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Press Release: Hon. Janet Museveni to Officially Open SoL, Lumumba and Lay Foundation Stone for SGS Building

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HON. JANET KATAAHA MUSEVENI TO OFFICIALLY OPEN THE SCHOOL OF LAW NEW BUILDING, THE RENOVATED LUMUMBA HALL, AND LAY THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES BUILDING, 18TH DECEMBER 2024, 2:00P.M.

In line with her bid to improve the quality of education and student life, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni toured Makerere University on 29th January 2021 to gain first-hand information and experience on the state of teaching and learning facilities, student halls of residence including Lumumba Hall, Mary Stuart Hall, and Africa Hall and other critical infrastructure.

After the visit, The Minister of Education and Sports presented a paper to the Cabinet and rallied the Government of Uganda and the Parliament of Uganda to prioritize the renovation of student halls of residence at Makerere University. 

Consequently, the infrastructural development plan, which is being implemented in a phased approach, has yielded positive results, with some of the construction and renovation works completed to-date.

Official Opening of the School of Law new building and the renovated Lumumba Hall:

On Wednesday 18th December 2024, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports is scheduled to officially open the new building for School of Law and the renovated Lumumba Hall, both generously funded by the Government of Uganda. Hon. Janet Museveni is expected to arrive at Makerere University at 2:00pm.

School of Law new building: We are delighted that Hon. Janet Museveni who officially laid the Foundation Stone on 17th May 2022 is returning to the Main Campus on 18th December 2024, to officially open the completed School of Law building. The construction works funded by the Government of Uganda to the tune of UGX 7.3 billion, have led to a magnificent three storeyed building, housing Lecture, tutorial and seminar rooms, a library, a moot court, offices, cafeteria, lactation room and other teaching and learning spaces. The works were undertaken by M/S CK Associates as the Contractor and Symbion as the Consultants.

Lumumba Hall:  On 27th June 2023, the renovation works commenced, with the site being handed over to the Contractor-National Enterprise Corporation (NEC). The Government of Uganda funded the renovation work to the tune of UGX 9billion. The renovation works involved an overhaul aimed at restoring Lumumba Hall to its original beauty. It is important to note that Lumumba Hall has capacity to accommodate about 725 students.

“Lumumba Hall, which was built in the 1960s and officially opened in 1971 was the biggest Hall of Residence, but there had been no major renovation since the time it was constructed,” explained the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe while handing over the site to the Contractor on 27th June 2023.

Subsequently, on 26th July 2024, the Contractor (NEC) handed over the renovated Lumumba Hall to the Vice Chancellor.  “Lumumba Hall has been restored. I thank NEC for the quality of work and high level of professionalism in the execution of the entire project,” said Prof. Nawangwe.

Mary Stuart Hall: In line with the schedule following the Government of Uganda’s commitment to funding the renovation of student halls of residence at Makerere University, on completion of the renovation works at Lumumba Hall, the Contractor-NEC, proceeded to Mary Stuart Hall. The Government of Uganda is funding the renovation of Mary Stuart Hall to the tune of UGX 10.5billion. The renovation works, which commenced on 31st May 2024 are on course.

Laying of the Foundation Stone for the proposed School of Graduate Studies building

Makerere University Strategic Plan highlights the transformation of the University into a research-led institution. This strategic direction re-affirms the commitment to graduate training as well as providing facilities and support services for graduate training.

To walk the talk, the University had to shift from the existing fragmented spaces for the graduate students for instance in the Main Library, Senate Building and in some Colleges, to finding a centralized home for graduate students, graduate training and support services.

We are pleased to report that through the advocacy and leadership of the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, today, 18th December 2024, we are scheduled to witness the Laying of the Foundation Stone for the School of Graduate Studies building.

This building is a donation (in-kind) from the late Hasmukh Patel, who was an industrialist and Chairman of Tororo Cement. The Minister of Education and Sports and the University leadership held several strategic meetings regarding this donation with Mr. Hasmukh Patel before he passed away on 29th August 2024 after a short illness.

The family of the late Hasmukh Patel and Tororo Cement are implementing his wishes to construct the building that will house the School of Graduate Studies at Makerere University.  May the good Lord continue to grant Patel’s soul eternal rest as his legacy lives on through the School of Graduate Studies building.

For details, please contact:  Ms Ritah Namisango, Principal Public Relations Officer, Makerere University, on Email: pro@mak.ac.ug, and telephone number: +256 702944224.

Mak Editor

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Mature Age Scheme Exam Results for 2025/2026

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The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released full results for the Mature Age Entry Scheme Examinations for the Academic Year 2025/2026 held on Saturday 14th December, 2024.

