts in form of contest over boundaries, shifts in customary land tenure systems and increasing intolerance of nephews and nieces fearing land claims from children with multiple identities.
The research team according to Dr. Mwine also noted the dominant conversation on social disruption and psychological trauma that hardly gain precedence in post –conflict recovery agenda. Mwine also reported that there were increasing cases of gender based violence, teenage pregnancies and psycho- social trauma and reported spike in the cases of male suicide in the region
Mwine also reported that, there have been increasing reports of criminality in post-war Acholi sub region in both conventional and social media committed by the Aguu terrorizing community residents and travelers across the region. He said the Aguus were reportedly very organized groups with zones of operation with its leaders. They have identification marks like body piercing, tattoos, hairstyles that help them identify each other and communicate easily.
While some actors especially local government have intensified security crack down on what is perceived as urban criminality, Dr. Mwine said, other actors focused on rehabilitation and rethinking the role of social structures such as clan, families, religion and traditional institutions in restoring lost social values.
Policy implications
The Aguu phenomen according to Dr. Mwine has far reaching policy implications
- Issues of Identity and belonging e.g. the Aguu are complex social relations often taken for granted and not centered in post-conflict recovery programming. They are currently addressed with strategies that constitute Aguu as an issue of morality and criminality, and a problem to economic development, commonly addressed through security crackdown.
- Because of their unclear social identity, i.e. no known parents, no clear cultural heritage, and the precarious social settings they operate in, Aguu are most likely to be excluded by the formal citizenry systems eg registration of nationals such as during acquisition of Identity cards.
- Aguu are said to be using tactics and methods closely similar to the ones used during the LRA insurgency- their actions are similar to those individuals who had been in the bush; they use ruthless means like stabbing people with knives, looting people’s property, torture and no value to human life. Aguu not only instil fear in the population but also threatens sustainable peace in the community.
Learnings and key messages
Dr. Mwine reported that having engaged communities in several dialogues, different lessons were taken from the research process.
- One particular learning is on how economic centered post conflict programming e.g. prioritizing investment in physical infrastructure and economic ventures often takes for granted social aspects of recovery.
- The centrality of social vitality or the loss of it and its implications for the return to social cohesion in post-conflict communities is apparent.
- The question of Aguu as part of the population at the margins of the post – conflict northern Uganda does reveal the need to prioritize post-war social identity. The case of Aguu and the state measures to respond to it declaring security operations is a critical juncture. It points to the need to rethink the place of culture, traditional systems in enabling belonging and social cohesion.
- Rediscovering social connectedness, cultural heritage and a sense of identity in the Acholi community might be one of the core aspects needed to address the Aguu question and facilitate a return to relative social cohesion.
Humanities & Social Sciences
Mak Reviews Bachelor of Chinese and Asian Studies Program to Address Key Gaps
The School of Languages, Literature, and Communication at Makerere University held a stakeholders’ workshop to review the Bachelor of Chinese and Asian Studies (BICAS) program. The workshop, held on 5th December, 2024 aimed at refining the curriculum to meet the evolving academic and professional needs of students and employers.
The Dean of the School, Associate Professor Saudah Namyalo emphasized the significance of engaging stakeholders in the curriculum review process. She noted that feedback from students, employers, and academia is crucial for identifying gaps and improving the program.
“It’s a very important stage in our curriculum review to ensure that we have stakeholders’ workshops. This is an opportunity to hear from potential employers, students, and academic experts. Today, for example, we’ve learned that many of our graduates are not fully grounded in the science of the language, and because of that feedback, we are going to improve on it,” she said.
The Dean highlighted gaps in the current curriculum, such as limited focus on linguistic aspects like syntax, morphology, phonology, and semantics, which are essential for students pursuing advanced degrees. Additionally, the cultural component of Chinese language education was found to be inadequate.
“There’s no way you can teach a language detached from its culture. We are going to introduce courses emphasizing the culture of the Chinese so that the two go hand in hand,” she added.
The review aims to address these gaps by incorporating courses that build linguistic competence and cultural understanding. The program will now cater to both beginners and advanced learners, allowing graduates to pursue academic careers, including master’s and PhD programs, in Chinese linguistics. It will also strengthen the Asian Studies strand, enabling students to specialize in either Chinese language or broader Asian studies.
