General
Makerere receives first ASA presidential scholar recognition
Dr. Sister Dominic Dipio is renowned for her feature films on Ugandan folklore and her passion for cultural film production and research. This however does not mean that she is used to recognition.
Dr. Sister Dominic Dipio is renowned for her feature films on Ugandan folklore and her passion for cultural film production and research. This however does not mean that she is used to recognition.Dr. Dipio received the nomination to become the first African Studies Association’s (ASA) Presidential Scholar, which also accorded her a trip to New Jersey and San Francisco States of the US, from 5th to 27th November 2010.
Before attending the Associations meeting in San Francisco from 18th to 21 November, Dr. Dipio was hosted at Rutgers University by the Center for African Studies, where she gave a lecture in an African Studies Writer’s class titled, Rendition of History in Goretti Kyomuhendo’s Novel, Waiting (2007). She also screened her film, Crafting the Bamasaba, which completely captivated her audience.
She also went to two Media Studies classes, one being peculiarly all female, in keeping with a tradition of a one-time Women’s Studies Department, that has now been reduced to one course. In these classes, she talked broadly about her research area in film and gender: the changing and unchanging gender images represented in African films that she analyzes.
However, her sessions were not without amusement. In the all female class, Dr. Dipio was amazed by a question by one of the students who asked, “How are you perceived in your country/community?” The idea behind the question highlighted how little known, the advancements made by African Women in all spheres of influence were. Startled but not speechless, Dr. Dipio explained to the student that she was right and wrong at the same time because, “There are many women in my country with even greater achievements,” she quickly informed.
In the other media class, Dr. Dipio mainly talked about the politics of making, marketing and distributing African cinema. So as to illustrate her point, she cited Ousmane Sembene, a former mechanic and bricklayer, who rose to international fame for his award-winning films, like Moolaade (2004) among the many. However, as most of the students had no knowledge of who Sembene was, her illustration was incomplete until she easily found a few clips of the director and his film off Youtube, thanks to the fully equipped lecture theatre which hosted the day’s class. This feat was truly enviable for Dr. Dipio who quickly recalled how she struggles with her heroic students of the film class, to screen their weekly films for the class. Nevertheless she expressed her hope, “We hope and look forward to a time when we shall at least have a lecture theatre in the Faculty of Arts, fully equipped with screening facilities.”
About the African Studies Association’s (ASA)
The ASAmembership consists of a diverse group of individuals, who are interested in Africa and its people, and as such carry out research and scholarly activities in and on Africa. It has a long history of doing this, and this year’s conference was the 53rd, with the theme, AFRICAN DIASPORA AND DIASPORAS IN AFRICA.
The overall objectives of ASA are:
- Fostering the study of Africa
- Supporting research by Africans and
- Promoting collaborations among Africanists
The Conference
The 53rd ASA conference was opened by Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs in President Barack Obama’s administration, and former American Ambassador to Uganda. In his address, he underlined the importance of academic scholarships in US policy. The policy makers need the feedback from academics to inform decision. He outlined four areas of priority that the US Government has in Africa and these are:
Food security: To enhance Africa’s capacity to feed itself and the world because of its enormous capacity for food security.
Climate change: This will greatly affect food security, especially in Africa, which has the greatest risks and vulnerabilities.
Global Health: Related to the large number of skilled work force that Africa loses to the Diaspora. The brain-drain phenomenon has lead to health related deaths in Africa.
Youth and Change in Africa: This is the government’s commitment to leadership training. Training the next generation of African leaders is what will positively influence the three areas mentioned above.
During the conference, Dr. Dipio managed to attend some of the parallel sessions and was particularly impressed by the academic rigor of the various senior scholars and graduate students’ researches, undertaken in different parts of the continent. Some of the sessions she attended were: a Roundtable: Whither African Studies in the Academy and in Praxis, Visuality and Social Reform in Colonial Africa; New Critical Approaches to African Literature and Cinema in an Age of Global Production; New discourses on African Personhood in a Time of Votality; and South Asians in Africa, Asian Communities in Africa.
On the last day of the conference, Dr. Dipio was introduced to a group of scholars, doing research on Uganda. Most of the researches that are currently on-going are either historical or political. She however foresaw opportunities, where researchers in Makerere could collaborate with team leaders and join these research groups.
At the close of the conference, The Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola Lecture was delivered by Professor Bekeret Selassie. The issue he highlighted was the need for renewed commitment of the Africans in Diaspora to their Mother continent, where at one point he challenged the Africans living in Diaspora to go back and get involved more directly in the continent’s development.
The African continent’s participation in the ASA annual conference is important. As observed by Dr. Dipio, “Almost all the participants at the conference were people living in or studying in the US or European universities.”
