General
Mak Gender Mainstreaming Directorate Holds Reflective Workshop on Promoting Women’s Participation in Leadership
By Racheal Kanyi
“Position yourself and make yourself visible and known for something”, this was among the many takeaway points for participants at the reflective workshop for the women leaders at Makerere University. The workshop held on the 13th June 2024 in the Auditorium at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility (CTF 2) was convened by the Directorate of Gender Mainstreaming (GMD) at Makerere University. It was one of a series of activities that have been conducted by the Directorate under a project titled: Enhancing women’s participation and visibility in leadership and decisionmaking in Universities in Uganda through action and evaluation research, 2019-2024. This is one of the multi-year research projects funded under the Makerere Research and Innovations Fund (MakRIF) and is led by the Director GMD, Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine. Participating Universities are: Makerere, Gulu, Busitema, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Kabale and Muni.
Purpose of the workshop
Held under the theme – Nurturing women in University leadership through mentorship and experience sharing, the purpose of the workshop was to provide a forum for experience sharing among female staff in middle and senior level leadership and management positions equivalent to M3-M5 salary scale.
Setting pace for experience sharing, the Director, Directorate of Gender Mainstreaming at Makerere University, Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine briefed participants on the mandate of GMD, outlining the policies and their role in promoting gender equality at the University. In her remarks, she noted that the mandate of GMD is derived from two main policies namely; i) the Makerere University Gender Equality Policy 2009, which envisions Makerere University to become a gender-responsive University in which substantive gender equality is reality, and ii) the Makerere University Policy & Regulations against Sexual Harassment of 2006, as amended in 2018 with a vision to coordinate, facilitate and monitor the integration of the gender dimension into the core functions of Makerere University including; Teaching and Learning, Research and Innovations, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, and Support Services.
Dr. Baine noted that the purpose of conducting the workshop was;
- In response to two strategic areas of the GMD Gender Equality Policy namely;
- Gender-responsive staff recruitment, training, promotion and recognition (eg numbers of women and their progression),
- And promotion of women’s participation in leadership and decision-making organs (numbers and visibility).
Other objectives included; Providing an opportunity for participants to understand the gender and leadership landscape in Higher education, enable them appreciate the gender-based challenges along women’s career path and how to overcome them, and to generate strategies on how women senior staff can position themselves for future leadership.
In her presentation, Dr. Baine who is also the project Principal Investigator, called upon women to gain confidence and stand out whenever leadership opportunities arise. “There is need for women to be on the discussion table, making decisions as opposed to keeping at the back. It is high time women gained confidence and took on these leadership opportunities. It all starts right from where you are,” she said.
Factors holding back women from taking up leadership roles
Presenting the research findings on behalf of the project team, Dr. Anna Ninsiima noted that despite all efforts at national and international levels, women were persistently fewer in leadership and decision-making organs in both public and private universities. The main objective of the study was to conduct a situational analysis of the gender terrain of the six public Universities to obtain baseline information encompassing: composition of governance and leadership organs by sex, composition of senior staff by sex, needs assessment and profiles of potential mentors and mentees, capacity to conduct gender-responsive research, exploration of men staff engagement in gender equality/equity interventions, and to establish a functional Uganda University Women Forum starting with the 6 universities.
Dr. Ninsiima revealed that according to the feedback collected, the main causes of low numbers of women in leadership in universities were;
- A strong disconnection between the laws and policies at national level and the Universities,
- Patriarchal traditional norms and perceptions regarding female leadership, where there is unacknowledged institutional bias against women leaders,
- Top positions in the University are political and require women to do more background work, and to lobby their way into leadership positions,
- Institutional-toxic, militaristic environment. Unsaid resistance by institutions,
- Personal – poor self-image and esteem, want soft landing- some fear judgment,
- And social/family background.
Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze on promoting women’s participation in leadership
The Dean, School of Public Health, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze urged women to dedicate time to understanding themselves better, capitalize their strengths, acquire soft skills and competencies, and to rebuke toxic talk if they are to effectively participate in leadership. “Leadership starts with understanding yourself. Speak to yourself, identify good things in you, know you capabilities and work on your weakness. There is need for women to mentor each other, its one way of uplifting ourselves. We also need to know that not everyone can make it into leadership – some of us have to open doors for others to get there. Let’s sponsor each other and avoid toxic talk that holds us back and encourage each other into these leadership spaces,” she noted.
