On 27th March 2026, Makerere Engineering Society hosted the annual CEDAT Open Day, a premier event celebrating technical and artistic ingenuity. This year’s exhibition brought together a diverse group of participants from the Margret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Art, the School of the Built Environment, and the School of Engineering. Alongside various industry partners, students set up intricate displays to demonstrate state of the art innovations developed within the college.
The CEDAT parking lot was transformed into a vibrant hub of activity, filled with a buzzing audience eager to explore the unique setups. The range of innovations was vast, spanning from sustainable energy solutions to advanced AI-controlled firefighting vehicles. In addition to these engineering feats, the space was adorned with various art exhibits, ensuring a multi-disciplinary experience that highlighted the creative expanse of the CEDAT community.
The event was officially graced by the presence of college leadership, including the Principal of CEDAT, Prof. Moses Musinguzi, and the Dean of the School of Engineering, Prof. Dorothy Okello. Both leaders addressed the attendees and took the time to visit the various exhibition tents to engage directly with the students’ work. To heighten the excitement, an interactive element was added where the public in attendance voted for their favorite exhibitor. This year, the stakes were high as the best exhibitor was awarded a cash prize for their efforts.
Following the public vote, the innovative platform Vetella was crowned the winner of this year’s Open Day. Vetella serves as a comprehensive digital ecosystem designed to bridge the gap between students and professional opportunities both on and off campus. By bringing together students, industry professionals and local businesses, the platform allows users to create and apply for jobs and gig posts. Its success at the Open Day highlights the incredible potential of student-led solutions to address real-world networking and employment needs.
The 2026 CEDAT Open Day successfully showcased the immense technical and creative potential of Makerere University’s students across the School of Engineering, the School of Built Environment, and the Margaret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Art. With high-profile support from college leadership and an atmosphere buzzing with state of the art innovations, the event underscored the importance of connecting academic ingenuity with industry needs. As evidenced by the success of platforms like Vetella, this annual exhibition continues to serve as a vital stage for student-led solutions to gain public recognition and competitive rewards.