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MAK- UiB launches P.H Greenwood Research consortium to boost fisheries and aquaculture

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Makerere University together  with the University of Bergen (UiB), have today launched a Greenwood Research Consortium and Collaboration codenamed; “P.H Greenwood Research Consortium”, to boost fishery production and aquaculture in Uganda and East Africa.Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu

According to the Head of Consortium Dr. Gladys Bwanika, the consortium intends to bring together researchers in fish ecology and systematic, biomathematics, aquaculture and fish health from both institutions, to train and teach people and students about fisheries and aquaculture.

“In our five years work plan, we are aiming at running a tropical fisheries school, where we can bring together people interested in learning about fisheries and aquaculture. This will also help us to train and share ideas with local students at Makerere University ,” she added.

The Principal College of Natural Sciences Prof. Joseph Y.T. Mugisha said that, the desired training and developing the fisheries industry in the region will be reached at, through organizing different lectures and seminars.

“We are planning to have an annual lecture that is the P.H Greenwood Annual Lecture. We shall also be running two seminars in a semester to interact with different resourceful people, share knowledge and information on fisheries and aquaculture,” Prof. Mugisha remarked.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor Makerere University Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, recognized the opportunity presented to Makerere University by the consortium to be the centre of excellence for research and training in fisheries and aquaculture in Uganda and East Africa.

L-R: The Vice Rector for International Affairs-Prof. Anne Christine Johannesen, The Coordinator Mak-UiB collaboration Professor Edward Kirumira and The Rector, University of Bergen (UiB), Professor Dag Rune Olsen.We all are aware that fish is a lead export and foreign exchange earner for Uganda. This therefore presents an opportunity for Makerere University to become a centre of excellence for research and training not only for the country but for the East African region and Africa as whole. It is my hope that the results of the work of the consortium will contribute to policy-making and improvement of the sector.

The Rector of the University of Bergen, Prof. Dag Rune Olsen, emphasized the importance of fisheries when he said that fishery is the most important sector to the feeding world.

“When we look at fisheries and food, fish is well gifted in proteins as compared to other animals; the food print of fish is very different. Fish has a priority in feeding the world with proteins from lakes and oceans which is much eco-friendly.”  And he advised that, “we therefore need to explore and develop this   idea in order to reduce on the competing challenge of food security globally,” advised the Rector.Ms. Jennifer Greenwood and husband represented the Greenwood family.

Greenwood Research Consortium and Collaboration, is part of the long term and fruitful collaboration Makerere University has with the University of Bergen, Norway.  Named in the memory of Peter Humphry Greenwood, who greatly contributed to the fisheries research in the in Uganda, this research collaboration arose from the realization that one of the major hurdles to improved production to fisheries and aquaculture is the lack of science based; sustained campaign of pro-active, collaborative research to support the decision making processes and the development of the industry in Uganda and in the entire East African region.

Speaking on behalf of the Greenwood family, Ms. Jennifer Greenwood appreciated Makerere University for welcoming the idea of developing a consortium in collaboration with University of Bergen in memory of her father, Peter Humphry Greenwood. She therefore promised to work hand in hand with the University Management and College of Natural Sciences to meet the long term goal of the consortium.Dr. Lucas Busuulwa

“The long term goal of this consortium is to bring together various areas of research and to develop collaborations to the center of excellence in the whole of East Africa,” she said.

Representing Dr. John S. Balirwa, the Director National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NAFIRRI), Dr. Lucas Busuulwa delivered a keynote paper titled, ‘The Evolution of the Fisheries Water/Landscape in Uganda: Challenges and Opportunities for further interventions’. In this presentation, the NAFIRRI acknowledged the role of Fisheries Research as being active in the rapid expansion and realization of the fisheries production potential in the country.
 
"We are taking the lead in Bio-manipulation of natural fisheries, water bodies and development of aquaculture in addition to the primary role of monitoring fisheries resources base and impact of the fishing activities," he stressed.

By Nabatte Prossy

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UiB Rector Delegation arrives ahead of Mak Agreement Extension Signing – See more at: http://news.mak.ac.ug/2014/09/uib-rector-delegation-arrives-ahead-mak-agreement-extension-signing#sthash.Whybcc8k.dpuf

Mak-Bergen sign Decade-long Agreement

Elias Tuhereze

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Call For Abstracts: National Symposium on Climate Migration among Youths in Uganda

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Call For Abstracts: National Symposium on Climate Migration among Youths in Uganda. Submission Deadline: 9th June 2026

Makerere University, in collaboration with the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Tufts University, and Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), invites researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and community actors to submit abstracts for the National Symposium on:

Climate Migration among Youths in Uganda: Local Voices for Policy Impact

Date: Wednesday, 12th August 2026
Venue: Makerere University Main Hall

The symposium will examine the drivers, patterns, and impacts of climate-induced youth migration in Uganda, while advancing evidence-based and community-informed policy responses.