Strategizing for leadership
Sharing on her leadership experience, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, Bunyoro University, Prof. Grace Bantebya Kyomuhendo advised women to strategize and use every opportunity available in leadership by showing up, even when they know they will not win the race. “Mere showing interest is a visibility gate for you to be known and adopt good networks in the world. If you intend to be a leader, study the big picture. You have to prepare, get the skills, get collaborations, know what you want, be available and willing to take on responsibilities. Study the environment and be careful how you share your intentions with people. If there is an opportunity and you have interest in it, apply for it, if you go through, that’s great, if you don’t, you won’t die, other doors will still open,” she advised.
Genesis and mandate of GMD
The Chairperson Makerere Council Committee responsible for Gender Mainstreaming who also doubles as the Dean, School of Women and Gender Studies, Prof. Ssali Sarah revealed that the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate came to existence by visionary women who also contributed to the establishment of the School of Women and Gender Studies with mainly two objectives;
- To promote gender parity
- To monitor and hold people accountable
She reiterated the need to address the behavioral and structural barriers that limit women from rising and staying in leadership noting that this will help have more women occupy the leadership spaces in the universities.
The newly appointed Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Prof. Helen Nkabala urged women to acquaint themselves with the different university policies if they are to effectively compete and take on leadership positions. “Know what is required of the leadership space you are vying for. You need to do policy spotlighting and read the human resource manual well as you aspire for leadership,” she advised.
Emphasizing the need for women to support each other into leadership, she appreciated Prof. Wanyenze for looking out for her when she showed interest in taking up leadership in the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA). “Prof Wanyenze reached out to me and encouraged me. This greatly motivated me. As women, we need to support each other into these positions.”
Remarks by the DVCFA
Representing the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe commended the Directorate for organizing the workshop to empower women leaders and pledged management to take action on the resolutions.
He thanked the Directorate for holding the Male engagement roundtable to discuss issues pertinent to them. He decried the dropping numbers of male graduates and called for an investigation into the causes.
Proposed objectives of a 4W Initiative Pilot at Makerere University
The Director for Africa 4W Women and Wellbeing Initiative at the School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, Ms. Deborah Kaddu-Serwadda noted that Uganda can leverage the successes of Makerere University’s gender mainstreaming policy to build a critical mass of university students, faculty, and staff, able to work together. She mentioned some of the proposed objectives of a 4W Initiative Pilot at Makerere University, Uganda as: piloting an interdisciplinary multigenerational higher education collaboration for the promotion of gender equality and women’s wellbeing. The pilot project would further initiate an academic women leaders’ South to North research-to-action network for gender equality and social transformation.
Giving the background on the women in leadership training workshops, a Principal Gender Officer at GMD, Ms. Susan Mbabazi noted that the programme had accomplished many activities such as ; 1) A situational analysis of the gender terrain of the 6 universities focusing on among others the gender composition of staff in leadership positions, 2) Development of training guides/manuals on women in leadership, mentorship, gender responsive research and male engagement, and 3) Findings of the situational analysis in the six participating universities were disseminated in each of them.
Ms. Mbabazi noted that that the programme still had pending activities such as conducting workshops using the developed training guides/manuals in all participating universities starting with Makerere University.
The Senior Gender Officer at GMD, Mr. Eric Tumwesigye commended women for being supportive and inspirational. “All the ladies I have moved and worked with in my life journey have really been inspirational,” he said.
The workshop was moderated by Mr. Tumwesigye and attended by senior academic and administrative female staff of Makerere University.
On 20th January 2025, the blazing afternoon sun was temporarily obscured by cloud cover as a convoy complete with VVIP security detail quietly made its way to the Main Building. As the convoy came to a stop at the Main Building’s Eastern staircase, all eyes were peeled to see who this VVIP was. As she emerged, there was no fanfare whatsoever as she proceeded to pleasantly greet the welcoming party. Princess Zahra Aga Khan, graceful by all standards, had arrived at Makerere University, an institution fondly talked about by her father His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.
It was indeed humbling that Princess Zahra Aga Khan, a Member of the Board of Directors of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and Trustee of the Aga Khan University (AKU) could include Makerere University on her itinerary. She had earlier on the same day paid a courtesy call on the President H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House Nakasero, and presided over the graduation of 120 students of the Aga Khan University-Kampala.
Princess Zahra who was received by the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi and the Dean Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze was thankful for the warm reception and Makerere’s unwavering legacy.
“My whole life, my father always told me that Makerere was the best University in Africa,” relayed Princess Zahra, before adding “And my whole life he told me how sad it was that tertiary level degrees had been de-funded and what fragility that bred in these countries.” She went on to explain that her father’s philosophy was that if a country cannot train its upper degrees, it cannot build a free, fair and successful economy.
