General
337 Receive PhD Masters and Postdoctoral Sida Scholarships
Thanks to the new Swedish Government-Makerere University Agreement, 337 Ugandan university staff will receive PhD, Masters and Postdoctoral Scholarships through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) Phase 2015-2020. 167 awardees who were selected for the first intake could not hide their excitement as H.E Urban Andersson, Swedish Ambassador to Uganda officially handed over the Awards on Wednesday 10th February 2016.
Funding to the tune of SEK 275 million has been approved to support capacity building for four other public universities i.e. Gulu, Busitema, Kyambogo and Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) as well as research collaboration between Makerere University and Swedish partner universities. Present at the award ceremony were Prof. Celestino Obua-Vice Chancellor MUST, Mr. Johnson Oluga-Representing Prof. Eli Katunguka-Rwakishaya, Vice Chancellor Kyambogo University, and Dr. Samuel Baker Kucel-Representing Prof. Mary Okwakol, Vice Chancellor Busitema University among other Sida officials and Public Universities’ staff.
In his opening remarks, the Director of Research and Graduate Training (RGT) and Overall Coordinator of the Sida Program, Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza thanked H.E. Amb. Urban Andersson and the Royal Government of Sweden for support that has led to tremendous growth of the research and innovations function at Makerere University.
“The new agreement will entail academic graduate training of 125 PhD students, 147 MA students, and 65 Postdoctoral fellows, divided between the five public universities. Our deliberate strategy to invest in graduate training is based on the common knowledge that about half the research in the world is carried out by graduate students,” Prof. Buyinza said.
In his remarks the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu acknowledged that Sida support had greatly improved the research culture of Makerere University.
“A number of staff members are writing proposals and competing for funding from various sources. Proposals are now being funded especially in the areas of health, engineering, veterinary science, agriculture and social sciences,” said Prof. Nawangwe, further adding “Publications have greatly increased and as you may be aware, a recent study placed Makerere University in the 3rd position in Africa in terms of Research output. This achievement is partly due to the support from Sida.”
Prof. Nawangwe further thanked the Swedish Government for supporting not only research but also library services, whose impact is felt beyond the physical walls, thanks to digitization of content and 24hour access to electronic materials. Sida support has also greatly improved access by both staff and students to internet services throughout the university
Ambassador Andersson could not hide his own excitement as he began his remarks at the award ceremony. He noted that whereas 325 academic staff had been trained since the Sida program’s inception at Makerere in the year 2000, the quest to train 337 staff within the next 5years was news worth celebrating.
“The US$ 65million that the Swedish State has supported Ugandan research collaboration with in the past 15 years have led to many exciting results. Your predecessors have worked hard… Now you will carry the torch forward,” encouraged His Excellency the Ambassador.
Ambassador Andersson further took note of; training most of the PhD students at Makerere and the multidisciplinary approach as two major shifts in the new agreement period that will set the precedent for future collaboration. 105 out of the 125 PhD students will undertake their training at Makerere University with the remaining 20 students set to receive their training via the sandwich program between Makerere University and her Swedish counterparts. He commended Makerere University upon building sufficient capacity to train the majority of the PhDs locally, noting that this is a remarkable improvement from when the program started in the year 2000.
A total of eleven projects and their respective principal investigators were awarded scholarships under multidisciplinary research teams. These include: Strengthening Social Science Research for National Development-Dr. Andrew Ellias State; Capacity Building in Mathematics and Its Applications-Dr. John Mango; Building Research Capacity in Innovative ICT for Development for Socio-
economic Growth in Uganda-Dr. Engineer Bainomugisha; Training for sustainable spatially enabled e-services delivery in Uganda-Dr. Gilbert Maiga; Partnership for Building Resilient Ecosystems and Livelihoods to Climate Change and Disaster-Dr. Yazidhi Bamutaze; and Empowerment for Research Capacity in Knowledge and Information Production and Sharing for Socio- economic Development in Uganda-Dr. George William Kiyingi.
Others are: Innovating health systems and healthcare delivery in rural Uganda: towards building critical capacity to tackle the rising Type 2 Diabetes challenge-Dr. David Guwatudde; Innovations for accelerating reduction in maternal, newborn and child mortality in post conflict Uganda-Prof. James Tumwine; Towards better treatment of infectious diseases in children in rural Uganda. Better diagnostics and algorithms for increased quality of care, rational use of medicines and minimized antimicrobial resistance-Prof. Celestino Obua; Information Support for Quality Higher Education and Research in Uganda-Dr. Hellen Byamugisha and Building Research and Training capacities to develop innovations in sustainable intensification of maize–based cropping systems for improving productivity, food security and resilience to climate change in Uganda-Dr. Herbert Talwana.
