To contribute to Africa's sustainable development, Tullow Oil made a generous Grant to The Council for Frontiers of Knowledge (The CFK) to support students to pursue Masters Courses at Makerere University. The Scholarships were awarded to qualifying Ugandan Students to read for a two year Masters Course that commenced in the fourth quarter of 2011 at Makerere University in Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Environment and Natural Resources.
Specifically, the following activities were carried out using Tullow Oil’s generous funding: two year educational fees paid to zero balance, monthly stipends (two years), laptops and accessories, Tullow-CFK wireless internet (serving whole CEDAT Old Building), World-class Reference Library (CFK CEDAT Old Building Offices), ENVI Technology Software and Hardware (at CFK Office, serving Makerere University and beyond), higher degrees presentation room and high technology facilities, full funding to Tullow-CFK Session at the November 2012 CFK International Conference at Commonwealth Speke Resort and Conference Centre, Munyonyo in Uganda, sponsored students to present their research work at national and international conferences, offered international training and equipping to Makerere University students with very specialised software and technology packages including: SEISAN Earthquake Analysis Software, CRISIS2007 and ENVI software in Dublin, Ireland. Please note that acquisition of SEISAN Software is available on The CFK website, while ENVI technology is installed at The CFK Offices, at West Wing, CEDAT Old Building, Makerere University.
International trips to Dublin, Ireland: June 2012 and May 2013: Tullow sponsored students were funded from A-Z by Tullow Oil. The Dublin trips provided a valuable discussion venue for students with their Tullow mentors along with their Makerere University academic advisors. Tullow-CFK Sponsored Students clearly benefited by discussing their specific research projects, identifying objectives, and discussing limitations. Students also saw first-hand how the different sectors of the industry have to partner in order to achieve a successful commercial outcome. Similarly, they and their academic advisors from Makerere University learned more about the technical and logistic details of the challenges faced by Tullow Oil in the Albertine Graben. Prof. Chris Bean and Prof. Stephen Daly from University College Dublin also visited the group and met with the Makerere Professors and students. Ideas were spontaneously exchanged from both sides, and this definitely strengthened the overall education of the students as well as enhancing connectivity levels of Makerere Scientists. In a bid to fill up very wide technology gaps, with full funding from Tullow Oil, Tullow Oil-CFK Masters funded students were trained in January 2013, in Dublin, Ireland at the Tullow Oil Dublin Office by Prof. Lars Ottem'oller; one of the developers of the SEISAN seismic analysis software. To access the Software, please visit: http://thecfkglobal.org/seisan-software.php
Tullow Oil’s two year funding/partnership with The Council for the Frontiers of Knowledge (The CFK), made it possible for ALL the FIVE Tullow Masters supported scholars graduating, with distinctions from Makerere University, Uganda.
The students were robustly selected and the results of the stringent selection process of The CFK Scholarship Committee, international science and technology mentorship by the relevant CFK Directors and Tullow Dublin technologists, and of course, the SUPERIOR programme coordination with the standardised transparency and integrity by The CFK, were plainly evident in the exceptionally excellent performance both in coursework and research. All the five students had their CGPA’s far above 4.0, with two of the five obtaining the MAXIMUM CGPA of 5.0!!
The Tullow Oil-CFK and Makerere Partnership achieved two cardinal roles:
Development of local content at postgraduate level: Tullow Oil’s partnership with The CFK has reinforced the institutional capacity of Makerere University and beyond to supervise highly specialised research projects to an international standard.
In-country growth of oil and gas industry: The five Masters candidates are now fully equipped with exceptional skills needed for developing the oil and gas industry of Uganda and beyond.
The scholars all added another VITAL achievement to their list by graduating in less than the two-year stipulated time-frame, as NO MSc student has managed this in the Makerere University’s 90 year history! Specifically, before the end of the two years, ALL the five students had completed their postgraduate studies (concept definition and construction, field work, data collection and analysis, internal and external theses examination, dissertation public defence etc.) and been cleared for graduation!
The five Tullow Oil sponsored scholars, Bwambale Barnabas, Robert Tumwesige and Prossy Atolere all MSc. Civil Engineering, John Mugisa, MSc. Chemistry, Christine Ainabyona, MSc. Environment and Natural Resources, graduated (Tuesday 28th and 30th January, 2014) at a ceremony which was presided over by Makerere’s Chancellor Professor George Mondo Kagonyera. The event was also attended by His Excellency Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi, the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, Ugandan Members of Parliament, members of the Diplomatic Community, Cabinet Ministers, and of course family and friends of the graduates. Makerere’s Vice Chancellor Professor Ddumba-Ssentamu took the opportunity to thank Tullow Oil, saying the Tullow-CFK project contributed to the much-needed development of local content and in-country growth within the industry. The Vice Chancellor further encouraged other relevant stakeholders and programme managers, in the 64th graduation audience, to emulate the Tullow-CFK Model/Initiative so to enable Africa make tangible and lasting socio-economic growth and development.
