Nakawa — The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) at Makerere University, Prof. Sarah Ssali has called on professors at Makerere University Business School (MUBS) to use their research knowledge and professional expertise to address the challenges faced by communities.
Speaking during the first Professorial Inaugural Lecture held at the MUBS grounds in Nakawa, Prof. Ssali said professors are widely regarded as highly knowledgeable individuals and must therefore prove their relevance beyond academic institutions.
She observed that various groups in society such as ghetto youth, celebrities and ordinary citizens are increasingly influencing public discourse, and urged professors to also actively participate in such spaces.
“Members of society — including ghetto youth, celebrities and peasants — are capturing public space. On the side of professors, a lot still needs to be done. I call upon professors to tap into that space,” she said.
Prof. Ssali noted that although many academics conduct research and publish in international journals, their work should focus on producing solutions to the everyday challenges faced by communities.
“If research does not solve people’s problems, that vacuum will be occupied by someone else,” she added.
She further pointed out that the government invests heavily in the education of professors from primary school up to PhD level and compensates them with comparatively higher salaries, which places an obligation on them to contribute meaningfully to society.
“In the past, becoming a professor meant one had reached the peak and could relax. Today, however, a successful professor must be results-oriented — how many students have you mentored, what successful research projects have you undertaken, and how many people have utilized or cited your publications?” she said.
Meanwhile, Moses Muhwezi, the Principal of MUBS, congratulated Janatti Kyogabiirwe Bagorogoza and Sheila Namagembe for achieving the milestone of becoming professors.
“We look forward to your guidance so that we can learn from your research. This is the first time we are intentionally seeking to connect MUBS more closely with the community. As highly educated people, we can resolve puzzles others cannot solve,” Prof. Muhwezi said.
He also encouraged the professors to provide advice to the university leadership whenever they identify areas that require improvement.
Muhwezi also expressed appreciation to Joseph Byamugisha, the Director of Makerere University Hospital, for supporting MUBS during the COVID-19 pandemic by allowing staff and students access to testing services at a time when the institution had limited options.
During her inaugural lecture titled Knowledge Management for Transformation, Prof. Bagorogoza reflected on her academic journey, noting that despite her parents not attaining higher education, they played a vital role in supporting her education.
She explained that she began her education at Kakoba Demonstration School in Mbarara before completing Primary Seven at Rutooma Primary School in Kashari. She later attended Bweranyangi Girls’ School for her secondary education before enrolling at Makerere University, which she described as her dream institution.
Prof. Bagorogoza began her career as a teacher at King’s College Budo before later teaching at Kampala High School. She eventually returned to Makerere University to pursue a Master’s degree in Education.
“After graduating, I felt it was not appropriate to return to secondary school teaching, so I joined the National College of Business Studies as a lecturer. Since then, I have risen through the academic ranks to where I am today,” she said.
She emphasized the need for researchers to ensure their work benefits communities while also incorporating indigenous knowledge when addressing Uganda’s social and economic challenges.
Prof. Namagembe from the Faculty of Procurement and Logistics Management at MUBS also expressed gratitude to her husband and family members for supporting her throughout her long academic journey.
“I thank my siblings, aunties, uncles and my grandmother for encouraging me to pursue this path. Finally, I have reached higher than I ever expected,” she said.
She explained that while advancing her studies, she had three children, the eldest aged seven, which required her to balance family responsibilities with academic work.
“I would take the children to school and then dedicate time to my books,” she said.
Prof. Namagembe also acknowledged the guidance she received from her supervisors during her Master’s and PhD studies, particularly Prof. John Munene and Prof. Muhwezi.
She joined MUBS in 2006 as a Teaching Assistant and progressively rose through the academic ranks — becoming Assistant Lecturer in 2008, Lecturer in 2011, Senior Lecturer in 2014, Associate Professor in 2021, before being promoted to full Professor on July 1, 2025.
