Makerere University with deep sorrow received the news of the passing of one of its staff members, Mr. Besweri Wandera, on 19th July 2025. At the time of his death, Mr. Wandera was serving as an Assistant Lecturer at the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS). Affectionately known as “Bessy” by many of his colleagues, he was a devoted teacher, scholar, and researcher. He was pursuing his PhD at Kenyatta University.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe.
In his condolence message, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family, relatives, and friends. He noted that Mr. Besweri was one of the most senior members of staff in the Department of Sports Science. “A pioneer in the Bachelor of Sports Science at Makerere University, who began his academic journey as a Teaching Assistant in 2006,” he said. Prof. Nawangwe commended him for the selfless life he led, highlighting the nature of his passing. “His passing while serving as a Master of Ceremonies at a colleague’s funeral is a poignant reflection of the selfless life he led, one rooted in service to others,” he remarked. He encouraged mourners to draw strength from the words of Isaiah 41:10, which speaks of God’s presence and assurance in times of fear and trouble
The Principal CoNAS, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, who also spoke on behalf of the Makerere Multipurpose Cooperative Society where Mr. Wandera held member number 035, described his passing as a loss of a historic member of the society.
Prof. Juma Kasozi delivers the condolence message from CoNAS.
Prof. Ireeta conveyed his heartfelt condolences in a message read by the Deputy Principal CoNAS, Prof. Juma Kasozi. He praised Mr. Besweri as a dedicated academician who committed his time to teaching and research at Makerere University. “He was an active player in curriculum review and development in the department,” the Principal noted, adding that “he has been one of the most senior and core members of staff at the department.”
Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga delivers the message on behalf of CEES.
Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga, Principal of the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), where Mr. Besweri served as Head of Physical Education, also expressed his sympathies to the bereaved family. At CEES, Mr. Besweri was teaching over 450 students. “Death is so painful,” he shared, reflecting on the loss of his own father and encouraging the children of the deceased to continue trusting in God, just as their father had. He further urged attendees to prioritize regular health check-ups, revealing that Mr. Besweri succumbed to high blood pressure.
Dr. Sandra Kasoma, Acting Head with colleagues from the Department of Sports Science.
Dr. Sandra Kasoma, Acting Head of the Department of Sports Science, recalled how privileged the department felt to have welcomed Mr. Wandera back as a member of the teaching staff, describing him as both hardworking and intelligent. “Bessy allowed his students to refer to him as ‘bouncer’ as a way of creating a close relationship of love and not fear. He was not only a teacher but also a father and a counsellor to his students and he always counselled those who were going astray,” she said. Referring to 2nd Timothy 4:7, she added that “Bessy has fought a good fight, and completed his race.”
Mr. Besweri Wandera’s children pay tribute to their father.
In a condolence message from Kenyatta University, Dr. Francis M. Mwangi, Mr. Wandera’s thesis supervisor, described him as “a dedicated teacher, a scholar and researcher.” Dr. Mwangi added, “he was an amiable and generous individual whose presence enriched the academic community.”
Mr. Wandera’s Mother pays her respects as Mr. Isaac Egesa Obuli (Left) translates.
His children paid tribute to him as a generous, loving, and hardworking father. “Dad has been a perfect dad; he has loved us and provided for us. He has been a true dad,” one of his sons said. They thanked him for raising them in the fear of God and pledged to uphold his values. Mr. Wandera is survived by eight biological children.
Mr. Wandera’s widow, Everlyn Hayoko Nanyanga (in white gomesi) makes her remarks as Mr. Isaac Egesa Obuli (Right) interprets.
“I thank God that I was married to Mr. Besweri Wandera. He has been a very good husband,” said his widow, Everlyn Hayoko Nanyanga. She expressed gratitude to all mourners for their support during this difficult time.
The funeral service, held on 21st July 2025 at St. Francis Chapel, Makerere University, was led by Rev. Musa Baluku Syamutsangira. His central message emphasized faith in Jesus Christ who triumphed over death. “Though Besweri is gone, he believed in God and His son, Jesus Christ,” Rev. Baluku preached, adding, “We are comforted that Besweri will resurrect.”
Rev. Musa Baluku Syamutsangira preaches the day’s message.
Among the mourners were members of the University Management, including the Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi; the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta; the Dean of the School of Biosciences at CoNAS, Assoc. Prof. Arthur K. Tugume; the Head of the Department of Biochemistry at CoNAS, Dr. Agnes Nandutu; and Dr. Douglas Bamweyana.
Representatives from the British Council pay their respects.
Representatives from the British Council were also present to pay their last respects. The Department of Sports Science was represented by Dr. Bernadette Nakabazzi, and Dr. Sarah Kasoma.
Pallbearers lead Mr. Besweri Wandera’s casket out of St. Francis Chapel after the service.
On September 25th 2025, the Government of Uganda officially handed over to Makerere University one square mile of land in Banda Sub County, Kyankwanzi District, for the development of a veterinary, animal husbandry, and biosecurity innovations and training facility.
The land, part of Ranch 16, was allocated to the University by the President in 1989 for the establishment of demonstration and experimental modern facilities for Agricultural-related training. Hon. Sam Mayanja, the Minister of State for Lands, officially handed over the one square mile to Makerere University Chancellor Dr. Crispus Kiyonga in the presence of residents, local authorities, and representatives from the Uganda Land Commission, Land Protection Unit and the Office of the President.