Professor Fionn Murtagh, Chair of the CFK Board, and Professor Pankaj Vadgama, Deputy Chair, attested that “The standard achieved by the five students was fully on par with the very best of Masters outcomes that would be expected in any Irish or UK university”. Professor Murtagh added, "The great performance of the students, throughout their Masters work and in what they have accomplished, is testimony to their excellence. This is a great achievement also for their Makerere University supervisors. On behalf of The CFK Board, I would like to point to The CFK/Tullow Oil model that underpins this great success".
The Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi on Thursday 29th May, 2025 held a press conference to update members of the Media on the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) Medical Drone Programme, and the Kampala Status Summary 2023 on Road Safety Risk Factors, conducted under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, a collaborative effort between the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit and the Trauma, Injury, and Disability (TRIAD) Unit at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH). Also presented were updates on; Digital Certification of Academic Transcripts, Digital Supervision of Graduate Students, Inclusive e-Learning and Smart Classrooms, and Launch of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Laboratory at the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS).
The event held in the Senior Common Room, Main Building, was on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe presided over by the Acting (Ag.) DVC AA and substantive Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi. Presentations were made by Executive Director of the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Dr. Andrew Kambugu and Head of the Trauma, Injuries, and Disability (TRIAD) Unit, Dr. Fredrick Oporia. Dr. Jimmy Osuret and Dr. Esther Bayiga from TRIAD supplemented Dr. Oporia’s presentation. In attendance were; the Director for ICT Support (DICTS)-Mr. Samuel Mugabi, Deputy Chief – Public Relations-Ms. Betty Kyakuwa, Deputy Chief Security Officer-Mr. Musa Mulindwa and other university officials.
The proceedings of the Press Conference follow below;
Vice Chancellors’ Press Statement
Good morning colleagues, members of the press,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to this important media briefing, where we share compelling findings from two groundbreaking studies that reflect Makerere University‘s ongoing commitment to impactful research, innovation, and community transformation.
The first is a pioneering initiative led by the Infectious Diseases Institute—the IDI Medical Drone Programme. This project explores the use of drone technology to deliver lifesaving HIV medications and test samples to hard-to-reach populations, particularly in Kalangala District and the West Nile region. The study demonstrates how drones can overcome logistical barriers, reduce costs, and enhance access to critical healthcare in some of Uganda’s most underserved communities.
The second study is the Kampala Status Summary 2023 on Road Safety Risk Factors, conducted under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety. This collaborative effort between the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit and our Trauma, Injury, and Disability Unit here at Makerere University presents over two years of data on vehicle speed and helmet use in Kampala. It provides vital insights into the human behaviours and systemic gaps contributing to road traffic injuries and fatalities—particularly among vulnerable road users. The study also offers evidence-based recommendations for enforcement, planning, and public health messaging aimed at making Kampala’s roads safer for all.
We are proud to support this kind of research that not only advances knowledge but also drives tangible improvements in public health and safety.
Before I invite the researchers to present their findings, allow me to briefly highlight some transformative developments in the areas of academic registry and ICT advancement here at Makerere University:
Digital Certification of Academic Transcripts:
Alumni can now certify their transcripts digitally through the Makerere Academic Records System (Mak-ARS https://makars.mak.ac.ug/), eliminating the need for physical visits. This user-friendly platform allows access from anywhere in the world, supported by comprehensive video tutorials and public communications.
Digital Supervision of Graduate Students
We have introduced the Research Information Management System (Mak-RIMS), piloted at the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, to streamline the supervision of Master’s and PhD research. This initiative enhances accountability, timely feedback, and is now being rolled out university-wide to improve graduation rates.
Inclusive eLearning and Smart Classrooms
Through support from development partners and the Government of Uganda, we are establishing multimedia studios and smart classrooms across our colleges. These state-of-the-art facilities are designed to produce professional, accessible learning content, including tools tailored for students with visual and auditory disabilities. This aligns with our goal of equitable, globally competitive education.
Launch of the AI Laboratory at CoCIS:
The newly launched Artificial Intelligence Laboratory will spearhead the development of AI-enabled solutions tailored to Uganda’s socio-economic needs, including localized assistive eLearning tools and context-sensitive curriculum development.
These initiatives are part of our broader vision to transform Makerere University into a research-led, inclusive, and globally relevant institution.
The Senior Program Director, Higher Education and Research in Africa, International Program, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Prof. Omotade Akin Aina on 23rd May 2025 visited Makerere University during his short trip to Kampala. Prof. Aina was received on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe by Prof. Tony Oyana, Principal of the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS).
