General
Students Disciplinary Committee Sworn In, Urged to Uphold Professionalism, Ethics & Integrity
Members of the Makerere University Students Disciplinary Committee were on Thursday 29th February 2024 sworn in at a ceremony presided over by the Chairperson of Council represented by Mr. Timothy Ssejjoba, the Chairperson Student Affairs Committee of Council. The oaths, administered by Counsel Balondemu Kenneth, were witnessed by the Vice Chancellor represented by Prof. Henry Alinaitwe the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Chairperson of the Students Disciplinary Committee, Mr. Isaac Newton Kyagaba, University Secretary, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, Dean of Students, Mrs. Winifred Kabumbuli, Ms. Phiona Natukunda, and other officials.
Members of the Committee sworn in included;
- Hon. Beatrice Kiraso,
- Prof. Godfrey Akileng,
- Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza, and
- Rev. Dr. Lydia Nsaale Kitayimbwa.
Mr. Timothy Ssejjoba on behalf of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Members of Council congratulated the members upon being sworn in and expressed confidence that they are going to exercise their duty and mandate very well. “I am excited to see gallant and very committed members of our community who have decided to take part of their precious time to uphold the values and principles of this esteemed institution.”
Recognizing the paramount role of the Disciplinary Committee in fostering an environment conducive to the conduct of academic affairs, and where respect, integrity and discipline thrive, Mr. Ssejjoba urged newly sworn in members to strive to ensure that Makerere remains a centre of excellence not only in academics but also character formation and social conduct.
“Your commitment to fairness, impartiality and due process will be the cornerstone of your service. As you undertake this duty, I urge you to approach every case with empathy, with understanding and with a commitment to justice” he added.
Mr. Ssejjoba urged the Committee Members to always remember that their decisions will shape the lives of students and impact the future of the institution. “The trust bestowed upon you comes with great responsibility. Uphold the highest standards of professionalism, ethics and integrity in all your endeavours. Let your actions reflect the values that Makerere University stands for.”
The Chairperson, Makerere University Students Disciplinary Committee, Mr. Isaac Newton Kyagaba who was officially sworn in on 18th March 2022 is yet to complete his term and as such, was not required to take oath. Addressing the gathering, he thanked the Chairperson of the Student Affairs Committee, the Vice Chancellor and Members of Management for sparing time to witness the event. He extended gratitude to the newly sworn-in members for sacrificing time to serve Makerere, noting that Committee proceedings sometimes last an entire day.
In the same breath, Mr. Kyagaba thanked the University Management and Directorate of Legal Affairs represented by Ms. Phiona Natukunda for supporting the Committee in the execution of its duties. He nevertheless urged the University Officials to ensure that all the cases brought before the Committee have sufficient supporting evidence to enable them be disposed of quickly and permit the accused to proceed with their academic programmes.
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe in his remarks thanked the Chairperson and Members of the Disciplinary Committee for accepting to serve Makerere, noting that discipline; be it of staff, students or stakeholders, is very important especially for an academic institution. He added that unlike past decades where the student population was smaller, today’s population is bigger and demands more attention.
He decried past disturbances on the campus that led to destruction of property and loss of life and reiterated Management’s zero-tolerance to acts that go against the University’s policies and regulations. “We really ask the Disciplinary Committee to help us in arresting such cases so that they serve as a deterrent.”
Prof. Alinaitwe added his voice to that of the University Secretary who had in the opening remarks appreciated that the precious time Members of the Disciplinary Committee spend rendering pro bono services to the Makerere Community’s cannot be compensated enough. “We don’t take that for granted.”
Mr. Kiranda in his opening remarks stated that the duties performed by Members of the Disciplinary Committee are a true reflection of the spirit of community service, “so we sincerely thank you very much for this sacrifice.” For example, he noted that academic staff who serve on the Committee do not get their workload reduced, and Committee Members who hold jobs elsewhere spend a significant amount of their time handling University business.
This Committee’s service, he nevertheless added, is important for the enforcement of university rules, which must be done transparently, fairly and impartially. The University Secretary noted that students as they go about their academic life might error either unintentionally or as an act of indiscipline, hence the need for a Students Disciplinary Committee to help the University Management determine each case.
“This Committee is a very strong component of the University Governance ecosystem because as an academic institution, we operate under a set of policies, rules and regulations that everybody must obey, for the maintenance of social order, and for us to work collectively in the pursuit of the goals and objectives of this university, and for creating an enabling environment for research and learning” affirmed Mr. Kiranda. He concluded by thanking the Committee Chairperson and Members for contributing to Makerere’s mandate in the overall nation building agenda.
The swearing in ceremony which opened with a word of prayer by the Dean of Students, Mrs. Winifred Kabumbuli was moderated by the Principal Public Relations Officer, Ms. Ritah Namisango.
By the Program Communication Team
On Friday, January 17, 2025, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars celebrated a significant milestone as they graduated from Makerere University. The day was filled with enthusiasm and pride as 36 dedicated students completed their Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program journey. This achievement reflects their hard work and commitment and paves the way for new opportunities in their future endeavours.
At the event, Mr. Adrian Bukenya, the Country Director of Mastercard Foundation Uganda and the chief guest, encouraged the new graduates to create jobs for their peers rather than solely seeking employment for themselves.
“As fresh graduates, your first step shouldn’t be simply searching for jobs. Instead, focus on creating job opportunities for your peers. The university degree you have earned puts you in a unique position. The knowledge and skills you’ve gained and the experiences and connections you have made empower you to thrive in this country,” Mr. Bukenya remarked.
Mr. Bukenya further expressed his gratitude to Makerere University‘s leadership and acknowledged the profound relationship the University shares with the Foundation. He emphasized that the partnership with Makerere University was essential to the Foundation.