An Agro-Industrial Park will be developed on the land as an extension of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). This initiative will advance the broader University strategy to decentralize and expand its academic and research infrastructure to better contribute towards achieving national development goals. With Makerere University on ground, the site is set to transform into a hub of innovations and service delivery for livestock farmers across the region, delivering academic and economic value through improved veterinary services, livestock research, job creation among other benefits.
WHAT NEXT
Eager to put the land to use, Makerere University is already taking steps to operationalize the site and execute the project in line with government directives. As the University gears up to use the land, the Uganda Land Commission will open the boundaries and process a new land title in their name with Makerere University as the designated user.
More than 35 staff from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have begun a week-long training in Essentials of Public Investment Management at Makerere University. The training, which opened on September 23, 2025, is being hosted at the Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence in the School of Economics.
The program was officially opened by Ms. Esther Ayebare, Ag. Assistant Commissioner in the Projects Analysis and Public Investment Department at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), who represented the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury. She was joined by Prof. Edward Bbaale, Director of the PIM Centre of Excellence and Principal Investigator of the project.
Ms. Esther Ayebare
In her remarks, Ms. Ayebare highlighted the government’s continued efforts to improve the quality of public investments. “This training is meant to build your capacity in Public Investment Management and equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective government project preparation,” she said. She added that the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with Makerere University’s School of Economics, established the PIM Centre of Excellence to strengthen MDAs’ ability to conceptualize, prepare, and implement projects that deliver value for money.
Prof. Bbaale welcomed participants to the training and commended MoFPED for its sustained financial and technical support to the Centre. “This training marks the beginning of your journey to becoming experts in public investment management. Over the next five days, you will gain not only theoretical knowledge but also practical experience in preparing real-world projects in sectors such as health, education, water, energy, and transport,” he said.
The training attracted over 35 participants from different MDAs. Prof. Bbaale also appreciated the trainers, who are drawn from Makerere University, the National Planning Authority, and MoFPED, for their dedication to knowledge sharing and building the next generation of experts in public investment management.
Prof. Edward Bbaale
At the end of the program, participants will be awarded a dual certificate by Makerere University and the Ministry of Finance, recognizing their successful completion of the course.
Beyond training, the PIM Centre of Excellence continues to play a central role in research, policy advisory, and outreach. Recently, it organized the second Public Investment Management Conference in August 2025, focusing on overcoming implementation barriers to strengthen fiscal sustainability.
The Centre remains committed to working with MDAs and other stakeholders to ensure that Uganda’s public investments deliver maximum value for money and contribute meaningfully to national development.
This is to call for applications from pre-final year male students of agricultural-related Bachelor’s degree programmes at Makerere University and Busitema University to participate in the Israel Agrostudies Apprenticeship programme 2025/2026.
All applicant must meet the following requirements:
Must NEVER have been to Israel under the Agrostudies Programme.
Must not have a criminal record.
Must be Ugandan Citizens who will not be older than 30 years by end September 2025.
Must submit a copy of their Ugandan National Identity as proof of citizenship and age.
Must have completed the pre-final year of their degree programme, i.e., they must have completed the second year for a three-year programme, third year for a four- year programme, and fourth year for a five-year programme.
Must have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 2.80 WITH NO MORE THAN one outstanding retake at the time of application. Submission of an up-to-date academic testimonial to this effect is a must.
Must be in good health and must be able to pass medical examination for general body and dental health, and have a Body Mass Index between 17 to 30. The applicants shall undergo tests for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, Dental, and general body check up. Proof of completion of COVID-19 vaccination is also a must.
Must be physically fit as a prerequisite to performing intensive practical farm work in Israel.
Possession of an East African Passport valid until at least the end of December 2026 will be an added advantage. Applicants should attach a copy of the datat page of the passport (i.e., the page with the photograph and details of the passport holder) as proof of possession of a passport.
Must have permission from the parent or guardian to withdraw from their degree programme for the duration of the apprenticeship programme and to re-integrate on return from Israel, in accordance with the relevant university policies and procedures.
Should be able to pay the programme fees after being pre-selected. Please note that due to increases in the costs of air tickets to Israel, medical examinations, and courier services for passports to and from Nairobi for visa processing, the programme fees for this year are expected to be higher than the $900 required for arrangements last year. The exact amount to be paid as program fees will be confirmed in due course.
Payments MUST ONLY be made into the designated Bank Account in the name of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University after confirmation of preselection by Management. Applicants are warned against making cash payments to anybody or anywhere else other than to the designated College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Bank account.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND DEADLINE
The application form can be downloaded by following this link. The filled application forms together with all the supporting documents should be scanned and sent to email: agrostudies.caes[@]mak.ac.ug.
The deadline for submission is 5.00 PM on Wednesday 1st October 1st 2025.
For further inquiries, contact the programme coordinators on the following telephone numbers: 0776-354777 / 0751-592061.
PLEASE NOTE: I. Only successful applicants will be contacted
Management reserves the right to select the most suitable applicants
Before departure to Israel successful applicants will bring their parents to the University to confirm the parental consent for the applicants to participate in the programme
Use of political or other influences at any stage in this process will result in automatic disqualification of the applicant from the selection process.
Subsequent processing of applicants will be done at the discretion of management, which is not liable for the time lost from the academic programme, or funds spent on line items during processing of applications.
Applicants who deal with any other persons other than the two designated coordinators of this programme on matters concerning the programme will do so at their own risk. Neither Makerere University nor the coordinators will be held accountable for any loss incurred by the applicants during the fraudulent process.
PRINCIPAL
College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences