On 5th May 2025, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints handed over 40 high-tech laptops and 10 projectors to Makerere University to facilitate teaching, learning, and research at the School of Business under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS).
The handover ceremony commenced with a powerful prayer led by Sister Tracy Ence, a missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the prayer, she evoked God-the Almighty, to take control of the handover ceremony, blessing each individual with a generous heart, and blessing the Church and Makerere University as both entities embark on a journey of long-term partnership in the education.
The delegation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints consisted of over 10 personalities from different professions and vocations who have dedicated their lives to the church and service to humanity. These brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ are volunteers who undertake projects for the good of the Church and God’s people.
Presenting the ICT equipment to Makerere University, the Head of Delegation, Brother Christophe Ge’rard Giraud stated that the church values education expressing their commitment to partnerships that promote spiritual and secular education.
Delighted about the partnership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Makerere University, Brother Christophe said: “As a church, we love to get into partnership. Wherever our faith may be, we all believe there’s a God in heaven. This donation of laptops and projectors will strengthen and liven the classroom. We hope and pray that the donation will be a blessing.”
Brother Ambrose Kilama, the Stake President, a volunteer and an Ecclesiastic leader informed the audience that Education is the eleventh (11th) commandment in the Church. He re-affirmed that in the fulfilment of the 11th commandment, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints takes pride in education within and outside the church. “This is the beginning of the partnership. The donation symbolizes the commitment of the Church to undertaking partnerships in education.”
The handover ceremony was witnessed by the Vice Chancellor represented by Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS)-Prof. Edward Bbaale, the Dean of the School of Business-Dr. Godfrey Akileng, the Dean of the School of Economics-Dr. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) of Makerere University-Prof. Umar Kakumba and over 30 members of staff from the Department of Marketing and Management, and the Department of Accounting and Finance under the School of Business.
Listening to Dr. Jude Thaddeo Mugarura, Head of the Department of Marketing and Management, giving an account leading to the donation of the ICT equipment, the participants agreed that it was a divine connection. It also re-echoed the biblical teaching of the good Samaritan.
Dr. Mugarura revealed that the donation that the School of Business was receiving on 5th May 2025, started with an interaction with Dr. Phillip Mathemera, a Volunteer with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2024. While at Makerere University main campus, Dr. Mathemera, who was trying to locate the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), met Dr. Mugarura, and requested for directions. Attributing it to luck or God’s timing, Dr. Mugarura was the person present at the actual time when Dr. Mathemera was seeking help. They interacted, Dr. Mugarura directed him to CAES, and they also exchanged contacts for future correspondence.
Dr. Mugarura disclosed that when the Department of Marketing and Management was organizing an event and looking for sponsors, he pulled out the business card, to contact Dr. Mathemera for possible sponsorship.
Dr. Mugarura explained that during the telephone conversation, Dr. Mathemera guided him to explore support for a partnership rather than sponsorship for a one-off event.
Following the guidance received, Dr. Mugarura teamed up with Dr. Tibaingana to write a concept addressing the teaching and learning needs challenge in the Department of Marketing and Management.
Filled with joy, Dr. Mugarura briefed the audience inside the School of Business Conference Hall, that the Church responded positively to the concept. “I am pleased to state that everything that we requested for in the concept was accepted. We have assembled here today, on the 5th of May 2025, to receive the ICT equipment. We pledge to put these items to good use as we advance digitalization in teaching and learning,” said Dr. Mugarura.
Receiving the ICT equipment on behalf of Makerere University, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi reported that when he learned of this donation, he was filled with a deep sense of gratitude to God in heaven, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the two (2) members of staff namely: Dr. Jude Thaddeo Mugarura and Dr. Anthony Tibaingana who wrote the concept on the teaching and learning needs.
Stating the need for high-tech equipment and accessories to deliver meaningful education, Prof. Buyinza noted that the donation of ICT equipment significantly impacts the teaching, learning and research agenda of the University.
