đˇ Makerere introduces digital tool to combat sexual harassment
Nakadama noted that centres of higher learning are many times misused by sexual predators who prey on vulnerable students.
The chief guest at the event, Rukia Nakadama, the third deputy prime minister who also doubles as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Mayuge appending her signature on the safeguarding policy dummy booklet as Lorna Magara, the University council and Prof Justine Namaalwa, a member of the safeguarding implementation team look on. (Photos by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
Rhyman Agaba
Journalist @New Vision
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In a bid to combat sexual harassment and discrimination, Makerere University has introduced a digital tool that enables survivors and whistleblowers to report cases anonymously.
The chief guest at the event, Rukia Nakadama, the third deputy prime minister who also doubles as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Mayuge being received by Makerere University Chairperson Council Lorna Magara.
The MaKSafeSpace platform enhances the safety and wellness of students and staff at Makerere University, providing an accessible, robust, and confidential means of reporting any risk or harm that is likely to occur or has occurred during teaching, learning, research, and community engagements.
The chief guest at the event, Rukia Nakadama, the third deputy prime minister who also doubles as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Mayuge (left) shaking hands with Makerere University Guild President Churchill Ssentamu.
This platform complements the other reporting channels, both digital and non-digital, provided by Makerere University.
The university has also provided an offline option to report safeguarding incidences. Three phone numbers have been provided for the student community to call and air their grievances.
School of performing arts students welcoming the Chief guest with a dance.
Speaking during the launch of the safeguarding policy at Makerere University on Friday 4, April 2025, Dr Joab Ezra Agaba, a lecturer from the College of Computing and Information Sciences at Makerere University who developed the Mak Safe Spaces system said it requires credentials and can generate a unique code that enables the aggrieved party to track the progress of the case anonymously.
“If you choose not to reveal your identity, you can be issued a pin and a secret tracking code that helps you track your cases,” Agaba stated.
Agaba gave the students and university staff an outline of how the digital tool operates by projecting it on a giant screen and illustrating step-by-step processes.
(L-R) Makerere University Council Chairperson Lorna Magara, Rukia Nakadama, the third deputy prime minister who also doubles as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Mayuge and the University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe during the event.
“It requires you to log in using your Makerere credentials. The system is free, so feel free to explore it,” he advised the students.
The campaign, dubbed ‘Safeguarding starts with me, is being promoted across the University to both the staff and student community in all halls of residence as well as the hostels affiliated to Makerere, including the Jinja-based campus.
Through the e-reporting system, survivors are shown where to report their cases, which includes the Inclusion and Safeguarding Liaison office located at the Senate Building 401/402, as well as the Quality Assurance Directorate and the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate.
Some of the students attending the event.
Several students were trained as safeguarding champions and empowered to speak up on behalf of those who may encounter any form of harassment or discrimination.
Other channels for reporting include police, religious leaders, the university hospital, guild leadership as well as the office of the Dean of students.
(L-R) Makerere University Council Chairperson Lorna Magara, Rukia Nakadama, the third deputy prime minister who also doubles as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Mayuge and the University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
According to Dr Agaba, students are required to fill out a community risk reporting form online.
This confidential form provides a platform for you to report any risks or hazards you observe within our community.
By identifying and addressing these risks, we can work together to create a safer environment for everyone.
The chief guest at the event, Rukia Nakadama, the third deputy prime minister who also doubles as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Mayuge, said her status as an MP was as a result of such policies which pushed for affirmative action.
“This is in line with the Constitution, which guarantees dignity. The government is committed to providing a safe environment for all citizens,” she stated.
She noted that centres of higher learning are many times misused by sexual predators who prey on vulnerable students.
The chief guest at the event, Rukia Nakadama, the third deputy prime minister.
“I thank you for this bold step. It will hold perpetrators accountable.”
The minister, Magara and vice chancellor, as well as Bukenya, received gifts from the university for their support towards this policy after they officially launched the safeguarding policy.
The chief guest at the event, Rukia Nakadama, the third deputy prime minister receiving a gift from Makerere University Chairperson Council Lorna Magara.
Adrian Bukenya, the country director for the Mastercard Foundation, attended the launch.
Prof Justine Namaalwa, a member of the safeguarding steering committee, said the policy applies to all students, staff, and contractors and acknowledged that this is not entirely new since many other policies remain in force.
“This has come to strengthen where we had gaps to iron out sexual exploitation,” she clarified.
According to Namaalwa, students should be able to recognise the signs and hotspots.
“We should respect boundaries to avoid being the cause of harm to others,” she cautioned.
The University’s vice chancellor, Prof Nawangwe, commended Lorna Magara, the chairperson of the university council, stating that under her leadership, Makerere has revised the anti-sexual harassment policies aimed at making the university a better environment.
“I want to assure you that this policy will be implemented. I complained about social media harassment, so the policy is already working,” Nawangwe said.
For her part, Magara said the policy was unanimously adopted.
She noted that vices such as harassment, bullying, and blackmail, whether physical or digital, must be handled with seriousness.
Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe appending his signature on the safeguarding policy dummy booklet.
“It adds accountability into our day-to-day activities and shapes a culture of safety,” Magara noted.
She also warned that violations will be met with severe disciplinary action and legal repercussions.
The digital tool is still in the test phase and will be officially open to general use after two weeks of testing its efficiency.
The student community welcomed the initiative.
During his speech, the 94th guild president, Churchill Sentamu, said the policy is not just a formality but an institutional framework.
“We can no longer afford to pretend that cases of sexual harassment are isolated incidences,” Sentamu lamented.
He said this policy is a bold declaration that indeed enough is enough and believes that perpetrators will be held accountable.
“Let it shape the culture of our university. To staff, you are the role models; your behaviour sets the tone. And as student leaders, we must be on the frontlines of enforcing this policy,” Sentamu declared.
He advised students to utilise the reporting systems and promote a culture of respect.
“Let us uphold transparency and integrity,” he said and urged the government and the university to make that commitment together.