General
NORAD commends Mak on management of research projects
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) team currently at Makerere for a five-day Annual Planning Meeting has commended the University for ensuring good reporting mechanisms in the management of ongoing projects. Makerere which is the lead partner managing over nine (9) NORHED research projects with other collaborating institutions in Africa and Norway was commended for embracing a consultative approach which ensured the participation of all key stakeholders in research project activities; as well as guaranteeing that competent and experienced staff run the projects.
The NORAD team comprising Edle Hamre-Head of Section; Jorun Nossum-Senior Adviser; Inga Dalin-Adviser; Silje S. Vevatne-Adviser, Jeanette da Silva-Senior Advisor and Ms Mary Mabweijano-Senior Programme officer, Royal Norwegian Embassy Kampala made the wonderful remarks during the courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor and the Makerere University Management held today, Monday 3rd November 2014. The courtesy call came ahead of the Opening Ceremony for the first Annual Planning Meeting between NORAD and the Norwegian Programme for Capacity Building in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED).
The Annual Planning Meeting, which starts today 3rd and runs until Friday 7th November 2014, is focused on reviewing the implementation of projects at Makerere University under the NORHED programme and providing an opportunity to focus on the second year of implementation.
In her speech, Elde Hamre, the Head of Section for Research, Innovation and Higher Education, NORAD emphasized the relevance of the NORHED Research projects which seek to address alignment of education and research to national development needs and eradication of poverty.
“We look forward to meeting the research teams, project coordinators and students during the Annual Planning Meeting and discussing the achievements and the progress made on the respective NORHED projects. We have particular interest in the alignment of research to national development needs and eradication of poverty,” said Hamre.
The Vice Chancellor Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu welcomed the NORAD team and applauded the Government and People of Norway for supporting research, capacity building programmes and infrastructural development at Makerere University since the 1940s.
Professor Ddumba-Ssentamu assured the NORAD team of Makerere University’s commitment to the realization of Uganda’s development needs, and the successful implementation of the NORHED programme. He added that the 2014 Annual Planning Meeting was timely for it provides a platform through which Makerere University and NORAD will exchange ideas that will inform higher education and research for the transformation of society especially through knowledge dissemination.
During the courtesy visit, both the NORAD and Makerere University teams emphasized the following critical aspects:
- Continuous engagement and involvement of stakeholders in research project activities/programmes
- The Quality Assurance Directorate to undertake tracer studies especially on the students/beneficiaries under the NORHED programme
- The need to develop realistic plans and budgets for the respective research projects
- Strengthening financial and procurement systems in sister universities especially those in South Sudan
- Partnering with the School of Women and Gender Studies to train the project teams in gender
- To train and sensitise project team leaders on revised Mak procurement guidelines and procedures
- For all parties, to uphold zero tolerance to corruption in the execution of research project and management activities.
In addition to the Vice Chancellor, the Makerere University team consisted of: Professor Barnabas Nawangwe-Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration); Prof. Oryem-Origa-Chair (NIDIC), Dr. Consolanta Kabonesa-Vice Chair (NIDIC), Dr. Elizabeth Bwanga-NORHED Programme Coordinator at Mak; Dr. Florence Nakayiwa-Director Planning and Development; Ms Mary Tizikara-Director Human Resources; Mr. Charles Barugahare-Director Internal Audit; Mr. Matia Kabuye-Senior Economist and Ms Ritah Namisango, Senior Public Relations Officer.
With regard to overcoming the delays in procurement of equipment vital to research, theDeputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Professor Barnabas Nawangwe encouraged the Makerere University research teams to study the revised Procurement Manual, which provides user-friendly procurement guidelines and procedures.
Article by Ritah Namisango, Public Relations Office
Photos by: Mr. Joseph Buwule, Landmark Media Consultancy
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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