The Annual Review Meeting between Makerere University and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) came to a close on 27th November 2013 with a call for more efficiency ahead of the Sida Phase IV funding. The well attended wrap-up session in the Main Library attracted participants from Makerere, Kyambogo and Busitema Public Universities, who sought clarification on the nature of the much-anticipated Phase IV Sida funding.
In reference to the Science day held at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-Security (CoVAB) on 19th November 2013, the Sida Desk Officer, Dr. Katri Pohjolainen, noted that Makerere University produces a lot of new knowledge in science which should not go to waste. “We need to improve how to use these results to crystallize policy implementation. We are eagerly waiting for a Research and Innovations Communication Strategy from you,” she said.
Assoc. Prof. George Nasinyama of the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) explained that the Research and Innovations Communication Strategy had reached procurement stage and the formulation process would soon get underway. Dr. Pohjolainen also urged all students and their supervisors, both in Uganda and Sweden, to expeditiously finish their research projects and graduate. “I urge all students and supervisors to set new targets and finish within the project period. Lets us start 2015 with a whole new lot of students,” she encouraged.
The Head of Development Cooperation at the Swedish Embassy, Ms. Susanne Spets, pointed out that the Swedish Government is preparing a new strategy for the bilateral development cooperation with Uganda. She explained that a proposal highlighting the results to be achieved by Sida, will be approved by the second quarter of 2014. “The proposal contains result areas of Child and maternal mortality (sexual and reproductive health and rights); Participation, accountability and non-discrimination; Growth and employment,” she said.
These broad areas include themes like Child and maternal health, social protection, gender related violence, Human Rights, democracy, access to justice, and a strengthened civil society. “For the last 3 -4 months, we’ve been looking at what kind of results to expect from Uganda and other partners too. We want to mainstream Gender-related violence; Private sector development, trade, employment (with focus on youth and women), mobilization of resources (taxes, revenue from extractive industries and agriculture), public financial management and anti-corruption,” she added.
Sida will also pay attention to innovation and innovation systems and will seek partnership with Government institutions, the private sector, civil society, and multilateral agencies. In particular the private sector will be given importance to achieve long-term and sustainable results that go beyond aid. Aid financing will thus be used to complement other resources as opposed to replacing them.
The Director Research and Graduate Training (RGT), Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, appreciated Sida for the continued support and pledged maximum utilization of the funds. “The Mak-Sida bilateral collaboration has given us enough fruit. We’ve been able to build capacity, developed a research-agenda to feed into the national focus and highly enhanced our research culture, among many other benefits. We look forward to the next funding for more output,” he said.
Beneficiaries were advised to consider applying for resident permits to allow them uninterrupted periods of study in Sweden. The wrap-up session allowed all beneficiaries to share past experiences. The Phase IV Sida funding will run from 2015 -2020.
The results for the 2025/2026 special entry examination for the Diploma in Performing Arts held on Saturday 17th May, 2025. Candidates who scored a final mark of 50% and above passed the Examination and have been recommended to the university’s Admissions Committee for consideration.
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released full results for the Mature Age Entry Scheme Examinations for the Academic Year 2025/2026 held on Saturday 14th December, 2024.
The Candidates who scored a final mark of 50% and above passed the examination and have been recommended by the Pre-Entry & Mature Age Committee to the University’s Admissions Board for Consideration.
The Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) has in collaboration with Centre for Teaching and Learning completed the training of the first cohort of Graduate Supervisors.
Participants were academic staff from two colleges namely, College of Engineering, Art and Design (CEDAT) and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).
The three-day training that took place at the Telepresence Centre, Senate Building ended on Friday 20thJune 2025.
In his closing remarks to the participants, the Director of Graduate Training Prof. Julius Kikooma said, “This is the first cohort we are working together with the Center for Teaching and Learning to put together continuous professional development Program so that we are able to enforce the new teaching and learning policy.”
He said that before lecturers are allocated students for supervision, they must first go through this form of formal teaching and learning training to equip them thoroughly with certification required of supervision of graduate students.
“We are coming up with process to ensure that the certificates earned by participants allow you to supervise graduate students. This is the direction of the university and we must ensure that such trainings are concluded and completed successfully by all participants”, Prof. Kikooma.
Prof. Julius Kikooma – Director of Graduate Training
“We can only have you certified upon completing all the exercises in the training process. This is when you will be eligible to receive the work load for supervision”, He added.
“This training of Supervisors is going to be continuous so that all academic staff in colleges and schools are equipped. This first cohort is going to be our building block to the future trainings in the colleges.”
With such capacity building trainings, Prof. Kikooma said that the university is on the right path to achieving its targets in the new strategic plan of increasing the number of graduate students while progressively reducing the under graduate students.
He further hinted that, “We are in the process of writing a curriculum on this, which will be presented for approval before it is rolled out.”
He echoed all participants to share the knowledge they have acquired adding, “Share all you have learnt, do not keep it. Be open minded, have proper communication channels and the sky will be the limit for you.”
Dr. Robinah N. Kulabako, The Head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at CEDAT welcomed the training adding, “This training is very pertinent. I have had the opportunity to supervise Masters and PhD students for over 15 years and I must say that the need to be subjected to this training cannot be over emphasized because there is need to learn, unlearn and relearn many aspects involved in the supervision process.”
She added, “We are moving towards knowledge-based supervision rather than experience-based supervision. This means we must be informed and equipped to be able to advise, guide and mentor to be able to lead a successful supervision journey for both supervisor and supervisee.”
Dr. Andrew Gilbert Were – a lecturer at CEDAT and a participant said, “It is important that all supervisors of graduate students receive this certification from Makerere University through a systematic training process that enables them to attain diverse skills to facilitate learning of graduate students from diverse cultures and with unique set of circumstances.”
“This training is long overdue. In fact, it was an oversight that we could be allowed to supervise students without undergoing supervisors’ training.”
Dr. Dorothy Ssebowa, The Director Centre for Teaching and Learning support- CEES said, “The training this time round has had a mix of early career professionals including Lecturers, Supervisors and Professors share experiences. We have learnt a lot more from experienced supervisors who have shared practices on how they have done supervision over the years.”
“The knowledge and experience-based approaches have made this collaboration very active, interactive and learner centered which has resulted into a collaborative learning from the interdisciplinarity of staff from CEDAT and CAES. The issue now is to continue with professional development across all levels.” She added.
The Makerere University Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) in collaboration with the Centre for Teaching and Learning completed the training of the first cohort of Graduate Supervisors. This activity was supported by the iCARTA – Institutionalization of Advanced Research Training in Africa, a NORHED II Project at Makerere University.