General
Mak GMD Partners with MSU and MFAI to Build Capacity on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct
In an effort to tackle the ongoing issues of Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM) in higher education, Makerere University‘s Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, in collaboration with Michigan State University (MSU) and the Michigan Fellows Africa Initiative (MFAI) Uganda, organized a symposium aimed at raising awareness among university staff on how to address sexual harassment and related incidents. The workshop, held on September 10, 2024, at the Makerere University Telepresence Center in the Senate Building, focused on enhancing campus safety and providing increased support for RVSM victims and survivors.
Giving the opening remarks, the Director Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine noted that Makerere University has two major policies related to RVSM; Policy and Regulations Against Sexual Harassment (PRASH) of 2006 as amended in 2018 and the Gender Equality Policy 2009 as amended in 2022. The policies are aimed at coordinating, facilitating and monitoring the integration of Gender dimension into core functions of the university. The Directorate is mandated to supervise the implementation of these policies through policy dissemination across all the university stakeholders, students and staff. This is conducted through orientation of new students, peer-to-peer training, and participating in the national and international campaigns against gender based violence (GBV) such as the ‘Me Too’ Campaign, and the 16 days of Activism against GBV, among others.
She further noted that the Directorate is supported by many University units such as the Directorate of Legal Affairs, the Office of the Vice Chancellor as well as the different college leaders and staff at various levels. These are represented through the Vice Chancellor’s Roster of 100 a committee of members from all colleges and departments of the university. The Members are appointed and trained on how to contribute to ending sexual harassment through various activities such as investigation of complaints and sexual harassment prevention education, in partnership with the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate to fight sexual harassment.
She explained that cases involving staff are forwarded to the Appointments Board, while those involving students to the Students Disciplinary Committee. If a student or staff is not contented with the ruling of either the Appointments Board or Students Disciplinary Committee, he or she has a right to appeal as prescribed in the Policy.
Dr. Mugisha Baine revealed that the Directorate finds challenges with handling cases in the social media era where often details about a given case go public before they reach the Directorate. This negatively affects the investigation process with regard to ensuring confidentiality, which discourages other stakeholders who face sexual harassment to come out and report. Additionally, cases where a survivor or victim is implicated as a bad person often lead to stigmatization. She called upon all stakeholders to make personal commitments to ending sexual harassment in the university and society at large.
Presenting on the RVSM survivor support, prevention and investigation reporting at MSU, the Vice President, Office of the Civil Rights (OCR) Title IX H.E Laura Rugless revealed that her unit is subdivided into different departments. These include; the investigative department, Support and Resolution system and Prevention Education. This facilitates the university’s ability to promote zero tolerance to RVSM including sexual harassment.
She revealed that the Prevention Education method is conducted through; best practice models, community needs, compliance, and empowerment programs that engage people. She added that MSU has a caring for identity system which breaks down stigmas. Through this system, survivors of sexual harassment have people to talk to through a flow of service that includes; survivors, helpers, advocates and therapists.
Laura noted that MSU has a sexual Assault Response Team (SART) which quickly responds to assault cases, thus providing survivor service centers across the university. These include safe spaces, Health Care programs for people with relationship problems among others.
Discussing the different ways MSU handles sexual Harassment, the Executive Director of the Prevention, Outreach and Education Department Ms. Kelly Schweda shared the three stages of; policies and investigations, Prevention Education and survivor support, that serve as a benchmark to address RVSM. MSU conducts sensitization of the RVSM policies to all new students and has a full time strong investigation system which enables fair ruling and also allows external investigators for cases involving high profile figures. She further noted that MSU has a full time prevention and education team making it easy for the sensitization to be conducted with a strong policy against retaliation, and ensures that everyone has access to information about a given case with consent from the people in charge.
Ms. Schweda also noted that MSU offers free training to people who are interested in understanding and navigating the policy of Relation Violence and Sexual Misconduct.
The Chief Guest, Prof. Julius Kikooma, Deputy Director Directorate of Research and Graduate Training at Makerere University appreciated GMD for opening up safe spaces for men to come out and share their challenges and fears on Sexual and Gender Based Violence and other gender-related issues. He noted this has fostered peer learning on ways of ending Sexual Gender Based Violence and Sexual Harassment in University.
Prof. Kikooma admitted that Makerere University still faces challenges on the question of masculinity and requested the Directorate to conduct trainings on the same. He called upon fellow staff members to proactively participate in the sensitization of the university students and staff on the Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment.