Dr. Enock Sebuyungo: Aligning Uganda’s Needs with Global Opportunities
Dr. Enock Sebuyungo, Head of the Department of European and Oriental Languages, underlined the growing importance of Chinese proficiency in Uganda. He noted that China’s rise as a global economic superpower has strengthened ties with Uganda in trade, education, and infrastructure development.
“Chinese companies dominate Uganda’s major infrastructure projects, and increasing numbers of Ugandans engage in trade and studies in China. Proficiency in Chinese offers competitive advantages for accessing the Chinese market,” he said.
Despite this, students under previous programs faced challenges achieving desired proficiency levels in international tests like HSK3. Employers expressed dissatisfaction with graduates’ language skills, and scholarships for study in China remained underutilized. The proposed BICAS program aims to bridge these gaps by producing graduates proficient in Chinese, knowledgeable about Asia’s economic and geopolitical landscape, and skilled in business, tourism, and diplomacy.
The BICAS program aligns with Makerere University’s expertise in foreign language instruction and supports Uganda’s strategic need to engage with Asia’s rapid development. It is expected to attract students from Uganda and East Africa, where Chinese is currently offered only as a short course. The program projects an annual revenue increase of UGX 865 million from an estimated 200 enrolled students. Partnerships with Chinese companies will provide scholarships for 10-15 students per intake, ensuring financial sustainability and accessibility.
Uganda joins a growing list of countries incorporating Chinese studies into higher education, with similar programs established in Botswana, Australia, and the United States. Makerere University, which already trains secondary school Chinese teachers, is poised to create a critical mass of experts to sustain Chinese language education and strengthen Uganda-China bilateral relations.
Dr. Sebuyungo expressed gratitude to Associate Professor Helen Nkabala, Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), for her moral and financial support in organizing the workshop. He also thanked the Confucius Institute and Xiangtan University for their invaluable contributions to the program.
“Confucius Institute and Xiangtan University sent us professors who reviewed this course. What we are looking at is a revised course done by professors from Xiangtan University, and we deeply appreciate their support,” he said.
The Bachelor of Chinese and Asian Studies program positions Makerere University as a regional leader in language and cultural studies. It prepares graduates to address gaps in trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange while enhancing Uganda’s ability to benefit from China’s global influence. The workshop marked a pivotal step in ensuring the program aligns with both local and international demands.
Humanities & Social Sciences
Inaugural CHUSS Non-Academic Staff Retreat Highlights Customer Care, Quality Services and Professionalism to Improve University Image
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) at Makerere University held its first-ever non-academic staff retreat on December 7-8, 2024, at the Grand Global Hotel in Kikoni, a Kampala suburb. The retreat focused on customer care, quality assurance, professional work ethics, and human resource management. This landmark event, organized under the guidance of CHUSS Principal Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, was aimed at fostering teamwork, reflecting on work practices, and strategizing ways to enhance service delivery and the university’s overall image.
The retreat brought together administrative and support staff to build networks, improve working environments, and align individual efforts with the university’s strategic goals. “We are here to learn, dialogue, and strategize together to improve our services in line with the university’s strategic direction. It starts with us,” said Prof. Nkabala in her opening remarks. She emphasized the collective responsibility of staff in achieving Makerere University’s vision.
Prof. Nkabala also highlighted challenges such as inadequate staffing, particularly among security personnel and custodians, and called for the Human Resources Directorate to reconsider housing policies to support this vital group of workers.
In addition to formal sessions, the retreat featured interactive dialogues between staff and management, work place role plays, team-building exercises, and fitness training. A fireplace dinner provided a relaxed setting for staff to share concerns and suggestions. Activities like these rejuvenate the spirit and promote a sense of belonging.
Key Presentations and Insights
The retreat featured presentations from Makerere’s Director of Human Resources, Deus Tayari Mujuni; Chair of the CHUSS Quality Assurance Committee, Prof. Sylvia Nanyonga Tamusuza; Dr. Dickson Kanakulya, Head of the Department of Philosophy; and Dr. Gilbert Gumoshabe, Head of the Department of African Languages.
