General
WHO-AGISAR Uganda Pilot Project Launched
Makerere to take lead in National Integrated Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance
Makerere University is to take lead in the implementation of an Integrated Surveillance of Antimicrobial resistance in Uganda. Uganda was selected by the World Health Organization (WHO) Advisory Group on Integrated Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (AGISAR) to implement the two-year project entitled “movement pathways of antimicrobial agents and occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in humans, food producing animals and retail foods in Uganda”. The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (CoVAB) will be at the forefront in the implementation of the project.
Speaking at the launch of the project on 17th March 2015 at Imperial Royale Hotel Kampala, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Dr. Ernest Okello-Ogwang hailed scientists from CoVAB for having won several competitive grants at national, regional and international level in the recent past. This particular project under WHO-AGISAR was written by Prof. Francis Ejobi, the Head of Department; Bio security, Ecosystems and Veterinary Public Health (BEP), resulting into Uganda being chosen by WHO-AGISAR to implement it. Dr. Okello Ogwang congratulated Prof. Ejobi for winning the competitive grant adding that it will go a long way in strengthening laboratory capacity at Makerere University in terms of conducting research that will guide policy making in the country.
Anti-microbial resistance occurs when an antibiotic loses its ability to effectively control or kill bacterial growth; meaning that bacteria become 'resistant' and continue to multiply even when antibiotics have been applied either in humans or animals. The current high levels of antimicrobial resistance are attributed to overuse and misuse of antibiotics.
According to Dr. Awa Aidara-Kane who represented WHO at the launch, Antimicrobial Resistance is a global problem that requires a global approach due to extensive movement of people, animal and food around the world. She said that global surveillance and reliable data that can help to track this problem are necessary.
“This project is very important because we lack data from developing countries that can inform policy. We therefore need a multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary approach generated from different stakeholders against antimicrobial resistance. That is why WHO is giving seed money to Uganda and our wish is that work in this area will continue even after the 2 years come to an end. This pilot project must raise awareness through evidence-based data so that the government will feel the need to tackle this problem more systematically,” Dr. Aidara-Kane emphasized.
The Deputy Principal CoVAB, Dr. Jesca Nakavuma was happy to note that the project will contribute to capacity building at CoVAB. She urged the scientists on the project not to neglect the existing but scattered data on antimicrobial resistance in Uganda. She said that gathering this data and compiling a single detailed report will contribute to the findings of the project.
Prof. Ejobi, noted that data collection is going to be a huge component of the project tasks.
“We shall generate data which shows the burden that Uganda is facing as a result of antimicrobial resistance so as to avail scientific evidence backing the need to contain this problem." Prof. Ejobi stressed, adding that his team will work hand-in-hand with the media to create awareness about the issue of antimicrobial resistance.
“We shall then hold a bigger workshop for all stakeholders and policy makers where we shall reveal the findings at the end of our 2-year period,” Prof. Ejobi said.
Prof. Paula Cray, a North Carolina State University-based specialist in population health and pathobiology will work closely with Prof. Ejobi and his team at CoVAB. She is the lead technical advisor on the project that is expected to be carried out in selected areas in Uganda and will involve the collection of samples from cattle, broiler chicken and children as well as meat products from supermarkets and butcheries.
It is hoped that through this project, inter-sectoral collaborations shall be strengthened and that awareness about the dangers of antimicrobial resistance shall be raised amongst the government. This may then ultimately put Uganda in a more informed position to develop a national program on integrated surveillance for resistance.
WHO has since 2011 been funding pilot projects of this nature across the world. In Africa, similar projects were conducted in Senegal, Burkina Faso, Kenya and now Uganda. Dr. Aidara-Kane expressed optimism that the project in Uganda will be as successful as the ones that have been conducted in other African countries.
Key stakeholders present at the launch were National Drug Authority (NDA), Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF), Uganda Veterinary Association (UVA), AFRISA, National Council for Science and Technology (NCST), One Health Central and Eastern Africa (OHCEA) and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).
