Finalist Bachelor of Fine Art students 2021-2024 showcased their work spanning their academic journey while on the program in the exhibition held at the Makerere Art Gallery/Institute of Heritage Conservation and Restoration from 14th to 30th June 2024.
The “Best of Me” exhibition is a culmination of the tireless dedication and exceptional talent of the final-year students. The exhibition marked the end of their Bachelor of Industrial and Fine Arts program at Makerere University and the beginning of professional artistic careers.
The unique collection, spanning an impressive array of course units, marked the end of an era and the beginning of countless artistic journeys. Each piece in the exhibition was a testament to the dedication, talent, and diverse skill set of remarkable students, who exhibited a mastery of the intricate arts of photography, painting, structural textile, applied textile, sculpture, ceramics, drawing, fashion design, illustration, communication design, and advertising design, weaving, and much more.
The exploration of the exhibition was an encounter with a vast spectrum of sizes, materials, and functionalities, each thoughtfully chosen to enhance the themes conveyed. The works delved into a rich tapestry of subjects, reflecting the depth and breadth of the artists’ inspirations and experiences. From the vibrant celebration of cultural heritage to the nuanced explorations of womanhood and parenthood, the artworks offered profound insights into education, play, health, climate action, mental health awareness, weather, social-economic development, justice, crime, politics, and urbanization.
“The Best of Me” was not just an exhibition; it was a narrative of passion, resilience, and the transformative power of art. It was a tribute to the students’ journey, encapsulating their growth, learning, and the exceptional creativity that they honed over the years. This final showcase stands as a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of the Industrial and Fine Arts program and a celebration of the legacy it leaves behind.
On 5th September 2025, at the Sheraton Hotel, Makerere University’s School of Engineering joined the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co., Ltd. (CPP) to witness the launch of the scholarship, during which the beneficiaries, mainly second-year engineering students, received scholarships to cover tuition and functional fees for three years.
Speaking at the event, EACOP’s Corporate Affairs and HR Director, Ms. Irene Baguma, representing the MD, noted that this is a joint programme with EACOP and CPP (Uganda). She said the mission of EACOP & CPP goes beyond the pipeline to uplifting communities, demonstrating their commitment to corporate social responsibility. They urged scholars to stay focused because they are ambassadors of hope and will, one day, bring hope and give back to the community.
Assoc. Prof. Kizito Maria Kasule, the Deputy Principal of CEDAT, spoke on behalf of the College, extending appreciation to the parties for the scholarships awarded to the students. He said this will enable the students to concentrate on their studies and have fewer worries about raising the tuition.
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.