Our Team
Project Implementation Team
Dr. Justine. J. Namaalwa
Program Coordinator
Tel: +256 (0) 414 542470
Email: naamalwa.justine@gmail.com
Justine Namaalwa – Program Coordinator
Justine is a PhD holder in Forest Economics from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, currently serving as the Head, Department of Environmental Management, Makerere University. She is charged with planning, overseeing the implementation of the day-to-day academic and non-academic operations of the Department, and linking with the other University structures. Justine has in the past served as the Alternate Coordinator of Two Regionalized Academic programmes that were hosted at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences with one mandatory field Semester (6 weeks) at Makerere University: (i) 2001 to 2010: Norwegian regionalized MSc. Management of Natural Resources and Sustainable Agriculture funded by NORAD, and (ii) 2006 to 2010: Bachelor of Development Studies program. These Programmes involved planning and coordinating the teaching and residential field activities for the International students.
Besides the Academic roles at the University, Justine is assigned with different administrative roles in the University including; Member of the Makerere University Press Editorial Board; Member the Finance Committee for School of Forestry; and, Member of the Makerere University Strategic Planning Committee. Beyond the University, Justine serves in different capacities including but not limited; (i) Chairperson Board of Advisors- Environmental Management for Livelihood Improvement Bwaise Facility; (ii) Member of Parents Committee for Namilyango College; (iii) Academic representative to the National Technical working group on Natural Capital Accounting; and (iv) Member of the National REDD+ Technical Team.
Jolly Okumu – Project Manager
Jolly is the Program Manager of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University. She manages the day to day operations of the Program and has successfully coordinated recruitment of 981 (98%) Scholars. Jolly holds a degree of Master of Arts in Gender Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from Makerere University. She has over 10 years of experience in management of Scholarship programs for the youth at Higher Institution of Learning.
Prior to her service on the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in 2014, Jolly worked with the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate at Makerere University (2011-2013) where she managed the Female Scholarship Foundation including coordination of selection and recruitment of students for scholarship. She successfully coordinated the Matching Grant Program (funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York) that was able to mobilize funding of USD 1,000,000 for supporting 300 female students from poor background to access University Education. She also coordinated the Ms.JD Global Education Fund Initiative that supported female students in legal education as well as the Makerere University Tuition Waiver initiative for female students.
Harriet Tiko – Psychosocial Support Officer
Harriet Tiko is the Psychosocial Support Services Officer of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University. Harriet supports the Program Manager in providing psychosocial support to the Scholars’ community aimed at promoting the physical and mental health, enhance the wellness and empower the Scholars to achieve their full potential in personal, academic and career growth.
Harriet holds Master of Science in Counseling Psychology degree from India, Post Graduate degree in Project Planning and Management from Uganda Management Institute, Bachelors’ degree in Guidance and Counselling from Kyambongo University, Higher Diploma in Child Counseling from Mildmay Uganda, Diploma in Law from the Law and Development Centre Kampala and a number of professional trainings. Harriet has over 13 years of clinical practice mainly in managerial role; Clinical Coordinator with Serenity De Addiction Rehabilitation Centre, University Counselor with Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi and now for the past 5 years in the current position with the Scholars’ Program.Psychosocial ans Support Services Offficer
Mr. John Osuna
Transition Officer–Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development
Tel: +256 772-507-315
Email: josuna@acadreg.mak.ac.ug
John Osuna
John is the Transition Officer in charge of Leadership & Entrepreneurship (Part Time) at Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University. He also serves as the Senior Administrator of the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD) at Makerere University. John has 10 years’ experience in Scholarship Management and general administration and operations. He also has interests in strategic planning, resource mobilization, research and enterprise or organizational development. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management from Uganda Management Institute, a Master of Arts in Public Administration and Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts both from Makerere University. He has attended several trainings in Advancement and Resource Mobilization sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Inyathelo – the South African Institute for Advancement at the Rhodes Business School, Rhodes University, South Africa. John has deep knowledge on scholarship activities particularly on student recruitment and operations.
Bernard Buteera-Butare
Bernard is the Communication & Web Officer at Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University. He is an educationist and communication specialist. He holds an MSc in Development Management from London School of Economics & Political Science, a Bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication from Makerere and a Diploma in English Language & Literature in English from Kyambogo University. He has over 10 years’ experience in Communication and public relations practice. Upon graduation, he joined New Vision; Uganda’s leading daily as a freelance journalist, and wrote columns for other Newspapers. As a print media major, he specialized in writing and editing magazines. Upon completion of his Master’s degree, he joined Lifestyle Care support, a Non- Governmental Organization based in Northampton- UK as the Communications and Child support officer. A long the way he also engaged in research and consultancies with some organizations such as Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO). He has also volunteered with Peace Corps in Norway and in other organizations in and around the country.
Mr. Gad Besigiroha
Coordinator, Monitoring Evaluation & Learning /Management Information Systems
Tel: +256 772-690-158
Email: besisystems@gmail.com
Besigiroha Kyokwijuka Gad
Gad is the Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Management Information Systems Coordinator of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University. He is charged with the design, coordination and implementation of the Learning/Monitoring and Evaluation of activities across all program areas. This include; process and tools development, data collection and analysis, reporting and learning/reflection processes. Gad has over 12 years’ experience in multi-disciplinary fields in the public and private sector at middle and senior management positions with extensive knowledge and application in project planning, monitoring, evaluation, management and ICT.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree of science in Quantitative Economics, a Master of Science in Population and Reproductive Health, a Postgraduate diploma in Computer Science all from Makerere University. He also holds a Postgraduate diploma in Project Planning and Management and a Master of Business Administration both from Uganda Management Institute. He has attended several short-term certificate courses in Planning, Research, Public Health, Financial Management, Information Communications Technology, Monitoring, Evaluation and Management at national and international level. Prior to his appointment as MEL/MIS Coordinator, Gad was the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for IDB I&II, OPEC, KUWAIT, SAUDI and BADEA projects in Ministry of Education and Sports (2011-2018), Head of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation of Uganda Co-operative Savings and Credit Union Ltd (2008-2010), Regional Monitoring, Evaluation and Data Officer of Hospice Africa Uganda (2006-2008) and Technical Officer (Data Verification and Integration) of National Social Security Fund (2002-2006). Along the way he also engaged in research and consultancies (capacity building) with several organizations such as Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Plan International and Uganda Microfinance Support Center.
