General
i@MAK officially lanches 19 new publications
The Innovations at Makerere Committee (I@Mak.com) has since 2001 implemented a capacity building programme for decentralization at Makerere University Kampala. The main focus of this committee is to promote innovations in teaching and research to make university education more relevant to the country’s changing needs, especially relating to service delivery under the decentralization policy.
The Innovations at Makerere Committee (I@Mak.com) has since 2001 implemented a capacity building programme for decentralization at Makerere University Kampala. The main focus of this committee is to promote innovations in teaching and research to make university education more relevant to the country’s changing needs, especially relating to service delivery under the decentralization policy.
One of the key strategies adopted to achieve the overall program goal was to promote publishing among the academic staff at Makerere University and other partnering institutions. A lot of knowledge and information relevant to society is generated within Higher Education Institutions, and needs to be appropriately disseminated for public consumption. Through publication, this knowledge would be made accessible to many people outside academia.
Consequently, a Publications Board was established as a Sub Committee of I@Mak.com , to promote scholarly writing and publishing initially among the staff and students of partnering institutions. The Board 
has since published over 40 books through a public private partnership with M/s Fountain Publishers Limited, a leading local publishing firm. A peer reviewed Journal titled Makerere University Research Journal (MURJ) has also since been introduced and five issues published thus far. On Friday, 11th December 2009, the committee launched 19 peer reviewed books at a lively ceremony held at the Makerere University Guest House gardens.
Mr. James Tumusiime MD, Fountain publishers and Chairman I@Mak.com Publications Board in his opening remarks appreciated the role played by the partnership between Makerere Univesity and the private sector in fostering the dissemination of knowledge especially through publishing. He also appreciated the role of the Revitalization Committee for the Makerere University Press (MUP) aimed at reviving the University’s publishing arm.
A few of the authors present then proceeded to make brief statements on the books to be launched. Dr. Nakanyike B. Musisi, author of three titles “What is Critical Thinking?”, “What is Academic Writing?” and “What is Plagiarism?” acknowledged the role played by members of her family and the Publications Board in encouraging her to author the aforementioned titles. Another author of the day Dr. Seggane Musisi, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry in the College of Health Sciences and co-author of “Psychiatric Problems of HIV/AIDS and their Management in Africa” further stressed the need for Academics to publish their findings.
Representing the Vice Chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba on the occasion, Prof. Samuel Kyamanywa Dean, Faculty of Agriculture lauded the role played by I@Mak.com and the Publications Board in particular for supporting the realization of a key goal of the University’s strategic plan, publishing research outputs adding that “This would undoubtedly give full thrust to the mission of our university, to provide innovative teaching, learning, research and services responsive to National and Global needs” He further emphasized that the University exits to generate new knowledge and innovations, which must be adequately disseminated through publication.
The Guest of Honor Prof. A.B. Kasozi, Executive Director, National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) who represented the Prime Minister Prof. Apollo Nsibambi welcomed all present to the publications’ launch and highlighted of the I@Mak.com project implementations to date including supporting the annual Vice 
Chancellor’s Awards for innovation and academic excellence to promote innovativeness amongst pilot local governments and academic staff in partnering higher education institutions. The annual local government innovations award worth USD 30,000, has been awarded four (4) times and the academic excellence and innovations award worth USD 25,000, awarded five (5) times.
He then commended the excellent work done by the Publications Board in partnership with the Private Sector represented by MS Fountain Publishers Limited. The Board has produced over 40 publications in less than four years. He then thanked the development partners Rockefeller Foundation and the World Bank for their role in supporting Makerere University to play a significant role in National service delivery, before proceeding to officially launch the books and sign copies for all the titles’ authors.
Mr. Samwiri Katunguka, Task Manager, I@Mak.com and emcee of the day then read an excerpt from the book ‘Uganda’s human resource challenge: Training, Business Culture and Economic Development, by Jörg Wiegratz , a political Scientist and Economist by training, who is a Research Associate with the Economic Policy Research Centre at Makerere University and has taught at Makerere University and the University of Sheffield .
Read the full VC's Speech here
Read the full Guest of Honour's Speech here
Click here to read the full excerpt by Jorg Wiegratz
Full list of Publications launched below
1. Kiswahili Pupils' and Teachers' Books 5, 6 & 7 Total 6 books by John C. Nsookwa
2. Beekeeping – Theory and Practice by D.R. Kugonza
3. Pigs: A guide to Production at Farm Level by D. Mutetikka
4. Okuganyulwa Mu Bulunzi Bw'embizzi by D. Mutetikka and D.R. Kugonza
5. Fish Farming as a Business J. Rutaisire et. al.
7. Principles of Agronomy: Challenges and Prospects for Higher Crop Yield by Charles Ssekabembe
11. Choosing a Career and Finding a Job in Agriculture by B. Bashaasha and Elizabeth Basalirwa
12. Food and Nutrition Essentials by John H. Muyonga et al.
General
Prof. Nawangwe urges young people to take up leadership in innovation for the transformation of Africa
By the Program Communication Team
On Sunday, February 2, 2025, Makerere University hosted the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council Representatives meeting, which brings together young people from around 45 partner universities of the Mastercard Foundation.