The Association’s initiative to open up the Presidential scholar offer is an attempt to bridge the gap between scholars in the Diaspora and those in the continent. “Whereas this move from the ASA is highly appreciated, it is the challenge of African universities that value research to support the membership and participation of their scholars at this annual conference and other ASA activities,” added Dr. Dipio.
As Makerere continues to re-affirm its commitment to be a research driven University, this is a great opportunity for her to network with various universities especially in the US that welcome such collaborations. Additionally, investment for institutional participation at this conference that is attended by top researchers in the academia will be an added advantage. “I was delighted to particularly meet and interact with Prof. Ali Mazrui our revered and beloved scholar from East Africa,” remarked Dr. Dipio. “I was also delighted to meet my mentor in African cinema and comparative Literature, Prof. Manthia Diawara, who in recent years twice visited Makerere; first to deliver a lecture on Sembene Ousmane in 2005, and in the following year as a filmmaker who accompanied Ngugi wa Thiongo in is ‘homecoming’ to Makerere and East Africa,” she concluded.
Some quick facts about the Nomination
- Dr. Dipio’s nomination came through the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) that that is directly responsible for promoting the African Humanities Program (AHP) to which she has previously been a fellow 2009/2010.
- This nomination came in response to African Studies Association’s (ASA) search for a credible African scholar to be invited as the first Presidential Scholar at the Association annual conference.
- After this inaugural process, the association will annually invite an African scholar living in the continent to participate in the annual ASA conference
- The purpose for this is to grow a more meaningful connection/relationship African scholars in the continent and those in Diaspora
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Crafting the Bamasaba: a Mak-NUFU film premiere
mwamai@admin.mak.ac.ug, Public Relations Office
Business & Management
PIM Centre Holds 9th Steering Committee Meeting, Set to Benefit from World Bank Support
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University today, October 10th, 2025, held its 9th Steering Committee Meeting to review progress made in the first quarter of the financial year and plan for the months ahead.
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Getrude Basiima, who represented Mr. Hannington Ashaba, Director Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Ms. Basiima commended the Centre for its continued commitment to strengthening public investment management capacity across government institutions.
In her remarks, Ms. Basiima applauded the Centre for successfully hosting the Public Investment Management Conference held in August at Makerere University. The conference attracted key policymakers, development partners, and academics who deliberated on how to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and impact of public investments in Uganda.
She further shared exciting news that the Government of Uganda has secured funding from the World Bank to support the public investment management function. The PIM Centre, she announced, will be among the key beneficiaries of these funds — receiving support for the construction and acquisition of a permanent home to enhance its institutional sustainability and training capacity.
Reviewing the Centre’s quarterly performance, Ms. Basiima congratulated the team for successfully conducting three specialized trainings in the first quarter, reaching officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. These trainings continue to strengthen the technical competencies required for effective project preparation, appraisal, and implementation in line with Uganda’s National Development Plan.
She encouraged the Centre to integrate climate change considerations into its future training programmes, noting that sustainable public investment must now account for environmental resilience and climate adaptation.
The centre team presented the proposed structure/ organogram, the financial performance of 2024/2025, research areas for 2025/2026 and the strategic plan for 2025 – 2030.
The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the PIM Centre’s vision of becoming a regional leader in building capacity for efficient, transparent, and sustainable public investment management.
A significant development unfolded at Makerere University during a strategic, hour-long meeting in the vice chancellor’s boardroom on 7th October 2025, marking a deepening bond with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The primary goal was to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program. Prof. Sarah Saali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, set the tone by emphasizing that institutional partnerships are crucial to Makerere University, which she proudly called the leading research and most collaborative university in the world.
The discussion promptly formed the core structure of the program: a four-year PhD (or three if the master’s was research-based), with supervision duties split 50-50% between the two institutions. A key feature is the mobility requirement, stipulating that PhD candidates would spend a total of six months in the Netherlands, potentially divided into two three-month periods. Crucially, the University of Groningen confirmed there would be no teaching requirement during this stay, allowing students full access to focus on their research. A major financial hurdle was overcome with the adoption of a fee-waiver policy; Makerere would waive tuition for incoming Groningen candidates, and Groningen would reciprocate for Makerere‘s students, significantly boosting the program’s financial viability.
However, the critical issue of the stipend remained. Dr. Anita Veltmaat explained that to meet the required living standard of approximately €1,875 per month in Groningen, the incoming candidate must secure a partial external scholarship of around €250 per month. The positive news is that if the candidate secures this minimum scholarship, the University of Groningen is prepared to top up the amount to the full living standard for the six months the student spends in the Netherlands. It was noted that this initial financial hurdle might be simplified for Makerere students, as many are already staff members receiving a salary, which could help cover the required €250.
