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Mr. Kaconco James successfully defended his PhD thesis

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Mr. Kaconco James successfully defended his PhD thesis at a public defense session held at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT).

His thesis was titled; Master Production Scheduling, Total Quality Management and Blood Production Towards Blood Transfusion Sustainability in Uganda.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the relationship between master production scheduling, total quality management, blood production, and transfusion sustainability in Ugandan blood banks. It aimed to address the challenges of blood safety and shortages in healthcare, leading to canceled or postponed transfusions and patient fatalities.

The study used was correlational and cross-sectional in nature with a pragmatic paradigm and a mixed-method strategy. It surveyed seven regional and seven university teaching hospital blood banks, using random and purposive sampling. Data came from self-administered questionnaires and interviews with key informants. Data analysis used SPSS20 and AMOS23 to determine relationships among variables. Qualitative data was analyzed using Nvivo software. Pilot tests ensured questionnaire and interview guide validity and reliability.

Findings showed a significant model for the relationship between master production scheduling and blood transfusion sustainability. Demand and supply significantly related to transfusion sustainability, while perishability had a positive but not significant relationship. Surprisingly, total quality management did not mediate the master production scheduling-blood transfusion sustainability link; instead, blood production fully mediated it. When considering both total quality management and blood production as serial mediators, both played a partial mediating role. Qualitative findings aligned with these results, highlighting various strategies used by Ugandan blood banks to enhance sustainability.

This study has managerial implications, emphasizing the importance of factors such as blood demand, staff involvement, continuous improvement, customer-centric approaches, and efficient bloodstock management in enhancing transfusion sustainability. Recommendations for policymakers include establishing a fund to support blood banks for knowledge dissemination and capacity development. They should also enhance annual evaluation, recognition, and awards for blood donors, individuals, and partners dedicated to transfusion sustainability. Establishing a dedicated unit under UBTS for compliance monitoring is recommended. Blood bank managers should invest in staff training, seek expert consultation on transfusion sustainability, and recognize and reward employees and teams demonstrating a strong commitment to transfusion sustainability.

Alex Isemaghendera

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Engineering, Art & Tech

Dr. Philip Nyenje Takes Over as Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering Department

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Outgoing Head of Department, Assoc. Prof. Robinah Kulabako (left), hands over the office to the incoming Head of Department, Dr. Philip Nyenje, during a ceremony held at CEDAT on October 5, 2026. In the centre is the Dean, School of Engineering, Assoc. Prof. Eng. Dorothy Okello

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the School of Engineering at Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) has a new Head of Department following the handover of office from Assoc. Prof. Robinah Kulabako to Dr. Philip Nyenje.

The handover ceremony, held at CEDAT on Monday, October 5, was attended by college leadership, staff, and members of the School of Engineering.

In her farewell remarks, Assoc. Prof. Kulabako appreciated staff and the management of the college and the department for the good working relationships she had over the past nine and a half years.  She urged the incoming head to remain committed to doing what is right, even in difficult circumstances.

She noted that leadership does not require perfection, but rather competence, accountability, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. Reflecting on her nine-and-a-half-year tenure, she encouraged Dr. Nyenje to embrace selfless leadership and focus on building lasting institutional impact.

Assoc. Prof. Kulabako said that throughout her leadership journey, she continually reflected on three key questions: what she had accomplished, who had become more capable through her mentorship, and what would remain stronger after her term of office.

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Alex Isemaghendera

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Engineering, Art & Tech

CEDAT Holds Counselling Session to Support Architecture Students Following Loss of Colleague

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https://cedat.mak.ac.ug/2026/10/07/cedat-holds-counselling-session-to-support-architecture-students-following-loss-of-colleague/

The College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) at Makerere University organized a counselling and guidance session for Architecture students following the death of their colleague, the late Kevin Kabuye.

The session, held in the Year Four studio on Monday, October 5th 2026, aimed to provide psychosocial support, guidance, and encouragement while fostering resilience and solidarity within the student community. It brought together students, lecturers, parents, professional leaders, and counsellors to offer comfort and practical support during a difficult period of grief and loss.

Speakers included parent representative Mugume Rina, Chairperson of the Architects Registration Board, Arch. Miriam Lawino, CEDAT Deputy Principal, Associate Prof. Kizito Maria Kasule, and Connie Kharono from the Makerere University Counselling and Guidance Centre, as well as the lecturers led by the Head of Department Architecture, Dr. Ssemwogerere Kenneth. The speakers shared messages of comfort, strength, hope, and resilience, encouraging students to support one another and remain focused on their personal wellbeing and academic aspirations.

Addressing the students, the speakers emphasized the importance of seeking help when overwhelmed, maintaining strong support networks, and embracing healthy coping mechanisms during periods of grief. They noted that loss can be challenging to navigate but that healing is strengthened through community, compassion, and mutual support.

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Alex Isemaghendera

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Engineering, Art & Tech

Makerere Calls for Stronger University-Industry Partnerships to Drive Market – Ready Innovation at NCC 2026

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‘There is a need for stronger, more practical partnership between universities and industry in order to push ideas from the laboratories to society’.

This was a statement made by the Makerere University Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe who also noted that Ugandan research and innovation will only deliver national benefit if ideas are pushed to ensure they benefit the people.

Prof Nawangwe was represented by the Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Prof. Moses Musinguzi at the opening of the 10th National Conference on Communications Conference (NCC 2026), hosted at Makerere University under the theme “Accelerating Market-Driven Innovation for Uganda’s Development.” The conference brought together academia, government, regulators, industry players, students and innovators to discuss varied aspects of communication research and technology.

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Alex Isemaghendera

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