Soybean research and breeding activities were conducted by the Centre for Soybean Improvement and Development, Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo (MUARIK), in all major soybean growing areas of Uganda using a participatory approach. Research was executed in research institutes, technology verification centres and farmers fields all over the country.
The main objectives were to develop soybean varieties that are: high yielding with media maturity of less than 120 days; resistant to diseases and pest with focus on soybean rust disease and groundnut leaf miners; resistant to lodging and pod shattering; promiscuous in the formation of active nodules with local rhizobia; rich in protein and oil contents; having high pod clearance; and having general end-user acceptance in terms of seed appearance and other traits.
When the soybean rust epidemic hit Uganda in 1996, two strategies (short and long-term) were adopted to mitigate the effects of the epidemic. The short-term strategy involved introduction and testing of germplasm, while long-term comprised of making crosses between resistant and elite susceptible soybean lines, which resulted in the release of six new varieties that included Namsoy 4M, Maksoy 1N, Maksoy 2N, Maksoy 3N, Maksoy 4N and Maksoy 5N.
These high-yielding varieties as a result of 13 years of soybean research at Makerere University has led to rapid increase in the number of industries involved in processing soybean in Uganda and neighbouring countries. Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) were instrumental and accounted for 50% of nationwide dissemination of foundation seed to different stakeholders for further multiplication. Maksoy 1N is the most widely adopted variety by farmers, while Maksoy 3N has the largest quantities of foundation seed disseminated by the program. Recent impact studies showed that new Maksoy varieties were the most planted and accounted for 93% of soybean vaieties grown by Ugandan farmers, contributing an estimated UGX 1,1185,600/= per hectare per season to smallholder household incomes.
Please see Downloads to view the detailed SOYBEAN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN UGANDA. A case of paradigm shift in an African University (2002-2015) report.
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.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (C) interacts with members of the 2nd Mak-HUC.
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.
All applications must be submitted electronically via the Makerere University Electronic Human Resource Management System through the above link (ehrms). Applicants will be required to provide the necessary information on the ehrms and attach the following documents:
An application letter clearly stating the job applied for and duly signed by the applicant.
An up-to-date curriculum vitae. The curriculum must also state the names and addresses of at least three referees.
Copies of academic certificates and transcripts.
A minimum of three recommendation letters duly signed by the referees.
The application should be addressed to:
The Chief Human Resource Officer Makerere University P.O. Box 7062 Kampala