General
Makerere University commemorates International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Emphasizes Disability-Inclusive Programmes
In the first week of December 2025, Makerere University in solidarity, with the rest of the world, celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The colourful event held in the University Main Hall on 1st December 2025 brought onboard Ministers and government officials, Makerere University Council and Management, National Union for Persons with Disabilities (NUDIPU), representatives of persons with disabilities at different levels, members of parliament, disability rights advocates, private sector partners, civil society actors, university staff, student leaders, and the wider community of persons with disabilities.
The celebrations graced by the Minister of State for Disability Affairs, Hon. Hellen Grace Asamo and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-Prof. Sarah Ssali was attended by key stakeholders including Hon. Safia Nalule Juuko-Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission, Prof. Frank Mwiine-Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), the Dean of Students-Dr. Winfred Kabumbuli, Guild President-Hon. Ssentamu Churchill James, Guild Minister for Persons with Disabilities-Hon. Donita Akakunda, and among other personalities.
The commemoration featured a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Diana Ateenyi Ahumuza, offering a blend of academic, experiential, and advocacy-based perspectives on disability inclusion. The panel consisted of Dr. Naboth Rwakazwaire, founder of Hope for People with Disabilities; Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga, Principal of the College of Education and External Studies (CEES); Lord Councillor Peace Sserunkuma; and Ms. Catherine Nakibuuka, a second-year law student. Their conversation explored practical solutions, policy gaps, personal experiences, and the role of institutions such as Makerere University in shaping a more inclusive society.
Reflecting on the times and in line with the theme, Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress, the different speakers, persons with disabilities, and participants in general, lauded Makerere University for positive steps being undertaken with respect to inclusion of persons with disabilities. The participants commended the University for inclusive teaching, library services that are sensitive and inclusive, acquisition of a university bus for students with disabilities, sports activities for persons with disabilities, and establishment of the Makerere University Disability Support Unit. The institution has been called upon to remodel the old buildings so that people with disabilities are able to access the required spaces.
Highlighting strides in Disability Inclusion at Makerere
Welcoming the guests, Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Acting Vice Chancellor, celebrated Makerere University’s commitment to recognizing the resilience, contributions, and potential of persons with disabilities. She emphasized that building truly inclusive societies requires a dual approach: empowering marginalized individuals to realize their potential and creating institutions that are receptive and accommodating of diverse needs. Prof. Ssali underscored that disability inclusion is not an act of charity but a matter of human rights, social justice, and a collective responsibility shared by the entire university community.
Prof. Ssali highlighted Makerere University’s strong commitment to inclusivity, noting the Disability Support Centre’s support, campus accessibility improvements, flexible teaching approaches, and digital inclusion efforts. She also recognized investments in sign language interpretation and staff training to better support students with disabilities.
Prof. Ssali called upon stakeholders to make inclusion a lived reality—one that celebrates diversity and recognizes disability as an integral part of the human experience. She explained that genuine inclusion is built on partnership, shared responsibility, and intentional accommodations, noting that these principles underpin the university’s safeguarding policy inspired by the Ubuntu philosophy. She observed that inclusion goes beyond creating comfort. “It requires those without disabilities to actively adjust, accommodate, and treat everyone as equal participants in the university community,” she said.
Dr. Winifred Namuwonge Kabumbuli, Dean of Students at Makerere University, reaffirmed the university’s long-standing commitment to implementing inclusive policies and practices. She emphasized that Makerere values diversity and creativity, fosters mutual support, and provides an inclusive academic and social environment that enables all members to grow, thrive, and contribute as changemakers.
The Dean of Students highlighted Makerere University’s provision of essential assistive devices such as wheelchairs, Braille materials, and white canes to support full integration of students into academic and social life. She noted the university’s commitment to equitable academic participation through measures such as extra exam time, access to readers, and provision of carers who receive accommodation, feeding, and remuneration.
“Let us unite in promoting disability awareness, understanding, and inclusion. Together, we can build a more inclusive and supportive community. One of Makerere University’s core aims is to ensure that everyone at this esteemed institution has the opportunity to participate in every aspect of life to the best of their abilities and dreams as we build for the future,” she said.
Minister appeals for true inclusion through shared spaces and equal access
The Guest of Honour, Hon. Hellen Grace Asamo, Minister of State for Disability Affairs, stated that disability is shaped more by societal attitudes than by personal limitations. She called for true inclusion through shared spaces, equal access, and collective participation. She urged parents to take equal responsibility for their children with disabilities and reminded the public that anyone can experience disability, making proactive inclusion a collective responsibility.
