General
Mak, MSU and MFAI Partner to Addressing Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM)
By Rachael P. Kanyi
Makerere University Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (MakGMD), Michigan States University (MSU) and Michigan Fellows Africa Initiative (MFAI), held capacity building trainings for lecturers and students on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM). The two days’ symposium was held from 10th -11th October 2024 at the Makerere University Telepresence Center-Senate Building. Participants across different Colleges including lecturers, senior staff members and students were joined by experts from MSU and civil society organizations at Makerere University.
The keynote speaker who is the Cultural Affairs Officer at the US Mission in Uganda, Amy Petersen commended Mak Gender Mainstreaming Directorate for its great work in fighting against sexual harassment. Amy noted that Mak GMD has on several occasions contacted the U.S Embassy to support the Annual International 16 days of Activism with the goal of enhancing safe learning environments. She mentioned that the embassy has always supported higher institutions leading to a good relationship between the two parties.
She noted that sexual relationship violence is one of the biggest challenges hindering girls from meeting their goals. Amy advocated for more efforts in addressing sexual harassment not only at Makerere University, but also beyond the university pointing to Gender Based Violence (GBV) contribution to the spread of HIV/AIDs in Uganda.
Reiterating the impact of sexual harassment, the Guest of Honor Prof. Sylvia Tamale, a distinguished scholar and human rights defender called upon the Mak GMD to ensure that the sexual harassment policy is implemented. She emphasized the need to revisit the interpretation of the policies against GBV citing instances where the policy may be exploited by perpetrators to commit abuses outside the confines of the university.
“We have the policy and laws on sexual harassment, but we haven’t made them touch the root cause of sexual harassment. Many people haven’t felt its impacts and that’s why most perpetrators tend to intimidate the victims and go away with it. We need to implement every part of this policy and, have these laws enforced,” she said.
Prof. Tamale further disclosed that men too are violated, but the rate of women violation is overwhelming, a sign that women need more protection and education against sexual harassment and Gender Based Violence (GBV). She noted that the root causes of such injustices are anchored in colonial histories, patriarchy and sexuality.
Addressing the participants, the Director Mak Gender Mainstreaming Directorate Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine, pointed out that the Directorate has since 2019 handled many cases. She observed that majority of the cases are not reported because the victims fear to be victimized and stigmatized and some are intimidated by the perpetrators. She called upon all university staff and students who face sexual harassment to reach out and file complaints in those cases.
“Since 2019, the Directorate has registered a number of cases and action has been taken. However, some victims of sexual harassment fear to open up and file cases against the perpetrators for fear of being victimized and being intimidated by the perpetrators. So they keep it to themselves and some give up on the cases, while some victims leave the university and join other universities to continue with their studies,” said Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine.
She revealed that the Directorate’s desires to shift the institution from being a reactive to proactive institution when addressing issues of Gender Based Violence. Dr Mugisha Baine called upon staff and students to join the Directorate to campaign for a zero tolerance to sexual harassment culture in the university.
The Director GMD revealed that the directorate has a lot of programs to implement, but it lacks enough resources such as technical human resource and funds. She appreciated Michigan State University for offering the Directorate an opportunity to learn and engage with initiatives from a different context. She emphasized that the Directorate looks forward to implementing some of the knowledge it has acquired.
The Co- founder of Michigan Fellows Africa Initiative (MFAI) Raymond Musiima noted that partners are purposeful in addressing the persistent challenge of Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM) within higher education institutions to enhance campus safety, increase support for RVSM victims and survivors through response to developing RVSM cases.
Musiima who is also a student at Michigan State University thanked the Mak Gender Mainstreaming Directorate for its efforts in fighting against sexual harassment in Makerere University pledging partnership continuity with MFAI.
Addressing the policy and regulations against sexual harassment, the Executive Director of the Prevention, Outreach and Education (POE) Department under the office of Civil Rights at MSU Kelly Schweda explained that sexual harassment conduct has the purpose or effects of unreasonably interfering with individual’s work or academic performance by creating an intimidating, threatening and hostile offensive working or learning environment.
When sharing the global impacts of gender based violence among men and women, Kelly highlighted that 1 out of 3 women worldwide have experienced gender based-violence and 1 of 10 men experience an instance of GBV during their lifetime necessitating a proactive response when handling the cases. She reminded the participants on the need for each and everyone’s intervention, and tipped the participants on the 5 steps of intervention.
Kelly acknowledged the challenge of power and authority where the perpetrator is in high position and takes that as an advantage over the victim and tipped participants on how to handle the situation and the reporting mechanism through use of the 5Ds cautioning them to be mindful of their body language as it speaks volume of what they intended to communicate.
