On 12th November 2025, Makerere University officially handed over a newly constructed wall fence to Makerere College School. The real-life project was executed by technical students pursuing higher diploma courses in Civil Engineering and Architecture under the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB). The students are enrolled at the Centre for Lifelong Learning and Teaching, which operates within the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) at Makerere University.
The Centre for Lifelong Learning, in partnership with UVTAB, is involved in implementing real life projects within the communities-a practical approach that ensures that students identify problems within the community, hold collaborative discussions, and come up with projects to solve the problems.
The handover ceremony of the newly constructed Wall Fence was witnessed by key stakeholders that included officials from UVTAB, the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), the leadership of Makerere , UVTAB Deputy Executive Secretary and the technical students pursuing the higher diploma in Architecture and Civil Engineering.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, represented by the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, Prof. Anthony M. Mugagga, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Martin Muyingo, Head Teacher of Makerere College School, for providing a valuable learning space to students under the lifelong learning and teaching program. He acknowledged Prof. Dorothy Okello-Chairperson of the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB), Prof. Moses Musinguzi-Principal of CEDAT, course instructors, and students for their commendable contributions. He noted that the newly constructed wall stands as a testament to the power of lifelong learning and practical teaching.
The Vice Chancellor commended the management and staff of the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) for implementing programmes through the Centre of Lifelong learning, which are aligned to the Makerere University’s Strategic Plan. He observed that the partnership with UVTAB increases the number of students accessing quality education services, enhances lifelong learning, promotes practical education, and contributes to community transformation.
Congratulating the technical students upon this milestone, and in solidarity, the Vice Chancellor wrote: “I am an architect and courses in my profession go deep to my heart. Congratulations to the students, the engineers, and course instructors.”
Prof. Nawangwe emphasized the importance of architecture-related courses and praised Makerere’s longstanding commitment to student-centered learning, innovation, and thought leadership principles that have guided the university for over two decades. He highlighted that Makerere’s strategic direction aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV and Vision 2040, which advocates for inclusive, equitable, and lifelong education. This vision, he said, reflects the aspirations of His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the Government of Uganda’s education agenda.
He explained that the Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL) at CEES, serves as a bridge between the university and the community. It offers opportunities to Ugandan youth and individuals who lack the financial means or academic qualifications to access Makerere’s mainstream programs, to join UVTAB technical education programmes, with instructors at Makerere University Centre for Lifelong Learning. Students enrolled in the program typically come from A-level backgrounds or hold certificates from technical institutions.
He highlighted that long before the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Education and Sports, restructured the secondary school curriculum to embrace competence-based teaching and learning, Makerere University had already been championing student-centered education. For over two decades, the university has promoted innovation, experiential learning, and thought leadership.
Ms. Jalia Nassaza, the Acting Deputy Executive Secretary of the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB), emphasized the importance of real-life projects within the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) curriculum. She explained that these projects enable students to identify community challenges, engage in collaborative discussions, and develop practical solutions ultimately shaping them into holistic professionals. Through this approach, learners gain essential skills in planning, teamwork, and applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. Ms. Nassaza emphasized the need for an education system in Uganda that equips students to solve local problems and improve their surroundings. “We want to make our education realistic by translating knowledge into solving problems,” she affirmed.
The Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology, Prof. Moses Musinguzi, congratulated the students on completing the wall fence and other projects. He noted that, as professionals, scientists often face public criticism because they are central to providing solutions to societal problems. He stated that the commissioning of the fence demonstrated that the university, in partnership with UVTAB, is teaching students how to solve problems around them. He also emphasized that CEDAT offers access to the necessary infrastructure in labs, workshops, and studios, along with technicians who support teaching.
Prof. Musinguzi said Makerere University was considering a revision of the assessment, making continuous assessment total to 60%, while classwork is rated at 40%. He also mentioned the CEDAT model, whereby the university was considering utilizing students in technical subjects to support the Estates and Works Department in infrastructural maintenance and service works instead of hiring externally, and that students on both Diploma and Degree programs would be engaged. ‘We need to see scientists directly engaged in the development of the country,’ he emphasized.
Speaking on behalf of the instructors, Mr. Barnabas Mabonga highlighted some of the students’ requirements that included the need for basic tools, providing opportunities for their academic progression to degree programs, and strengthening the safety measures. Some of the actual projects that the AVTAB technical students under CEES and CEDAT have worked on at Makerere College School include: a yard constructed at the boys’ hostel, the wall fence, and a drainage system. He said 173 students out of whom 28 are girls, were enrolled in the Civil Engineering and Architecture higher diploma program. He informed the Vice Chancellor and other guests present that the students in the real-life learning and teaching programs were excelling in performance, with a pass rate of 99%.
Dr. Oscar Mugula, Coordinator of the Centre for Lifelong Learning, emphasized the value of community engagement in their academic programs. He noted that the partnership with Makerere College School began two years ago, when students from the center undertook repair works on the school’s infrastructure. The collaboration has proven mutually beneficial, with the beneficiary school experiencing reduced development costs, while students, particularly those studying technical drawing, gained hands-on experience through the perimeter wall project, which contributed to their coursework and project assessments for the year.
In partnership with UVTAB, the Centre for Lifelong Learning offers diploma courses in Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Electrical Engineering. The students pursuing these courses are examined and accredited by UVTAB. Students benefit from experiential learning at CEDAT, where they are encouraged to innovate using affordable, locally sourced materials. They are also placed in real-world workstations and garages to observe best practices and avoid unethical conduct. Graduates of the program either join the workforce or continue their academic journey at the university.
The Center for Lifelong Learning at CEES is charged with the duty to take the university to the community, providing opportunities to Uganda’s youth and persons interested in technical education, who may not have the requisite funds or grades to join the university’s degree programmes. The students on the program are either directly from A-level or other technical institutions.
