General
Mak ADB V HEST Infrastructure Development Project Kicks Off
The energy and passion that had built up over the past three years was fully evident on the morning of 18th December 2015 as officials from the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports led by Mr. Robert Odok Oceng-Commissioner for Higher Education and Training officially handed over the sites to the contractor; Excel Construction Limited delegation led by the Director-Satvinder Saini and Senior Contracts Manager-Eng. P. Murali Krishna. The beneficiary of this project; Makerere University led by none other than the Vice Chancellor, Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu was on hand to witness the handover.
The site handover was preceded by signing of a contract between the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports (MoESTS) and Excel Construction Limited in the presence of Makerere University Officials at the Ministry head offices.
This US$29.2m allocation to Makerere University is meant to fund the five year project that was approved as a loan from the African Development Bank to the Government of Uganda in 2013 to improve science and technology in Higher Education Institutions.
The US$12.8m infrastructure development project handed over to Excel Construction Ltd is anticipated to last eighteen months with effect from December 2015. It will comprise of two four-floor buildings; one located at the former UCB slab next to the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) and another at the slab next to the School of Social Sciences. The facilities will 
have centralized teaching spaces, a 1,000 seater auditorium and an E-learning Centre. The construction of the two structures is meant to address the problem of limited teaching spaces especially in the Colleges with big student numbers (College of Humanities and Social Sciences-CHUSS, College of Education and External Studies-CEES and CoBAMS). Excel Construction Limited will also renovate the: Physiology Lab in the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Chemistry Lab and centralized Diagnostics Lab based in the College of Natural Sciences-CoNAS, centralized Biotechnology Lab based in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences-CAES, Science Labs in CEES, Materials and Hydraulics Lab in the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology-CEDAT and Diary Value Chain at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute (MUARIK).
The institutional allocation will also cover the setting up of the initial facility at MUARIK as well as commencing the movement of CAES to the MUARIK Campus. However, the construction of this initial facility at MUARIK is slated to commence at a later time due to delays experienced with one of the contractors resulting into bidding for works separately.
The Director Estates and Works Department (EWD), Eng. Fred Nuwagaba pointed out that due diligence carried out on the two sites had determined that while the Social Sciences Slab was more than capable of taking on the weight of a four floor building, the former UCB slab at CoBAMS would have to be fully demolished and works started from scratch. He also noted that a proper traffic flow design was going to be availed to inform the campus users on areas that will have to be hoarded off for safety reasons.
Eng. Murali informed the assembly that Excel Construction Limited was pleased to take on yet another project in Makerere University as this was a vote of confidence. He pointed out that the sites were located in busy areas but stringent measures would be taken to ensure that safety is guaranteed. He hoped that the community would bear with the construction works as the contractor would try to ensure that disruption was kept to a minimum.
The Vice Chancellor Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu called for fast but dependable works as time had already been lost and yet there was urgent need for teaching space on campus. He expressed gratitude to the African Development Bank as well as the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports (MoESTS) for their efforts to strengthen higher education.
The Ministry’s representative, Mr. Oceng congratulated the contractor and pointed out that there was a steady increase of student numbers in universities hence the need for MoESTS to set up more public universities. This massification in higher education was likely to result in the number public universities rising to nine by February 2016. He therefore hoped that Excel Construction Limited would do credible work that would attract future interest from these growing institutions.
These buildings are expected to not only beautify Makerere University but also expansively address the longstanding problem of limited teaching facilities for the growing number of students. While students are currently utilizing former dining areas that were turned into lecture spaces in various halls of residence, the laboratories on the other hand can hardly accommodate the growing numbers of students.
Others distinguished members present at the site handover ceremony were Dr. Florence Nakayiwa (Director Planning and Development) and Laker Irene Kitara (TA and Quantity Surveyor of the ADB V-HEST). The implementation of this project at Makerere University is coordinated by the Planning and Development Department (PDD).
Article by Nancy Karunganwa, Planning and Development Department (PDD)
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.
Makerere University on Tuesday, 7th October 2025 hosted a delegation from Nelson Mandela University (NMU), South Africa in the Vice Chancellor’s Boardroom in a bid to strengthen academic partnerships and operationalize their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The delegation, led by Prof. Azwinndini Muronga, Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, NMU, aimed to turn earlier agreements into actionable collaborations and build sustainable partnerships with various colleges.
The Acting (Ag.) Deputy Vice Chancellor; Finance and Administration, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, provided an overview of the institution’s structure—nine colleges, two schools, and two institutes—while acknowledging the challenges of maintaining excellence amid resource limitations and post-pandemic recovery. He emphasized that collaboration must serve the broader goal of research-driven development, calling for teamwork and resilience among African universities. “We have to work together to sustain high academic standards and contribute to the continent’s progress,” he noted.
Prof. Muronga spoke passionately about the NMU’s “African footprint agenda.” He urged both institutions to start with small, practical projects that can build confidence and momentum for larger initiatives. “We must grow partnerships within Africa first,” he stated, “before we expand globally. True collaboration begins when both sides contribute equally, share capacity, and build self-reliance.”
Prof. Muronga also expressed interest in joint research projects, doctoral supervision, and shared grant applications, noting that NMU and Makerere are strategically positioned to lead regional academic innovation.
In her remarks, Prof. Judy Peter, Senior Director in the International Office at NMU emphasized the University’s commitment to African-centered collaboration and the importance of internationalizing the curriculum and expanding research capacity.
Prof. Peter underscored the importance of student mobility, joint supervision of postgraduate students, and the recruitment of talented African scholars, noting that such exchanges enrich both institutions’ academic communities. She also emphasized the need to internationalize the curriculum, particularly through virtual learning platforms and co-teaching models, to ensure broader accessibility and shared expertise.
Contributions also came from Prof. James Wokadala, Deputy Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), further amplified the need to “start small and build on existing collaborations.” He proposed developing a clear roadmap that defines short-term goals and identifies areas for mutual growth.
From the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Richard Idro, the Deputy Principal highlighted opportunities for fellowship, training and collaboration in clinical subjects, emphasizing the need for practical exchanges that benefit students and staff alike. He also addressed logistical challenges such as transportation and coordination, urging for targeted partnerships that can yield tangible results.
The meeting reaffirmed the universities’ commitment to collaboration in areas including faculty exchange for guest lectures, seminars, and sabbaticals; joint research and grant applications for regional and international funding; co-supervision of postgraduate students; virtual classroom exchanges; curriculum internationalization and exchange of academic materials; and capacity development for academic and administrative staff.
The teams also identified “quick-win” projects that could be implemented in the short term and agreed to establish a joint implementation team to monitor progress. Further discussions will explore funding mechanisms, including the possibility of leveraging programs like Erasmus+, to support student exchange and joint research initiatives.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Muronga reaffirmed Nelson Mandela University’s commitment to ensuring that the partnership yields visible outcomes. Both universities agreed that future engagements will be structured around mutual respect, accountability, and measurable results.
The meeting concluded on a note of optimism, with both institutions expressing confidence that their partnership will not only advance academic excellence but also contribute to Africa’s broader vision of educational and research self-reliance.
The meeting was attended by several officials from Makerere including; Prof. Eric Awich Ochen-Deputy Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze-Deputy Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Prof. Godfrey Akileng-Dean School of Business, Dr. Geoffrey Nuwagaba-CoBAMS, Mr. Martine Rugamba-Ag. Chief Advancement Office, and Ms. Hawa Kajumba-Advancement Office.
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