The Department was established in 2004 as a semi autonomous department in the Institute of Ethics and Development Studies evolving from an already existing department of Extra-Mural studies that was ceasing its operations.

 

In 2009, the Department formally moved from the Institute into the new School of East African School of Diplomacy, Governance and International Studies. The activities of the Department include both educational programmes and research programmes. On the educational programmes, the department boasts of partnering with the Ministry of Local Government to offer courses leading to Diploma, Bachelors and Masters all in Local Governance and Human Rights. The Department has conducted research in Local Governance, Human Rights, Early School Leavers and Inter Cultural Studies.

Vision
The vision of the Department is to build a better and more humane world where human security, social justice, progress and the common good are cherished and promoted.
The Department stands for a world where international peace and security are founded on the respect of human dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms through the observance of international law, international norms and values, the rule of law, and concern for a better governed world.

 

Mission
The Department's mission is to promote sustainable peace and good governance across the private, public and civic sectors by promoting transparency, accountability rule of law and effective institutions within and among these sectors in the East Africa region and beyond.

The Department advances good governance and peace by conducting rigorous research and analysing and disseminating results, developing educational tools to improve governance today and supporting those who will ensure good governance tomorrow. The Department promotes a better world order; secure human environment, pursuit of justice, a sustainable welfare, and progress for humanity for the long term future by strengthening the governing institutions and effectiveness of both private and public policies.

The Department focuses on nurturing close and mutually reinforcing working relationships with professional associations, government, civil society organizations and research institutions dedicated to supporting and promoting peace, human rights and good governance.

The Department strives towards excellence in research and analysis. It maintains the highest standards of veracity, validity, reliability, and methodological rigour. Integrity, objectivity, and rationality are the guiding principles for all the Department’s activities. As part of Uganda Martyrs University and the Institute of Ethics and Development Studies, the Department is led by the ethical values in leading the world to order. It is driven by the imagination, creativity, ideas, vision, energy, vitality, and drive that characterize a people balanced by the intelligence, knowledge, and experience that are imparted by being part of Uganda Martyrs University.

 

The Department has a Board which meets regularly. Membership includes appointed department staff and members appointed from the Institute. Students can be called upon to be represented on some occasions if there are matters of interest. The Board of the Department is under the Board of the Institute which is also governed by the University Senate.Subject to the Charter and Statutes, the Board of the Department shall be responsible, under the authority of Senate and within the policy agreed by Senate,for organising, regulating and directing the academic work within Department in teaching and learning, assessment and research.