General
Makerere University Signs A USD 19m Contract Agreement With Unisplendour (UNIS) of Tsinghua University
Makerere University on February 11, 2016 officially signed a Contract Agreement with Unisplendour Software Systems Corporation Limited (UNIS) – a group of companies belonging to Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. Makerere University was recommended by the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports for this project with the aim of establishing an ICT-based education system in higher institutions of learning. The initial work of this Mak-UNIS Project will amount to approximately USD 19 million.
As beneficiaries of the Project, Makerere University will be able to improve its network connectivity to enable Colleges get reliable connections. The project will also introduce cloud storage infrastructure, multimedia recording and broadcasting stations for teaching use, wireless coverage systems, network devices, environment monitoring systems and electricity back-up systems. It will also improve server, storage and security systems, as well as integration.
The project will supply, install and commission UNIS Cloud System Matrix at a new Network Operations Centre (NOC) to be deployed at Makerere University. The Cloud System Matrix is an on-premise solution that provides Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and this will allow Makerere University to deploy a private cloud. The cloud will bring together a number of existing market-proven technologies into a platform that is deeply integrated from an engineering and service delivery perspective.
According to the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, the Project will enable the University to restructure Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the institution. “The biggest challenge is streamlining ICT in all our activities. So I’m happy to note that we are having a partner who is going to assist to streamline ICT in our activities,” said Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu.
The Director of International Projects at UNIS group of companies, Mr. Zhang Suwen who represented the Vice President of the Company gave a description of UNIS group of companies and its relationship with Tsinghua University. “Tsinghua University is the top University in China. UNIS is a component of Tsinghua University that has the authority to undertake educational projects abroad and can secure government funds since it is a government company. It deals in cloud computing and storage, electronics and communication networks and virtually all products in the Information Technology sector.” Mr. Zhang Suwen said.
Mr. Andrew Gatera, the UNIS International Projects Coordinator clarified to the Management of Makerere University, that the USD 19 million will take care of all the items covered by the Contract and the secured funds shall be accessed through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development as a government-to-government cooperation.
Giving a brief background on the Project, Dr. Edith Natukunda-Togboa, the Head of the Department of European and Oriental Languages, (DEOL) where Chinese is based said: “We had the pleasure to meet Mr. Andrew Gatera who interested Tsinghua University through its company UNIS, in working with Makerere University in Uganda after the experience of their project in Ghana University. We were lucky that he met our former Chancellor Prof. Mondo Kagonyera at the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports at the time when UNIS was implementing the Ghana Project. Prof. Kagonyera was able to interest them in working with Makerere University.” Dr. Natukunda supplemented that the College of Humanities and Social Sciences had been very keen on following up the linkage and would benefit most from an ICT based education system to cater for big classes and distance learning.
On behalf of Makerere University, the Contract Agreement was signed by Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu the Vice Chancellor in presence of Mr. Augustine Tamale – University Bursar, Mr. Goddy Muhumuza – Acting Director Legal Affairs, Mr. Frank Kitumba – Director of Information, Communication and Technology Services and Dr. Edith Natukunda-Togboa – Head of DEOL. Mr. Zhang Suwen the Director International Projects UNIS signed on behalf of UNIS and Tsinghua University in the presence Mr. Andrew Gatera the International Projects Coordinator and Mr. Liang Shang of UNIS.
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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