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Kabanyolo hosts first collaborative GMO Biosafety Risk Assessment Training Workshop

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It was a sunny Friday afternoon at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Makerere University Kampala , Kabanyolo campus where applause accompanied the jovial award ceremony as participants from eleven countries in Africa (including Uganda) received their certificates of participation.

It was a sunny Friday afternoon at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Makerere University Kampala , Kabanyolo campus where applause accompanied the jovial award ceremony as participants from eleven countries in Africa (including Uganda) received their certificates of participation.

The five day workshop running from 19th to 23rd October 2009 under the theme “Introduction to GMO Biosafety Risk Assessment” saw participants cover topics on biosafety in a legal and regulatory context, with emphasis on Africa; the authorization process; risk analysis and problem formulation; assessment and management of identified risks to humans and the environment; agricultural biotechnological techniques; experimental design; and management of quarantine facilities.

 Participants and trainers of the 1st collaborative ICGEB+BiosafeTrain workshop

 The workshop was the result of a collaboration between BiosafeTrain and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB www.icgeb.org). Speaking on behalf of BiosafeTrain,  Dr. Gabor L. Lovei, the Project Leader based at Aarhus University, Denmark emphasized that Africa can only be independent of external influence if it has the capacity to develop its own biotechnological capability through equipping scientists working in national research institutions and biosafety regulatory officials with practical skills.

ICGEB+Biosafe Train workshop session in Kabanyolo BiosafeTrain (www.biosafetrain.dk) is a DANIDA-funded Enhancement of Research Capacity (ENRECA) project that assists East African countries to make informed, responsible decisions about the adoption of transgenic plants by enhancing their capacity in the area of biosafety and ecological impact assessment. BiosafeTrain collaborates with scientists from the University of Nairobi and Kenya Agricultural Research Institute in Kenya, Makerere University in Uganda, University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, and Aarhus and Copenhagen Universities in Denmark.

 Dr. Lovei further expounded on the three pillars through which Biosafe Train aims at improving biotechnical capacity

 a)      To develop and improve infrastructural capacity and upgrade existing biosafety or biotechnology facilities. These facilities will i.e. Green houses and laboratories will have multiple uses and better guarantee from training sustainability even after the project concludes. So far these include

i)                    Renovation and reequipping of an Insect Proof Laboratory at Kabanyolo

ii)                   Laboratory and glasshouse construction in Kenya and Tanzania

b)      Offer MSc and PhD fellowships in Biosafety with joint African- Danish supervision at local universities and perform relevant research projects locally. The project started in December 2004 and is currently in its second phase. The expected duration is 9-12 years by which time the collaborating countries will have trained personnel, protocols and facilities that enable them to fulfill their obligations under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. So far 19 scholarships have been awarded (13 MSc, 6 PhD) to students from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

c)      Offer either general or specialized short-term training courses according to needs identified. So far, the project held 6 such courses in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Niger, for students, scientists, and regulatory organizations.

Dr. Dennis Ndolo Obonyo, a Biosafety Specialist representing ICGEB, and based in its Cape Town component, spelled out the Centre’s philosophy regarding the products of modern biotechnology – which is to provide scientifically- and technically-sound unbiased information to nationals and governments of its Member States.

Last year, the ICGEB was awarded a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help support the development of effective safety and regulatory systems for biotechnology in sub-Saharan Africa. Working primarily out of its new Cape Town facility, the ICGEB-Gates biosafety capacity building project is enhancing national GMO regulatory capacity by using a four-pronged approach:

  1. Organising practical training workshops, with the recently concluded Kampala chapter being the inaugural one. There are four more such training workshops planned for 2010 and two in 2011.
  2. Offering 1-year MSc “Risk Assessment of GM Crops” fellowships. So far, six fellowships have been awarded at the University of Aberystwyth (UK) and another five are available for next year. The fellowships target mainly individuals whose roles impact directly on biosafety regulatory systems and scientific advisory committees.
  3. Offering short-term (1-2 years) research fellowships, which address issues pertinent to the regulation of genetically modified crops on the continent by generating scientific information relevant to regulatory advisory bodies in sub-Saharan Africa.
  4. Funding the participation of scientists and regulators in regional and international biosafety conferences.

 In his concluding remarks, Dr. Obonyo emphasised that the project is driven by a bottom-up approach where project activities are responsive to locally-identified needs of scientists and representatives of National Competent Authorities (NCAs) in the region. Therefore, the project is keen to work with key biosafety initiatives in the region and aims at ultimately having a pool of stakeholders well-trained in biosafety aspects of key relevance to the region.