Love Your Work and Serve Clients Diligently- Dr. Gilbert Gumoshabe
Dr. Gilbert Gumoshabe, the Head of the Department of African Languages, presented on the importance of customer care in the workplace, focusing on how staff should attend to clients, particularly students, and the behavior expected of them while on the job. He began by emphasizing the importance of loving one’s work, regardless of the role. “Love your work. You applied for it. If you’re a secretary, PR, cleaner, or messenger, love your job. There is nothing more rewarding than people trusting you. Do your work with a smile,” he advised.
Dr. Gumoshabe discussed several key aspects of professional conduct, beginning with the importance of time management and serving clients diligently. He also highlighted the need for staff to leave personal beliefs, especially those related to witchcraft, outside the workplace. “Leave your beliefs like witchcraft behind the office. Witchcraft is real, and it moves in families. If you’re bewitching, what will happen when you’re bewitched? Always do to others what should be done to you. Avoid being jealous of those who do their work. If you focus on doing your job well, you won’t be chased, but if you indulge in witchcraft, you will be deceived. Sometimes you condemn yourself and slander others,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of professionalism in the workplace. Dr. Gumoshabe lectured staff on maintaining confidentiality, being polite in communication, greeting people with respect, and handling personal problems privately. He emphasized the need for staff to be friendly, responsible, and cooperative with colleagues and their leaders. Furthermore, he advised staff on maintaining personal hygiene and cultivating good habits. “Dress appropriately and be mindful of your shopping. Look for what fits you. No matter how much you want to attract love, your dressing matters. Avoid talking negatively about your supervisors, as all information that goes around comes around. There is no perfect person, and administrators want results,” Dr. Gumoshabe concluded.
Upholding Quality Standards: There must be a change in the image of our college and university- Prof. Tamusuza
Professor Sylvia Antonia Nanyonga Nakimera Tamusuza, the Chair of the CHUSS Quality Assurance Committee, addressed staff on the essential role of quality assurance in enhancing service delivery and improving the university’s reputation. She emphasized that quality begins with personal responsibility, encouraging staff to reflect on their work environments and professional conduct. “Quality is about doing things the best way and ensuring they meet the required standards,” she remarked, highlighting that teamwork, cleanliness, and attention to detail are vital components in maintaining high standards.
Professor Tamusuza warned against complacency and urged staff to embrace continuous improvement. She explained that quality assurance not only leads to better services and a more conducive working environment but also reduces complaints. “When there is quality, we will always smile when things are done well,” she said. She added that quality assurance contributes significantly to the university’s reputation, resulting in happier students and staff, and fostering a sense of pride within the university community.
To further elaborate, Professor Tamusuza highlighted the principles of quality assurance. She emphasized the importance of doing the right things consistently, checking work to ensure it aligns with assigned tasks, correcting mistakes, being efficient, managing time effectively, and promoting clear communication and teamwork. “We cannot change what we do unless we improve the quality of what we do. Let us think about efficiency and time management, and we should be people who pay attention to detail,” she stressed.
In addition, she underscored the critical role of staff in maintaining quality assurance, including keeping offices clean, greeting visitors politely, filing documents properly, ensuring cleanliness in toilets and compounds, arriving on time, and maintaining self-discipline at work. Creating a daily checklist for tasks, she suggested, is another way to ensure quality.
“Remember, you hold the quality of the work in the place where you work. Whether it’s a professor, student, or visitor, please handle them properly because we are here because they are here,” Professor Tamusuza emphasized. She concluded by stressing the need for a shift in the image of the college and university, noting that this change starts with each individual. “There must be a change in the image of our college and university because of the services we offer. It begins with me,” she declared.
Offering motivational advice, she shared that quality is not just an action but a habit that everyone must cultivate. “Every small thing makes a difference. Doing your work well helps you remain healthy. Your work helps Makerere shine,” she concluded.
Work Ethics and Professionalism by Dr. Dickson Kanakulya
Dr. Dickson Kanakulya delivered a compelling session on the importance of work ethics and professionalism, emphasizing that a strong work ethic is the foundation for high performance and institutional success. He discussed how attitude, ethical behavior, and professionalism are integral to creating a productive and harmonious work environment.
In his presentation, Dr. Kanakulya underscored the transformative power of a positive attitude, describing it as essential for workplace success. “A negative attitude is like a flat tire—you won’t get anywhere until you change it,” he remarked. He explained that cultivating a positive outlook not only boosts personal engagement but also fosters productivity and collaboration among colleagues.