During his visit, Prof. Aina met with the Project Implementation Committee, representatives from the Consolidating Early Career Academics Programme (CECAP) phase I Fellowship Cohort, and current Fellows of phase II. The meeting discussed the progress of CECAP II, which focuses on fostering academic development and research among early-career academics.
Left to Ritght: Dr. Jesca Nakavuma and Prof. Julius Kikooma alongside Prof. Omotade Akin Aina during the meeting.
CECAP II is being implemented by Makerere University in collaboration with four other Ugandan public universities, including; Busitema University, Gulu University, Kyambogo University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, the Project Principal Investigator was represented at the meeting by the Director of Graduate Training, Prof. Julius Kikooma.
The Directorate of Graduate Training at Makerere University has equipped several Senior ranking lecturers with expert knowledge in a Training of Trainers’ workshop on “Philosophy of Methods”.
In his remarks at the opening of a 3-day training workshop at Level4 Conference Hall – Senate Building, the Director of Graduate Training Prof. Julius Kikooma said, “The teaching of Philosophy of Methods gives all participants the fundamentals to extend knowledge to other learners, hence its importance in upholding the Makerere University values.”
Kikooma urged and challenged the participants to also attend and actively participate in the follow up of learners’ training of students, stating that the PhD students need support as the directorate continues to coordinate the curriculum of PhD by-research that was approved by the senate recently.
“To holistically implement the senate approved PhD curriculum, we are coordinating capacity building trainings of all stake holders in a structured approach with the different units of the University. Many more trainings including Training of Trainers in advanced research methods course are on the way.”
He further urged the participants to be intentional in their teaching profession and in whatever they were doing, adding “Apart from focusing on practices as teachers and researchers, we can engage in wider philosophical debates in our research areas so that we are relevant in the society and in the empowerment of PhD research students.”
The participants for the Philosophy of Methods training were from College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Education and External Studies, Makerere University Business School among others.
During the same training, Dr. Dickson Kanakulya stressed the need to train senior lecturers in the Philosophy of Methods, saying, “The biggest connection is that societal problems require concrete research to find solutions. Our challenge in Africa is that we employ a short barrow approach to find solutions to problems. This cannot work. We need consistent researchers to solve problems. Lasting solutions to societal issues can only be got through training such as Philosophy of Methods, where researchers come up with new models for societal solutions.”
Prof. Julius Kikooma pose for a photo with participants and facilitators.
Dr. Kanakulya said that Makerere University remains the biggest research University in Africa and philosophy of Methods helps to come up with good research tools that produce good research outputs. “Research has shown that the higher the number of PhD researchers in any given country, the higher the levels of development of that country e.g. the USA, China etc., adding that research is not limited to only medicinal or agricultural related issues.”
He said philosophy of methods, encourages philosophical creativity in research, “It is meant to bring out philosophical generation of concepts, theories and ideas. It is meant to encourage students to question the existing philosophical assumptions and status quo in a given field of knowledge such that new philosophical concepts are created.”
For successful rollout of government programs like the National Development Plan 4, Dr. Kanakulya said that Philosophy of Methods training needs to be integrated into such systems. “Philosophy of Methods focuses on ethical thinking aspects. For example, for a better rollout of the Parish Development Model, we need implementers to be ethical.” He added.
Prof. Sulait Tumwiine, the associate Dean of Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at MUBS said, “This is a discussion where new ideas are shared to guide and gauge applicability in the current knowledge diversity coupled with lots of technological development including Artificial Intelligence and Chat GPT.”
He added, “As professors of Universities, we need to understand how we leverage on what comes up so that it does not take our space, but also appreciate how we can support growth of knowledge. The Philosophy of Methods training is the answer.”
Dr. Jim Spire Ssentongo highlighted that Philosophy uses more of the critical mind than Science. He added that philosophy is more of speculation of the mind.
“Sustainability of philosophy Education encourages us to continue training. Philosophy being the oldest discipline retained special status in the academia as a pinnacle of pursuit of knowledge. All disciplines have major elements of philosophy citing examples in the philosophy of Mathematics and Physics.
Dr. Spire added, “If you do not understand philosophy, you cannot deeply investigate anything because philosophy is the reality of understanding everything. Philosophy is the basis of understanding what knowledge is and how it is arrived at.”
Also participating in the workshop was Prof. Joseph Ntaayi from MUBS, in his remarks he said PhD students need the philosophy of methods training to understand how to best to create knowledge. He added that ontological and epistemological questions that lead to good research design methods can only be answered by this training.
Dr. Robert Kakuru, a Lecturer in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences said that the Philosophy of Methods training is needed by every graduate student as well as supervisors to critically determine the choice of methods to use in academic research. For example, “If one wants to use a questionnaire as an interview approach, one should understand, why that approach and yet without this training, the why cannot be answered.” He added.