General
MAK-CARTA workshop Day One examines Research Governance in Africa
Over 100 participants from Universities/institutions in Africa are being trained and equipped with knowledge and skills in research management and governance, supervision and mentoring of graduate students, librarianship and use of information technology tools.
According to Professor Mukadasi Buyinza, the Director Research and Graduate Training (RGT), Makerere University, the three-day Capacity Development Training Workshop for University Faculty and Administrators, which kicked off on 21st July 2014, is aimed at supporting research and postgraduate programmes in African universities.
The Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) is a South-South partnership with South-North collaboration. CARTA is jointly-led by the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Kenya and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), South Africa. It consists of nine African universities, four African research institutes and seven northern academic institutions.
The participating universities include: Makerere University– Uganda, Moi University and University of Nairobi-Kenya, National University of Rwanda-Rwanda, Obafemi Awolowo University-Nigeria, University of Dar-es-Salaam-Tanzania, University of Ibadan-Nigeria, and University of Witwatersrand-South Africa.
In a speech read by the Deputy Director-Research, RGT, Dr. George William Nasinyama, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu welcomed the delegates and thanked the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) for choosing Makerere University to host the 5th Faculty and Administrators Workshop.
The Vice Chancellor applauded CARTA for undertaking several strategies to promote research in Africa. “I am happy to note that through the CARTA initiative of strengthening doctoral training and supervision and support to the institutional research infrastructure, universities will build high-quality research capacity that will ably address the myriad issues facing Africa,” he remarked.
The Vice Chancellor urged the participants to live true to the ideals of the CARTA Programme by transferring the same principles to their respective universities and research institutions so as to build a critical mass of researchers.
The CARTA Board Chairperson, Professor Akinyinka Omigbodun added that CARTA was committed to building the capacity of existing staff in research management and governance, strengthening the research infrastructure at African universities, and to supporting doctoral training through a model collaborative PhD program in population and public health.
“CARTA’s ultimate goal is to build local research capacity to understand the determinants of health in Africa and develop effective interventions to improve health systems and outcomes. We have supported over 100 post graduate students in research training. We have also trained over 400 academic and administrative staff in member institutions. This year we are going to award 25 full scholarships in research, covering full tuition and a free computer well updated with the necessary software,” said Professor Akinyinka Omigbodun.
Dr. Nasinyama , the Deputy Director Research, RGT reiterated the need to build an enabling environment for research. “If we are to realize the strategic focus of being research driven universities, I encourage every participant to always emphasize the dire need for universities and development partners to invest in research support infrastructures in universities,” he emphasized.
During the Monday 21st July 2014 group discussion, participants were tasked to come up with strategies that would position their respective universities among the top 100 public health institutions in the world. This brainstorming session delivered the ten (10) most critical interventions for raising university research rating/ranking as listed here below:
- Conducting research relevant to the country and world
- Providing incentives within a research structure;
- Training for researchers;
- Undertaking Inter-disciplinary collaboration;
- Global networking with more successful institutions;
- Collaboration with industry;
- Encourage Government to promote research;
- Transitional research;
- Increasing intake of postgraduate students; and
- Dissemination of research findings and outputs
Facilitating the plenary session, Dr. Joseph Gichuru, Director of Operations, APHRC commended the participants for generating ideas that would enable their respective institutions to be recognised among the top 100 in the world. During his presentation on research management and governance, which focused on the quality of research, funding and power relations, emerging research management structures, Dr. Gichuru emphasized the need to consider the challenges faced by researchers in trying to execute their work globally.
“It is after we have known the challenges we face as researchers that we can be able to figure out the best ways on how we can take our countries to the global standard in research,” he said.
Dr. Gichuru pointed out that the issue of plagiarism was the key challenge affecting researchers, in addition to, inadequate resources, failure to accredit our fellow researchers, and inaccurate policies to regulate research structures.
Article by: Ritah Namisango, Public Relations Office
Photos by: Elias Tuhereze, Public Relations Office
Makerere University and the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (ND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University and Rev. Robert A. Dowd, the 18th President signed on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony, which was held at the University of Notre Dame campus at South Bend, Indiana was witnessed by Dr. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Council of Makerere University, who led the Mak delegation.
Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.
General
Press Release: Government of Uganda and Partners Launch SAY Plus+ to Scale Youth Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) Impact in Underserved Regions
USD 50 million national programme moves into full implementation, strengthening
adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to youth-responsive
services in 13 districts across five sub-regions
KAMPALA, 7 MAY 2026: The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the SAY Plus+ Programme, a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiative designed to strengthen adolescent and youth rights, empowerment, protection and access to quality services in Uganda’s underserved regions.
The launch, held at Makerere University‘s Freedom Square under the theme “My Voice Matters: Youth Voices for SAY Plus+” and the tagline “Nothing for us, without us”, marks the programme’s transition into full implementation.
SAY Plus+, formerly known as Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment: Scaling Impact, is led by the Ministry of Health, in coordination with other Ministries, with UNFPA Uganda serving as the Managing and Technical Agency.
Backed by a USD 50 million pooled fund from the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the initiative is scheduled to operate between 2024 and 2030. It is currently being rolled out across thirteen districts within five sub-regions, providing targeted assistance to regional referral hospitals in Jinja, Mbale, Moroto, Yumbe, Arua, and Gulu. Furthermore, the programme supports the Human Capital Development goals established in Uganda’s National Development Plan IV.
“SAY Plus+ represents a shift from fragmented interventions to a coordinated national effort that meaningfully places young people at the centre of both design and delivery. Through our partnership with the Government of Uganda, development partners, and implementing partners, we are investing not only in services, but in the systems, communities, and environments that enable adolescents and young people to thrive not only today but also in the future,” said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, Representative – UNFPA Uganda.
Officially launched by the Minister of State for Health Hon. Margaret Muhanga, the SAY Plus+ programme targets adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 years, with particular focus on adolescent girls and young women, refugees and host-community youth, out-of-school young people, those not in employment, education or training, adolescents with disabilities, and young people in humanitarian and post-conflict settings.
“For many of us, things like this one are designed without listening to what we go through every day, think or even feel. SAY Plus+ feels different because it starts with our voices and gives us a real role in shaping solutions. It is not just about information, it is about being supported to make decisions, access services, and build the future we want.” – Jovia Dranzoa, Young person.
SAY Plus+ operates through three pillars. First, it empowers youth to exercise their rights and make informed choices. Second, it engages families, communities, and leaders to address harmful social norms. Third, it strengthens youth-responsive SRHR, HIV, and gender-based violence services via health facilities and community platforms, aiming to reach over 2.3 million direct and indirect beneficiaries.
The SAY Plus+ initiative stands as a model of international cooperation and multi-sectoral synergy. Through the combined support of the Governments of Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and the technical leadership of UNFPA, Uganda is now equipped to scale-up critical interventions in HIV prevention, gender-based violence response, and reproductive health. With implementation now in high gear through 2030, the programme is poised to make a lasting contribution to the nation’s human capital development goals.
— ENDS —
Photos from the event
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