“Disability is an idea shaped by society, and the attitudes often start at home. When a child is born with a disability, many see it as a burden. And while women often bear the brunt, fathers must also support their children. Remember: anyone can become disabled at any point—through accident, illness, or age. So planning for inclusion is not optional; it is necessary,” Hon. Asamo said.
She added that breaking barriers is essential, as persons with disabilities continue to excel across various fields. According to her, inclusive progress depends on creating opportunities rather than imposing limitations, and on recognizing that persons with disabilities are not homogeneous, but a diverse group with unique abilities, needs, and potential.
Hon. Asamo urged academic leaders to leverage their influence beyond the Makerere University main campus, to promote inclusive communities, calling for accessible education pathways, employability-focused training, and stronger advocacy against stigma. She emphasized that leadership is defined by capability, not physical condition, and noted the importance of mentorship, counselling, and job preparation for graduates with disabilities.
The Minister highlighted the everyday challenges faced by persons with disabilities, stressing that both public and private sectors must take action. She praised emerging inclusion in beauty, fashion, and entertainment, noting pageants and showcases as affirmations that talent and dignity transcend disability. She encouraged persons with disabilities to always claim their space and be visible.
“To people living with disabilities: nobody will hand over to you, your space—you must claim it. Be visible and be heard. Inclusion is a right, not a debate. Persons with disabilities contribute to society and the economy just like anyone else,” she said.
Keynote Speaker advocates for an enabling environment for disability-inclusion
Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Safia Nalule Juuko, Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission and former National Woman MP representing Persons with Disabilities in the 10th Parliament, affirmed that disability is not a single condition, but a diverse experience shaped by the interaction between health conditions and environmental barriers.
Hon. Safia Nalule was emphatic that families, teachers, and communities must create enabling environments, and praised the role of supportive parents and educators in her own life while calling attention to the many children who lack similar support.
“Families must accept their children, support them, understand their needs, and avoid treating disability as a curse or omen. Children with disabilities are entitled to healthcare, nutrition, education, and decision-making space. Sadly, many do not receive these rights,” Hon. Safia Nalule said.
She recommended that disability inclusion requires practical, measurable action: education and awareness led by persons with disabilities, meaningful consultation, and active participation in planning, budgeting, and implementation. She stressed that institutions must budget for both physical and financial access since the cost of exclusion far outweighs that of inclusion.
Inclusivity must span humanities and science disciplines
Prof. Frank Mwiine, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Finance & Administration) and Principal of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources & Bio-Security, asserted that in addition to the humanities and social sciences, inclusivity must span all disciplines, including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). He articulated that inclusion is a continuous responsibility, not a one-off event or favour. “It is a responsibility that Makerere University must consistently and intentionally uphold, and we are committed to doing exactly that,” he affirmed.
Mak Council lauded for promoting disability-inclusion
Mr. Amon Muteganda, representative of administrative staff with disabilities on the Makerere University Council, reaffirmed that the university is indeed an inclusive institution. He noted that disability-related concerns consistently receive respect and thoughtful consideration during council deliberations, with members listening attentively and responding constructively. He praised management for its timely action on the issues raised, highlighting the new transport initiative as a key example.
“Many people have spoken about inclusivity at the management level, and we have seen it in action. I want to sincerely thank the university management for their responsiveness. Whenever we raise concerns about disability-related issues, they are addressed promptly. One notable example is our transport initiative,” Mr. Muteganda said.
Student leader asserts disability is not inability
The Guild Minister for Persons with Disabilities, Hon. Donita Akankunda reflected on her experiences as a student with low vision and representative of visually impaired learners. She acknowledged improvements in accessible infrastructure, such as buildings and transport. She applauded the determination of fellow students with disabilities to create awareness, challenge stereotypes, and demonstrate that disability is not inability.
“My fellow students and persons with disabilities, I thank you for your resilience and dedication to raising awareness. Despite the many challenges we face, you have stepped forward, embraced leadership roles, and engaged in meaningful activities, demonstrating that disability is not inability. Together, we will continue to prove this every day,” she said.
Student with Disability shares his experience on adaptation
Sharing his personal journey as a student with a disability, Mr. Safiri Mungofeni, a first-year Bachelor of Architecture student at Makerere University, reflected on his initial concerns about managing practical work, navigating equipment, and moving around campus. “Over time, with the support of accessible resources and encouragement from staff, I gradually adapted,” he said. He added that witnessing fellow students with disabilities confidently navigating campus life inspired him to believe in his own potential and persevere.