Mrs. Grace .N. Sennoga
Support Services & Welfare Officer
Tel+ 256 782-475-103
Email: gsennoga@gmail.com
Grace Namata Sennoga
Grace is the Support Services and Welfare Officer (Full Time) at the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University. She holds a Bachelors of Mass Communication Degree from Makerere University and an MBA International Business from Amity University. Grace started her career journey with Vantage Communications, a Public Relations firm where she participated in design and implementation of Communication and PR strategies for clients which among others included MTN, PSFU and KCC among others. She has served as Trade Promotion Officer in charge of Public Relations at Uganda Export Promotion Board where among other responsibilities was in charge of internal and external communications and supporting export trade facilitation. Grace has also worked with Uganda Bureau of Statistics and National Curriculum Development Centre handling communication and public relations functions. Prior to this assignment Grace worked with BRAC as the Communication Manager for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, that supported 5000 students to attain quality secondary education. In addition to the communication support functions, Grace supported Scholar enrichment activities like mentorship, give back and institutional networking. Grace brings on board a wealth of experience in program operations, communications and development work specifically in youth empowerment. She is highly motivated by success and progress of young people. Grace is passionate about empowering the marginalized, equity and inclusiveness.
Ms. Sharon Nabukalu Mankaati
Finance & Administration Officer
Tel: +256 776-325-486
Email: nabukalusharon@gmail.com
Sharon Nabukalu Mankaati
Sharon Nabukalu Mankaati, is the Finance and Administration Officer at Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University since 2015. She previously worked as a Finance Officer at the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI). Sharon is a Certified Public Accountant and a full member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU). She holds a Bachelors degree of Commerce (Accounting) from Makerere University Business School and a Masters of Business Administration (Finance) from Makerere University. She has over ten years of work experience with Non Profit making organizations, a high level of integrity both personally and professionally. She is transparent and very reliability. She is an awesome team player and great at problem solving, ensuring that set Program goals and objectives are achieved.
Mrs. Eva Nabasumba Mubiru
Transitions Officer- Academics & Career Support
Tel :+256 774-457-060
Email: evanabasumba15@gmail.com
Eva Nabasumba Mubiru
Eva is the Transition Officer in charge of Academics & Career Guidance (Full time) at the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University. Eva holds a Master of philosophy (M. Phil) in Public Administration from the University of Bergen-Norway, A Bachelor’s Degree in Arts Social Sciences from Makerere University and a First Class Diploma in Human Rights from the Law Development Centre-Kampala, Uganda. Eva has experience in programmes/projects management in different thematic areas including human rights, child protection, capacity development, education and livelihood support and general administration of psychosocial support services in both non-governmental organizations and academia. Under the Fredskorpset Exchange programme supported by the Norwegian government in 2010, Eva successfully established a Child Protection & Response Centre at the ANPPCAN Regional Office in Nairobi-Kenya in addition to spearheading the formation of the Nairobi Child Protection Team at the time Kenya was mapping her Child Protection System. In Uganda, Eva is a pioneer actor in the establishment and transition of the Uganda Child Helpline (Toll free 116) from civil society management to government under the Ministry of Gender, Labour & Social Development steered by the Uganda National Child Protection Working Group. Eva’s current interests lie in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through Agenda 2030, where no one should be left behind; most especially the young people!
Ms. Rose Mary Nalwanga
Asst. Psychosocial & Support Services Officer
Tel: 0704-141-386
Email: joas8105@yahoo.com
Rose Mary Nalwanga
Rose Mary is a Counseling Psychologist working with Makerere University as a Counsellor for and with Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program as an Assistant Psychosocial Support Officer. She has 24 years’ experience of working with young people especially university students. I have worked with them as a caretaker, a warden, a facilitator/ lecturer, a counsellor and now as a psychosocial support giver. Over the years, she has had opportunities of working with students of different economic backgrounds and cultures. She has positively changed many lives of students especially those that are the troubled, vulnerable, and the disadvantaged. Her major responsibilities in Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, stretches from offering psychosocial support, overseeing of families that stem from a family strategy that was established as a means of offering more support to scholars through their peers. She is also in charge of different groups that are formed with the same objective with that of families. She is also charged with the implementation of the Scholars’ Code of Conduct and the Scholars’ Protection Policy
Ms. Harriet Nakiryowa
Administrative Secretary
Tel: +256 787-283-643
Email: hnakiryowa@acadreg.mak.ac.ug
Harriet Nakiryowa
Harriet is the Administrative Secretary of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University. Her roles include: Harriet provides Secretarial and Office management to the program and administrative support in the selection and recruitment of the Scholars as well as registration of Scholars and routine update of the Scholars Database. She also provides administrative support in Events Management (e.g. Orientation, Assemblies, Award Ceremony, Graduation Ceremony and any other events) and prepare reports and she supports in capacity building programmes of the Scholars. Harriet also ensures proper documentation and archiving of program documents and Records and processes minutes for staff meetings. Harriet graduated with a first class honors degree in Secretarial Studies at Makerere University. She worked as an Examination Scout with UNEB for the past 5 years.