Princess Zahra nevertheless expressed how glad she was to see that Makerere still remains a beacon of higher education, and that the Main Building that was gutted by fire was reconstructed to perfection. “So to come here and see it looking so amazing and beautiful is really good.”
She confessed that her itinerary, though involving many hops to preside over graduations in Kenya, Tanzania and finally Pakistan, was testimony of how much Aga Khan Institutions had evolved over the past twenty years. Princess Zahra explained that partnerships with Makerere and other universities, especially in the aftermath of events such as CoVID-19, were crucial in helping Aga Khan Institutions to adjust. “An institution can become far stronger and more resilient,” she explained.
In his welcome remarks, Prof. Buyinza thanked Princess Zahra for including Makerere on her eventful itinerary. “We are more than a century old and have greatly impacted the development and economy of this country, not on our own, but with the big network of our partners in many respects. Your coming reinforces the resolve that we must work together for the good of humanity.”
The Acting Vice Chancellor equally welcomed members of Princess Zahra’s delegation who included; her daughter Sarah Boyden, Mr. Zakir Mahmood-Chairman Board of Trustees AKU, Mr. Amin Mawji, OBE-Trustee AKDN, Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin-President and Vice Chancellor AKU, Dr. Tania Bubela-Provost and Vice President Academic AKU, Zeenat Shahabuddin-Regional CEO for Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) in East Africa, and Joseph Mwizerwa-Associate Vice Provost AKU-Uganda.
Contributing to the day’s discussion, Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin the President and Vice Chancellor AKU who has been in Kampala for the last twenty years, admitted that the new campus in Nakawa heralds a new era of growth as they commence student activities in June 2025.
“Makerere has been and is a distinguished University in Africa. We look forward to engaging and discussing how best we can come up with programmes that can benefit Uganda and Ugandans” he remarked.
As a rejoinder, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze admitted that AKU’s and Makerere’s academic programmes present a number of potential synergies both in training and research. “Cancer clinical care and research is a big issue for us here; the burden is growing and we need to do more work to be able to characterize exposures and what it is that’s driving it.”
Other areas singled out in the discussion as potential for collaboration included; the environment, climate change and its linkage with health and other issues, and harnessing of the potential Electronic Medical Records (EMR). Makerere University currently partners with the Ministry of Health to roll out EMR systems nationwide, so as to optimize health service delivery in line with the Uganda Vision 2040.
“We have already done quite a number of facilities across the country for HIV, probably more than 1,000, but right now we are moving towards having an integrated electronic system for all care, the interoperability of multiple systems that exist, and being able to scale that up” complemented Prof. Wanyenze.
Prof. Buyinza who brought the lively discussion to a close concurred that a lot of potential areas for collaboration exist between the two partners and reassured Princess Zahra Aga Khan and her delegation of the Makerere’s readiness to undertake joint activities for the good of humanity. He also used the occasion to observe a moment of silence in honour of His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, who passed away on 4th February 2025.
Following the signing of the Vice Chancellor’s Visitors Book, Princess Zahra Aga Khan and her delegation proceeded to the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak UniPod), where they received a guided tour from Dr. Cathy Ikiror Mbidde, the Director.
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe on 20th February 2025 officially handed over the Office of Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-DVCFA to Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta at a ceremony presided over by the Acting (Ag.) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi. The handover was witnessed by the University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, Chief Human Resources-Mr. Deus Tayari Mujuni, Chief Internal Audit-Mr. Patrick Akonyet, University Bursar-Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha and Chief Legal Affairs-Ms. Nanyondo Sumaiyah Sebuta.
Equally present to witness the ceremony were the Chief Estates and Works- Eng. Okuk Geoffrey, Dean of Students-Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, Deputy University Secretary-Mr. Simon Kizito, Mr. Juma Katongole-Representing Director ICT Support, Ms. Susan Mbabazi-Representing Director Gender Mainstreaming, Ag. Manager of Planning and Development-Mr. Emmanuel Kitamirike as well as staff from the Vice Chancellor’s and Deputy Vice Chancellors’ Offices.
Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi in his remarks thanked Prof. Alinaitwe for the effort and support rendered to the University through the DVCFA’s Office and prayed that Makerere could continue tapping into his knowledge.
“As colleagues we have a shared agenda and a common destination as we do the best for Makerere. I thank Prof. Henry Alinaitwe for being a hardworking colleague of great humility, collegiality, and being open-heartedly committed to the principle of trust” remarked Prof. Buyinza, who also expressed belief that God has bigger plans for him as he exits office.
