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Amb. Tone Tinnes Visits Mak, Gains Insight into NORHED II Projects

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The Norwegian Ambassador to Tanzania, the Comoros, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda, H.E. Tone Tinnes visited Makerere University on 25th March 2025 and met with University Management as well as researchers under the NORHED II projects. Amb. Tinnes visit begun with a courtesy call, where he was received upon arrival by Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi before interacting with the delegation from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) and NORHED II researchers.

The Norad team included: Tor-Øyvind Rand, Senior Adviser, Education and Research; Solbjørg Sjøveian, Policy Director – Higher Education and Research; Thomas Poulsen, Assistant Director and Chief of Education, Higher Education and Research; Tone Margrethe Utvik, Senior Advisor, Grant Management Systems; and Karstein Haarberg, Senior Advisor, Internal Audit and Investigation Unit. Also present were staff from the Norwegian Embassy in Dar es Salaam.

NORHED is Mutually Beneficial

H.E. Tone Tinnes thanked the leadership and staff of Makerere University for a warm welcome and reiterated her Government’s commitment to continue supporting energy for development and gender equality for development programmes in partnership with the relevant Ugandan Ministries.

Amb. Tinnes added that NORHED is a very important programme in the collaboration between Uganda and Norway, not only because Uganda is the largest participant but also because of the programme’s longstanding nature and mutual benefit.

H.E. Tone Tinnes signs the Vice Chancellor's Visitors' Book during the courtesy call. The Norwegian Ambassador to Tanzania, the Comoros, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda, H.E. Tone Tinnes visits Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa on 25th March 2025, meets University Management, researchers under the NORHED II projects.
H.E. Tone Tinnes signs the Vice Chancellor’s Visitors’ Book during the courtesy call.

“It is not only beneficial to Uganda and Makerere University but it is also beneficial to Norway and Universities that take part from the Norwegian side” underlined Amb. Tinnes, who also lauded NORHED II’s South-South collaborations as very important.

Norway’s Impact at Mak

Prof. Buyinza in his welcome address thanked Amb. Tinnes for visiting Makerere to appraise the collaboration with Norwegian institutions which dates back to the 1960s.

Makerere has benefited enormously from the generosity of the Government and people of Norway. You find a footprint of the Government of Norway in Makerere in many respects; in terms infrastructure, professional skills development, and technical assistance,” narrated Prof. Buyinza.

He also acknowledged gains of the specific Norwegian Programme for Capacity Building in Higher Education and Research for Development – NORHED I (2013-2019) and its successor NORHED II (2021-2026) upon which the visit was based. Uganda is the biggest partner in the NORHED II programme with twenty-one (21) out of the sixty (60) total projects, of which nineteen (19) are being implemented at Makerere University.

“Your Excellency, Makerere is old in age but we are a learning institution. We want to expand our collaboration network and consolidate our huge gains with institutions in Norway, and some of them like the University of Bergen have got a cooperation desk here” Prof. Buyinza committed.

On the future outlook, Prof. Buyinza explained Makerere’s working model of mentoring other universities in Uganda, “we are the oldest university in the region and therefore we have a duty to support upcoming public universities to build their research infrastructure.”

The Role of HEIs

Speaking on behalf of Norad, Thomas Poulsen reiterated that Norway’s support to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) is based on the acknowledgement that they are essential partners of sustainable development and societal change. He nevertheless outlined significant disparities that still exist between the North and sub-Saharan Africa such as gross national enrolment ratios (75% vs. 8%) and women’s participation.

H.E. Tone Tinnes (2nd Left) addresses Management and Researchers as Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi (Right) and other officials listen. The Norwegian Ambassador to Tanzania, the Comoros, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda, H.E. Tone Tinnes visits Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa on 25th March 2025, meets University Management, researchers under the NORHED II projects.
H.E. Tone Tinnes (2nd Left) addresses Management and Researchers as Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi (Right) and other officials listen.

“In Norway, women were the majority in Higher Education Institutions in 1988. So Norway’s wealth is not built on oil and gas and fish and energy but it’s built on very early inclusion of females into Higher Education” shared Poulsen.

In this regard, he said that efforts to foster inclusive higher education should focus on underrepresented groups, diverse curricula, academic freedom, and equitable government sub-structures.

“Uganda is Norway’s largest Higher Education partner, with Makerere University boasting nineteen out of twenty-one projects. Makerere is a key partner, demonstrating strong institutional commitment to education and research. As Uganda’s oldest and largest University, and I am proud to say that I am an alumni myself, Makerere plays a vital role in mentoring institutions across the region” added Thomas Poulsen.