“There is a big challenge with toxic masculinity, not only within but also outside the university. One of the things that needs to be done is to conduct sessions that entirely interrogate toxic masculinity.” He echoed.
Prof. Kikooma who is also a member of the Makerere University Men’s hub called upon fellow men to learn how to work and support women, noting that everyone is important in the functioning of the university. He decried the act of labelling men as perpetrators all the time, and advocated for both genders work towards creating an environment that is conducive for work and academic excellence.
“When women are not okay, men are also not okay and therefore we need each other. Let’s end the act of blaming men for being the wrong doers all the time and try to adopt measures to create a good working environment for both genders.” Prof. Kikoma said.
The symposium was moderated by the Programs Manager at Michigan Fellows Africa Initiative (MFAI) Ms. Dorcus Asiimwe.
Business & Management
PIM Centre Holds 9th Steering Committee Meeting, Set to Benefit from World Bank Support
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University today, October 10th, 2025, held its 9th Steering Committee Meeting to review progress made in the first quarter of the financial year and plan for the months ahead.
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Getrude Basiima, who represented Mr. Hannington Ashaba, Director Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Ms. Basiima commended the Centre for its continued commitment to strengthening public investment management capacity across government institutions.
In her remarks, Ms. Basiima applauded the Centre for successfully hosting the Public Investment Management Conference held in August at Makerere University. The conference attracted key policymakers, development partners, and academics who deliberated on how to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and impact of public investments in Uganda.
She further shared exciting news that the Government of Uganda has secured funding from the World Bank to support the public investment management function. The PIM Centre, she announced, will be among the key beneficiaries of these funds — receiving support for the construction and acquisition of a permanent home to enhance its institutional sustainability and training capacity.
Reviewing the Centre’s quarterly performance, Ms. Basiima congratulated the team for successfully conducting three specialized trainings in the first quarter, reaching officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. These trainings continue to strengthen the technical competencies required for effective project preparation, appraisal, and implementation in line with Uganda’s National Development Plan.
She encouraged the Centre to integrate climate change considerations into its future training programmes, noting that sustainable public investment must now account for environmental resilience and climate adaptation.
The centre team presented the proposed structure/ organogram, the financial performance of 2024/2025, research areas for 2025/2026 and the strategic plan for 2025 – 2030.
The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the PIM Centre’s vision of becoming a regional leader in building capacity for efficient, transparent, and sustainable public investment management.
A significant development unfolded at Makerere University during a strategic, hour-long meeting in the vice chancellor’s boardroom on 7th October 2025, marking a deepening bond with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The primary goal was to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program. Prof. Sarah Saali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, set the tone by emphasizing that institutional partnerships are crucial to Makerere University, which she proudly called the leading research and most collaborative university in the world.
The discussion promptly formed the core structure of the program: a four-year PhD (or three if the master’s was research-based), with supervision duties split 50-50% between the two institutions. A key feature is the mobility requirement, stipulating that PhD candidates would spend a total of six months in the Netherlands, potentially divided into two three-month periods. Crucially, the University of Groningen confirmed there would be no teaching requirement during this stay, allowing students full access to focus on their research. A major financial hurdle was overcome with the adoption of a fee-waiver policy; Makerere would waive tuition for incoming Groningen candidates, and Groningen would reciprocate for Makerere‘s students, significantly boosting the program’s financial viability.
However, the critical issue of the stipend remained. Dr. Anita Veltmaat explained that to meet the required living standard of approximately €1,875 per month in Groningen, the incoming candidate must secure a partial external scholarship of around €250 per month. The positive news is that if the candidate secures this minimum scholarship, the University of Groningen is prepared to top up the amount to the full living standard for the six months the student spends in the Netherlands. It was noted that this initial financial hurdle might be simplified for Makerere students, as many are already staff members receiving a salary, which could help cover the required €250.
The path forward was clear: it was to complete the agreement template guided by the setup committee from both institutions. The plan culminated in scheduling an online follow-up meeting for Tuesday, November 11th, to review the first revision of the agreement, capping a highly constructive discussion that solidified the two universities’ shared future in graduate education.
Makerere University was represented by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics Affairs; Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Head of the Department of Gender Studies; Dr. Patricia Ndugga, School of Statistics; Dr. Stella Achen and Dr. Joseph Watuleke, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning; Agatha Ainemukama, School of Engineering; Racheal Nuwagaba, School of Psychology; Awel Uwihanganye, Martine Rugamba, and Hawa Ndagire from the Advancement Office; and Muhammad Kiggundu from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.