Article by Public Relations Office
Makerere University, through the Makerere University Convocation (MUC), has hosted the first-ever CEOs/Investors’ Round Table Summit on Tuesday, 2nd September 2025. The historic event brought together alumni, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), and stakeholders in a distinguished assembly aimed at re-imagining the university’s role in national and continental transformation.
The Convocation, which serves as a critical forum for foresight and life-transformational dialogue, unveiled five transformative points carefully crafted to transform Makerere from a symbolic “ivory tower” into an “impact tower” that influences the country and the world more than ever before.
Government Endorsement and Call to Action
The Chief Guest, Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, was represented at the event by the 3rd Deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama Isanga. She conveyed warm greetings from H.E. the President of Uganda, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister.
She commended the Convocation for convening under the summit under a significant and timely theme: “Exploring the Opportunities for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Value Creation for Accelerated Socio-Economic Integration and Development of Sub-Saharan Africa.”
She described the summit as not just a gathering but a journey and a call to action, urging academia, industry, and government to align efforts with Uganda’s and Africa’s transformation priorities.
Framing her remarks around the World Bank’s guiding principles—Trust, Humility, Inclusion, Collaboration, and Knowledge—she explained:
- “Trust must be built between government, academia, and business… the gathering reflects the trust in CEOs and investors to walk this journey together.”
- “Humility requires listening and learning, recognizing that no single institution has all the answers.”
- “Inclusion reminds us that no youth, woman, or marginalized group should be left behind in transformation.”
- “Collaboration is the currency of progress, necessary for solving complex challenges across sectors.”
- “Knowledge remains our greatest asset, with Makerere University demonstrating its importance in moving from ivory towers to communities to transform lives.”
She then unveiled a “massive transformation purpose”, commissioning five working teams led by CEOs and investors. The teams, nominated lead persons, and their respective objectives included:
- From Ivory Tower to Impact Tower – Dr. Patricia Ojangole (UDB) with Patrick Ayota (NSSF), translating research into market-ready innovations.
- Diaspora Dividend vs Brain Drain – Jennifer Bamuturaki (Uganda Airlines) with Michael Mugabi (Housing Finance Bank), harnessing diaspora capital, skills, and mentorship.
- Intergenerational Knowledge Bridges – Fabian Kasi (Centenary Bank) with Ajay Kumar (Quality Chemicals), institutionalizing mentorship and reverse mentorship.
- Climate and Infrastructure Leadership – Proscovia Nabbanja (UNOC) with Silver Mugisha (NWSC), anchoring research in energy security, green transition, and infrastructure.
- Pan-African Digital and AI Advantage – Sylvia Mulinge (MTN Uganda) with Mumba Kalifungwa (Stanbic Bank), positioning Makerere as Africa’s digital and AI hub.
She pledged full government support, noting that the teams would convene in the Office of the President. “This summit is not ceremonial but a covenant,” she stressed.
The Minister’s Reflection
Hon. Balaam Barugahara, State Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge of Children and Youth Affairs, emphasized that the summit was not a party but a process of transformation.
Drawing from personal experience, he recalled joining Makerere in 2000 and completing his degree in seven years due to balancing work, hustling for fees, and studying. He praised the university’s role in shaping his success and highlighted recent developments such as the renovation of Mary Stuart Hall and revamping the Main and Western gates, as milestones that have enhanced Makerere’s image. He equally applauded the curbing of staff and student unrest.
He noted that the summit aimed to facilitate networking, mentorship, career opportunities, and university development, signalling collective commitment to Uganda’s transformation.
Council’s Vision: A Legacy Re-imagined
Representing Makerere University Council Chairperson Ms. Lorna Magara, Prof. Sarah Ssali described the summit as a “historic alumni CEO investor round table” and a reaffirmation of Makerere’s role in Africa’s development. She described the university as a “cradle of leadership, innovation and resilience”, noting that the gathering’s objectives included fostering partnerships, showcasing research, launching a fundraising drive, and strengthening alumni engagement. Prof. Ssali emphasized that alumni relations must go beyond occasional financial contributions during events, to continuous communication and genuine relationships. “This summit marks the start of a journey, not just an isolated event,” she reechoed.