“The Mastercard Foundation values its partnership with Makerere University, as the university continues to produce exceptional talent essential for Uganda’s development. The country would struggle to achieve its national aspirations without this contribution,” noted Mr. Bukenya.
Mr. Bukenya emphasized the core mission of the Mastercard Foundation, which is to alleviate poverty in areas where it is most prevalent and to enhance access to education. He pointed out that the Scholars Program is a fundamental component of this initiative. He noted that earning a degree is a valuable tool and a testament to an individual’s ability to learn, perform tasks, and achieve results within structured and organized frameworks.
He further stressed the Foundation’s commitment to empowering young people to lead and transform Africa.
“The Mastercard Foundation has made a strategic commitment to focus uniquely on Africa, home to the world’s youngest population. Through its ‘Young Africa Works’ strategy, the Foundation supports entrepreneurship and enterprise development among young people, empowering them to shape the future of their communities and the continent.” emphasized Mr. Bukenya.
Speaking on behalf of the University Management, Professor Buyinza Mukadasi, the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Chairperson of the Steering Committee for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, congratulated the program for achieving an impressive 94% graduation completion rate.
“The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University has graduated 964 scholars—78% female and 22% male—representing 94% of the 1,032 recruits from Phase One. We expect to achieve 100% graduation for all Phase One scholars at the 76th Graduation Ceremony next year.” Prof. Buyinza remarked.
Prof. Buyinza expressed gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation for its ongoing support of the university, which has significantly added value, particularly in educating young people from vulnerable communities.
“We sincerely thank the Mastercard Foundation for partnering with Makerere University to educate and empower the next generation of leaders and change-makers. The statistics regarding the number of young people supported and the impact that the program’s alumni have made in society are a testament to the energy and potential of young individuals when provided with the right education, guidance, and support.” Prof. Buyinza pointed out.
Program Director Prof. Justine Namaalwa emphasized her team’s commitment to ensuring the successful operation of the Scholars Program at Makerere University for years to come.
“Makerere University and the nation greatly appreciate the Mastercard Foundation for its generosity and foresight, which continue to transform human capital in Africa. There is no doubt that your vision for Africa is being realized. We are committed to this mission, even as we enter phase two of the program,” noted Prof. Namaalwa.
Prof. Namaalwa expressed gratitude to the University Management, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Nawangwe, for their support and commitment to the Scholars Program. She pointed out that the strong backing from the university management has enabled the Program to meet its goals and succeed at the University.
“I sincerely thank the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, and the entire University Management and the governing structures of the Program for their effective leadership, which continues to yield positive results from our strong partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.” Prof. Namaalwa pointed out.
Prof. Namaalwa equally appreciated the graduates for helping achieve the Mastercard Foundation’s goals, which aims to educate and empower the next generation of African leaders. She noted that Makerere University has begun implementing the second phase of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, which will span the next ten years. In this phase, the Mastercard Foundation has committed to providing scholarships to 1,000 academically talented youth facing economic hardships, enabling them to access quality education at Makerere University.
She asserted that the Mastercard Foundation prioritizes three key transition pathways: formal employment, entrepreneurship, and further education. She urged the graduates to remain active on all the program’s social media platforms, especially the Alumni WhatsApp platform, as it will be a vital channel for sharing ongoing opportunities from the Mastercard Foundation and other partners.
Ms Aida Aol, the mother of graduate Mr Okello Godfrey, expressed gratitude on behalf of parents and guardians. She thanked the Mastercard Foundation and Makerere University for providing her son and other vulnerable young people with the opportunity to study at one of the best universities in Uganda. Ms. Aol highlighted that she had lost hope for her son’s university education due to financial constraints.
“I cannot thank Mastercard Foundation and Makerere University enough for providing our children with the opportunity to attend one of the best universities in the country. Many of us parents could not afford to send our children here because we did not have the resources to pay for their education,” Ms. Aol remarked.
Ms. Aol stated that she lost her husband when her son was only four years old, and she had since committed herself to ensuring he completed both elementary and high school. However, she reached a critical point where she could no longer afford to support his university education.
Graduates speak out
Awien Rose Madot, a Journalism and Communication graduate, expressed her gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for transforming her life. The program enabled her to achieve her academic goals and instilled in her a strong sense of responsibility to use her degree to create positive change in the world.
“Accessing higher education can often feel like a distant dream for refugees like me. However, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has served as a powerful beacon of hope. It clearly demonstrates that education is a vital tool for empowerment and transformation, even in the face of adversity. The Program has provided us with financial resources, as well as invaluable mentorship, guidance, and a strong support network for all the scholars involved,” said Madot.
Dr. Raphael Kasuku, a dental surgery graduate, pledged to continue the spirit of giving back to his community by offering dental services. He urged his fellow graduates to utilize the knowledge and skills they acquired through their education to uplift their communities.
“To my fellow graduates, this moment marks not just the end of a chapter but the beginning of an exciting new journey. The world ahead is vast and brimming with opportunities that we are ready to seize. It won’t always be easy, but we must remember that the resilience, determination, and passion that brought us here will continue to propel us forward as we strive to serve our communities.” Dr. Kasuku remarked.
The colourful event was a vibrant gathering held in the gardens of the University Guest House, bringing together a diverse community of program stakeholders. Attendees included members of the University management and the Steering and Selection Committees. Mentors of the Scholars Program, parents and guardians, and alumni also contributed to the inspiring atmosphere. Additionally, representatives from the Mastercard Foundation and program partners joined the celebration, along with numerous well-wishers who continue to support the Program’s mission.
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