Makerere CHUSS Reaches Scholarly Milestone with Five New Publications

Makerere University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) marked a significant scholarly milestone on Thursday with the official launch of five major publications, reflecting the institution’s commitment to research, critical scholarship, and knowledge production that responds to Uganda’s and Africa’s evolving realities.

The event, held at the Senior Common Room in the Main Administration Building, was attended by university leadership, faculty, authors, editors, and distinguished guests. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Professor Sarah N. Ssali, were represented by Professor Winston Tumps Ireeta, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Finance and Administration).

“The launch is a reaffirmation of Makerere University’s commitment to research, critical scholarship, and knowledge production that responds to Uganda’s and Africa’s evolving realities,” Prof Ssali said in a speech read for her by Prof Ireeta.

She encouraged faculty and staff to contribute to homegrown academic journals, emphasising that the University Management will continue to engage leadership at unit levels to establish college-specific or discipline-focused journals.

The five publications

Reclaiming Learning: Pedagogical Struggles and Innovation in Higher Education in Uganda, edited by Professor Andrew Elias State and colleagues. The book examines challenges in higher education, highlighting inclusive pedagogical practices, blended learning, and student-centred methodologies.

Professor Elias State noted, “This book highlights innovative practices emerging from Ugandan lecturers, demonstrating that pedagogical innovation can arise from local cultural sources as much as from global theories. Students must be at the core of learning.”

He added: “May this volume inspire us to reimagine, revitalise, and reaffirm the centrality of learning in all our institutions.”

Reading Archives, Memory and Method from Makerere University: Debates and Insights, edited by Assoc. Prof. Edgar Fred Nabutanyi, Dr Amon Ashaba Mwiine, Prof. Josephine Ahikire, Dr Pamela Khanakwa, and Dr Levis Mugumya. The book explores the centrality of archives, memory, and institutional history in shaping scholarship and identity.

Dr Mwiine reflected, “This book brings the archive to the centre of analysis, exploring memory, identity, power, and justice within Uganda’s public discourse.”

Living with Others: Ethnic Conflict and Pluralism in Uganda’s Greater Kibaale Region, by Dr Jimmy Spire Ssentongo. The work documents lived experiences of ethnic conflict and coexistence.

“This book explores how communities navigate historical tensions and coexist despite differences,” Dr Ssentongo explained. “Writing in our local languages is essential for meaningful engagement, and this publication supports that goal.”

The Makerere Historical Journal (Vol. 6, No. 1, 2025), edited by Deo Katono, Rebecca Glada, Edgar Taylor, and Christopher Muhoozi, continues the university’s historical scholarship tradition.

Dr Katono emphasised the journal’s revival, noting, “This issue contains articles spanning history, archaeology, and heritage studies, demonstrating the interdisciplinary richness of our department.”

The inaugural issue of the Makerere Journal of Languages, Literature and Communication (Vol. 1, Issue 1), which brings together scholarship in literature, linguistics, communication, and cultural studies.

Dr Levis Mugumya highlighted the journal’s journey, saying, “This journal now includes eight articles, two book reviews, and one film review. It stands proudly on the international stage, supported by the Andrew Mellon Foundation and our local editorial teams.”

Professor Helen N. Nkabala, Principal of CHUSS, praised the editors, authors, staff, and partners for their dedication to scholarship and knowledge sharing. She acknowledged the support of the Mellon Foundation and the African Humanities Foundation, as well as the role of Makerere University Press and Fountain Publishers in producing high-quality publications.

“We are building on a strong foundation of humanities scholarship,” she said. “This launch celebrates not just the publications but the commitment to advancing knowledge across our institutions.”

Prof. Robert Wamala, Acting Director of Research, Innovation, and Partnerships, described the event as “a significant scholarly milestone,” emphasising the university’s role in fostering research-led initiatives.

“Every book published underlines the importance of documenting our realities, telling our own stories, and generating homegrown insights that speak to Africa’s past, present, and future,” he said.

The launch also highlighted the revival of the Makerere Journal of Languages, Literature, and Communication, a journal dormant since 1991, now digitised and accessible online.

Dr William Tayebwa, Managing Editor of Makerere University Press, said, “We are dedicating efforts to ensure that our journals meet international indexing standards, increasing their global visibility and impact.”

Tom Tibaijuka, Publishing Manager at Fountain Publishers, hailed the longstanding collaboration with Makerere University, noting that while Fountain is primarily a commercial company, publishing is not just about profits.

“There are publications we take on because we feel a societal contribution must be made. Often, we seek subsidies to support such work because properly compensating reviewers and contributors is expensive. Yet we persist because books are meant to be shared and appreciated.”

He further lauded the timeliness and alignment of publications, saying they align with recent educational reforms. “Since 2019–2020, the National Curriculum Development Authority has emphasised competencies, problem-solving, creativity, and learner-centred approaches. This book champions the same principles: education beyond exam passing, fostering critical thinking, innovation, and practical problem-solving.”

Prof. Rev. Sr. Dominica Dipio, representing the African Humanities Series Program, said initially, the African Humanities Program focused on doctoral completion funding, but it became clear that merely supporting dissertation completion was not very productive. “The program wanted to see tangible results, so the focus shifted entirely to career development and mentorship.”

She emphasised a rigorous publication process as a key feature of the African Humanities Association, noting that the eneficiaries who have published monographs “with us know that the process is meticulous”, requiring design management and careful guidance to produce cutting-edge humanities scholarship.

“The book we are launching today comes from philosophy, titled Living with Others. Despite being a philosophy book, it is accessible and relevant to everyday life. It addresses practical human concerns, helping readers engage with humanity in their daily experiences. I encourage everyone to engage with this work.”

The event underscored the College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ role in addressing critical societal questions through scholarship in pedagogy, history, language, memory, and culture. Contributors to the volumes emphasised the importance of inclusive education, archival research, and African-centred knowledge production in shaping both academic discourse and societal transformation.