General
TIKA Donation takes Mak-Turkey Partnership to Higher Level
At a highly colourful ceremony, the Ambassador of Turkey to Uganda, H.E Ayşe Sedef Yavuzalp handed over equipment worth UGX 100M to Makerere University Peace and Conflict Studies Centre on 14th September 2015. The equipment was donated by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) to enhance the smooth running of the Peace and Conflict Studies program at Makerere University.
According to the Project Coordinator, Dr. Helen Nkabala, the equipment will help the project to fulfil its role of contributing to culture of peace through teaching, learning, research, publication and community outreach in the Great Lakes Region.
“We have received eight PC computers, four laptops, a power projector, one photocopying machine, one digital camera, four printers and a scanner among others. It is therefore my pleasure to thank the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, the Government of Turkey and Sabanci University for the efforts you have put in to make this project a success,” said the Project Coordinator.
Dr. Nkabala thanked the Ambassador for initiating the collaboration between Makerere University and TIKA, as well as between Makerere University and Sabanci University. With great honour, she also commended Haji Abdu Katende, a Memeber of Staff in the Mak Peace and Conflict Studies Centre for playing an instrumental role in the Mak-TIKA Partnership which resulted into fruitful donation.
Addressing the audience in the Main Hall, the Ambassador of Turkey to Uganda said that Turkey has profound expectations of her long term collaboration with Makerere University; one of the most prestigious and renowned universities in the world.
“As you know knowledge is power. With the aim of empowering African people, Turkey contributes to his African brother in the academic area both theoretically and practically such as giving scholarships and donating relevant equipment. Today we are witnessing another one of Turkey’s steps in its contribution efforts through Sabanci University’s Istanbul Policy Centre, to share its experience and assist its Ugandan counterparts," she explained.
Her Excellency also mentioned that Istambul Policy Centre (IPC) has taken its first step towards the improvement of bilateral academic relations between Uganda and Turkey, with their team of academicians from Turkey set to hold fruitful panel discussions with Makerere University.
“Turkey also extends her hand in humanitarian and development assistance, especially in the area of education which is a priority, as we believe that highly qualified and well-educated human resources are indispensable for spearheading growth on the continent. Currently over 3000 students are studying in Turkey through these scholarships with 151 students coming from Uganda,” she said.
In a speech read by the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs (DVCAA), Assoc. Prof. Okello Ogwang, the Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu acknowledged the mutual relationship Makerere University has with TIKA which is in alignment with the Makerere University core function of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and Networking.
“We value partnership, and we thank you for choosing to partner with Makerere University, as we continue to reflect on the University Vision, to be the leading institution for academic excellence and innovations in Africa. In the spirit of partnership, I am confident to mention that the equipment we have received today, Monday 14th September 2015, will greatly advance teaching and learning as well as the research capacity for students and staff,” the Vice Chancelor said.
He further noted that Makerere University operates in a globalised world hence the need for implementation of her internationalisation agenda, aimed at ensuring that Makerere remains relevant and visible in the global arena.
“In the pursuit of this agenda, we enter into partnership with reputable universities; we offer joint degree programmes; undertake staff and student exchanges; participate in capacity building opportunities in form of scholarships and seminars among other initiatives. Your Excellency, The Ambassador, together with the TIKA team, and the delegation from Sabanci University, we once again, invite you to be key partners in the implementation of the Makerere University internationalisation agenda,” he urged.
Speaking on behalf of TIKA, Mr. Selahattin Cansiz noted that Turkey’s relations with African countries have in recent years gained momentum in many spheres ranging from trade to political dialogue, as well as from education activities to economic investments and development cooperation.
“Sharing common values such as democratic governance, boasting young and promising population, having strong potential and independence, African countries and Turkey are the rising stars of the world today,” he said.
In the framework of developing relations on the principles of “equal partnership and mutual benefit,” Mr. Selahattin said Turkey aspires to mold her experience in the same melting pot with the potential of African countries. Today Turkey’s main operations in Africa include; Health, Social infrastructure and services, Production sector, Capacity building, Water and sanitation and Vocational training.
The Principal College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Prof. Edward Kirumira said that Makerere University Peace and Conflict Studies Centre is multi-disciplinary unit that brings together different departments and units in the Humanities.
“The centre plays a fundamental role in national development. We are therefore pleased with your support towards a program which so vital to national growth and expansion. We are also grateful to TIKA which came to us in the partnership and not in the donation way. We hope to develop this partnership further,” he said.
The Dean of School of Liberal and Performing Arts, Assoc Prof. Patrick Mangeni commended TIKA team together with the Government of Turkey for enabling the university to extend the horizon of capacity through the support they rendered to the Peace and Conflict Studies Centre.
