{"id":7724,"date":"2025-09-05T09:21:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T06:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuss.mak.ac.ug\/en\/?p=7724"},"modified":"2025-09-05T10:08:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T07:08:15","slug":"chuss-holds-strategic-retreat-to-review-makerere-universitys-2025-2030-plan-aligned-to-ndp-iv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chuss.mak.ac.ug\/en\/chuss-holds-strategic-retreat-to-review-makerere-universitys-2025-2030-plan-aligned-to-ndp-iv\/","title":{"rendered":"CHUSS Holds Strategic Retreat to Review Makerere University’s 2025\u20132030 Plan Aligned to NDP IV"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Makerere University, Kampala 2-3 September, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Makerere University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) held a  two-day retreat on September 2nd and 3rd, 2025, aimed at repositioning the college within the broader framework of the university’s forthcoming 2025\u20132030 Strategic Plan. The exercise also sought to ensure that CHUSS\u2019s priorities are aligned with Uganda\u2019s Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The retreat brought together representatives from the principal\u2019s office, deans, heads of departments, academic staff, and administrative representatives to review, critique, and contribute to the university\u2019s draft strategic plan. The goal was to ensure that the distinct voice and critical contributions of the humanities and social sciences are reflected in the final document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A section of the members discussing the plan<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Opening Remarks: Repositioning for Relevance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The retreat was formally opened by Assoc. <\/strong>Prof. Eric Awich Ochen, Deputy Principal, speaking on behalf of the CHUSS Principal, Prof. Helen Nambalira Nkabala. In his remarks, Prof. Ochen underscored the importance of strategic planning not only as a legal mandate for all government entities, including higher education institutions, but also as a tool for introspection, repositioning, and forward planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe need to review where we are, take stock, and replan for another five years,\u201d he said, adding that the university\u2019s last five-year plan (2020\u20132025) had reached its end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Prof. Eric Awich contributing to the discussion<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Prof. Ochen noted that the National Planning Authority (NPA) had tasked all institutions with aligning their strategies to national priorities under NDP IV. Makerere University responded by establishing a task force that drafted the current strategic plan. CHUSS, in turn, organized this retreat to scrutinize the document and provide a comprehensive position paper articulating the college’s interests and aspirations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He recalled CHUSS\u2019s history of excellence in policy input, referencing the college\u2019s highly regarded submission to the Education Policy Review Commission chaired by Amanya Mushega.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCHUSS prepared the best position paper of any college\u2026 and the committee appreciated that document. I believe we shall emulate that success again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHUSS\u2019s Strategic Role: Beyond the University<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Martin Baluku, the retreat convener, elaborated on the importance of CHUSS’s inclusion in the university\u2019s strategic direction. He emphasized that humanities and social sciences are not peripheral, but central to both national and international development objectives. Baluku is also Dean, School of Pyschology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Martin Baluku and Dr. Chris Opesen during the meeting<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHuman capital development cannot happen fully without the contributions of the humanities and social sciences,\u201d Dr. Baluku stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHUSS’s representatives reviewed the proposed strategies, identifying gaps and suggesting improvements to better reflect the college\u2019s academic and societal contributions. While committed to the overall success of the university, CHUSS emphasized that its role in shaping thought, preserving culture, and promoting social development must be explicitly recognized in both strategic goals and implementation frameworks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Observations and Concerns: Towards a More Inclusive Strategy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Baluku expressed appreciation for the general direction and improved clarity in the strategic plan\u2019s language. He applauded the plan\u2019s alignment with national priorities, which could improve government funding and policy support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Charlotte Mafumbo and Dr. Martin Baluku consulting one another on some issues<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

However, he also raised concerns about limited representation of CHUSS in the proposed infrastructure projects, despite the college\u2019s large student population and pressing space constraints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat was a little bit of a disappointment\u2026 given the contribution we make in terms of students and the constraints we are facing in teaching and research spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further questioned the overemphasis on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the plan\u2019s narrative, warning against reducing the university’s role to vocational training at the expense of its core mandate\u2014to develop critical thinkers and scholars who transform societies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Call for Bottom-Up Planning<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most significant takeaways from the retreat was the call for a bottom-up approach to strategic planning. Dr. Baluku argued that instead of aligning unit strategies to a pre-determined university strategy, the process should begin at the departmental level, feeding into school, college, and finally university-wide plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Representatives of the administrative and support staff attending the retreat<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf we begin with unit or departmental plans and then head towards the general university plan, it would have a more representative and inclusive strategy\u2026 rather than one that is developed in a boardroom and cascaded down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As CHUSS concludes its retreat, the team is committed to compiling a comprehensive position paper<\/strong> that reflects its strategic vision and contributions. This document will be presented and submitted to the university\u2019s strategic planning task force for integration into the final plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A representative from the department of Performing Arts during the meeting<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The retreat reaffirmed CHUSS\u2019s dedication not only to its own growth but also to the broader mission of Makerere University<\/strong>\u2014to be a globally recognized institution that fosters transformative knowledge and development, fully in step with Uganda\u2019s national aspirations under NDP IV<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n