The University of Groningen was represented by Dr. Dinie Bouwman, Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalization and Quality Assurance; Dr. Anita Veltmaat, Faculty of Social Behavior and Social Sciences, Department of International Studies, involved in mentorship programs for women; and Dr. Alette Arendshorst, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, working on graduation/collaboration for students/staff.
Makerere University on Tuesday, 7th October 2025 hosted a delegation from Nelson Mandela University (NMU), South Africa in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom in a bid to strengthen academic partnerships and operationalize their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The delegation, led by Prof. Azwinndini Muronga, Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, NMU, aimed to turn earlier agreements into actionable collaborations and build sustainable partnerships with various colleges.
The Acting (Ag.) Deputy Vice Chancellor; Finance and Administration, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, provided an overview of the institution’s structure—nine colleges, two schools, and two institutes—while acknowledging the challenges of maintaining excellence amid resource limitations and post-pandemic recovery. He emphasized that collaboration must serve the broader goal of research-driven development, calling for teamwork and resilience among African universities. “We have to work together to sustain high academic standards and contribute to the continent’s progress,” he noted.
Prof. Muronga spoke passionately about the NMU’s “African footprint agenda.” He urged both institutions to start with small, practical projects that can build confidence and momentum for larger initiatives. “We must grow partnerships within Africa first,” he stated, “before we expand globally. True collaboration begins when both sides contribute equally, share capacity, and build self-reliance.”
Prof. Muronga also expressed interest in joint research projects, doctoral supervision, and shared grant applications, noting that NMU and Makerere are strategically positioned to lead regional academic innovation.
In her remarks, Prof. Judy Peter, Senior Director in the International Office at NMU emphasized the University’s commitment to African-centered collaboration and the importance of internationalizing the curriculum and expanding research capacity.
Prof. Peter underscored the importance of student mobility, joint supervision of postgraduate students, and the recruitment of talented African scholars, noting that such exchanges enrich both institutions’ academic communities. She also emphasized the need to internationalize the curriculum, particularly through virtual learning platforms and co-teaching models, to ensure broader accessibility and shared expertise.
Contributions also came from Prof. James Wokadala, Deputy Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), further amplified the need to “start small and build on existing collaborations.” He proposed developing a clear roadmap that defines short-term goals and identifies areas for mutual growth.
From the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Richard Idro, the Deputy Principal highlighted opportunities for fellowship, training and collaboration in clinical subjects, emphasizing the need for practical exchanges that benefit students and staff alike. He also addressed logistical challenges such as transportation and coordination, urging for targeted partnerships that can yield tangible results.
The meeting reaffirmed the universities’ commitment to collaboration in areas including faculty exchange for guest lectures, seminars, and sabbaticals; joint research and grant applications for regional and international funding; co-supervision of postgraduate students; virtual classroom exchanges; curriculum internationalization and exchange of academic materials; and capacity development for academic and administrative staff.
The teams also identified “quick-win” projects that could be implemented in the short term and agreed to establish a joint implementation team to monitor progress. Further discussions will explore funding mechanisms, including the possibility of leveraging programs like Erasmus+, to support student exchange and joint research initiatives.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Muronga reaffirmed Nelson Mandela University’s commitment to ensuring that the partnership yields visible outcomes. Both universities agreed that future engagements will be structured around mutual respect, accountability, and measurable results.
The meeting concluded on a note of optimism, with both institutions expressing confidence that their partnership will not only advance academic excellence but also contribute to Africa’s broader vision of educational and research self-reliance.
The meeting was attended by several officials from Makerere including; Prof. Eric Awich Ochen-Deputy Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze-Deputy Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Prof. Godfrey Akileng-Dean School of Business, Dr. Geoffrey Nuwagaba-CoBAMS, Mr. Martine Rugamba-Ag. Chief Advancement Office, and Ms. Hawa Kajumba-Advancement Office.
-
General1 week agoADVERT: Mature Age Entry Scheme Examinations – 2026/2027
-
General1 week agoDFCU Bank Uganda Supports the Mastercard Foundation Scholars’ Giveback Initiatives
-
General4 days agoVice Chancellor Updates Media on DVC AA Appointment, Acquisitions, Research & Various Issues
-
Computing & IS5 days agoICT Bootcamp for Vacists (P7, S4 & S6), Students & Professionals
-
General1 week agoMakerere University and Goucher College Explore Strategic Collaboration