The Makerere University Peace and Conflict Studies Centre is an academic unit of Makerere University established to contribute to the culture of peace through teaching, training, research, publication and community outreach in the Great Lakes Region. The programme brings together a pool of experts: primarily lecturers and other academic staff from all conflict-related disciplines such as Law, Social and Political Sciences, Economics, Psychology and Religion, The aim of this is to contribute to efficiency and effectiveness in the analysis and response to conflict transformation processes undertaken by government, the UN, NGOs, cultural institutions, religious organizations, and the private sector.
Makerere University Peace and Conflict Studies Centre through partnerships seeks to enhance and facilitate the ability of stakeholders to transform violent conflicts through efficient, effective and sustainable events and processes. As such, the Centre provides expertise in the area of peace building and conflict transformation.
Please see Downloads for the Turkish Ambassador's Remarks
Article by: Mak Public Relations Office
Business & Management
PIM Centre Holds 9th Steering Committee Meeting, Set to Benefit from World Bank Support
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University today, October 10th, 2025, held its 9th Steering Committee Meeting to review progress made in the first quarter of the financial year and plan for the months ahead.
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Getrude Basiima, who represented Mr. Hannington Ashaba, Director Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Ms. Basiima commended the Centre for its continued commitment to strengthening public investment management capacity across government institutions.
In her remarks, Ms. Basiima applauded the Centre for successfully hosting the Public Investment Management Conference held in August at Makerere University. The conference attracted key policymakers, development partners, and academics who deliberated on how to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and impact of public investments in Uganda.
She further shared exciting news that the Government of Uganda has secured funding from the World Bank to support the public investment management function. The PIM Centre, she announced, will be among the key beneficiaries of these funds — receiving support for the construction and acquisition of a permanent home to enhance its institutional sustainability and training capacity.
Reviewing the Centre’s quarterly performance, Ms. Basiima congratulated the team for successfully conducting three specialized trainings in the first quarter, reaching officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. These trainings continue to strengthen the technical competencies required for effective project preparation, appraisal, and implementation in line with Uganda’s National Development Plan.
She encouraged the Centre to integrate climate change considerations into its future training programmes, noting that sustainable public investment must now account for environmental resilience and climate adaptation.
The centre team presented the proposed structure/ organogram, the financial performance of 2024/2025, research areas for 2025/2026 and the strategic plan for 2025 – 2030.
The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the PIM Centre’s vision of becoming a regional leader in building capacity for efficient, transparent, and sustainable public investment management.
A significant development unfolded at Makerere University during a strategic, hour-long meeting in the vice chancellor’s boardroom on 7th October 2025, marking a deepening bond with the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. The primary goal was to move beyond existing collaborations and formalize a new Double Doctorate (PhD) program. Prof. Sarah Saali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, set the tone by emphasizing that institutional partnerships are crucial to Makerere University, which she proudly called the leading research and most collaborative university in the world.
The discussion promptly formed the core structure of the program: a four-year PhD (or three if the master’s was research-based), with supervision duties split 50-50% between the two institutions. A key feature is the mobility requirement, stipulating that PhD candidates would spend a total of six months in the Netherlands, potentially divided into two three-month periods. Crucially, the University of Groningen confirmed there would be no teaching requirement during this stay, allowing students full access to focus on their research. A major financial hurdle was overcome with the adoption of a fee-waiver policy; Makerere would waive tuition for incoming Groningen candidates, and Groningen would reciprocate for Makerere‘s students, significantly boosting the program’s financial viability.
However, the critical issue of the stipend remained. Dr. Anita Veltmaat explained that to meet the required living standard of approximately €1,875 per month in Groningen, the incoming candidate must secure a partial external scholarship of around €250 per month. The positive news is that if the candidate secures this minimum scholarship, the University of Groningen is prepared to top up the amount to the full living standard for the six months the student spends in the Netherlands. It was noted that this initial financial hurdle might be simplified for Makerere students, as many are already staff members receiving a salary, which could help cover the required €250.
The path forward was clear: it was to complete the agreement template guided by the setup committee from both institutions. The plan culminated in scheduling an online follow-up meeting for Tuesday, November 11th, to review the first revision of the agreement, capping a highly constructive discussion that solidified the two universities’ shared future in graduate education.
Makerere University was represented by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics Affairs; Dr. Ruth Nsibirano, Head of the Department of Gender Studies; Dr. Patricia Ndugga, School of Statistics; Dr. Stella Achen and Dr. Joseph Watuleke, School of Distance and Lifelong Learning; Agatha Ainemukama, School of Engineering; Racheal Nuwagaba, School of Psychology; Awel Uwihanganye, Martine Rugamba, and Hawa Ndagire from the Advancement Office; and Muhammad Kiggundu from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.
The University of Groningen was represented by Dr. Dinie Bouwman, Senior Policy Advisor, Internationalization and Quality Assurance; Dr. Anita Veltmaat, Faculty of Social Behavior and Social Sciences, Department of International Studies, involved in mentorship programs for women; and Dr. Alette Arendshorst, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, working on graduation/collaboration for students/staff.
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