Veterinary & Biosecurity
The New Cohort at CoVAB Urged to Prioritize Academic Progress and Innovation as they got oriented into the Covabian Family
The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB) at Makerere University held an orientation to welcome its incoming undergraduate students. The event, held in the Media Room, Thursday, 7th August 2025, also served as a platform to promote leadership, innovation, and academic excellence.
The Principal of the college, Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, stressed to the new undergraduate students the importance of having a clear life plan and pursuing it with unwavering dedication. He noted that whether their journey lasts three or five years, success depends on their full commitment. Prof. Mwiine urged students to work together, support each other, and stay focused on both their academic and personal goals. “I stand before you not just as your Principal, but as your brother and your friend,” he said. “I’m here to walk this journey with you, and I pray that you understand the value of embracing your purpose.”
Prof. Mwiine emphasized that university life demands discipline, focus, and responsibility. He urged students to familiarize themselves with key institutional policies, citing the example of the Safeguarding Policy and the Fees Policy, both available on the university website. “We were once young like you,” he said, “and we hope that you remain with us until you successfully graduate.” Acknowledging their new independence, Prof. Mwiine reminded students that while they may be out of sight of their parents and guardians, the university now takes on the parental role. “We take responsibility for disciplined students,” he noted, encouraging them to live responsibly and support one another as brothers and sisters within the CoVAB family.
He stressed the importance of academic commitment, particularly for those enrolled in five-year programs, urging them to complete their studies within the designated timeframe. “As a parent, I feel aggrieved when students stay longer than expected,” he said. Prof. Mwiine described the university as a space for intellectual growth, self-expression, and discovery—especially in the sciences, where students are expected to grasp core principles, challenge ideas, and enjoy the pursuit of knowledge. He also acknowledged the financial sacrifices made by privately sponsored students and cautioned scholarship recipients to safeguard their opportunities. He warned against excessive use of social media, encouraging students to use digital platforms purposefully for learning, communication, and personal development.
In his welcome remarks, the Deputy Principal, Assoc. Prof. James Acai Okwee, congratulated the incoming undergraduate cohort on their admission to Makerere University, describing it as a pivotal transition from student to professionalism. He noted that the students were stepping into esteemed fields such as laboratory science, animal production and management, and veterinary medicine, which careers play a vital role in society. “This stage of your life will shape the kind of professional and person you become,” he said.
Prof. Acai highlighted CoVAB’s proud legacy, emphasizing that many accomplished individuals have passed through its programs, which are recognized and respected globally. “At CoVAB, we cultivate diverse careers, create opportunities, and produce professionals who make a lasting impact,” he affirmed. While acknowledging the widespread concern about unemployment, he reassured students that CoVAB graduates are well-prepared to make meaningful contributions to Uganda’s development. “You won’t find our products aimlessly walking the streets,” he said. “They are trained to lead, innovate, and serve.”
He further explained that the Office of the Deputy Principal is responsible for quality assurance and the coordination of effective teaching and learning, including the development of the global timetable for all academic programs. Prof. Acai concluded by encouraging students to remain focused on their academic mission, to be self-driven, and to use their freedom wisely. “Let your commitment to the purpose that brought you here guide your choices,” he advised.
The Dean School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources (SVAR), Prof. Robert Tweyongyere noted that all of the students were admitted on merit and shared that working hard and discipline were the two major principles of success. ‘Now you have entered into another journey, you need to be re-energized for the next period. He noted that some of the reasons why students do not complete on time focused on forgetting the cardinal reason as to why they were at university. All of us here went through this stage successfully, and you can do it. Citing an example of a former student who failed to complete because of football, he asked them to make the right decisions. Do not lie back and struggle with challenges, but come up and approach the respective offices to seek counsel and advice whenever need arises
Dr. Claire M. Mugasa, Dean of the School of Biosecurity, Biotechnical and Laboratory Sciences (SBLS), warmly welcomed the new students with a message that resonated deeply with purpose and possibility. She likened their arrival at the university to receiving a blank slate or an open canvas waiting to be filled.
“Whatever you write on this slate is what you will go out with,” she emphasized, urging Freshers to take ownership of their academic journey.
She reminded them that while the slate is theirs, they are not alone. The faculty and staff are here to guide, support, and equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. Responsibility, she noted, must extend beyond academics into communication, conduct, and personal growth.