Drawing inspiration from global examples, such as Chris Downey, a visually impaired architect, Safiri declared that with proper support, encouragement, and mindset, students with disabilities can excel in fields where society least expects them.
Parents called upon to love and support children living with disabilities
Illuminating both the challenges and transformative possibilities of parenting children with disabilities in Uganda, Mr. and Mrs. Kizito Bbosa, parents of Hon. Catherine Nakibuuka, a second-year law student and Speaker of the Makerere University Students with Disabilities Association shared their journey that began when their daughter was born with visual impairment. In their quest for solutions, they initially invested all their resources in medical interventions, holding onto hope that she might one day regain her sight. When these options were exhausted, they redirected their focus entirely to education, embracing it as the next frontier of opportunity and empowerment for their daughter.
“When our daughter was born in 2003 with a visual impairment, I invested every resource I had, believing she might regain her sight, until I realized that even money has its limits. We then shifted our focus to her education. Truly, the most challenging experience I have ever faced has been trying to educate her,” Mr. Bbosa recounted.
Recognizing that Catherine and other visually impaired children deserved more than sympathy, the Bbosas transformed their personal struggle into a broader mission for change. This led to the founding of the Centre for Visually Impaired Children (CEVIC) and later CEVIC School for the Blind, institutions created not out of charity but from a belief in the potential of children with visual impairments, providing them with opportunities to learn, belong, and thrive.
By Moses Lutaaya
Makerere University has challenged its newly admitted PhD students to go beyond pursuing academic qualifications and become independent scholars capable of generating knowledge, solving societal problems and contributing to Africa’s transformation.
The call was made by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, during the orientation of the 2026/2027 PhD cohort at Makerere University’s Main Hall in the Main Building on 10th August 2026.
Prof. Ssali told the new scholars that a PhD marks a fundamental shift from previous levels of education, requiring students to take greater responsibility for their academic progress rather than depending entirely on lecturers and supervisors.
“You will have to push yourself and also push your supervisor to move with you,” Prof. Ssali said, urging the students to take ownership of their doctoral journey.
She acknowledged that many PhD students have to balance their studies with employment, family responsibilities and community leadership, making doctoral training demanding. However, she urged them to remain focused on completing their programmes within the prescribed three, four or five years.
Prof. Ssali said Makerere expects its doctoral training to produce scholars who can create knowledge, challenge existing ideas and develop solutions to societal problems.
She encouraged the students to embrace ambiguity and become comfortable questioning what they already know, noting that doctoral education requires scholars to identify important questions, investigate them and generate answers that advance knowledge.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor also urged the students to develop interdisciplinary collaborations and scholarly networks rather than confining their research to their individual disciplines.
She said the success of doctoral education should not be measured merely by the number of dissertations completed or papers published, but by the extent to which research contributes to society.
With Africa facing complex challenges, including climate change, disease, population growth and development pressures, Prof. Ssali said PhD scholars have a responsibility to generate evidence that can influence policy, strengthen institutions and advance innovation.
She challenged each scholar to continually ask what problem their research addresses, what solution it advances and whether that solution can create sustainable value.
The Director of Graduate Training, Prof. Julius Kikooma, said the new cohort was joining Makerere at a time when the University is implementing reforms aimed at strengthening graduate education and improving completion rates.
Prof. Kikooma revealed that Makerere received close to 12,000 applications across its master’s, postgraduate and PhD programmes but admitted about 6,000 students.
He said graduate education has been placed at the centre of the University’s efforts to strengthen research capacity and prepare scholars to contribute to knowledge production and innovation.
Under the reforms, PhD students will undertake compulsory cross-cutting courses designed to provide foundational knowledge and skills for doctoral research. They will also be required to undertake teaching in either their second or third year under the guidance of their supervisors.
In addition to completing their theses, students will be required to produce at least two publications before graduation, a requirement intended to prepare them to become the next generation of researchers, innovators, inventors and creators.
Makerere has also introduced a digital system to monitor the progress of every PhD student each semester. The system is intended to enable students, supervisors and university officials to identify challenges early and intervene in real time.
Prof. Kikooma urged the scholars to write regularly, think critically, maintain open and constructive relationships with their supervisors and protect their academic integrity and professional reputation.