NORHED II Projects

Following the remarks, Amb. Tinnes and Norad officials received presentations from some the nineteen (19) projects the University is taking part in. Makerere was listed most in Sub-programme: 3. Climate Change and Natural Resources (6 projects), followed by Sub-programme: 5. Humanities and Social Sciences (5 projects), Sub-programme: 1. Education and Teacher Training (4 projects) as well as Sub-programme 2. Health and Sub-programme: 6. Energy with two projects apiece. Please click the link below to view the detailed list of projects.

https://news.mak.ac.ug/2021/09/mak-listed-in-19-of-60-projects-to-be-funded-under-norhed-ii/

Mark Wamai

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End of Semester Memo for Academic Year 2024/2025

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Africa, one of three On-Campus Halls of Residence for ladies, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

All Resident Students

1. Congratulatory Message

On behalf of Makerere University Management, I congratulate and thank you for the successful completion of Semester Two: 2024/2025.

2.End of the Second Semester

The second Semester holiday break will begin on 17th May, 2025 up to Saturday 9th August, 2025.

3. Resident Students

All resident students are expected to vacate the Halls of Residence by mid-day on Saturday, 17th May, 2025.

4. University Property

Please hand over all University property in your possession (such as: room keys, Sports & Games equipment, College property etc) before you leave the Hall of Residence.

5. Security of personal property

Please make sure that you carry with you all your property.

Dean of Students
Makerere University

Mark Wamai

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Inter-college Debate 2025 Seeks to Nurture Confident, Articulate, and Visionary Leaders

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Winners of the Inter-college debates Daphine Kemigisha and Jibiril Ssekandi (School of Law) pose for a photo with debaters and the GRCs of the Debate Union. Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. The tournament was held in three preliminary rounds, followed by semi-finals and a grand finale.

The first round covered democracy and youth participation in politics, while the second round covered inequality and wealth distribution, and the third, the ban on export of raw materials. The semi-final round debated apprenticeship for blue-collar jobs, while the grand finale debated national budget allocations for healthcare and education. In the spirit of inclusivity, all colleges, including the Jinja Campus participated in the tournament.

One of the preliminary rounds in session at Lumumba Hall. Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
One of the preliminary rounds in session at Lumumba Hall.

Commenting on the choice of topics, the organisers noted Makerere University as a bastion of academic excellence has a profound responsibility to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of our nation. These leaders, they added, ought to be equipped with 21st century skills of self-expression, critical thinking, and problem-solving so as to navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving world.

On the whole, Makerere Inter-college Debates were conceived as a strategic initiative to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and innovation. The Debating Union aims to empower the future leaders by providing a platform for students to engage in respectful discourse, articulate their thoughts, as well as develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Daphine Kemigisha submitting at the debate grand finale. Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Daphine Kemigisha submitting at the debate grand finale.

Furthermore, the Debates serve as a platform for not only honing the intellectual prowess of students but also cultivating leadership skills, teamwork, and communication abilities that are essential for success in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It is envisaged that this initiative will have a lasting impact on the lives of students, by exposing them to debates on topical issues that can shape the mindsets of transformative leaders our nation needs.

After a thrilling two days of debate, Daphine Kemigisha and Jibril Ssekandi from the School of Law (SoL) emerged as winners of the Makerere University Inter-college Debate Tournament 2025, while Olara Emmanuel George from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) was the Public Speech Champion, and Namujuzi Martha Mociita from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) was the Poetry Champion.

Debate Winners; Daphine Kemigisha (Right) and Jibril Sekandi (Left) from the School of Law (SoL). Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Debate Winners; Daphine Kemigisha (Right) and Jibril Sekandi (Left) from the School of Law (SoL).

The 2025 Tournament was organized by Mayanja Owen and Nkalubo Oprah – 91st Guild Representative Councils (GRCs) of the Debate Union, Akatwijuka Arthur – Chairperson Debate Union, and Debate Union Representatives from colleges. The Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF) partnered with the Debate Union to deliver the 2025 edition.

Addressing students at the award ceremony, UNNGOF’s Mr. Derrick Baluuku encouraged the youth to step out of their comfort zones and think of solutions to inspire change in their communities.

Mak Editor

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Accommodation during the Recess Term: 2024/2025

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A section of the renovated Lumumba Hall. Date taken: 26th July 2024. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

All Students
Makerere University

This is to inform you that the Recess Term for this Academic Year 2024/2025 will commence from 17th May to 26th July, 2025 and the following accommodation arrangements have been made for you.

  1. Male students from Livingstone Hall shall be accommodated at Mitchell Hall, while students from Nkrumah and Nsibirwa Halls of Residence shall be accommodated at University Hall.
  2. Female students shall be accommodated at Lumumba Hall.
  3. Students from the College of Health Sciences who were allocated accommodation space for the Academic Year 2025/2026 at Galloway House are expected to take it up at the
    start of recess while those from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences with recess at Kabanyolo Agricultural site shall be accommodated at Kabanyolo Hostel.
  4. Private students who would like to reside in Halls of Residence are required to pay a fee
    of UGX176,500/=(one hundred seventy six thousand, five hundred shillings only) using a PRN to the bank for the ten-week duration upon confirming availability of space for accommodation.

By copy of this letter, all Wardens are requested to make the necessary arrangements to ensure a smooth transition.

Rodney Rugyema (PhD)
AG. DEAN OF STUDENTS

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