Theme: Climate-Induced Youth Migration and Urban Futures in Uganda: Evidence, Voices, and Pathways for Action

Submission Deadline: 9th June 2026

Submit Abstracts To: citiesofyouth@musph.ac.ug

Researchers and practitioners are encouraged to contribute research findings, case studies, policy analyses, and practice-based experiences. Abstracts will be considered for oral and poster presentations.

Mak Editor

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Call for Research Support Applications from Master’s Students who have Completed their First Year of Taught Classes at Makerere University

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Call for Research Support Applications from Master’s Students who have Completed their First Year of Taught Classes at Makerere University. Photo: Nano Banan 2

Makerere University, in partnership with Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Independent University of Bangladesh, Eduardo Mondlane University, and Pokhara University, with funding from Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED), is implementing a project: ‘Co-creating Knowledge for Local Adaptation to Climate Change in LDCs (COLOCAL).

The expected outputs of the project include strengthened educational and research capacity, improved knowledge on inclusive Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) and Community Based Adaptation (CBA) including delivering skilled knowledge co-creators, and partnerships to support needs-driven, locally-based and contextually sensitive adaptation. The outputs are anticipated to influence policy, planning and practice around LLA and CBA through collaborative learning and knowledge translation.

In line with targets and activities for 2026/2027, COLOCAL project is offering research support for three (3) Master’s students who have completed their first academic year of taught classes at Makerere University and are interested in undertaking research under one of the following thematic areas. The students MUST have undertaken the course offered under the auspices of the project on Disability, Social Justice and Climate Resilient Development.

Requirements:

  • A first degree from a reputable university in a field related to the focus of the project
  • Ugandan citizen below 35 years
  • Good command of English (spoken and written)
  • Demonstrated interest in inclusive and climate resilient development
  • Evidence of practical experience in conducting relevant research during and after undergraduate level
  • Evidence of full payment of all university fees for the first academic year
  • The Masters programme being undertaken MUST have explicit content on climate change mitigation and adaptation
  • Special consideration will be given to students with disabilities, financial challenges, students from ethnic minority groups, internally displaced students, among others

Scholarship and study/research conditions

Availability to complete all research activities in a maximum of 10 months.

Scope of the scholarship

The project will specifically cover stipends and support for field activities only. Support with tuition fees, for the research year, will be provided for students who will complete and submit the research thesis for examination within 10 months from the date of receiving the scholarship offer letter.

How to apply

Interested and eligible candidates should submit the following documents: Application letter, research concept note of not more than 2 pages, academic transcripts/certificates, an updated CV (including contacts of at least two referees) and two recommendation letters.

Send applications via email to: colocal.caes@mak.ac.ug, not later than 20th May, 2026. This contact can as well be used for inquiries, where necessary.

Mak Editor

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Request For Consultancy Services: Training & Digital Solutions Expert

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Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) Request For Consultancy Services: Training & Digital Solutions Expert. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa

The Makerere University Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) Limited implemented a Gates Foundation training program dubbed “Principle of Management Excellence for Research training” PRIMER in francophone countries, namely, Mali, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This training was delivered by content experts and experienced practitioners, not professionally trained experts. As such, limiting the quality of slide decks, which were largely fragmented with text rather than graphical and infographic elements that suit a mature audience. To effectively deliver a research training program, advanced, engaging, and efficient tools are critical for fostering audience engagement and participation, and for learning and assessment in research management excellence. To achieve this, IDI seeks to hire an expert to:

  1. design and deliver a set of integrated advanced slide decks combining text, visual learning materials (graphical and infographics) and case scenarios
  2. develop a virtual bilingual community learning platform (VBCLP), i.e. with in-built French and English to engage alumni,
  3. develop and automate a pre-course assessment system that potential trainees fill out, and it automates results that are presented in statistical form for easy interpretation and decision making.

Details: https://shorturl.at/Rzn8d

Apply to: EAkankwasa@idi.co.ug

Deadline: 5 June 2026, 5 PM EAT

Mak Editor

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