Representatives from the various organizations present were in agreement that their organizations had a role to play in the successful implementation of this project in Uganda. Dr. Aidara-Kane advised the stakeholders to work together and consider forming a national inter-sectoral taskforce against anti-microbial resistance, as was the case in Kenya.
Also present at the launch were Prof. John Opuda-Asibo, the Executive Director of National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). He gave the keynote address on anti-microbial resistance as an emerging threat to human and animal healthcare in the 21st Century. Dr. Patrick Bastiaensen, the Program Officer of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) East African sub-region was also present. He noted that lack of legislation against misuse of drugs in developing countries has played a big role in the rise of antimicrobial resistance.
Article by Jovia Musubika, CoVAB
The Makerere University Council and Top Management have today convened at Speke Resort Munyonyo to deliberate on the University’s Strategic Plan 2025/2026 – 2029/2030. The retreat seeks to align Makerere’s priorities with the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and ensure that all key stakeholders contribute to shaping the institution’s next five years.
Opening the discussions, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, underscored the centrality of planning in the University’s growth trajectory. He called on members of management to actively participate in the drafting of the new strategic plan. Prof. Nawangwe highlighted Makerere’s progress in recent years, noting that the University has drawn a roadmap to becoming a research-led institution, with publications rising from 700 five years ago to 2,000 currently.
He further pointed out the revision of research policies to align with the University’s research agenda, as well as the establishment of innovation hubs that support product development, commercialisation, and intellectual property management. Commending staff for their resilience and success, Prof. Nawangwe congratulated them on winning significant individual grants, some of which now surpass institutional grants. “NDP IV is intended to grow the country tenfold, and I am confident Makerere will make a huge contribution,” he remarked.
In her keynote remarks, the Chairperson of the University Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara, described the retreat as a defining moment for Makerere’s role in Uganda’s transformation. She urged the University to move beyond traditional teaching and research, positioning itself as a central driver of national development.
“Our mandate extends beyond academia. The knowledge we generate, the leaders we shape, and the innovations we deliver must directly fuel Uganda’s growth,” Mrs. Magara stated.
She outlined priority national development areas— agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral-based development, and advances in science and technology—where Makerere’s expertise can make a decisive impact. Emphasising the urgency of challenges such as youth unemployment, climate change, food insecurity, and fragile health systems, she noted that within these lie opportunities for Makerere to lead in testing and scaling solutions.
“This retreat is about discipline and focus. Our strategy cannot be a wish list; it must be a blueprint for measurable national impact,” she said, challenging participants to critically reflect on how Makerere can anchor Uganda’s food security, nurture digital innovators, strengthen health resilience, and raise transformative leaders.
She concluded with a call for boldness and clarity in execution: “The next five years are decisive. Makerere must shift from being a participant in national development to being its strongest driver. What we agree here must position Makerere not only as Uganda’s premier university but also as a trusted national partner and a beacon of Africa’s transformation.”
The retreat involved detailed discussions and contributions from University leaders, aimed at developing a practical and impact-driven strategic plan that cements Makerere’s role in advancing Uganda’s development agenda.
Education
Makerere University signs Memorandum of Understanding with International Rescue Committee to Advance Research, Innovation and Partnerships
Makerere University has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Rescue Committee to formalize undertakings in research, innovation & partnerships.
Signed in September 2025 by the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and the Country Director, International Rescue Committee, Mr. Elijah Okeyo, the MoU provides a framework to implement research intensive programmes, promote innovative teaching and learning, internationalization, and contribute to societal transformation.
According to Mr. Okeyo, the MoU re-affirms Makerere University as the academic partner of the International Rescue Committee (IRC). “This MoU formalizes IRC’s working relationship with Makerere University. This framework empowers both institutions to tap into opportunities together. We believe in equal partnership. Makerere University commits to being our partner in research to contribute to evidence based humanitarian undertakings,” he said.