The College Registrar, Mr. Byarugaba Richard, welcomed the new students with a message underscoring the importance of timely registration and active engagement with his office. He noted that the registration process is the first step in becoming a bonafide student and emphasized that privately sponsored students would receive their original admission letters upon completing registration. Mr. Byarugaba outlined the college’s four-level assessment structure, the continuous assessment, practical exams, oral exams, and the final university examination, all of which contribute to the final mark. He also drew attention to the institution’s strict policy on examination malpractice, informing students about the Exam Irregularities Committee, which handles cases of misconduct. He urged students to uphold academic integrity and take responsibility for their learning.
The College Librarian, Ms. Lydia Namugera Senjovu, welcomed students and affirmed their eligibility to access library services upon presentation of a valid photo ID, including provisional admission letters. She noted that the library is open daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM, offering a wide range of academic support services. These include access to electronic resources, reference services, information literacy sessions, and plagiarism detection tools to uphold academic integrity. She also emphasized the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, cautioning against its abuse in academic work. Students were encouraged to take a brief tour of the library to familiarize themselves with its facilities. As a Safeguarding Champion, Ms. Senjovu highlighted the importance of safeguarding, which involves protecting students’ rights and promoting a safe and respectful learning environment.
Senior Superintendent of Police Gubira Gerald, Chief Security Officer at Makerere University, urged students to utilise police services whenever they need assistance. He reminded them that life at Makerere can be enjoyable and free, provided they follow university regulations and abide by the laws of Uganda. He expressed concern that some students had already lost original documents, which can be difficult and stressful to replace.
SSP Gubira urged students to stay alert, highlighting the high rate of theft, scammers, and robbers, even near student hostels. He stressed the need to protect personal belongings like laptops and phones, and advised students to live within their means, avoid accepting suspicious free offers, and stay away from drugs and other illegal activities. He also recommended using the main entrance when entering campus, remaining visible, moving in groups, and always being aware of their safety.
Ms. Rosemary Nalwanga from the Counseling and Guidance Centre highlighted the importance of proper orientation to help students navigate campus life and avoid unnecessary difficulties. She advised students to be careful when choosing friends, recognizing their value while also emphasizing the importance of building healthy and supportive relationships.
She explained that orientation is not just about logistics, but about preparing for the full spectrum of experiences that come with the academic journey. Life at university, she noted, is not only about academics but also about building networks and connections. Lecturers, for instance, can serve as mentors and even open doors to future career opportunities.
Ms. Nalwanga urged students to embrace failure as part of growth. “Many talk about success, but most people fail before they succeed,” she said, encouraging students to seek help when facing setbacks. The right support, she emphasized, can make all the difference.
Her message also included a call to develop entrepreneurial skills, especially in cases where formal employment may not be immediately available. She emphasized the importance of managing fear, particularly the fear of failure, which often hinders achievement.
“We want you to thrive,” she concluded, “and successfully transition from university to the world of work.”
Ritah Ndibalekera, Chairperson of the College Guild Council, encouraged new students to immerse themselves in campus life by joining clubs and associations. She emphasized that these groups play a crucial role in building social networks and fostering both academic and personal development. Among the initiatives she highlighted were the AniScholar Career Hub, which supports students in shaping their academic and professional paths; the Emerging Leaders Program, aimed at nurturing leadership potential; and the Animal Health and Welfare Club, which promotes advocacy and awareness in animal care. She urged students to take full advantage of these opportunities to enrich their university experience and prepare for future success.
Veterinary & Biosecurity
Makerere University Hosts Southwest Minzu University Delegation to Explore Academic Collaboration in Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine
Makerere University on the 23rd July 2026 welcomed a delegation from Southwest Minzu University, China, led by the Vice President, Professor Yang Sheng-Tao, for a high-level meeting focused on academic collaboration and joint capacity development in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine. The meeting, presided over by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Professor Sarah Ssali, brought together senior administrators from the College of Veterinary medicine, Animal resources And Bio-security (CoVAB), researchers, and partners from the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) to explore practical pathways for cooperation between the two institutions.
The visit forms part of a growing interest among international partners in the depth of expertise Makerere University has built over decades in agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine and related fields. For Southwest Minzu University, a public university with a strong reputation in ethnic and regional studies as well as agricultural and veterinary sciences, the visit represented an opportunity to identify shared research priorities and areas where the two institutions could pool resources, knowledge and talent.
