General
Sida PhD beneficiaries share their success stories
The Quality Assurance Directorate, QAD, is set to release a pioneer publication ‘Mapping the careers and mobility of Makerere University doctoral graduates’. The publication contains success stories of some of the Sida sponsored students, 2000 -2012, who are at the height of their careers both within and outside Makerere University.
One of these students, Dr. Julius Ecuru, was part of a team of experts selected to serve on President Barack Obama’s international research panel to advance ethical science. The experience has since opened up many doors for him, including adding value to his current work and team at the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology, where he is in charge of research and technology management.
Back home in Makerere University, one of the beneficiaries, Dr. Henry Alinaitwe, heads the illustrious College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology, CEDAT and brings a wealth of experience on board. Also from the same college is Dr. Charles Niwagaba, who has gone ahead to start an NGO and is tirelessly in search of solutions to improve the condition of slum dwellers. In one of his innovations, Dr. Niwagaba explains how grey water (water from household chores) can be put to alternative use after purification.
From the College of Health Sciences, CHS is Dr. Noeline Nakasujja who has found a way of explaining psychotic disorders in people living with HIV/AIDS. “I discovered that there are certain psychiatric disorders in HIV positive patients that do not fall in any of the major categories of mental illness,” she says.
Dr. Peter Walekhwa from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), is restlessly searching for ways through which biogas can sustainably be used across Africa. He has since teamed up with a team of equally zealous researchers from other parts of the world including Scotland and Cameroon.
Dr. Lillian Namuganyi on the other hand is disturbed by how the ongoing developments in Kampala city have disadvantaged the common man, who in most cases is pushed out of the city. “We researchers are not consulted by authorities before they make certain decisions. City planners have paid attention only to the function of the city, with less consideration for the practice of the city,” she explains. The publication contains many more voices of how doctoral holders are putting their vast knowledge to use.
The richly packaged publication categorizes PhD holders by age, gender, field, College and mobility. In relation to Colleges, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, CAES, stands out with the highest number of PhD holders, most of whom are male. The gender gap stands at 23% of female PhD holders in Makerere University, compared to the 77% male counterparts. The publication among other things recommends that Makerere University mobilizes more external resources for training, to supplement the internal resources, in the medium term.
The Director QAD, Dr. Vincent Ssembatya is optimistic that the Directorate will conduct similar studies when funds allow. “This type of exercise is crucial in helping us determine the impact of graduate training, especially now that Makerere University aspires to be graduate led. We are glad that the PhD beneficiaries we spoke to are grateful to have pursued further studies and I take this opportunity to encourage as many people as possible to take this path,” he said. The Directorate will officially launch this publication at a date to be communicated later.
Please click here to view the Sida PhD Graduates Tracer Study 2014
By Marion Alina, Public Relations Office
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on 20th April 2026 inaugurated the Second Makerere University Health User Committee (Mak-HUC). The Committee was established by the Vice Chancellor in 2022 as part of his strategic mandate to strengthen and oversee the University Hospital services delivery.
Chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Mak-HUC has as its members; Prof. Josaphat K. Byamugisha-Director Makerere University Health Services (MakHS) and Dr. Daniel Ronald Ruhweza-Department of Law and Jurisprudence, School of Law.
Other members include; Dr. Arthur Kwizera-Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, College of Health Sciences (CHS) and Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) Representative, Dr. Lillian Tukahirwa-Makerere University Administrative Staff Association (MASA) Representative, Mr. Godfrey Othieno- National Union of Educational Institutions (NUEI) Representative, and as Secretariat, Ms. Kevin M. Nabiryo-Directorate of Human Resources.
The 2nd Mak-HUC has been appointed for a period of four years effective 1st January 2026 with a mandate to: Guide, monitor and oversee delivery of health services by MakHS; Represent the interests and concerns of staff and students that use MakHS; Advise on alignment with sustainable health financing and insurance models; Strengthen systems for fraud prevention, digital transformation and access to specialized treatment, among other responsibilities.
The 1st Mak-HUC was chaired by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi and had as members; Prof. Josaphat Byamugisha, Dr. Fred Mayambala, Dr. Zahara Nampewo, Mr. Othieno Godfrey, Mr. Apunyo Paul Okiria and Ms. Ikiriza Racheal. Milestones during the first era included; Outpatient Department visits growth from 4,802 (2022) to 7,388 (Nov 2025) for staff and 14,641 (2022) to 19,069 (Nov 2025) for students.
Others milestones included; Commissioning of a fully equipped Operating Theatre, Establishment of a modern Imaging Hub, Development of a fully functional Audiology Unit, Expansion of the Temporal Bone Laboratory, Launch of the Olink Proteomics Platform and Enhancement of the Dental Unit with 32 dental chairs and experienced personnel.
Related article: https://news.mak.ac.ug/2025/12/three-years-of-impact-makerere-university-health-user-committee-presents-status-report/
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