In a move to promote a safe, supportive and inclusive environment at Makerere University, the Office of the Dean of Students has empowered staff members from various colleges, departments and administrative units to champion disability-inclusive education.

Speaking during the capacity building session on inclusion for Students and Staff with Disabilities held at the School of Public Health Auditorium on Friday December 12, 2025, Dr Winfred Kabumbuli, the Dean of Students, noted that her office has decided to train staff to be able to have a campus where every student and staff member feels safe, respected, valued and empowered to thrive.

“Inclusion is not achieved by policy documents alone, it is achieved through everyday actions when a lecturer adapts teaching materials, when departments provide accessible formats, when buildings are designed with universal access in mind and when we intentionally create belonging for students and staff with disabilities,” Dr Kabumbuli, said.

The University has made significant strides in promoting disability inclusion. There is a policy on Persons with Disabilities and also a Disability support center, enabling students with disabilities to acquire assistive devices to enable them integrate in the learning and social environment.

While addressing participants, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) who represented the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, urged all university leaders to ensure that lecture rooms, offices and shared spaces fully reflect the principles of accessibility and universal design.

“My office is committed to improving physical access and ensuring that our infrastructure developments embrace inclusive standards. During the session, let us identify gaps, share insights, and commit to concrete actions. Makerere University’s pursuit of excellence rests on the foundation of safety, dignity, equality, and inclusion,” Prof, Ireeta, said.

The University is a place of learning but also has policies on safeguarding and policy on Persons with Disabilities to ensure that safety, dignity and inclusion form the foundation upon which teaching, learning and research occur.

Prof Ireeta extended appreciation to the Dean of Students and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University for the consistent leadership provided in driving safeguarding and inclusion agenda.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Justine Namaalwa Jjumba, Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, highlighted the transformative partnership between Makerere University and the Mastercard Foundation, which began in 2013.

“Through this collaboration, the University has rolled out three key Educational initiatives: the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, offering 1,000 undergraduate scholarships (10% reserved for students with disabilities); the Africa Climate Collaborative, providing 250 MSc, 40 PhD, and 30 postdoctoral scholarships, with 10% dedicated to learners with disabilities; and e-Learning Initiatives, which allow students to pursue courses of their choice online, enhancing access and flexibility in education,” Prof Namaalwa, said.

During the session, different staff members highlighted that although the University, has made efforts to improve physical accessibility and strengthen the academic and non-academic environment, challenges including inadequate support and inaccessible facilities still exist.

Representing staff living with disabilities on the University Council, Mr. Amon Muteganda appealed to the Government to increase the number of students with disabilities admitted on government sponsorship and also stop choosing academic courses for them.

“I want to thank the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University for ensuring that 10% of their scholarship slots are reserved for students with disabilities. As a University, we need to increase our enrolment of students with disabilities beyond the current 2%. We should also develop a policy that supports students across all academic programs. If a student without hands wants to study architecture, we must support them rather than discourage them, it is the mind that matters, not the physical,” he emphasized.

Mr. Mutenganda also called upon the University to revise its disability policy, with a particular focus on strengthening accommodation and support for persons with disabilities when they are employed.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Marvin Galiwango, a lecturer at the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), emphasized that instead of continually relying on imported wheelchairs and technologies, engineers at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) should take the initiative to develop technologies and wheelchairs for persons with Disabilities.

“Most persons with disabilities rely on imported technology, which they often cannot afford, leaving them with no choice but to beg. We have engineers at CEDAT who can design and produce these technologies locally, making them accessible and affordable for our people,” he noted,”

In his keynote address, Mr. Ambrose Murangira, a senior expert in disability inclusion at Light for the World, outlined the basic principles of accessible lecture rooms, including a preference for ground-floor rooms or those reachable via a functioning elevator, wide doors, corridors and clear passable pathways between tables and rows.

Students with disabilities should be provided with accessible seats at the front that offer clear sight-lines, tables with extra legroom, and adequate lighting around the presenter and board. Regarding facilities, signposts should indicate the nearest accessible washrooms and emergency exits, which must be both physically and visually accessible.” Mr Murangira, said.

On 1^st December, the University joined the world to celebrate the International Day of Persons Disabilities. Students, staff and Members of Parliament with visual, hearing and physical disabilities filled the Main Hall with the aim to promote inclusion, raise awareness on disability rights, and encourage a supportive learning environment for everyone to thrive.