Referencing the 4th and 5th industrial revolution that thrives on ICT and digital education, Prof. Buyinza re-affirmed that the equipment received will enable the members of faculty to play a pivotal role in the realization of University 5.0, which is built on integrated ICT.
Prof. Buyinza applauded Dr. Jude Thaddeo Mugarura and Dr. Anthony Tibaingana, members of staff in the Department of Marketing and Management for identifying viable friends.
Welcoming the delegation from the Church to the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), the Principal-Prof. Edward Bbaale, notified the guests that the College consists of three (3) schools. These include: the School of Business, the School of Economics, and the School of Statistics and Planning, with each School having key departments. He also welcomed the staff from the School of Business that hosts the Department of Marketing and Management, and the Department of Accounting and Finance.
Prof. Bbaale commended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for prioritizing partnerships, emphasizing that Makerere University values partnerships. “Building partnerships, collaborations, and internationalization are the cornerstones to drive us into a research-driven university,” he said.
Appreciating the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Principal highlighted that the donation of laptops and projectors was a timely intervention, presenting the teaching staff with the required equipment as they undertake roles to contribute to the research-driven agenda of the University. “The support comes at a time when digital training and e-Learning are taking centre stage at Makerere University, which positions our faculty to be active players in this journey.”
Presenting a brief profile of the School of Business, the Dean-Dr. Godfrey Akileng stated that the School, which has 43 members of staff, is renowned for championing entrepreneurship. He reported that the School holds the Annual Entrepreneurship week/expo, which provides a platform to students to demonstrate their business and entrepreneurship skills and abilities.
Highlighting the School’s exponential growth in terms of graduate training and supervision, Dr. Akileng said: “In 2011/2012, the School had only two members of staff with PhDs. Today, the number of staff with PhDs is 26. We have developed capacity over the years with staff able to teach and supervise the different PhD tracks, namely PhD by research and PhD by coursework. Currently, the School of Business boasts of 31 students who are enrolled on the PhD programme,” he remarked.
Dr. Akileng congratulated the faculty upon receiving high-tech equipment. He requested the department of marketing and management to evolve into a model unit in the promotion of e-Learning and digital education at the University.
Impressed by Dr. Anthony Tibaingana’s resource mobilization efforts in securing the donation, Dr. Akileng also thanked Dr. Tibaingana for his devotion to teaching, learning, and graduate supervision. “Dr. Tibaingana is a rising star. This year, Dr. Tibaingana supervised three PhD students to completion. We are proud of his work,” he remarked.
Dr. Akileng called upon the members of faculty to utilize the equipment in the execution of official tasks, to serve the students and the University at large. This will bring real progress and growth to the School and the University.
Contributing to the discussion, Ms. Ritah Namisango, the Principal Communication Officer who moderated the ceremony, informed the audience that Makerere University had embarked on the development of an e-Learning Digital Transformation roadmap for the next five years (2025-2030). Observing that this strategic step involves the acquisition of high-tech ICT equipment to enable the different players to undertake the required roles, Ms. Namisango credited the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints for the generous donation.
Giving a vote of thanks on behalf of the members of staff, Dr. Pros Katumba, who teaches ICT and Strategic Management, flanked by Dr. Jamidah Nakato and Dr. Zaina Nakabuye, Lecturers in the Department of Marketing and Management, stressed that the ICT equipment received will enhance service delivery at the School of Business. “We have been having a gap in equipment. Thank you for this donation that will greatly impact teaching, learning, and research.”
True to the statement, that this was the beginning of partnership, Dr. Tibaingana ignited the audience when he reported that Dr. Mathemera had extended an offer to the 17 students studying marketing to undertake a driving course leading to acquisition of driving permits valued for 5 years. The training is scheduled to start after the end of Semester Two exams 2024/2025 on 17th May 2025.
According to Dr. Tibaingana, the sponsorship follows a guest lecture that was delivered by Dr. Mathemera in April 2025. “Thrilled by the interaction and enthusiasm of the marketing students, Dr. Mathemera generously offered the sponsorship,” he stated.