The engagement is the latest in a series of international visits Makerere University has hosted in recent years, as the institution continues to position itself as a preferred partner for universities and research organizations seeking collaboration in agriculture, biosciences and allied fields. CoVAB has over the years built a reputation for research and training that draws interest from partners across Africa, Asia and beyond, and it is against this backdrop that the visit by the Southwest Minzu University delegation was received with considerable enthusiasm.
A Coordinated Effort Rooted in Local Expertise
The visit was coordinated by Mr. Kirunda Halid, a Makerere University alumnus currently working with the National Agricultural Research Organization and Uganda Christian University. Mr. Kirunda’s role in facilitating the engagement between Southwest Minzu University and Makerere reflects the value that the university continues to draw from its alumni network, particularly those who have gone on to build careers in research institutions with strong ties to national development priorities.
Presenting his report on the outcomes of the visit and the associated meetings, Mr Kirunda noted that the discussions had brought forth clear opportunities to expand collaboration in biotechnology, with particular emphasis on bio-fertilizers and research chemistry. He explained that these areas represent a natural convergence between the technical strengths of Southwest Minzu University and the applied research capacity that NARO and Makerere have developed over the years, particularly through facilities such as the Kawanda laboratories.
According to Mr. Kirunda, the conversations held during the visit went beyond general goodwill and touched on the practical steps required to move any partnership from an idea into a hands-on programme. He observed that both sides recognised the potential of biotechnology applications in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, especially where biofertilizer research could support sustainable agricultural practices, and where research chemistry could underpin diagnostics and product development work relevant to both institutions.
Mr. Kirunda’s dual position as a Makerere alumnus and a NARO researcher placed him in a unique position to bridge the interests of the visiting delegation with the realities of research infrastructure on the ground in Uganda. He noted that National Agricultural Research Organization facilities, particularly those at Kawanda, already carry out substantial work in areas that overlap closely with the interests expressed by Southwest Minzu University, and that this overlap is what makes the proposed collaboration especially promising. Rather than starting from scratch, he explained, the two sides would be building on existing capacity and simply need to align it more closely with shared objectives.
Makerere Open to Partnerships That Transfer Knowledge and Technology
In her remarks to the visiting delegation, Professor Sarah Ssali reaffirmed Makerere University‘s openness to collaborations of this nature. She emphasised that the university remains committed to building connections between universities and industries as a means of enabling knowledge and technology transfer, with the ultimate purpose of advancing joint research that benefits both institutions and the wider communities they serve.
“Partnerships such as the one being explored with Southwest Minzu University are consistent with Makerere University‘s broader institutional priorities, which place a strong emphasis on research that has real world application and on collaborations that strengthen the university’s ability to contribute to national and regional development”, Professor Ssali emphasized. She noted that animal husbandry and veterinary medicine are areas where Uganda continues to face practical challenges that require sustained research investment, and that international partnerships bring valuable perspectives, resources and technical expertise to tackle these challenges.
She also took the opportunity to thank Mr Kirunda for channelling the proposed collaboration from Southwest Minzu University to Makerere, describing his role as an example of the continuing value that Makerere alumni bring to the university long after they have left its lecture halls. Her remarks underscored the university’s recognition that partnerships of this kind often begin through individual relationships and networks built over years, before growing into formal institutional arrangements.
Introducing Southwest Minzu University
The head of the visiting delegation, Vice President of Southwest Minzu University, Professor Yang Sheng-Tao, used his remarks to introduce his university to the Makerere audience, sharing a number of quick facts about the institution’s history, academic focus and areas of strength. He explained that his presence at Makerere was driven by a genuine interest in enhancing collaboration between the two universities, and that he saw considerable potential for shared work in the fields of animal husbandry and veterinary medicine given the complementary strengths of both institutions.
Professor Yang’s remarks gave the Makerere hosts a clearer picture of Southwest Minzu University’s academic profile and helped frame the discussion around where the two institutions might find the greatest value in working together. His emphasis on enhancing collaboration echoed the broader tone of the visit, which combined introductions and relationship building with a practical focus on identifying specific technical areas for joint work.
Proposed Next Steps and Already Established Actions
Drawing from the discussions and Professor Yang Sheng-Tao and Mr Kirunda’s remarks, several concrete actions and next steps were proposed or are already underway to give the collaboration a firm foundation.
