General
QAD Presents Makerere Self Assessment Report 2013
The Quality Assurance Directorate (QAD) held a half-day dissemination workshop on 5th March 2014, to publicize findings of a ‘Self Assessment Report 2013,’ to stakeholders in Makerere University.
The report, the first of its kind, appreciates and also highlights areas that call for improvement across Makerere University’s three core functions of Teaching & Learning; Research & Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and Networking. “The exercise was hinged on the Quality of Inputs, Processes and Outputs and data utilized was for the period 2010-2012 except in a few circumstances where trend data were available,” explained Dr. Vincent Ssembatya, Director Quality Assurance Directorate.
A quick synopsis of the report shows disproportionate male: female student numbers in some disciplines, inadequate government funding and limited infrastructure at Makerere University – all of which hamper the full realization of the core functions. The mechanisms of Self Assessment were devised by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) and based on national, regional and international benchmark metrics. “The Self Assessment Report may not be comprehensive to include all metrics but the key elements were identified and analysed. The aim of this workshop therefore is to interface with you; our key stakeholders as we seek to find solutions to the issues raised,” emphasized Dr. Ssembatya.
The workshop was attended by College Principals and their Deputies, Deans, Department Chairs, Members of University Management, Registrars, Senior Academicians and Communication Staff from the respective colleges, among others. Dr. Ssembatya was grateful to the participants for honouring the invitations and acknowledged all their respective contributions to the successful compilation of the report. The interactive workshop made recommendations to the report, which will be incorporated in a second draft to be published at a later date. The participants decried the intended move to increase student numbers as a way of generating more income for the University, irrespective of the strained resources. They urged government to critically weigh in on this matter by increasing University funding.
In June 2009, The University Research, Administrative and Financial Reforms Committee (URAFRC) was set up to identify the core and support processes in the University, critically examine them and make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the University. On 10th November 2011, a Change Management Committee (CMC) was appointed to assess the level of preparation for the Reform, complete any outstanding work from the URAFRC and to implement the continuous change management process.
As the Unit in charge of the University’s Quality Assurance function, QAD is the owner of the Change Management process. One of the factors identified during this process was the need to set up Data Centres at College level, to 
help monitor and track key factors affecting Graduate Students, especially as Makerere strives to entrench her stance as a research-led university. At the workshop, the Directorate handed over computers and printers to Registrars in the Colleges and School of Law, to facilitate the setting up of Data Centers and implement the Quality Assurance function for Research and Graduate Training at a devolved level.
Officiating at the handover of the computers and equipment, Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, the Director – Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT), Makerere University commended QAD for facilitating the Data Centre setup process. “DRGT believes that the setting up of these Data Centres will enable Units to better perform the Research and Graduate Training function at College level. College Registrars need to be equipped with basic tools to help track and give up-to-date records on Graduate Students and today’s handover is a meaningful step to improve,” remarked Prof. Buyinza. He however tasked the Units to put the equipment to use according to Data Centre objectives, warning that a monitoring and evaluation exercise shall be carried out in this regard.
Prof. Charles Opolot-Okurut, College of Education and External Studies (CEES), then took participants through an intricate discussion on coming up with a way forward. He however asked participants to take note of the fact that 
the scope of the report did not cover a few factors like the quality of processes feeding into the three core functions of Teaching & Learning; Research & Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and Networking. At the close of the workshop, Prof. David J. Bakibinga, School of Law, in moving a vote of thanks commended QAD for organizing the workshop and Sida for supporting the Reforms initiative. He thanked Makerere University for agreeing to subject itself to a Self Evaluation exercise, noting that change is a continuous process and this kind of activity was critical for the institution’s survival. “Thank you all for honouring QAD’s invitation and may we all utilize these findings to improve Quality Assurance for the core activities of Makerere University,” he concluded.
The Self Assessment Exercise was carried out with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), under activities of the Bilateral Support extended to the Government of Uganda.
Article by Marion Alina Public Relations Office
General
Makerere Explores Strategic Industry Partnership with Psalms Food Industries to Strengthen Manufacturing Innovation
On 2nd March, 2026, representatives from the Advancement Office, the College of Business and Management Sciences and the University Innovation Pod visited Psalms Food Industries to discuss a prospective partnership aimed at strengthening university–industry collaboration in manufacturing, research, innovation, and skills development.
