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MSSEESA to develop capacity in materials science and solar energy research
Efforts to develop human and infrastructure capacity in advanced research in materials science and solar energy are now officially underway.
Efforts to develop human and infrastructure capacity in advanced research in materials science and solar energy are now officially underway.
To set the ball rolling, Makerere University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Materials Science and Solar Energy for Eastern and Southern Africa (MSSEESA) network on 29th September, 2010 at the Faculty of Science. Makerere will now work hand-in-hand with MSSEESA to strengthen the research facilities and Graduate training programmes.
During the launch, the Chief Coordinator of MSSEESA in Africa, Prof. Rogath Thomas Kivaisi expressed appreciation for the warm welcome that the University has shown to MSSESSA. “So far, MSSEESA has been able to successfully harmonize programmes in all participating countries and has a lay-out of the 5year Strategic Plan,” Prof. Kivaisi said.
The Professor was accompanied by other MSSEESA members including Dr. Christian B.S. Uiso from the University of Dar-es-salaam, Prof. Julius M. Mwabora from the University of Nairobi and Dr, Sylvester Hatisaambo from the University of Zambia.
The Dean, Faculty of Science Prof. J.Y.T. Mugisha thanked the Physics Department for the great initiative. “Scientific societies are difficult to run. However, the Physics Department has shown its ability to beat this and I am sure the members of the MSSEESA Uganda Chapter will rise into a big book,” he commended.
Launching the MSSEESA Uganda Chapter, Prof. Ben K. Twinomugisha, representing Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Ikoja-Odongo was happy to note that this launch was in line with Makerere University‘s vision of pursuing teaching, research and services relevant to sustainable development needs of society.
“One of the challenges in implementing the Research and Innovations Policy in the University has been how to disseminate the research findings. I am therefore glad that MSSEESA will provide a solution to this challenge especially in Materials Science and Solar Energy,” added Prof. Twinomugisha.
Strengthening of research facilities and Graduate training programmes is being done by complementing the activities of materials science and solar energy in the various institutions in Eastern and Southern Africa. MSSEESA is a society with that also has chapters in Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia.
With the establishment of a MSSEESA network, Graduate students in any partner institution will be able to take a course at a participating university in any Country chapter, and be able to carry the credit to the home institution.
MSSEESA is funded by International Programs in the Physical Sciences (IPPS) – Sweden and has well over sixteen university departments that are engaged in teaching and research activities in materials science and solar energy, among other fields.
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Article by Moreen Katushabe
Makerere University has received 700 digital tablets from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), aimed at enhancing statistical research, teaching, and data-driven decision-making across the institution.
The donation was made on June 30, 2025, as part of UBOS’ broader initiative to distribute a total of 3,025 tablets to ten government-funded institutions of higher learning. The handover ceremony was attended by Makerere’s Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi and Mr. Simon Kizito, the Deputy University Secretary among other Vice Chancellors and accounting officers.
Dr. Allen Kabagenyi, a UBOS Board Director, who coordinated the distribution of the tablets to the respective 10 Public universities, underscored the significance of inter-institutional collaboration in fostering a data-literate and innovative generation. “This initiative is a testament to the power of partnerships between public institutions. In a country like Uganda, with one of the youngest populations globally, equipping our future leaders with the right tools is critical to achieving both national and global development goals,” she remarked.
The tablets had initially been procured and deployed during the recently concluded National Population and Housing Census. UBOS Executive Director Dr. Chris Mukiza explained that their redistribution marks the beginning of the Bureau’s post-census utilization strategy.
“We acquired 120,000 tablets to conduct the census, and as we committed earlier, we are ensuring that these resources continue to serve the country even after the census,” said Dr. Mukiza. “Our expectation is that these tablets will strengthen data collection, teaching, and research in universities and higher institutions. We want to see a culture where statistics are not only produced but also actively used to influence development outcomes.”
Dr. Mukiza encouraged academic institutions to take full advantage of the extensive data available at UBOS, emphasizing that greater use of statistical resources will translate into more impactful research and policy interventions.
During the same event – cultural institutions also received tablets.
With this donation, Makerere University is well-positioned to further empower students and researchers in statistical analysis, evidence-based planning, and innovation-driven teaching.
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