General
MPs Praise CHS Research Output Despite Constraints
The Parliamentary Committee on Science and Technology has appreciated the level of research programs at Makerere University and called for increased networking between the University and Parliament.
This came up during a visit to Makerere University by the said committee to monitor, evaluate and assess;
- Research programmes being undertaken by the University,
- The mechanisms the university has established to ensure that research translates into development at all levels,
- The challenges the institution is facing in achieving its research and development objectives and
- The suggested way forward, policy and the role Parliament can play.
The Committee met with the University Management, on this occasion headed by the Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration Professor S.S. Tickodri Togboa, and received background information on research in the University, including achievements and challenges.
Management informed the MPs that whereas a lot of ground has been covered in Research in Makerere University, most of the funding was from development partners. The government was called upon to set a side a research fund that would be competitively accessed, so as to help address topical areas high up on the research agenda of the country.
It was revealed that Uganda as a country lacks a research agenda and has therefore not come in to support the research. Most of the research efforts at Makerere are attributed to individuals who write proposals to development partners and are then able to access funding after competing globally.
At the College of Health Sciences, the team was conducted around some of the facilities used in training health sector personnel by the Deputy Principal, Prof. Celestino Obua. These included the Microbiology Laboratory, the Immunology Laboratory and the Library.
The team learnt that the College lacked funding to be able to secure the infrastructure required to adequately train students. While emphasizing the practical nature of the health-related training the Deputy Principal decried the various inadequacies in terms of equipment like microscopes as well as reagents. Most of the equipment in use has been acquired through a number of development partners. The Deputy Principal called on Government to urgently lend a helping hand, especially in the maintenance of medical equipment which is quite costly.
At the College Library, the committee noted the inadequacies in terms of limited space and computers which have since been addressed by installing internet access points at various locations to enable students utilize their personal computers to access electronic library material.
Prof. Obua also took time off to share with committee some of the research outputs that have resulted into development in terms of policy, practices or products such as Medical Education for Equitable Services to all Ugandans. The research brings together all medical training institutions in Uganda like Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Gulu University, Busitema University and Kampala International University, with the aim of strengthening their capacity. The programme aims at ensuring transformative innovative medical education built on strong sustainable systems to produce more health workers of high quality able to address health priorities like HIV and AIDS.
The College’s research on Multi-drug resistant Tuberculosis has also made significant contribution through evaluation of various tests to detect resistant TB, with some of the results approved by WHO for use in Uganda and other countries in the world. The College, working with Welcome Trust, a UK charity pioneered the treatment of Drug resistant TB which is very difficult to cure, with over 500 new cases of multi resistant TB cases in occurrence in Uganda every year. In line with this, the National TB Laboratory will be renovated and upgraded to world class level and will in addition to providing training receive and analyse samples from other countries.
Supporting use of research evidence for Policy in African Health systems (SURE) is yet another research initiative that has set up rapid response services, where policy makers call in and get briefs prepared for them on any policy queries on health systems in a short time. This has influenced a number of decisions including the soon to be enacted mandatory food fortification policy.
Research in newborn and maternal health care is yet another area, implemented in Iganga and Mayuge. This has resulted into increase in mothers attending antenatal services, increase in the number of health units deliveries, improvement in new born care practices and more.
The Committee commended the College Management for the groundbreaking research and innovations despite the persistent challenges of tedious procurement processes, intellectual property rights, limited laboratory space and funding for research as well as low staff establishment. The legislators expressed concern over the externally funded research which raises queries on its ownership and sustainability.
Story by
Ms. Harriet Musinguzi
Communication Officer, School of Law
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.
-
General2 weeks agoADVERT: Mature Age Entry Scheme Examinations – 2026/2027
-
General2 weeks agoDFCU Bank Uganda Supports the Mastercard Foundation Scholars’ Giveback Initiatives
-
General7 days agoVice Chancellor Updates Media on DVC AA Appointment, Acquisitions, Research & Various Issues
-
Computing & IS1 week agoICT Bootcamp for Vacists (P7, S4 & S6), Students & Professionals
-
General6 days agoStrengthening Collaboration between Makerere University and the University of Groningen