In the same breath, Prof. Buyinza congratulated Prof. Ireeta on his new role, admitting that he has what it takes to carry on from where his predecessor left off. “Thank you for accepting to take on this appointment; it takes a person of great responsibility to accept the huge mandate of this office.”
The Chief Human Resources Officer, Mr. Mujuni thanked Prof. Alinaitwe for steering the Office of the DVCFA and pledged to correspondingly support his new supervisor, Prof. Ireeta. The University Secretary, Mr. Kiranda equally thanked Prof. Alinaitwe for the guidance, support, and flexibility accorded to his office to fulfil its mandate.
“Although it is difficult for us to sit here and witness this handover, we are comforted to have previously worked with Prof. Ireeta and look forward to the continuity in service that his experience presents” added Mr. Kiranda.
The Chief Internal Audit Officer, Mr. Akonyet in his tribute thanked Prof. Henry Alinaitwe for his guidance as immediate supervisor, which helped shape the internal audit function. Like Mr. Kiranda, Mr. Akonyet thanked Prof. Ireeta for his support as a member of the University Council’s Audit Committee and expressed confidence that his passion for service would greatly benefit the University in his new role.
Presenting his handover report, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe reflected on a number of achievements such as: Mobilising resources for the Makerere@100 Celebrations and other activities; establishing the Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU); realigning Makerere’s Ten-Year Strategic Plan to the Five-Year NDP-recommended interval; Payment of outstanding In-house Benefits; Harmonization of staff salaries; as well as Recruitment, Promotion and Training of staff.
Prof. Alinaitwe equally highlighted achievements such as: Formulation of the ICT Policy and purchase of related equipment; Developing a Security Masterplan and enhancing surveillance, personnel numbers and equipment; Support to Student Affairs Management and Governance including overseeing the Emerging Leaders Program; Renovation of Student Halls of Residence; Establishment of the Disability Support Centre; Leading the Design Team for the Reconstruction of the Main Building; Improving Competitiveness of the Staff Housing Policy; Improving the University Fleet and Vehicle Access Control; Improving the Budgeting Process through Unit Ledgers and Accounts; among others.
He concluded by thanking the University Council and the Vice Chancellor for entrusting him with the role of DVCFA as well as all the support rendered to his office in the execution of his duties. “Whereas I have read out all these various achievements, they have largely been due to all your respective contributions and I thank you for that.”
In his acceptance remarks, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta similarly thanked the University Council and Vice Chancellor for entrusting him with the responsibility of overseeing the Office of the DVCFA. He acknowledged that despite the fact that he was taking over from Prof. Alinaitwe on whose behalf he had acted a number of times, he still has big shoes to fill. “However, with my God, all things will work out” he prayed.
The incoming DVCFA requested Prof. Alinaitwe to always accept consultation on matters relating to the office and pledged to be as results-oriented as his predecessors. “Let’s all work together for the good of our University” he concluded.
Following the Handover Ceremony, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi on behalf of Members of Management presented a plaque to Prof. Henry Alinaitwe in appreciation of his dedicated service as Ag. DVCFA from 16th November 2021 to 19th February 2025.
In a pivotal meeting held earlier this morning, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, met with project implementation partners from the Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS) and the Korea National Open University (KNOU) to discuss the upcoming Project for Enhancing the Distance Education Environment at Makerere University in Uganda (2024-2028). This collaboration, set to launch on February 27, 2025, is poised to revolutionize the university’s distance learning initiatives.
The project, which is generously funded by the Korean Government through KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency), will receive a substantial investment of USD 12.2 million. It aims to address critical areas in e-learning at Makerere University, with key components focusing on the development of a comprehensive e-learning master plan, capacity building for staff in Open and Distance eLearning (ODeL), equipping two state-of-the-art content development studios, and the development of necessary infrastructure.
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “This project marks a significant milestone for Makerere University as we strive to enhance our distance learning capabilities. The integration of advanced technology and capacity building will not only improve the quality of education but also ensure greater accessibility for learners across the region. We are grateful for the generous support from the Korean Government and look forward to the successful implementation of the project.”
The delegation from Korea, led by Prof. Chun Se yeoung, also expressed their commitment to the success of the project. Prof. Chun Se yeoung remarked, “We are excited to partner with Makerere University on this transformative project. We believe that by enhancing the distance education environment at Makerere, we will not only benefit the university but contribute to the development of higher education in Uganda and the broader East African region. Our goal is to build a sustainable and scalable model that empowers educators and students alike.”
The project is expected to have a lasting impact, significantly strengthening Makerere University’s capacity to offer high-quality education remotely, thereby increasing access to learning opportunities for students across Uganda and beyond.
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