Psalms Food Industries, a homegrown snacks innovation and manufacturing company, operates three major brands, namely, Sumz, Afrikan Harvest and Krunchables, which have grown to a range of 37 products and target the introduction of five new products annually. The company distributes products across Kenya, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and, recently, Tanzania. As a labour of love, the idea of producing snacks was born during the honeymoon of Mr and Mrs Ngabirano, who now run Psalms Food Industries side by side.
Dr. Denis Ngabirano, CEO and Co-Founder of Psalms Food Industries, during the meeting, described the company as “a snacks innovation house, with all our products developed in-house.” He noted.
He emphasised the company’s commitment to quality assurance and consumer-centred research, noting that Psalms conducts surveys and gathers customer feedback to inform product development, supported by an internal microbiology and chemistry laboratory.
Dr. Denis Ngabirano noted that the company had only recently introduced two brands, “Afrikan Harvest for it’s health conscious clientele and Kruchables for it’s volume centric clientele.
“Afrikan Harvest has no additives, it is a brand for health-focused consumers,” he explained, while highlighting the differentiated positioning of their product lines. “Sumz is our premium brand, and Krunchables focuses on volume.”
Student-Centered Experiential Learning
A key focus of the meeting was structured experiential learning for students across disciplines. Potential areas of collaboration include internships, graduate trainee pathways, and hands-on exposure within Psalms’ incubation and production facilities.
The proposed engagement spans multiple fields, including environmental sciences, engineering, procurement and logistics, finance and accounting, quality control, production and manufacturing, human resource management, marketing, and international business.
The partnership could provide students with direct exposure to real-time production systems, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and quality assurance frameworks, strengthening the practical relevance of their academic training.
Among the innovative ideas discussed was a potential competition involving students from the Fine Art and Industrial Design disciplines to redesign packaging for selected Sumz products. The proposal would allow top designs to be commercially adopted, creating a direct bridge between creativity, intellectual property development, and industrial application.
Research, Innovation and Commercialisation
Both institutions expressed interest in joint applied research initiatives, particularly in process optimisation, data analytics for manufacturing efficiency, product improvement, and sustainable production systems.
Opportunities were also discussed around collaborative research in machine design, crop development for snack processing, and factory energy solutions, areas that not only benefit Psalms but have broader implications for Uganda’s manufacturing sector.
The engagement further highlighted potential linkages with the University’s innovation and commercialisation structures, including the University Innovation Pod (UNIPOD), to support co-creation and scaling of student-led innovations.
Mr Awel Uwihanganye, Chief Advancement Officer at Makerere University, proposed strengthening the engagement through structured programming, including a planned collaboration between the University’s innovation Hub and the upcoming incubation Hub at Psalms Food Industries, particularly to support the commercialisation of research outcomes for both students and staff.
Curriculum Co-Creation and Staff Exchange
Beyond student placements, discussions also focused on co-developing academic content that responds more directly to industry needs, particularly within the manufacturing value chain.
Proposals included guest lectures by industry practitioners, staff exchange programmes to expose academic staff to factory operations, and tailored short courses for Psalms staff based on identified skills gaps.
Dr. Jude Mugarura, Head of the Department of Marketing and Management at COBAMS, emphasised the importance of embedding the partnership within academic programming. He proposed “internships for students in HR, marketing, international business, accounting and finance,” as well as staff exchanges to give University staff hands-on exposure to manufacturing operations.
He further suggested specialised courses tailored to the factory’s needs and attachment of research students interested in manufacturing. Such collaboration would contribute to curriculum responsiveness and ensure that graduates are equipped with market-relevant competencies.
Strengthening University–Industry Linkages
The engagement reflects Makerere University’s continued commitment to strengthening partnerships that bridge knowledge generation and real-sector application.
Both institutions expressed a shared vision of building a structured, mutually beneficial collaboration that integrates research, innovation, skills development, and enterprise growth, positioning the University as a key knowledge partner in Uganda’s manufacturing transformation.
Discussions remain ongoing as both parties refine priority areas for formalisation.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office.
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