Vice Chancellor on Unlocking Makerere’s Potential
Reflecting on the theme of his bid for the Office of Vice Chancellor, “Unlocking the Potential of Makerere University,” Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe noted that while many only celebrate the absence of strikes, behind the calmness is a vibrant transformation.
He highlighted Makerere’s alumni strength, with over 20,000 CEOs globally, and underscored their contributions to Uganda’s economy, governance, health, sports, and research. “What would Uganda do without Makerere?” he pondered. Prof. Nawangwe quickly added that the moment was ripe for Makerere to collaborate more with diaspora alumni so as to tap into fast-evolving niches such as blockchain.
Convocation’s Strategic Role
MUC Chairperson CPA George Mugabi Turyamureeba outlined the Convocation’s mission to support the university’s growth and well-being. He highlighted innovations such as the Convocation House, the annual luncheon for first-class graduates and their parents, mentorship programs, and the MUC SACCO as initiatives that his team had established and promoted during the term so far. The Chairperson nevertheless urged the CEOs present to enable the Convocation have greater impact collaborating on existing as well as envisaged projects such as the Convocation Innovation Centre.
Adding her voice, Vice Chairperson Ms. Grace Cherotich Ruto urged participants—described as “movers and shakers” of Uganda’s economy—to ensure that their decisions today would be celebrated by future generations.
Keynote Address: The Journey’s Just Began
In his keynote, Dr. Peter Kimbowa, Founder and Board Chair of the CEO Summit and Makerere alumnus, congratulated his alma mater on the initiative and reaffirmed the Convocation’s strategic role.
He emphasized that the Round Table Summit should not be seen as a one-time event but as an ongoing journey, echoing American Football Player Jalen Hurts’ mantra: “There’s no arrival. Only the journey.” Dr. Kimbowa defined the Convocation as a community of leaders, alumni, and faculty united by heritage and vision. He described it as a bridge connecting:
- The past to the future,
- Business and industry to academia, and
- Learning to market needs.
He stressed that the Convocation’s ultimate goal was to transform Makerere into a self-sustaining engine of innovation, opportunity, and national transformation. Drawing on corporate insights, he challenged participants to always ask “what is the next opportunity?” and warned against complacency. He unpacked the massive transformation purpose structured around five working teams which MUC has developed, whereby corporate chief executives from Uganda are called upon to lead collaboration with the university. He highlighted the importance of mobilizing talent to connect with successful Ugandan alumni, underscoring the need for local CEOs to harness talent in the diaspora. He emphasized deliberate action, mobilization of global alumni talent, and collaboration between CEOs and the university to sustain transformation
Panel Discussions and Triple Helix Framework
The day’s panel discussion featured Mr. Samuel Mwogeza (Executive Director, Stanbic Bank), Mr. Peter Sibukule (Headmaster, Busoga College Mwiri), Mr. Clovice Bright Irumba (Petroleum Authority of Uganda), and Ms. Grace Cherotich.
Mr. Mwogeza stressed the need to commercialize university prototypes and ideas. He explained that banks like Stanbic use their networks to strengthen innovators’ business cases, preparing them for market entry. Mr. Sibukule on the other hand called for transformation of mindsets right from secondary school level so that students are well primed to communicate, collaborate, uphold integrity and good work attitudes over qualifications in the marketplace. Mr. Irumba highlighted efforts by the PAU to create more opportunities for Ugandan entities to get involved in the oil and gas sector thanks to gaps highlighted by a study undertaken by the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC). Ms. Cherotich on the other hand invited CEOs to take interest in research outputs of the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) and reassured the audience of the Convocation’s readiness to provide a trusted platform for engagement with industry.
Contributing to the day’s discussion, Prof. Eriabu Lugujjo, Executive Director of the Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum (UVF), reminded the audience of the “Triple Helix” model and it’s underlying policy frameworks that in the recent past guided collaboration between universities, government, and the private sector. He observed Uganda’s lack of a robust framework, and called for policies that tie tax incentives to university support by corporations and other business entities.
Proceedings
The inaugural edition of the summit was moderated by Dr. Tayeebwa William from the Department of Journalism and Communication who doubles as Managing Editor Makerere University Press and Dr. Viola Karungi from the Department of Performing Arts and Film (PAF).
The PAF team took charge of the leading the anthems and day’s entertainment, which included a poetic presentation of the Makerere University Anthem.
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