The first of the already established actions is a July 23rd 2026 visit to the China-Uganda Agricultural Cooperation Industrial Park in Luwero to provide technical guidance and training on Phased livestock production and standardized management practices. This assessment is intended to establish the current state of infrastructure, equipment and capacity at the relevant sites, so that any future partnership is built on an accurate understanding of what exists and what may still be needed.
The second proposed step is the development of a detailed collaboration workplan between the universities and the national laboratories involved. This work plan is expected to cover the specific technical areas identified during the visit, namely biotechnology, biofertilizers and chemistry, alongside clear articulation of funding sources, institutional responsibilities and timelines for implementation. Meeting participants agreed that a work plan of this nature would give both institutions a shared reference point for tracking progress and holding each other accountable to agreed milestones.
The coordinated visit, led by NARO and supported by Makerere University leadership alongside the Southwest Minzu University delegation, opened up promising avenues for collaboration in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, particularly around biotechnology applications such as biofertilizers. The Kawanda laboratory was singled out as a key site for technical partnership going forward.
Looking Ahead
The meeting between Makerere University and the visiting Southwest Minzu University delegation reflects a wider pattern in which international academic partnerships are increasingly anchored in specific, actionable areas of shared interest rather than broad cooperation. The emphasis placed on site assessments, a detailed workplan, funding clarity and further engagement between technical and administrative parties suggests that both institutions intend to treat this visit as the beginning of a structured process rather than a one-off exchange of pleasantries.
For Makerere University, the engagement adds to a growing portfolio of international collaborations in agricultural and veterinary sciences, and reinforces the role that the university’s alumni, such as Mr Kirunda Halid, continue to play in connecting Makerere to new opportunities across the globe. For Southwest Minzu University, the visit represents an early but important step toward what Professor Yang Sheng-Tao and his delegation hope will become a lasting partnership grounded in shared research, capacity building and mutual benefit.
As both institutions now turn to the practical work of assessing laboratories, drafting workplans and identifying funding sources, the coming months are expected to determine how quickly this early goodwill translates into concrete joint programmes in biotechnology, biofertilizers, research chemistry, and the broader fields of animal husbandry and veterinary medicine that first brought the two universities together.
Makerere University‘s leadership expressed confidence that the foundation laid during this visit, built through the combined efforts of Professor Ssali’s office, the visiting delegation under Professor Yang Sheng-Tao, and the coordination provided by Mr Kirunda Halid and NARO, would translate into a partnership of lasting value. Both institutions indicated their willingness to maintain open communication as the proposed site assessments and workplan development proceed, with further meetings among technical and administrative leaders expected to follow in the short term.
Veterinary & Biosecurity
Makerere University Equips Livestock Finalist students for a Changing Job Market
At a time when youth unemployment continues to challenge economies across Africa, Makerere University is taking deliberate steps to prepare graduates for success beyond the classroom. The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) recently hosted a Careers Day for finalists in the Bachelor of Industrial Livestock and Business (BILB) and Bachelor of Animal Production Technology and Management (BAPT) programs.
Held under the theme “Bridging Academic Training and Industry Practice: Preparing Livestock Graduates for Professional Excellence and Sector Transformation,” the event brought together academic leaders, government officials, industry practitioners, and human resource experts to share insights on navigating the transition from university to the world of work.
Inspiring Messages of Integrity and Resilience
Dr. Dorothy Kalule Nampanzira, Head of the Department of Livestock and Industrial Resources, urged students to embrace integrity, resilience, and self-discovery as they step into professional life. “You are now adults, and wherever you go, you carry the name of Makerere University,” she reminded them.
Connecting Students to Opportunities
Dr. Sylvia Baluka introduced the Agricultural Sector Apprenticeship Programme, which provides paid placements to fresh graduates, offering hands-on experience and confidence-building opportunities. She emphasized the need for awareness and proactive applications to maximize access.
Rethinking Education and Work
Professor Anthony Mugisha challenged students to reflect on the difference between schooling and true education, urging them to become problem-solvers and entrepreneurs rather than job seekers.
Government and Industry Perspectives
Speakers from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development highlighted Uganda’s untapped opportunities in agriculture and livestock, encouraging graduates to approach challenges as openings for innovation. Practical sessions on CV writing and interview preparation reinforced the importance of readiness and professionalism.
Student Reflections
Final-year students described the Careers Day as transformative, noting that it bridged the gap between academic learning and real-world expectations while boosting confidence in their career paths.
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