He also encouraged them to build scholarly networks and remain resilient, noting that rejected papers, disappointing data and unexpected challenges are normal aspects of doctoral training.
The Director of Research, Innovations and Partnerships, Prof. Robert Wamala, challenged the scholars to ensure that the knowledge they produce is trustworthy, responsible and ethically sound.
Prof. Wamala emphasized the importance of respecting the dignity, rights, safety and autonomy of research participants, particularly where studies involve individuals, communities and personal information.
He highlighted informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, justice and accountability as critical principles of ethical research and urged students to maintain transparency throughout the research process, from developing research questions and collecting data to analyzing and reporting findings.
Prof. Wamala also cautioned the students on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in research.
He said although AI can assist researchers with activities such as language improvement, it does not remove the researcher’s responsibility for the final product.
Researchers, he said, must verify AI-generated information and remain accountable for inaccurate statements, misleading interpretations and incorrect references.
He further urged students involved in international and other research collaborations to establish clear agreements on roles, authorship, data ownership, access and intellectual property before commencing their research.
The Deputy University Librarian, Dr. Kizito Ongaya, meanwhile, urged the new scholars to make full use of Makerere’s library and information resources throughout their doctoral journey.
Dr. Ongaya said the University operates a hybrid library system combining physical and electronic resources, with more than 200,000 books, 45 e-journal databases and over 16,000 archival materials available to researchers.
He encouraged the students to participate in library training to learn how to access and effectively use electronic resources and to explore specialized libraries and information centers across the University’s colleges.
These include resources covering natural sciences, agriculture, veterinary medicine, health sciences, education and humanities, as well as museums, botanical gardens, specialized collections and other research facilities.
The newly admitted doctoral students were also addressed by Mr. Henry Nsubuga, the Manager Makerere University Counselling and Guidance Centre, Mr. George Mugabi Turyamureeba, the Deputy University Bursar and members of Makerere University Convocation.
Makerere University has once again cemented its place as a regional leader in academic excellence after successfully hosting the East African Universities Debate Championships (EAUDC) 2026, welcoming the continent’s brightest young minds for a week of intellectual competition, cultural exchange, and leadership development.
Held from 26th July to 1st August 2026, the championship brought together more than 200 student debaters, adjudicators and delegates from 25 universities across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and other invited institutions, transforming the Ivory Tower into East Africa’s premier arena for ideas, innovation and public discourse.
The week-long tournament featured rigorous British Parliamentary debate rounds, public speaking competitions, adjudication workshops and networking sessions designed to sharpen critical thinking, leadership and persuasive communication. Participants debated contemporary issues ranging from governance and economic transformation to technology, public health, climate change and Africa’s future.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Deputy Vice Chancellor welcomed delegates to Makerere University, emphasizing the institution’s enduring commitment to nurturing graduates who are not only academically accomplished but also capable of leading meaningful conversations that shape society. The championship reflected Makerere’s vision of producing graduates who are innovative, analytical and prepared to address regional and global challenges.
Beyond competition, EAUDC 2026 became a celebration of East African unity. Delegates experienced Uganda’s rich cultural heritage through social events, campus tours and cultural showcases that fostered friendships beyond national borders. The interactions reinforced the championship’s belief that dialogue remains one of the strongest foundations for regional integration and peaceful cooperation.
The tournament concluded with an electrifying Grand Finale witnessed by students, alumni, university leaders, invited guests and debate enthusiasts. The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Sports Hon. Eng. Cuthbert Abigaba represented the Speaker of Parliament as the Guest of Honour. In his remarks he congratulated Makerere University on the successful event and encouraged debate among students.
Prof Sarah Ssali the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs at Makerere University pledged continuous support from the administration towards Makerere Debate Union. Teams demonstrated exceptional research, analytical reasoning and eloquence before a distinguished panel of international adjudicators, bringing to a close one of the most competitive editions of the championship.
The successful hosting of EAUDC 2026 marks another milestone in Makerere University‘s growing reputation as a centre of excellence for debating and public speaking. The event builds on the university’s long-standing tradition of producing outstanding debaters while providing students with opportunities to engage with peers from across the region in meaningful intellectual exchange.
As the championship drew to a close, participants departed Kampala with new friendships, stronger networks and renewed inspiration to continue using debate as a tool for leadership, democratic participation and social transformation.
With the East African chapter successfully concluded, attention now turns to the Pan-African Universities Debating Championship (PAUDC) 2026, where Makerere University will once again represent East Africa on the continental stage.
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