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
Makerere University’s School of Engineering is leading a transformative initiative to reshape Uganda’s engineering landscape through legislative engagement, academic collaboration, and industry integration.
The School, headed by Prof. Dorothy Okello, at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), recently presented a comprehensive memorandum to Parliament on the proposed Engineering Professionals Bill 2024. The document, developed through extensive consultations with academia and industry, reflects the collective voice of Uganda’s engineering stakeholders.
Following the submission, a high-level meeting was convened on Thursday, July 3rd, 2025 at Makerere University’s CEDAT Boardroom. The gathering brought together officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport, university deans, and representatives from the Engineers Registration Board (ERB) to address key recommendations and matters arising from the parliamentary presentation. The Deans of Various Engineering Schools that were at the meeting included the Universities of Gulu, Muni, Busitema, Kyambogo, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda Christian University, together with the host, Makerere.
A selection of the newly installed micro studio equipment on display during the official handover ceremony held at CEDAT on Wednesday, 25th June 2025.
The College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) at Makerere University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Project Management Committee of the “Enhancing the Distance Education Environment at Makerere University” initiative. This agreement formalizes the operational and managerial framework for the newly installed micro studio at CEDAT, aimed at strengthening the university’s digital learning infrastructure.
Assoc. Prof. Kizito Maria Kasule, Deputy Principal of CEDAT, signed on behalf of the college, while Dr. Shon JinGon, Project Manager at the Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS), represented the implementing partner during an event held on Wednesday, 25th June 2025.
Dr. Abubaker Waswa Matovu (R) Head of the Department of Computer and Electronics Engineering at Makerere University, emphasized the importance of the training in promoting workplace safety.
In response to Uganda’s growing workplace safety concerns, staff at the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT) participated in an Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment (OSHE) training session aimed at increasing awareness and improving adherence to safety standards in professional and academic environments.
The workshop, organized by the School of Engineering, was part of a larger effort led by the OSHE Centers of Excellence, an initiative launched at Makerere, Kyambogo, and Busitema Universities on May 4, 2023. This program seeks to enhance workplace safety education, with a focus on hazard prevention, PPE usage, risk mitigation, and integrating OSHE principles into engineering curricula and industrial practices.
Speaking at the training, Dr. Abubaker Waswa Matovu, Head of the Department of Computer and Electronics Engineering at Makerere University, emphasized the importance of the training which was aimed at creating awareness about the need for the College, the university and the industry to proactively plan for safety at the place of work. It was indicated that Uganda was faced by alarming workplace injury rates, with over 25,000 workers suffering from job-related injuries annually, yet fatality statistics remain largely unreported.
Dr. Matovu highlighted the urgent need for OSHE integration in higher education, pointing out that 99% of engineering and science graduates enter the workforce without formal safety training. This lack of preparedness has led industries to withdraw internship placements, fearing liability if trainees suffer injuries or fatalities while on the job, he noted.