Presenting about the health and unhealthy relationships, the Director for Employee and Graduate Students Programs within the Prevention, Outreach and Education department Mr. Michael Allensworth advised students to avoid toxic relationships. He tipped them on identifying and distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
He elaborated on the importance of having boundaries such as time, physical, emotional, conversational, social among other boundaries guiding that its one way to help them keep safe in the university spaces. He stressed to the participants the power of their consent in everything advising them on how to make restrained consents to avoid making wrong decisions.
The workshop was moderated by the Programs Manager Michigan Fellows Africa Initiative Dorcus Asiimwe who reminded the participants that they have a key role to play in ending the sexual violence in their communities.
Today, Monday 18th May 2026, most students will begin their End of Semester Two Examinations, and they have been encouraged to remain confident and calm during the examination season.
Data from the University Counselling and Guidance Centre shows that even the best-prepared students experience anxiety, pressure, fear of failure, sleep difficulties and emotional exhaustion during examinations.
Addressing students during a pre-examination mental health workshop organised by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University on 15th May 2026, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Academic Registrar, reminded students that their mental health is far more important than any grade.
“This workshop comes at the right time. I encourage all students to understand that your worth is not defined by a single examination or grade. Examinations are only one part of your educational journey. What matters equally is your ability to remain healthy, focused, ethical and hopeful throughout the process,” Prof Buyinza, said.
Prof. Buyinza shared practical tips to help students avoid fatigue and excessive stress during this period.
“Prepare a realistic reading timetable and avoid last-minute cramming. Take short breaks while studying to allow your mind to recover and improve concentration. Get adequate sleep and avoid excessive consumption of caffeine and energy drinks,” he noted.
During the session, he also encouraged students to engage in light physical activity, stretching or short walks to refresh their minds and reduce tension.
“Maintain a positive mindset and avoid comparing yourself excessively with others. Stay connected with supportive friends, family members, mentors or counsellors whenever you feel overwhelmed,” Prof. Buyinza advised.
He reaffirmed the University’s commitment to supporting students not only academically, but also in their mental and psychosocial wellbeing, encouraging learners to seek help from counsellors, lecturers, mentors, peers, family members and available support systems whenever necessary.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Prossy Nakayiki, the Deputy Academic Registrar in charge of Examinations and Transcripts warned students against examination malpractice and urged them to uphold academic integrity.
“Anxiety should never push anyone into examination malpractice, do not enter an examination room with a smart watch, phone or any hidden paper commonly known as bullets. Preparation, honesty, rest and self-belief remain the best approaches to success,” Ms. Nakayiki, said.
She also advised students who had not yet printed their examination cards to do so early, noting that delays at the last minute could cause unnecessary panic and disorganisation.
In her presentation about the reality of examination stress and coping strategies, Connie Evelyn Kharono, a Counselling Psychologist at the Counselling and Guidance Center, called upon students to adopt the 5, 4,3,2,1 Ground technique before an exam or intense study session.
The 5, 4,3,2,1 ground technique, is one of the easiest mindfulness strategies designed for managing stress and anxiety, as it can be done almost anywhere and at any time. You name 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell and 1 you can taste.
She advised students to focus on what they can control.
“You can control your study schedule, your sleep and how kindly you speak yourself. You cannot control the exact questions that will be on the paper, so channel your energy only into the preparations you can influence,” Ms Kharono, said.
Ms Kharono encouraged students to maintain a regular sleep schedule and ensure that they are eating balanced meals and staying hydrated.
Ms Christine Nimusiima, a senior Psycho-Social Officer at the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, called upon the students to practise positive self-talk and maintain a healthy mindset.
“During this examination season, avoid comparing your revision progress or predicted grades with your peers. Your only competition is who you were yesterday. Take a deep breath, trust in the work you have done and remember that you have the resilience to succeed. Best of luck with your preparations,” Ms. Nimusiima said.
By Dr. Racheal Ddungu Mugabi
The Alliance for African Partnership, Africa Office, today received a delegation from the University of Bergen (UiB)’s Division of Research and Innovation. The visiting team comprised Kristin Svartveit, Vivil Valvik Haraldsen, and Emmanuel Ovon Babatunde.
The delegation was officially introduced by Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza, Head, Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU), together with Dr. Ronald Semyalo (Makerere University coordinator for UiB)
The visit aimed to strengthen institutional collaboration and promote research excellence through international partnerships. The key objectives of the meeting included:
- UiB team sharing information and experiences on enhancing success in EU grant acquisition and management.
- UiB application support process for Postdoc fellowships at Bergen up to a period of 2 years
- AAP Africa Office providing insights into the AAP consortium programs and activities in order to foster collaboration between the AAP consortium and UiB.
The engagement provided an important platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and exploring opportunities for future collaborative research initiatives between Makerere University, the AAP consortium, and the University of Bergen.
The Author is the Director of the AAP Africa Office
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