Assoc. Prof. Moses Musinguzi, Principal, College of Engineering, Design, Art & Technology
It is my pleasure to present to you the CEDAT annual report for the year 2023. This report highlights the major achievements and the challenges faced during the period under review. The report further provides an overview of the colleges’ performance regarding the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2019/2020-2029/2030.
As you might be aware, I took over the mantle of College Principal on the 2nd of October 2023, together with the Deputy Principal Assoc. Prof. Kizito Maria Kasule. This was during the third quarter of the implementation of the planned activities for the year under review. It is based on this fact that I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to our predecessors, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe and Dr. Venny Nakazibwe, the Principal and Deputy Principal respectively, for the leadership of the College until the end of their tenure. Much of what is reported therefore is greatly attributed to their effort. That notwithstanding, I take this honor to appreciate the appointing authority for giving me this opportunity to serve and to the CEDAT community for the warm reception and cordial working relations enjoyed so far.
We have a task before us as per our mandate of teaching and learning, research and innovation, as well as knowledge transfer and partnerships. This is no mean task and it calls for concerted effort by all the stakeholders including the students, the academia, and the industry. During my reconnaissance to bring myself up-to-date with the college and the state of affairs as a new leader, I interacted with key administrative units of the college including the centers, the three Schools, namely the School of Engineering, School of the Built Environment, and the Margaret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Art. Several issues came up, both positive and negative and these need appropriate action if we are to maintain CEDAT as a Home of Innovations. I am optimistic that with the team spirit exhibited at CEDAT, a lot will be realized as we play our specified roles
I extend my sincere gratitude to all our stakeholders including but not limited to all CEDAT staff, students, alumni, partners, funders, and service providers for your unwavering commitment to serving humanity. I entreat you to keep the spirit alive as we journey together toward realizing the vision and mission of Makerere University
We are looking forward to an even more successful period ahead of us, and together definitely we shall achieve all we set out to do
Assoc. Prof. Moses Musinguzi Principal, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology
On August 21, 2025, a delegation from the Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment (OSHE) improvement project visited Roofings Rolling Mills’ facility in Namanve Industrial Park. The visit represented the project’s fourth major engagement with industry stakeholders, continuing its goal to foster a world-class safety culture within Uganda’s engineering and industrial sectors.
This OSHE initiative is a collaboration among Makerere University, Busitema University, and Kyambogo University, with support from the Royal Academy of Engineering in the United Kingdom. It aims to establish Centres of Excellence at each university, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical industry application of Occupational Safety, Health and Environment(OSHE) standards.
The Makerere University team, led by Dr. Abubaker Matovu Waswa, Head of the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT) and Principal Investigator of the project, received a warm welcome from a senior delegation of Roofings Rolling Mills. The reception involved key engineers from the Health and Safety Department, along with Human Resources and Production Managers, highlighting the company’s strong commitment to collaborative innovation and industrial partnership.
A high-level delegation from the Department of Construction Economics and Management, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), led by Head of Department Dr. Nathan Kibwami, has engaged the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE) in strategic discussions aimed at unlocking new financing avenues for Ugandan businesses through asset securitization.
Accompanied by staff members Ronald Kaweesi and Tulikuno Collins, the delegation met with USE officials to explore collaborative opportunities focused on transforming both tangible and intangible assets into viable financial instruments for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Among the key proposals was the development of a postgraduate programme in securitization of tangible assets, designed to build local expertise in asset-backed financing and capital markets. The team also discussed guest lecturing opportunities on the Bachelor of Science in Valuation programme, aiming to enrich academic instruction with practical insights from Uganda’s financial sector.
The dialogue emphasized the importance of building synergies between academia and capital markets to guide Ugandan businesses, particularly SME, in leveraging their asset portfolios to access financing. This initiative is expected to enhance financial inclusion and stimulate economic growth by empowering enterprises to tap into alternative funding mechanisms.
Dr. Kibwami noted that the partnership could “reshape how Ugandan businesses perceive and utilize their assets, not just as operational tools, but as strategic financial resources.”
The Uganda Securities Exchange welcomed the initiative, highlighting its alignment with ongoing efforts to deepen Uganda’s capital markets and support enterprise development. This collaboration marks a significant step toward bridging the gap between academic research, professional training, and real-world financial innovation.
The inaugural cohort of the ReSus Summer School Series 2025–2027, held from August 3rd to 12th, 2025, successfully concluded their engagement at Makerere University.Guided by the theme “Renewable Resources for Sustainable Development in Africa (ReSus-AFRICA),” the program convened emerging African researchers to explore innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability through renewable resources.
Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships at Makerere University, officiated the closing ceremony held at the Rotary Peace Centre. In his address, he urged participants to carry forward the knowledge, networks, and collaborations forged during the Summer School. “The challenges we face in energy, environment, and resource management demand sustained research, bold innovation, and unwavering commitment,” he emphasized. He encouraged the inaugural cohort to keep the conversations alive and to translate the ideas explored into tangible actions that will positively impact communities and drive transformation across the continent.
Prof. Robert Wamala, Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships at Makerere University, gave the closing remarks
Prof. Wamala highlighted the alignment of the Summer School with Makerere University’s vision of becoming a research-led institution. He emphasized that convening early-career scholars from across the continent was a strategic move to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, foster South-to-South knowledge exchange, and equip participants with practical skills in renewable resource management. By hosting 21 outstanding PhD students and postdoctoral researchers from various African countries, Makerere University demonstrated its commitment to addressing shared challenges in sustainable development.
It has indeed been an honour for Makerere University to host 21 outstanding PhD students and postdoctoral scholars from across Africa. Your contributions, questions, and shared experiences have highlighted the immense value of bringing together diverse minds to address the complex challenges of sustainable development, noted Eng. Dr. Assoc. Prof Dorothy Okello, the Dean of the School of Engineering. This Summer School has demonstrated the power of collaboration in advancing research that is both locally relevant and globally impactful.