On Tuesday, 5th August 2025, the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) conducted an orientation event that formally ushered in the new undergraduate students. Several officers addressed the students, including the Principal, Deputy Principal, the Deans, Heads of Department, the Registrar, and the Directorate of ICT, the Director of the Counselling and Guidance Centre, as well as the student leadership.
The Principal, Prof. Moses Musinguzi, in his address, said Makerere University is one of the best in Africa and in the world. ‘You should be lucky and proud to be associated with Makerere University because it has a big reputation, and so you should be lucky and proud to be associated with Makerere University,’ he told the freshers.
He said all leaders in most of the prestigious institutions in the country started their journey at the University, and he noted that as new students, they were starting a journey that would lead them to success.
While giving the overview of the college, the principal told the incoming students about the structure of the College, the schools and departments comprised of academic members of staff of various categories. He urged the students to take time to learn the different levels of the college to familiarize themselves.
He said that as the leadership of the college, the students were expected to study, learn, and start thinking critically, as expected of any university student. He encouraged them to participate in academic activities and other programs offered at the university. He said that although the university has rules, their enforcement is minimal because, as students, they were expected to be self-driven and to fit into the existing system to avoid being caught on the other side of the law.
The Principal informed the students of the existing support systems, like the counselling and guidance center, as well as staff members who help out if a student faces challenges. ‘Sometimes, this University can be stressful, so when you encounter any problem, you need to seek redress,’ he said. He cautioned them against the impostors who are trailing around to benefit from unsuspecting students by seeking guidance from the relevant offices.
Professor Musinguzi said to the students that the reason why they were at CEDAT was to study and innovate. He said many people who became great started innovating while still at university. He encouraged them to use the limited time of their stay at the university to try to innovate and see that they make an impact before they cross into society. He said the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology was a serious one and does not participate in strikes because there is a lot to do.
During the orientation, Associate Prof. Kizito Maria Kasule, the Deputy Principal, addressed the newly admitted undergraduate students with a message of focus, discipline, and ambition.
He revealed that 23,000 students had been admitted across various programs at the university, with some expected to eventually join the teaching staff. Prof. Kasule emphasized that students’ primary purpose at CEDAT is academic excellence and urged them to make the most of their time by adhering to university policies, including those on academic appeals, examination irregularities, retakes, reinstatement, and the Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy.
He also encouraged responsible participation in extracurricular and religious activities, stressing the importance of time management and intentional networking. “Networking is the biggest form of wealth we have today, but network with people who matter,” he advised.
In a heartfelt address to incoming students at Makerere University’s Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Art (MTSIFA), Dr. Amanda Tumusiime, Dean of the school, celebrated their admission as a major milestone and welcomed them into a vibrant hub of creativity and innovation.
She highlighted MTSIFA’s legacy as the first school of Fine Art in East Africa, established in 1939, and praised its enduring impact on Uganda’s development through engineering, design, architecture, and the arts. The school has nurtured generations of artists, designers, scholars, and cultural leaders whose influence stretches across the region and beyond.
Dr. Tumusiime emphasized CEDAT’S mission to deliver transformative education, cutting-edge research, and creative excellence, and introduced students to itsthree departments, each designed to foster creative thinking, hands-on learning, and expressive exploration.
Dr. Abubaker Matovu Waswa, Acting Dean, extended a warm welcome to what he called “the best in the country.” He expressed the college’s excitement at hosting such promising minds and shared hopes that they would thrive academically and graduate within the next three to four years, making room for future cohorts.
Dr. Waswa didn’t shy away from addressing a critical issue of student mental health. He cautioned that stress and depression often stem from students overburdening themselves. “Be the guardian of your mind; the more you load onto yourself, the more stress and depression you’ll face,” he warned.
He encouraged students to open up to friends about their struggles, seek help from the Counseling and Guidance Center, and avoid overcommitting academically or socially
Addressing the new students, the Dean of the School of the Built Environment, Dr. AnthonyGidudu, Dean and Associate Professor of Geomatics, delivered a firm yet encouraging message: every student has the potential to excel, provided they remain focused on their academic mission.
He emphasized the importance of prioritizing what truly matters during their time at CEDAT, building strategic friendships and professional networks, and avoiding academic misconduct, especially cheating during exams. Dr. Gidudu issued a clear warning about the consequences of violating examination policies:
“Once caught cheating, the policies are very harsh, and the repercussions can lead to discontinuation.”
The students were also addressed by the Director of the Counselling and Guidance Centre, Mr. Nsubuga, who directed them to the center to get services in case of need.
The orientation will continue until Friday, 8th August 2025, with students expected to meet department heads, course coordinators, librarians, and registrars for further guidance and tours around the college.