During the event, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe urged young people to prepare for leadership roles in innovation, especially starting with their communities, if they wish to see the positive transformation they desire in Africa.
“I urge you to connect and network with your peers and discuss how you can form inter-university teams to innovate solutions that will address the development challenges in our communities for the transformation of the African continent.” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
Prof. Nawangwe applauded the Mastercard Foundation for its partnership with Makerere University and Uganda in general, which has uplifting effects on many young people.
“Makerere University and Uganda have made remarkable strides in providing Higher Education to Young People, thanks to the generous support of the Mastercard Foundation, which has contributed significantly to educating the next generation of African leaders. Through valuable initiatives and partnerships, such as the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Makerere University is poised to continue educating young individuals who will significantly impact Uganda’s and Africa’s economic growth.” Prof. Nawangwe noted.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nawangwe, further urged young people to seize the opportunities the Mastercard Foundation and other like-minded development partners presented to improve their lives and communities.
“The Mastercard Foundation has given you the platform and opportunity to be leaders and beacons of change. Embrace this responsibility with courage. Let the core values of the Scholars Program—humility, listening, kindness and respect, co-creation, and impact—guide your actions,” Prof. Nawangwe emphasized.
While speaking at the same event, the Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, enumerated high-level achievements the Program had accomplished for the last decade at Makerere University. She pointed out that in terms of scholarship enrolment, the Program had recruited 1,032 Scholars, of which 76% were Females, 7% were Internationals, 4% were Refugees, and about 1% were Youth with Disabilities.
Prof. Namaalwa further pointed out other post-graduation achievements, including a 94% completion rate of the total number of Scholars enrolled in the Scholars Program. She pointed out that between 2018 and 2025, the Program had graduated 964 Scholars, of which 37% were employed, mainly in the private sector.
Prof. Namaalwa revealed that beyond the Scholars Program, the Mastercard Foundation had put other initiatives supporting the university in numerous ways. She pointed out other initiatives such as the e-learning initiative, a COVID-19 Response measure to ensure continuity of Teaching and Learning at Makerere University and the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative: Makerere University, in collaboration with the University of Ghana, the University of Cape Town, and the University of Cambridge, is implementing a new initiative that addresses one of the world’s most significant challenges in recent times—climate change.
Prof. Namaalwa revealed that the Research Collaborative would provide opportunities for MSc and PhD scholarships to African students and encourage young people to enrol as graduate students starting in the academic year 2025/2026.
The event was punctuated with fireside chats, during which young people had an opportunity to discuss a number of topical issues related to entrepreneurship and Transformative leadership. Thereafter, the visiting students were taken on a guided tour around Makerere University.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council comprises student leaders from partner Universities. Each Partner University has one Council Representative. They represent the needs of Scholars and work with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program teams at each institution, the Mastercard Foundation, and Alumni.
On Monday 3rd February 2025, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe handed over three (3) university buses to the respective leadership in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), the College of Health Sciences (CHS), and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB).
The new buses mark a significant improvement in mobility and learning for Makerere University students and staff, furthering the institution’s commitment to practical education and community service.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the University’s Freedom Square, Prof. Nawangwe highlighted the significance of the new buses in enhancing teaching and learning. “These buses will play a crucial role in improving students’ practical learning experiences by ensuring reliable transportation for fieldwork and community outreach,” he said.
Prof. Nawangwe expressed gratitude to the Parliament and the Government of Uganda for providing the resources for the new buses, emphasizing their importance in replacing the old fleet, which frequently breaks down. The new 2023 model buses, with a 67-seater capacity, were secured at a cost of UGX 626million each and are expected to save the university significant maintenance costs and improve the learning experience for students.
Principals from the respective colleges expressed their appreciation for the new buses. Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, Principal of CoVAB, emphasized the importance of the buses for practical training at locations such as Lake Mburo National Park. Associate Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, Principal of CAES, and Associate Prof. Bruce Kirenga, Principal of CHS, highlighted the buses’ role in facilitating community engagement and outreach.
He explained that the decision to purchase Isuzu buses instead of those manufactured by Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) a Makerere University partner, was based on prior engagement with the former, as well as the need to utilize the allocated funds promptly within the Financial Year, which couldn’t be accomplished at KMC due to their high demand.
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