Dr. Kanakulya also reminded staff of the importance of aligning their actions with Makerere University’s core values of integrity, accountability, and respect. Ethical conduct, he emphasized, is critical for building trust, strengthening teamwork, and enhancing the university’s reputation as a global knowledge hub. “Ethical conduct builds trust, strengthens teamwork, and contributes to Makerere’s standing as a global knowledge hub,” he stated, highlighting how these principles serve both the individual and the institution.
He further stressed the importance of efficient use of time, urging staff to manage their schedules effectively and ensure that their tasks are completed in a timely manner. Efficiency, he noted, is a hallmark of professionalism and a vital component of high performance. Additionally, he encouraged staff to pay close attention to detail in their work, explaining that professionalism requires care and precision to uphold the university’s high standards.
Through his engaging presentation, Dr. Kanakulya illustrated how embracing ethical principles, maintaining a positive attitude, and demonstrating professionalism can enhance individual performance while contributing to Makerere University’s strategic vision.
HR Reforms to Streamline Operations– Chief HR Deus Mujuni
Chief Human Resource Officer, Deus Tayari Mujuni detailed Makerere University’s revised Human Resources policies, aimed at enhancing efficiency and compliance with employment laws. Addressing the retreat, he outlined updates from the amended 2009 HR Manual, which emphasize recruitment protocols, leave management, and payroll accuracy.
Mujuni reported that Makerere University has rolled out significant updates to its Human Resources (HR) policies, aiming to streamline staff management and ensure compliance with labor laws. The changes, unveiled by the university’s Human Resources Director, Deus Tayari Mujuni, focus on recruitment, leave management, performance evaluation, and payroll systems, as detailed in the revised 2009 HR Manual.
“The manual consolidates policies, procedures, and practices to guide the recruitment, development, and retention of staff,” Tayari explained, emphasizing its critical role in defining the responsibilities of the University Council and employees.
A key reform mandates that, starting FY 2024/2025, unit-level appointments funded by non-wage budgets will be prohibited, ensuring such funds prioritize teaching and research. The University Council reaffirmed this during its May 9, 2024, meeting, emphasizing that all salaries must align with the designated wage budget.
Tayari also underscored the expanded duties of line managers, which include monitoring performance, overseeing leave compliance, and ensuring accurate payroll management. Notably, staff on study leave must now submit signed bonding agreements and periodic progress reports, with failure to return from leave classified as misconduct under Section 9.6 of the HR Manual.
The revisions also enhance payroll accuracy by requiring timely updates about inactive staff receiving salaries. Occupational safety and health measures have been bolstered to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
“These updates aim to propel Makerere into becoming a high-performance institution by aligning individual and organizational goals,” Tayari concluded. The reforms are expected to improve efficiency, accountability, and institutional alignment with Makerere’s strategic vision.
Participants react
The retreat underscored the critical role of non-academic staff in achieving Makerere University’s vision as a global knowledge hub. The event concluded with a collective commitment to apply the insights gained, ensuring that CHUSS remains a model of excellence within Makerere University.
Participants expressed gratitude for the retreat and praised its relevance to their roles.
Sunday Seezi, Chief Custodian, shared:
“This retreat was a first of its kind for us as non-teaching staff. Many times, we hear of workshops for academic staff, but this time we felt seen and valued. The activities were well-organized, and we left with valuable lessons to implement in our daily work. We appreciate our Principal for this initiative.”
Rebecca Talikaza, another custodian, added:
“We are indeed happy to be included in such an event. The choice of the hotel was excellent—we slept well, ate well, and learned a lot. The presentations were rejuvenating, and I believe everyone who attended has a changed mindset. However, I suggest that next time, participants be given certificates of attendance. It would mean a lot to many of us who don’t have formal academic qualifications.”
Annet Nakaye, a cleaner and messenger, noted:
“This was my first time attending such a workshop. I learned a lot about how to improve my work and serve better. I am grateful to our Principal for thinking about us. We promise to improve where we have been falling short.”
The retreat reaffirmed that achieving institutional goals requires the dedication and collaboration of every member of the university community.
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