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Makerere Shines in Accra as 6th AASW Kicks Off

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The 6th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW) has opened in the Ghanaian capital, Accra.

The week-long gathering is organized by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) in collaboration with the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA).

The Agriculture Science Week is the continental gathering of all stakeholders in African agriculture aimed at creating an open space for networking and exchanging information and knowledge on agricultural innovations and on topical issues with a bearing on agricultural research and development.

This meeting is convened every three years and this year’s gathering is running under the theme; “Africa feeding Africa through Science and Innovations."

Opening the conference Monday morning at the Accra International Conference Center, the Chairman of the FARA Board Dr. Tiemoko Yo observed that food and nutrition insecurity remain cardinal problems especially in Africa.  Dr. Tiemoko challenged Africans to stump out hunger from the continent saying that Africa has a great potential to feed itself given that 60% of its arable land remains un-utilized and the remaining 40% bears crops with low yields.  

The Ghanaian Minister of Food & Agriculture, Clement Kofi Humado challenged African universities to come up with home- grown food security innovations for their countries.

The outgoing FARA Executive Director, Prof Monty Jones said, “there is no better country to host this kind of meeting than Ghana, one of the few African countries that have succeeded in turning around its economy, cutting down hunger thereby remaining on track to achieving the 1st Millennium Development Goal of halving hunger and poverty by 2015”.

Makerere University, one of the four African universities exhibiting at the event is represented by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB). The two colleges are showcasing their research innovations in agriculture and animal sectors.

Participants visiting the Makerere University stall are impressed by the innovations, technologies and products that are being showcased at the exhibition. They have however expressed concern as to why the products are not available for sale.

CAES is showcasing her latest innovations and technologies including the Makerere  Bio-fertilizer which fixes nitrogen in the soil, the Soil Testing Kit used for semi quantitative evaluation of five nutrient investigative parameters namely soil Ph, potassium, nitrogen, organic matter and Phosphurus.

Others are the new sweet sorghum variety (MUK60), which is drought tolerant, for the production of food and bio fuels, four varieties of Mak Soya, which are resistant to leaf rust disease, early maturing and high yielding.

The College is also exhibiting the Milk Booster, the Calf Accelerator and the Briquettes made from industrial and agricultural wastes. The Indigenous Micro Organisms (IMO) used in organic farming is also on display.
A variety of items from the Food Technology and Business and Incubation Centre (FTBIC) have also attracted conference participants to the Makerere University booth. These include the preserved grass hoppers (Nsenene), Bean sauce, Mc peas, Amaranth flour, Smile bean sauce, Canned Kantunkuma, Campus pineapple, Tea Mujaja, Mudalasini, Ginger, Gooseberry Jam, Omulondo liquer, Ajon (improved Malwa), Dawn juice, Goose berry juice, Nutreal cookies, and Pinnacle Banana Juice among others.

The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) is showcasing her skills development and employment programs offered through the AFRISA partnership institute. The programs involve value addition to animal products and are essential for job creation especially among the youth. Shoes and belts made by Students of Leather Industry and Business; one of the 11 skills development program are also being showcased.

A number of Makerere University dons including Prof. Samuel Kyamanywa, CAES, CoVAB’s Principal Prof. John David Kabasa, Veteran Professor Elly Sabiiti, Prof. Moses Tenywa Makoma and Dr. Donald Kugonza among others are participating in different forums. Also present is a team from RUFORUM led by the Executive Director, Prof. Adipala Ekwamu. They have so far participated in discussions on reforming curricular in higher agricultural education in Africa, climate smart villages in Africa: opportunities for farmers and communities, capacity strengthening for agricultural innovations among others.

Another team led by Makerere University Branding and Marketing Manager Agaba Issa Mugabo includes CAES and CoVAB’s Communication officers strategically positioned in the Makerere stall showcasing the latest technologies and innovations.

Other universities are University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University (Kenya) and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Malawi).

The science week has been internationally recognized as the apex gathering of all stakeholders in African agricultural research and development. It has attracted key decision makers in governments within and outside Africa such as Ministers, Parliamentarians, key players in the private sector, leaders of civil society and farmers’ organizations, women groups and leaders in agricultural research and development.

This milestone event is taking place from 15th-20th July 2013 and will be officially opened by the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E John Dramani Mahama on Thursday July 18, 2013.

Story By:
Agaba Issa Mugabo, Jane Anyango and Jovia Musubika Kavulu

Mark Wamai

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Call for Applications: Government Sponsorship 2026/27

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Makerere University -Main Building

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University informs all Head Teachers of Advanced Level (UACE) Schools with UNEB Centre Numbers that applications for admission to Public Universities and other Tertiary Institutions for 2026/2027 Academic Year for government sponsorship will be done electronically/online using the Academic Management Information
System (ACMIS) from 15th October, 2025 to 31st December, 2025. The Public Universities include:
(a) Makerere University
(b) Makerere University Business School
(c) Mbarara University of Science and Technology
(d)Kyambogo University
(e) Gulu University
(f) Busitema University
(g) Muni University
(h) Kabale University
(i) Lira University
(j) Soroti University
(k) Mountains ofthe Moon University

NB: The list of Other Tertiary Institutions is provided on the online application portal.

Other Important documents:

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Business & Management

PIM Centre Holds 9th Steering Committee Meeting, Set to Benefit from World Bank Support

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Mak PIM COE Steering Committee

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.

The PIM Steering Committee in a meeting held at Emin Pasha Hotel

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.

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

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Strengthening Collaboration between Makerere University and the University of Groningen

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Seated: Prof. Sarah Ssali (C), Dr. Dinie Bouwman (L) and Dr. Anita Veltmaat (R) with teams from Makerere University and the University of Groningen during the meeting on 7th October 2025. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

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 parties from Makerere University and the University of Groningen meeting in the Vice Chancellor's Boardroom. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The parties from Makerere University and the University of Groningen meeting in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom.

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.

Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Mak Souvenir to Dr. Anita Veltmaat. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Mak Souvenir to Dr. Anita Veltmaat.

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 meeting in session. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The meeting in session.

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.

The Team from Makerere University from Left to Right: Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Dr. Racheal Nuwagaba, Dr. Patricia Ndugga, Dr. Stella Achen, Dr. Joseph Watuleke, and Ms. Agatha Ainemukama. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The Team from Makerere University from Left to Right: Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Dr. Racheal Nuwagaba, Dr. Patricia Ndugga, Dr. Stella Achen, Dr. Joseph Watuleke, and Ms. Agatha Ainemukama.

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.

Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Mak Souvenir to Mrs. Alette Arendshorst. Strategic meeting between Makerere University and the University of Groningen, Netherlands to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program, 7th October 2025, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Sarah Ssali (R) presents a Makerere Souvenir to Mrs. Alette Arendshorst.

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.

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