The path forward was clear: it was to complete the agreement template guided by the setup committee from both institutions. The plan culminated in scheduling an online follow-up meeting for Tuesday, November 11th, to review the first revision of the agreement, capping a highly constructive discussion that solidified the two universities’ shared future in graduate education.
Makerere University was represented by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics Affairs; Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Head of the Department of Gender Studies; Dr. Patricia Ndugga, School of Statistics; Dr. Stella Achen and Dr. Joseph Watuleke, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning; Agatha Ainemukama, School of Engineering; Racheal Nuwagaba, School of Psychology; Awel Uwihanganye, Martine Rugamba, and Hawa Ndagire from the Advancement Office; and Muhammad Kiggundu from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.
The University of Groningen was represented by Dr. Dinie Bouwman, Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalization and Quality Assurance; Dr. Anita Veltmaat, Faculty of Social Behavior and Social Sciences, Department of International Studies, involved in mentorship programs for women; and Dr. Alette Arendshorst, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, working on graduation/collaboration for students/staff.
Makerere University on Tuesday, 7th October 2025 hosted a delegation from Nelson Mandela University (NMU), South Africa in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom in a bid to strengthen academic partnerships and operationalize their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The delegation, led by Prof. Azwinndini Muronga, Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, NMU, aimed to turn earlier agreements into actionable collaborations and build sustainable partnerships with various colleges.
The Acting (Ag.) Deputy Vice Chancellor; Finance and Administration, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, provided an overview of the institution’s structure—nine colleges, two schools, and two institutes—while acknowledging the challenges of maintaining excellence amid resource limitations and post-pandemic recovery. He emphasized that collaboration must serve the broader goal of research-driven development, calling for teamwork and resilience among African universities. “We have to work together to sustain high academic standards and contribute to the continent’s progress,” he noted.
Prof. Muronga spoke passionately about the NMU’s “African footprint agenda.” He urged both institutions to start with small, practical projects that can build confidence and momentum for larger initiatives. “We must grow partnerships within Africa first,” he stated, “before we expand globally. True collaboration begins when both sides contribute equally, share capacity, and build self-reliance.”
Prof. Muronga also expressed interest in joint research projects, doctoral supervision, and shared grant applications, noting that NMU and Makerere are strategically positioned to lead regional academic innovation.
In her remarks, Prof. Judy Peter, Senior Director in the International Office at NMU emphasized the University’s commitment to African-centered collaboration and the importance of internationalizing the curriculum and expanding research capacity.
Prof. Peter underscored the importance of student mobility, joint supervision of postgraduate students, and the recruitment of talented African scholars, noting that such exchanges enrich both institutions’ academic communities. She also emphasized the need to internationalize the curriculum, particularly through virtual learning platforms and co-teaching models, to ensure broader accessibility and shared expertise.
Contributions also came from Prof. James Wokadala, Deputy Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), further amplified the need to “start small and build on existing collaborations.” He proposed developing a clear roadmap that defines short-term goals and identifies areas for mutual growth.
From the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Richard Idro, the Deputy Principal highlighted opportunities for fellowship, training and collaboration in clinical subjects, emphasizing the need for practical exchanges that benefit students and staff alike. He also addressed logistical challenges such as transportation and coordination, urging for targeted partnerships that can yield tangible results.
The meeting reaffirmed the universities’ commitment to collaboration in areas including faculty exchange for guest lectures, seminars, and sabbaticals; joint research and grant applications for regional and international funding; co-supervision of postgraduate students; virtual classroom exchanges; curriculum internationalization and exchange of academic materials; and capacity development for academic and administrative staff.
The teams also identified “quick-win” projects that could be implemented in the short term and agreed to establish a joint implementation team to monitor progress. Further discussions will explore funding mechanisms, including the possibility of leveraging programs like Erasmus+, to support student exchange and joint research initiatives.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Muronga reaffirmed Nelson Mandela University’s commitment to ensuring that the partnership yields visible outcomes. Both universities agreed that future engagements will be structured around mutual respect, accountability, and measurable results.
The meeting concluded on a note of optimism, with both institutions expressing confidence that their partnership will not only advance academic excellence but also contribute to Africa’s broader vision of educational and research self-reliance.
The meeting was attended by several officials from Makerere including; Prof. Eric Awich Ochen-Deputy Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze-Deputy Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Prof. Godfrey Akileng-Dean School of Business, Dr. Geoffrey Nuwagaba-CoBAMS, Mr. Martine Rugamba-Ag. Chief Advancement Office, and Ms. Hawa Kajumba-Advancement Office.
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