 Insect proof laboratory in Kabanyolo

 Noting some experiences from the recently concluded training, Dr. Lovei was glad that participants had realized the importance of experimental design and how to handle research data. He also reckoned that it was a good discussion group as it consisted of half students and half trainers with senior experience in the biotechnology field. He also identified the need to modify the training content with each proceeding training course seeing as the biotechnology field is evolving very fast.

Finally, as an ecologist for the last 30 years, Gabor couldn’t help but observe that ecology has an important role to play in the spread of GMOs and biotechnology noting that GMOs will unavoidably have to share an environment with indigenous species.

 Images courtesy of BiosafeTrain

 

Denis Wamala

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Undergraduate Admissions List: Mop-up/Appeals 2025/2026

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The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Successful appeals and supplementary lists. Below is a list arising from appeals of Government Sponsored candidates who have been admitted:

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Makerere University, DFCU Bank Sign MoU to Advance Innovation, Student Leadership and Research

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Officials from Makerere University and DFCU Bank pose for a group photo at the Main Building Entrance after the MoU signing ceremony on 4th July 2025. Makerere University and DFCU Bank Limited sign a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enhance academic excellence, advance research and innovation capabilities, and provide crucial student support services through key activities; Annual Tumusiime Muteile Lecture, MakRun and Student activities, 4th July 2025, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

By Eve Nakyanzi and Atwenda Nancy

Makerere University and DFCU Bank have today signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster innovation, student leadership, research and community impact initiatives.

The collaboration which will see the equipping of the Disability Support center for students living with disabilities through the MAK run and more leadership trainings for students will begin this July.

“The MoU will strengthen research collaborations across sectors like agriculture and health and it will also support the Mutebile Centre to assist private sector growth, which is crucial in lifting Africa out of poverty,” said Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) flanked by Mr. Charles Mudiwa (L) makes his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony. Makerere University and DFCU Bank Limited sign a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enhance academic excellence, advance research and innovation capabilities, and provide crucial student support services through key activities; Annual Tumusiime Muteile Lecture, MakRun and Student activities, 4th July 2025, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) flanked by Mr. Charles Mudiwa (L) makes his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony.

Speaking during the event, Mr. Charles M. Mudiwa, the DFCU Bank Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the move, noting its alignment with the bank’s mission to transform lives and support national development through four pillars: funding, financial inclusion, enterprise development, and vocational education.

“This MoU crowns years of effort and shared intent between our institutions,” he stated.
Mr. Mudiwa highlighted the bank’s commitment to skilling youth through internships, curriculum development, and support for innovation hubs and centres of excellence at the university.
“We consume the graduates of Makerere. In our most recent graduate intake of 87, 60% were Makerere alumni. The bank allocates around 30 internship positions annually to equip young people with the skills necessary for future roles within the institution,” Mr. Mudiwa, noted.

Representing the student body, Guild President His Excellency, Sentamu Churchill James, commended the partnership as a timely intervention that will empower youth, support SMEs, and expand internship and leadership development opportunities.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd L) presents a framed portrait of the Main Building to Mr. Charles Mudiwa (C) as L-R: University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta witness. Makerere University and DFCU Bank Limited sign a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enhance academic excellence, advance research and innovation capabilities, and provide crucial student support services through key activities; Annual Tumusiime Muteile Lecture, MakRun and Student activities, 4th July 2025, Council Room, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd L) presents a framed portrait of the Main Building to Mr. Charles Mudiwa (C) as L-R: University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta witness.

“Students are the heartbeat of the university. This collaboration will empower youth and strengthen their role in national development,” His Excellency Ssentamu, said.

About MAK RUN 2025

The Makerere Run 2025 (#MakRun2025), hosted by the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MAKEF) on 17th August 2025, returns for its fifth edition as Kampala’s premier charity marathon, uniting 8,000+ runners—students, alumni, corporate teams, and elite athletes—to tackle the city’s iconic hills under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future.” This landmark event combines competitive racing with transformative impact, channeling proceeds to strengthen Makerere University’s community programs while offering unmatched branding opportunities for partners through Kampala’s largest university-led sporting spectacle.

The Mak Run, scheduled this year for August 17th, is a flagship initiative that mobilizes students, staff, alumni, and partners to raise funds for projects such as the Disability Support Unit and the Student Centre.

The Writers are Interns in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University

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Diploma in Performing Arts Admission List 2025/26

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The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released the admission list of candidates who passed the special entry examinations for the Diploma in Performing Arts held on Saturday 17th May, 2025

The following have been admitted by the University’s Admissions Committee on Private Sponsorship for the 2025/26 Academic Year

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