Under this collaboration, Makerere University and IRC will work on developing child-centered learning resources, innovative curricula, and policy-relevant research to enhance the quality of education in crisis-affected regions.
At Makerere University, the MoU brings on board, the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), Makerere University Institute of Teacher Education and Research (MITER), and the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Research Centre.
To concretize the MoU, the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga convened a partnership meeting on Friday 12th September 2025 involving a delegation from the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Dr. David Kabugo, the Deputy Director of Makerere University Institute of Teacher Education and Research (MITER), and Ms. Ritah Namisango, the Principal Communication Officer.
The delegation from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) consisted of the following: Mr. Elijah Okeyo-Country Director, Mr. Vincent Wanyama-Senior Program Development and Quality Coordinator, Mr. Richard Omasete-Policy and Advocacy PlayMatters, and Ms. Janet Nambuya-Grants and Partnerships Coordinator.
The MoU focuses on the following areas of interest: Early Childhood Development, joint research and capacity building in education, the plight of refugees and the host communities, humanitarian aid, as well as, evidence based research to inform the education policy.
In line with its mandate, IRC brings onboard, its unmatched expertise in helping children in crisis-affected areas. The MoU therefore positions both institutions to undertake a leading role in the protection of children and families through evidence based research, access to education, and humanitarian undertakings.
Dr. Kabugo, the Deputy Director MITER, noted that the MoU opens new opportunities for joint efforts in research, training, and policy. He said: “We are committed to co-designing practitioner research, engaging in professional development, and generating evidence to guide the education policy in Uganda and beyond.” Dr. Kabugo explained that this partnership builds on years of cooperation between CEES and IRC, especially in child-centered methods such as play-based learning.
Prof. Mugagga described the MOU as a practical framework that connects Makerere University’s research with IRC’s field experiences. He stated that the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) conducts programmes focused on the future of the young people through training and empowering students/teachers. He articulated that the College significantly impacts on the education sector through delivery of quality academic programmes and research under the School of Education, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning, and the East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development.
“Our strongest synergy is education and early child-focused care,” Prof. Mugagga emphasized. He revealed that the collaboration presents CEES with a strong and reliable partner (IRC), which stands for protection and the well-being of children and families. “Through this MoU, both CEES and IRC, will significantly contribute to improving education for children, families, and communities impacted by conflict and crisis.”
Prof. Mugagga commended IRC for the earlier support and expertise extended to the College in the development of the early childhood centre, and working together to provide valuable input during the Ministry of Education and Sports’ consultative process that led to the Early Childhood development policy.
Reflecting on the increasing number of refugees enrolling for studies at Makerere University, Prof. Mugagga said: “ IRC has come at the right time. The College will tap into the IRC expertise to teach our staff and learners components in refugee education. They will equip our students and teachers with knowledge and skills in refugee education. Some of our students will cooperate with IRC to undertake research in refugee settlement and host communities.”
Prof. Mugagga implored both MITER and IRC to undertake research and develop modules on refugee education, parenting, re-tooling street children, integration of a health component into the curriculum, and management of truamatised students/learners who come from areas affected by war, conflict and crisis.
On the issue of play materials, Prof. Mugagga stressed that already made play materials derial creativing. “Both CEES and IRC should work towards a context that empowers children and learners to ignite their creative potential by developing home-made play materials,” he submitted.
About IRC
Stating a brief profile history about IRC, Mr. Okeyo explained that IRC is a global non-profit organisation that provides humanitarian aid and assistance to people affected by conflict and disaster. IRC has been active in Uganda since 1998, originally assisting displaced populations in Northern Uganda and later expanding its efforts to refugee settlements and urban areas.. Currently, IRC operates more than 35 health facilities in refugee settlements and runs a variety of programs in health, education, protection, and economic recovery. IRC also undertakes projects focusing on early childhood development, prevention of gender-based violence, and protection of refugees and families.
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