Incoming graduate students in the School of Engineering have been urged to work towards timely completion of the two-year program by adhering to the provisions contained in the graduate handbook. Students were further encouraged to attend the lectures, undertake all assignments and ensure that set deadlines are met.
The Deputy Principal CEDAT, Assoc. Prof. Kizito Maria Kasule presided over the meeting where the students were congratulated upon getting enrolled through a very competitive process. In his remarks, the Deputy Principal encouraged the students to work towards gaining skills that would enable them get self- employed. He cautioned them against engaging in any form of malpractice which he said was not only punishable but could lead to dismissal and cancellation of the academic papers. Kizito further cautioned them against the vice of sexual harassment among students and staff.
The Deputy Principal CEDAT, Assoc. Prof. Kizito Maria Kasule presiding over the meeting
During the orientation meeting held on Wednesday 14th August 2024, the Dean of the School of Engineering, Dr. Dorothy Okello informed the incoming students that the competition for the limited slots of graduate studies was on the rise each passing year, and advised them to utilize the opportunity before them by taking their studies with the seriousness it deserves in order to complete timely. She said it was only 40% of the applicants that were admitted, and therefore the college had high expectations from them as the best of all the applicants. She encouraged them to join research groups, look out for opportunities like student exchange programs involving international collaboration in order to expand their horizons.
Dr. Dorothy Okello, Dean of the School of Engineering, Makerere University
The graduate students were reminded that by virtue of enrolling on a masters’ programs, graduate students were researchers and that they needed to start thinking of designing software and prototypes. For them to progress, they were encouraged to cultivate the right mindset and attitude, utilize all the available sources of knowledge as one of the ways through which they were to undertake research and complete their program timely.
Other staff that addressed the students included, the Head of Department, Electrical and Computer engineering, Dr. Abubaker Matovu Wasswa, the Head of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Dr. Robinah Kulabako, the Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department, Dr. Peter Olupot, Dr. Edmund Mugumya, Prof Lating, and the School Registrar.
The graduate students enrolled on various programs in the School of Engineering, including Masters in power systems engineering, Masters in mechanical engineering, Masters in civil and environmental engineering.
This academic year 2024/2025, the University opened its gates to freshmen and women on 3rd August 2024. Inducting students into the University commenced on Monday, 5th August 2024 with a University-wide orientation organized by the Office of the Academic Registrar and conducted in the Freedom Square.
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.
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.
‘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.