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
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed Makerere University Chancellor Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga as Uganda’s Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament.
The appointment was announced on May 26, 2026, as part of the cabinet reshuffle for the 2026–2031 government term. Dr. Kiyonga now assumes one of the senior leadership positions in government while continuing to serve as Chancellor of Makerere University.
Dr. Kiyonga is both Chancellor and alumnus of Makerere University. He studied at Makerere University School of Medicine from 1973 to 1978, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). He later obtained a Master of Health Science in Population Dynamics from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in 2004.
Born on September 19, 1952, in Kasese District, Dr. Kiyonga attended Bwera Primary School, Nyakasura School, and Kings College Budo before joining Makerere University.
He was appointed Chancellor of Makerere University in August 2024 and formally installed in October 2024, succeeding Professor Ezra Suruma.
Political and Public Service Career
Dr. Kiyonga entered national politics during Uganda’s 1980 elections, where he won a parliamentary seat on the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) ticket. He later joined the National Resistance Movement during the liberation struggle and subsequently served in several senior government positions after 1986.
He represented Bukonjo County West in Parliament from 1980 to 2016 and was also a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1995 Constitution.
Over the years, Dr. Kiyonga has held several ministerial portfolios, including:
- Minister for Cooperatives and Marketing
- Minister of Finance
- Minister of Internal Affairs
- Minister of Health
- Minister without Portfolio
- Minister of Defence
During his tenure as Minister of Health, he played a key role in Uganda’s response to the Ebola outbreak in Gulu in 2000.
From 2016, he served as Uganda’s Ambassador to China, where he represented Uganda during a significant period of Uganda-China relations.
Dr. Kiyonga’s appointment marks a return to frontline government leadership after several years in diplomatic service and university leadership.
Significance for Makerere
As Chancellor, Dr. Kiyonga serves as the titular head of Makerere University and presides over major ceremonial functions, including graduation ceremonies.
His appointment reflects the longstanding contribution of Makerere University alumni to public service and national leadership in Uganda and across the region.
Speaking during his installation as Chancellor in 2024, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet K. Museveni, noted that Dr. Kiyonga’s experience and networks would support the advancement of the university.
Makerere University congratulates Chancellor Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga upon his appointment and wishes him success in his new role.
The Writer is a Volunteer in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University and the Mak Sharks PRO | Est. 2014
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