The Candidates who scored a final mark of 50% and above passed the examination and have been recommended by the Pre-Entry & Mature Age Committee to the University’s Admissions Board for Consideration.

The Aptitude Exam  Results for 2025/2026 Academic Year released in February 2025 can be found here.

Mak Editor

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Directorate of Graduate Training Completes Training of First Cohort Training of Supervisors

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By Moses Lutaaya

The Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) has in collaboration with Centre for Teaching and Learning completed the training of the first cohort of Graduate Supervisors.

Participants were academic staff from two colleges namely, College of Engineering, Art and Design (CEDAT) and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).

The three-day training that took place at the Telepresence Centre, Senate Building ended on Friday 20thJune 2025.

In his closing remarks to the participants, the Director of Graduate Training Prof. Julius Kikooma said, “This is the first cohort we are working together with the Center for Teaching and Learning to put together continuous professional development Program so that we are able to enforce the new teaching and learning policy.”

He said that before lecturers are allocated students for supervision, they must first go through this form of formal teaching and learning training to equip them thoroughly with certification required of supervision of graduate students.

“We are coming up with process to ensure that the certificates earned by participants allow you to supervise graduate students. This is the direction of the university and we must ensure that such trainings are concluded and completed successfully by all participants”, Prof. Kikooma.

Prof. Julius Kikooma – Director of Graduate Training

“We can only have you certified upon completing all the exercises in the training process. This is when you will be eligible to receive the work load for supervision”, He added.

“This training of Supervisors is going to be continuous so that all academic staff in colleges and schools are equipped. This first cohort is going to be our building block to the future trainings in the colleges.”

With such capacity building trainings, Prof. Kikooma said that the university is on the right path to achieving its targets in the new strategic plan of increasing the number of graduate students while progressively reducing the under graduate students.

He further hinted that, “We are in the process of writing a curriculum on this, which will be presented for approval before it is rolled out.”

He echoed all participants to share the knowledge they have acquired adding, “Share all you have learnt, do not keep it. Be open minded, have proper communication channels and the sky will be the limit for you.” 

Dr. Robinah N. Kulabako, The Head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at CEDAT welcomed the training adding, “This training is very pertinent. I have had the opportunity to supervise Masters and PhD students for over 15 years and I must say that the need to be subjected to this training cannot be over emphasized because there is need to learn, unlearn and relearn many aspects involved in the supervision process.”

She added, “We are moving towards knowledge-based supervision rather than experience-based supervision. This means we must be informed and equipped to be able to advise, guide and mentor to be able to lead a successful supervision journey for both supervisor and supervisee.”

Dr. Andrew Gilbert Were – a lecturer at CEDAT and a participant said, “It is important that all supervisors of graduate students receive this certification from Makerere University through a systematic training process that enables them to attain diverse skills to facilitate learning of graduate students from diverse cultures and with unique set of circumstances.”

“This training is long overdue. In fact, it was an oversight that we could be allowed to supervise students without undergoing supervisors’ training.”

Dr. Dorothy Ssebowa, The Director Centre for Teaching and Learning support- CEES said, “The training this time round has had a mix of early career professionals including Lecturers, Supervisors and Professors share experiences. We have learnt a lot more from experienced supervisors who have shared practices on how they have done supervision over the years.”

“The knowledge and experience-based approaches have made this collaboration very active, interactive and learner centered which has resulted into a collaborative learning from the interdisciplinarity of staff from CEDAT and CAES. The issue now is to continue with professional development across all levels.” She added.

The Makerere University Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) in collaboration with the Centre for Teaching and Learning completed the training of the first cohort of Graduate Supervisors. This activity was supported by the iCARTA – Institutionalization of Advanced Research Training in Africa, a NORHED II Project at Makerere University.

Mak Editor

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CEDAT’s Department of Architecture to Undergo Major Studio Refurbishment with Industry Support

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R-L: Arch. Kenneth Ssemwogerere (Head of Department, Architecture), Dr. Kizito Maria Kasule (Deputy Principal, CEDAT), and Mr. Kayongo Daniel (Plascon Uganda National Sales Manager) during the official handover of a donation at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Makerere University, on Tuesday, 25th June 2025.

The Department of Architecture at Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT) is set to begin a significant refurbishment of its design studios starting 1st July 2025. This initiative marks a pivotal step in enhancing the learning environment for architecture students and fostering innovation in design education.

The refurbishment project has received a significant boost from Kansai Placon Uganda Limited, which donated UGX 15 million worth of paint to support the transformation. This contribution highlights the growing partnership between academia and industry in shaping the future of architectural education in Uganda.

Click here for details

Alex Isemaghendera

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